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Progress in sustainability science: lessons learnt from current methodologies for sustainability assessment: Part 1

  • LIFE CYCLE SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT: FROM LCA TO LCSA
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Abstract

Purpose

Sustainability Science (SS) is considered an emerging discipline, applicative and solution-oriented whose aim is to handle environmental, social and economic issues in light of cultural, historic and institutional perspectives. The challenges of the discipline are not only related to better identifying the problems affecting sustainability but to the actual transition towards solutions adopting an integrated, comprehensive and participatory approach. This requires the definition of a common scientific paradigm in which integration and interaction amongst sectorial disciplines is of paramount relevance. In this context, life cycle thinking (LCT) and, in particular, life cycle-based methodologies and life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) may play a crucial role. The paper illustrates the main challenges posed to sustainability assessment methodologies and related methods in terms of ontology, epistemology and methodology of SS. The aims of the analysis are twofold: (1) to identify the main features of methodologies for sustainability assessment and (2) to present key aspects for the development of robust and comprehensive sustainability assessment.

Methods

The current debate on SS addressing ontological, epistemological and methodological aspects has been reviewed, leading to the proposal of a conceptual framework for SS. In addition, a meta-review of recent studies on sustainability assessment methodologies and methods, focusing those life cycle based, supports the discussion on the main challenges for a comprehensive and robust approach to sustainability assessment. Starting from the results of the meta-review, we identified specific features of sustainable development-oriented methods: firstly, highlighting key issues towards robust methods for SS and, secondly, capitalising on the findings of each review’s paper. For each issue, a recommendation towards a robust sustainability assessment method is given. Existing limitations of sectorial academic inquiries and proposal for better integration and mainstreaming of SS are the key points under discussion.

Discussion

In the reviewed papers, LCT and its basic principles are acknowledged as relevant for sustainability assessment. Nevertheless, LCT is not considered as a reference approach in which other methods could also find a place. This aspect has to be further explored, addressing the lack of multi-disciplinary exchange and putting the mainstreaming of LCT as a priority on the agenda of both life cycle assessment and sustainability assessment experts. Crucial issues for further developing sustainability assessment methodologies and methods have been identified and can be summarised as follows: holistic and system wide approaches, shift from multi- towards trans-disciplinarity; multi-scale (temporal and geographical) perspectives; and better involvement and participation of stakeholders.

Conclusions

Those are also the main challenges posed to LCSA in terms of progress of ontology, epistemology and methodology in line with the progress of SS. The life cycle-based methodologies should be broadened from comparing alternatives and avoiding negative impacts, to also proactively enhancing positive impacts, and towards the achievement of sustainability goals.

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Notes

  1. The term refers to the routine work of scientists experimenting within a paradigm, slowly accumulating detail in accordance with established broad theory, not actually challenging or attempting to test the underlying assumptions of that theory (Kuhn 1970).

  2. The LCSA framework consists of a combination of the three methods mentioned above.

  3. Natural capital is the extension of the economic notion of capital (manufactured means of production) to goods and services relating to the natural environment ( e.g. the stock of natural ecosystems that yields a flow of valuable ecosystem goods or services into the future). In the sustainability assessment of a system, the environmental pillar could be evaluated through the system capability to maintain the natural capital over time both quantitatively and qualitatively.

  4. The scientific paradigm is the set of concepts, values, techniques, shared by a scientific community in order to define problems and solutions (coherent with the scientific discipline).

  5. The social paradigm is the set of concepts, values, perceptions and behaviors, shared by a community, leading to a vision of reality. This vision informs the way the society is organized.

  6. Other synonyms adopted: Triple Bottom Line assessment, 3E Impact Assessment (Environmental, Economic, Equity), Extended Impact Assessment, Sustainability appraisal.

  7. Across the reviewed papers on SA, the terminology is often used not consistently, adopting “methods” (Thabrew et al. 2009; Patterson 2010; Jeswani et al. 2010), “tools” (Ness et al. 2007; Finnveden and Moberg 2005; Kissinger and Rees 2010), “approaches” (Gasparatos et al. 2008; Hacking and Guthrie 2008), “indices” (Mayer 2008) and “methodologies” (Singh et al. 2009) to indicate the same object.

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Acknowledgements

This paper benefitted from the discussion during the workshop on ‘Scienza della Sostenibilità Italia 2011’, which took place in Valmontone (Rome) on 13–14 October, 2011, and the cross-fertilisation derived from the participation to a broader learning community within the International Network on Sustainability Science (www.infss.org). The contribution of all participants is gratefully acknowledged. We are also grateful to the three anonymous reviewers that contributed to the development of the current version of the paper with their precious and detailed comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sustainability Assessment Unit, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via Enrico Fermi 2749, T.P. 270, 21027, Ispra, VA, Italy

    Serenella Sala

  2. Interuniversity Research Centre on Sustainable Development (CIRPS), Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazza San Pietro in Vincoli 10, 00184, Rome, Italy

    Francesca Farioli

  3. Department Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy

    Francesca Farioli

  4. LCA and Ecodesign Laboratory, Italian National Agency for new Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129, Bologna, Italy

    Alessandra Zamagni

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Sala, S., Farioli, F. & Zamagni, A. Progress in sustainability science: lessons learnt from current methodologies for sustainability assessment: Part 1. Int J Life Cycle Assess 18, 1653–1672 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-012-0508-6

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