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Sustainability-Based Decision Making
Introduction
Ongoing sustainability projects have produced a variety of tools and decision approaches that focus on sustainability metrics and indicators, or chemical processes. However, work is needed to systematically support decisions, development, and management options in emerging fields of interest.
Environmental Issue or Problem
Sustainability requires meeting the needs of the present population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To manage the environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability, decision makers will have to make decisions under highly complex and uncertain conditions. Models, methods, frameworks, and guidance for sustainability-based decision making are needed.
Research Approach
Sustainability researchers work on transdisciplinary EPA teams to develop models, methods, frameworks, and guidance. To support sustainability-based decision making, sustainability researchers will apply key decision theory and decision analysis methods to develop enhanced mechanisms for the assessment, development, and management of products, processes, and systems. As a part of broader efforts to study and support sustainable communities, researchers will create a database of sustainability indicators, guidance on the selection and use of the indicators, and a web-based tool to help communities identify appropriate sustainability and performance indicators and indices that match their priorities. The sustainability-based, decision-making research also relates to work on nanotechnology, supply chains, chemical processes, water resources, and life cycle perspective research.
Models and Methods
Additional decision-support tools from sustainability researchers are already available:
- TEST – Toxicity Estimation Software Tool
- PARIS II – Program for Assisting the Replacement of Industrial Solvents
- WAR – Waste Reduction Algorithm
- CAPE-OPEN – Computer-Aided Process Engineering, Metal Finishing Facility Pollution Prevention Tool
- LCAccess – Life Cycle Assessment
- TRACI – Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts
Selected Publications
Guidance to Facilitate Decisions for Sustainable Nanotechnology (PDF) (75 pp, 1.08 MB) (EPA/600/R-11/107) September 2011
Contact
Tarsha Eason
513-569-7974