Use of backcasting to integrate indicators with principles of sustainability

Abstract

There are innumerable indicators that can be used to evaluate sustainable development and these can serve to inform and guide progress. However, they are often selected without considering their effect on each other and the achievement of sustainability. Indeed, two decades after the definition of sustainable development, there is still little agreement on principles of sustainability, nor the indicators to represent them. Part of the difficulty lies in working from a present unsustainable state to an uncertain future horizon. An alternative is to apply backcasting, which starts from a desired outcome and develops scenarios for achieving it. This paper presents a framework of sustainability principles to help operationalize indicators and increase their relevance. It outlines how this can be done using backcasting to evaluate existing indicators or to select those that relate positively to the framework principles. Although there is no formula for achieving sustainability, this process provides a format for discussion in selecting indicators and in ensuring their continued relevance to sustainable development progress.

Integrated co-operative governance in the context of sustainable development

“…To complicate this task, more than 90 definitions for sustainable development exist (Becker, 2010) although it is one of the most widely used words today (Patra, 2008). Furthermore, sustainability is a value judgment and means different things to different people, organisations and institutions, and some aspects can only be assessed by inference from what is observable.…”

“…Furthermore, sustainability is a value judgment and means different things to different people, organisations and institutions, and some aspects can only be assessed by inference from what is observable. Therefore, there are many attempts to measure progress towards sustainability (Becker, 2010;Wallis, Kelly & Graymore, 2010). Over time, numerous tools were developed at global (e.g.…”

“…However, the mere existence of a framework does not necessarily guarantee the desired outcomes but assists managers and public policy-makers to develop more effective structured systems and, furthermore, guides regulatory compliance performance and provides a system for continuous quality monitoring and improvement (Becker, 2010;Wallis, Kelly & Graymore, 2010).…”

“…However, this creates one of the first challenges for both managers and policy-makers as there are more than 90 definitions of sustainable development (Becker, 2010). Added to this challenge, sustainable development and the success of sustainability is a value judgment and it means different things to different people and organisations (Becker, 2010;Wallis, Kelly & Graymore, 2010).…”

“…These challenges include the more than 90 definitions of sustainable development (Becker, 2010), concepts which are very broad and there seems to be a lack of applicable, tested and validated comprehensive frameworks and/or models, with applicable and effective guidelines for implementation (Jabbour & Santos 2008). Moreover, sustainable development and the success of sustainability is a value judgment; some areas could only be assessed by inference from what is observable and not always through quantifiable measurement (Becker, 2010;Wallis, Kelly & Graymore, 2010). Globally, both managers and public policy-makers are researching approaches and/or frameworks to assist them (Wallis, Kelly & Graymore, 2010;Morrow & Rondinelli, 2002).…”