An AHP-Based Procedure for Model Selection for Eco-Efficiency Assessment

Abstract

Modelling eco-efficiency is becoming a wide field of research shown by a large body of scientific literature on the subjects concerned. This paper, after performing a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify existing models for process eco-efficiency assessments, provides a methodology, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, for choosing the eco-efficiency assessment model to be used for a given application (process, product, or service). For the SLR, papers from the databases Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct were used. Forty articles were considered for this study, using as the main selection criterion articles that present an eco-efficiency assessment model, since the purpose was to survey the types of existing models that are used to assess processes, products or services for eco-efficiency. With the systematic review carried out, it was possible to identify the types of models that exist and how they are used in different sectors, always aiming to identify if what was analyzed is eco-efficient and what points need to be improved. The proposed AHP-based methodology was applied to a numerical model to outline how to apply the methodology. The approach was easy to use and effective in identifying the proper eco-efficiency model.

Investigating the Effects of Environmental Regulation on Industrial Ecological Efficiency in China Using a Panel Smooth Transition Regression Model

“…The outcomes revealed notably higher industrial eco-efficiency levels in the eastern provinces of China. Moreover, alternative methods such as the ratio method [7,8], analytic hierarchy process [9], life cycle cost analysis [10][11][12], material flow analysis [13], ecological footprint analysis [14], and stochastic frontier analysis [15] have also been leveraged by scholars to evaluate and dissect IEE. Nonetheless, it becomes evident that the DEA retains certain advantages in this domain.…”

Methodology for Prioritizing Best Practices Applied to the Sustainable Last Mile—The Case of a Brazilian Parcel Delivery Service Company

“…Firstly, a pairwise comparison matrix of the criteria related to the perspectives was performed to calculate the weights assigned to the perspectives and indicators. Then, a pairwise comparison matrix of sub criteria related to indicators was performed [112] according to the example shown in Table 8. The normalized C i weight of the i-th criteria can be obtained as shown in Equation (1).…”

“…After obtaining the eigenvectors for the criteria (Weight p ), sub criteria (Weight i ), and calculating the eigenvectors relating to best practices analyzed for each indicator, a global ordering was made to rank the alternatives [112]. The results are presented in Table 11.…”

Evaluation of County Agricultural Eco-Efficiency in Chongqing and Analysis of Its Spatiotemporal Differentiation under the Dual Carbon Target

“…It investigates the correlation between agricultural inputs and outputs, emphasizing the need to minimize agricultural production inputs and ecological environment pollution in order to attain optimal output levels [7,8]. Regarding the investigation of AEE, both local and international experts mostly concentrate on the following three dimensions: The primary focus of research on AEE measurement includes the utilization of many models, including the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) [9], the integration of emergency and life cycle methods [10], and the super-efficiency SBM model [11,12]. The second aspect of the study focuses on the examination of the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of AEE.…”