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A Framework for Development and Communication of Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment Methods

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  • Anders Bjørn
  • Katherine Richardson
  • Michael Zwicky Hauschild

Abstract

An absolute environmental sustainability assessment (AESA) addresses whether a production or consumption activity can be considered environmentally sustainable in an absolute sense. This involves a comparison of its environmental pressure to its allocated environmental carrying capacity. AESA methods have been developed in multiple academic fields, each using their own set of concepts and terms with little communication across the fields. A recent growing interest in using AESA methods for decision support calls for a better common understanding of the constituents of an AESA method and how it can be communicated to scientific peers and to potential users. With this aim, we develop a framework for AESA methods, composed of a succession of four assessment steps and involving six methodological choices that must be made by the method developer or the user. We then use the framework to analyze and compare five selected AESA methods that focus on the release of phosphorus and nitrogen to the environment. In this manner, we show that the framework is able to systematically differentiate AESA methods that initially appear to be similar. Intended users of the framework include (1) method developers communicating new AESA methods to academic peers or potential method users and (2) researchers comparing a group of existing AESA methods and communicating their differences to their peers and to potential users looking for guidance on method selection.

Suggested Citation

  • Anders Bjørn & Katherine Richardson & Michael Zwicky Hauschild, 2019. "A Framework for Development and Communication of Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment Methods," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(4), pages 838-854, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:23:y:2019:i:4:p:838-854
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12820
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    Cited by:

    1. Zamru Ajuhari & Azlizam Aziz & Sam Shor Nahar Yaakob & Shamsul Abu Bakar & Manohar Mariapan, 2023. "Systematic Literature Review on Methods of Assessing Carrying Capacity in Recreation and Tourism Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Frida Hastrup & Nathalia Brichet & Liza Rosenbaum Nielsen, 2022. "Sustainable Animal Production in Denmark: Anthropological Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Mia Heide & Michael Z. Hauschild & Morten Ryberg, 2023. "Reflecting the importance of human needs fulfilment in absolute sustainability assessments: Development of a sharing principle," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(4), pages 1151-1164, August.
    4. Jeroen B. Guinée & Arjan de Koning & Reinout Heijungs, 2022. "Life cycle assessment‐based Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment is also relative," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 673-682, June.
    5. Conteratto, Caroline & Artuzo, Felipe Dalzotto & Benedetti Santos, Omar Inácio & Talamini, Edson, 2021. "Biorefinery: A comprehensive concept for the sociotechnical transition toward bioeconomy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    6. Caroline Amalie Clausen & Anders Bjørn & Esther Sanyé‐Mengual & Morten Ryberg, 2024. "Applying environmental sustainability boundaries for climate change in life cycle assessment: A review of approaches and implications for policymaking," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(3), pages 617-630, June.

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