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Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Sustainability Measures: A Systems Approach for Policy Prioritization

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  • Alexandra Lavers Westin

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Yuliya Kalmykova

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Leonardo Rosado

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

Decision makers are tasked with defining and implementing measures that can meet established environmental targets. However, it is not always clear how effective the measure(s) will be in meeting the specified goals and which measures should be prioritized for implementation. To fill this gap, we have developed a method for testing planned actions to estimate potential impact on targets. The method can be performed at any scale, e.g., at the national, regional, or city level. The approach considers several factors, including the total consumption of an area, region-specific consumption-based environmental hotspots, the decision makers, the reduction targets and related measures, as well as multiple impact types. We present the method using the example of the municipality Gothenburg, Sweden. In collaboration with local authorities in Gothenburg, we co-created scenarios that bundle proposed measures intended to make progress towards their climate target of 3.5 tons carbon dioxide equivalents per capita. We then quantified how measures related to two known environmental hotspots, fuel and electronics, may affect climate change impact levels by the target year of 2035. The scenarios indicate that despite targeting known high-impact product types in Gothenburg, the efforts lead to only 14% of the reduction needed to meet the specified goal.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Lavers Westin & Yuliya Kalmykova & Leonardo Rosado, 2019. "Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Sustainability Measures: A Systems Approach for Policy Prioritization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:734-:d:202142
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Affan Ahmed Khan & Ming Zheng Wang & Sadaf Ehsan & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Maaida Hussain Hashmi, 2019. "Linking Sustainability-Oriented Marketing to Social Media and Web Atmospheric Cues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-28, May.
    2. Alice Whetstone & Yuliya Kalmykova & Leonardo Rosado & Alexandra Lavers Westin, 2020. "Informing Sustainable Consumption in Urban Districts: A Method for Transforming Household Expenditures into Physical Quantities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.

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