Smith, L., Ibn-Mohammed, T., Reaney, I.M. orcid.org/0000-0003-3893-6544 et al. (1 more author) (2021) A chemical element sustainability index. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 166. 105317. ISSN 0921-3449
Abstract
As product development becomes increasingly complex, the demand for the earth's mineral ores increases and with it, the challenge to achieve global “sustainability”. Chemical elements are the building blocks of natural resources which are sourced from across the planet to manufacture globally traded goods. While global technological, social and economic progress accelerates, evaluating the sustainability of these building blocks remains a challenge. Numerous methodologies to evaluate sustainability exist but most rely on high levels of data collection. In this paper, a methodology is presented within a multi-criteria decision analysis and composite indicator framework with the aim of rapidly and comprehensively estimating the sustainability of a chemical element . The framework is based on triple bottom line principles; the environment, economy and society, to measure the sustainability of 59 chemical elements. The output, the chemical element sustainability index (CESI), is a single value supported by the aggregation of the Human Development Index, Global Warming Potential, and National Economic Importance indicators, derived through a rigorous and systematic selection process. Recycling rate is employed within the framework as a control variable given its importance as a sustainability strategy. The results show that the greater the Human Development Index, National Economic Importance and Recycling Rate, and the lower the Global Warming Potential, the more sustainable the chemical element is, and vice-versa. The CESI was validated using three representative piezoelectric materials as a case study. The framework presented is useful for product designers, policy makers and educational bodies, to support decision making towards sustainable production and consumption.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Chemical element sustainability index; Sustainable development; Triple bottom line; Composite indicator; Principal component analysis |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Materials Science and Engineering (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Management School (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Engineering and Physical Science Research Council EP/L017563/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 14 Dec 2020 11:05 |
Last Modified: | 01 Feb 2022 11:42 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105317 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:168821 |