Assessing sustainability

A technical fix or a means of social learning

Bibliographic Data

ID19500029
AuthorsAnne M Wallis (Deakin University, corresponding author), Alecia R Kelly (Deakin University), Michelle Graymore (Deakin University), Michelle L M Graymore (Deakin University)
Year2010
Volume17
Issue1
Pages67-75
Publication date2010-02-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1350-4509 • E-ISSN: 1745-2627
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13504500903491812
OpenAlexW1984797477
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited27

The contextual nature of sustainability makes it extremely difficult to measure. Across the world each region has a specific environment and history that has shaped values and perceptions of the local community. In response, a wide range of tools has been developed that employ differing techniques to measure sustainability. These have a range of applications from global to site-specific scales. However, it is yet to be resolved whether assessments made using these tools reflect a technical focus with no close links to the knowledge and perceptions of stakeholders, community and management decisions, or whether the assessments reflect the knowledge and perceptions of local stakeholders and the community. In the southwest region of Victoria, Australia, a sustainability index called AIRS (An Index of Regional Sustainability) has recently been developed. This tool is based on indicators selected by stakeholders and considers relationships between the indicators. The aim of this paper is to report an ex-post evaluation of the AIRS sustainability assessment conducted at a subcatchment scale. The evaluation assesses AIRS's ability to assess regional sustainability and compares and contrasts the subcatchment assessments with the knowledge and perceptions of stakeholders and the community. A participatory approach that acknowledges key stakeholders was used for the evaluation process. Representatives from four stakeholder groups were interviewed to elicit their views of the AIRS assessment, its relevance, quality, applicability and priorities for future development. Strengths and weaknesses of AIRS are revealed and its contribution to social learning is highlighted

Business · Citizen journalism · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Knowledge management · Perception · Political science · Process management · Public relations · Social sustainability · Stakeholder · Stakeholder engagement · Strengths and weaknesses · Sustainability · Computer Science · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Environmental Science · Psychology · Sustainable Building Design and Assessment · Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub