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An ethics-based systems approach to indicators of sustainable development

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  • John Peet, Hartmut Bossel

Abstract

A society that wishes to implement policy for sustainable development is faced with the need to identify both the desired direction of any change that is needed and the criteria by which it will know whether its policy has succeeded. These requirements are usually seen as essentially technical in nature. We argue that the ethical framework that a society uses to govern its continuing relationship with all other life on Earth will act as a filter for the indicators that are selected to implement its social control functions. Choice of the ethical framework is therefore primary. This paper postulates the moral imperative of sustainability, and suggests an ethical statement to rationalise social actions and act as a filter for appropriate indicators. Bossel's general systems approach and the use of his basic orientors of system viability are then described, as a structural framework for specification and definition of indicators of system sustainablity. The approach is illustrated by applying it to the New Zealand economy-environment-society system.

Suggested Citation

  • John Peet, Hartmut Bossel, 2000. "An ethics-based systems approach to indicators of sustainable development," International Journal of Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(3), pages 221-238.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijsusd:v:3:y:2000:i:3:p:221-238
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ali Bagheri & Peder Hjorth, 2007. "A Framework For Process Indicators To Monitor For Sustainable Development: Practice To An Urban Water System," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 9(2), pages 143-161, May.
    2. Ali Bagheri & Peder Hjorth, 2007. "Planning for sustainable development: a paradigm shift towards a process-based approach," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(2), pages 83-96.
    3. Reinhard Madlener & Carmenza Robledo & Bart Muys & Bo Hektor & Julije Domac, 2003. "A Sustainability Framework for Enhancing the Long-Term Success of LULUCF Projects," CEPE Working paper series 03-29, CEPE Center for Energy Policy and Economics, ETH Zurich.
    4. Ruth, Matthias, 2006. "A quest for the economics of sustainability and the sustainability of economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(3), pages 332-342, March.
    5. Patterson, Murray G., 2006. "Development of ecological economics in Australia and New Zealand," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(3), pages 312-331, March.

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