Advancing quantification methods of sustainability: A critical examination emergy, exergy, ecological footprint, and ecological information-based approaches

Kharrazi, Ali; Kraines, Steven; Hoang, Lan; Yarime, Masaru

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.10.003

Cited by 71 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Our framework can be a tool to resolve this problem since it connects two dimensions of sustainability in a process where different identified indicators are arranged. A call for bridging technology and policy making through the realization of the essential problems of sustainability during its quantification was addressed by Kharrazi et al [20]. Our set of indicators organized in the proposed framework, thus supports this argument.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Finding sustainability indicators for information system assessment

Nyström

Mustaquim

2015

Proceedings of the 19th International Academic Mindtrek Conference

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Nowadays, the importance of sustainability is persuading novel shifts in everyday life. This diversity makes it significant and challenging for sustainability to be quantified and measured. While the existence of perfect sustainability indicators is relatively unreasonable, they have important pragmatic roles in quantification and measurement by bridging sustainability's three pillars. Information system (IS) and sustainability are popular research areas, which clearly reflect the divergent and multidimensional role of sustainability. Despite this importance, defining the right sustainability indicators for IS is imperceptible. In this paper, we have identified sustainability indicators for IS using previous theoretical frameworks where universal design (UD) and its advance concept were used. Followed by this, a framework of IS sustainability indicators were proposed. The indicators were shown in the form of a design space arrangement, which could play significant roles in assessing sustainability for IS.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Finding sustainability indicators for information system assessment

Nyström

Mustaquim

2015

Proceedings of the 19th International Academic Mindtrek Conference

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“…The second step is the calculation of direct product consumption coefficient and total product consumption coefficient for each product from each sector in each region which were discussed at length in Section 3.2.2. The final step is to covert the embodied product consumption, which was obtained by EE-MRIO, into corresponding EF according to Formulas (12)- (15) Figure 2 shows the framework for calculating EFs based on the EE-MRIO. And the process can be divided into three steps:…”

Section: Indicators (1) Efs Of Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) Study of the Provincial Ecological Footprints and Domestic Embodied Footprints Traded among China’s 30 Provinces

Liu

2016

Sustainability

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Rapid development in China has led to imbalances and inequities of ecological resources among the provinces and regions. In this study, an environmentally extended multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model was used to analyze the imbalances, inequities and pressures of the ecological footprints (EF) of China's 30 provinces in 2007. In addition, by decomposing the total product consumption coefficients, we calculated the net embodied EF of the flows among the provinces by the total amount, land type and sector. The results showed that most provinces presented EF deficits. Significant differences were observed between the ecological pressure in consumption (EPC) and ecological pressure in production (EPP) for each province because of the net embodied EF trade; the EPCs of Shanghai (15.16), Beijing (7.81) and Tianjin (7.81) were the largest and presented descending EPPs, whereas the EPCs of Heilongjiang (0.98), Hebei (0.98), Xinjiang (0.98) and Guangxi (0.98) were under the threshold value (1) and presented ascending EPPs. The carbon footprint in the secondary sector was the main embodied EF of the flows among the provinces responsible for inequities. Finally, based on the various conditions of the provinces in different geographical regions, we have provided suggestions for regionally balanced development that can maintain the EPP and EPC values under the threshold for each province.

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“…Specifically, the challenge in the integration of socio-environmental dimensions is 'where' and 'how' to integrate different values. Regarding the how, theoretical approaches mainly include accounting approaches such as emergy, exergy, and the ecological footprint [21]. Regarding the where, researchers have forwarded integration of dimensions at different spatial granularities [22,23].…”

Section: Avoiding Centrism: Integrating Social and Environmental Dimementioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing Empirical Approaches to the Concept of Resilience: A Critical Examination of Panarchy, Ecological Information, and Statistical Evidence

2016

Self Cite

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Despite its ambiguities, the concept of resilience is of critical importance to researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers in dealing with dynamic socio-ecological systems. In this paper, we critically examine the three empirical approaches of (i) panarchy; (ii) ecological information-based network analysis; and (iii) statistical evidence of resilience to three criteria determined for achieving a comprehensive understanding and application of this concept. These criteria are the ability: (1) to reflect a system's adaptability to shocks; (2) to integrate social and environmental dimensions; and (3) to evaluate system-level trade-offs. Our findings show that none of the three currently applied approaches are strong in handling all three criteria. Panarchy is strong in the first two criteria but has difficulty with normative trade-offs. The ecological information-based approach is strongest in evaluating trade-offs but relies on common dimensions that lead to over-simplifications in integrating the social and environmental dimensions. Statistical evidence provides suggestions that are simplest and easiest to act upon but are generally weak in all three criteria. This analysis confirms the value of these approaches in specific instances but also the need for further research in advancing empirical approaches to the concept of resilience.

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Advancing quantification methods of sustainability: A critical examination emergy, exergy, ecological footprint, and ecological information-based approaches

Cited by 71 publications

References 52 publications

Finding sustainability indicators for information system assessment

Finding sustainability indicators for information system assessment

Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) Study of the Provincial Ecological Footprints and Domestic Embodied Footprints Traded among China’s 30 Provinces

Advancing Empirical Approaches to the Concept of Resilience: A Critical Examination of Panarchy, Ecological Information, and Statistical Evidence

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