Assessing Sustainability: The Missing Elements in Current Environmental Assessment Approaches

Abstract

Assessing the impact of industrial activity is a complex challenge for policy makers, scientists and engineers. In an effort to evaluate industrial systems, a range of alternative methods have been developed. From qualitative matrix models to data-intensive computer models, decision-makers are able to choose from a variety of tools to appraise the potential environmental impact. However, these methods stop short at demonstrating how industrial activity affects sustainability. The purpose of this work is to advance the area of environmental assessment by developing a method of evaluating the sustainability implications of industrial activity (products and processes). This chapter covers the definition of sustainability, its key factors and elements, the state of the art for environmental assessment and the shortcomings of the current environmental assessment methods. This research agenda was carved out of a survey of research needs within environmental assessment and industrial ecology. From this study, it is evident that assessing sustainability requires a cross-disciplinary study of factors and interactions linking demography, consumer demand, economic activity, industrial activity and resource use to sustainability. Further, a key component of assessing sustainability is population. As such, this chapter serves as an introduction to the development of the “Population Based Model for Assessing the Sustainability Implications of Industrial Activity” (PMASI). This approach is relevant to both developing and industrialized countries.