Sustainability assessment methods and their application for harmonization of policies and sustainability monitoring
In: Environmental Research, Engineering and Management; Vol 48, No 2 (2009); 51-62
The article analyses sustainability assessment methods and techniques. The criteria for sustainability assessment of state policies are defined based on priorities of National Sustainable development strategy and the technique for sustainability assessment of state policies is developed. The integrated indicators approach was developed for monitoring implementation of sustainable development strategy in Lithuania.The main aim of the article is to develop technique for sustainability assessment of state policies and measures based on various sustainability assessment tools, methods and techniques developed by other scientists. The main methods and techniques for sustainability assessment were analysed and systematized. Based on analysis of priorities of Lithuanian government policies the main economic, environmental and social criteria for sustainability assessment of policies and measures were established for Lithuania. Proposed multi-criteria decision analysis technique is based on integrated sustainability indices developed for state, region, enterprise level and includes set of social, economic and environmental indicators of different levels. The monitoring technique for progress achieved towards sustainability was applied for monitoring of implementation of Lithuanian sustainable development strategy