Measuring the Sustainability of a Natural System By Using Multi-Criteria Distance Function Methods: Some Critical Issues

Diaz-Balteiro, Luis, Belavenutti, P., Ezquerro García, Marta ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6508-9382, Gonzalez Pachon, J. and Ribeiro Nobre, Silvana (2018). Measuring the Sustainability of a Natural System By Using Multi-Criteria Distance Function Methods: Some Critical Issues. "Journal of Environmental Management", v. 214 ; pp. 197-203. ISSN 0301-4797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.03.005.

Description

Title: Measuring the Sustainability of a Natural System By Using Multi-Criteria Distance Function Methods: Some Critical Issues
Author/s:
  • Diaz-Balteiro, Luis
  • Belavenutti, P.
  • Ezquerro García, Marta https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6508-9382
  • Gonzalez Pachon, J.
  • Ribeiro Nobre, Silvana
Item Type: Article
Título de Revista/Publicación: Journal of Environmental Management
Date: May 2018
ISSN: 0301-4797
Volume: 214
Subjects:
Freetext Keywords: Composite índices; Indicators; Multiple criteria decision making; P-metrics; Multi-functionality
Faculty: E.T.S.I. Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural (UPM)
Department: Ingeniería y Gestión Forestal y Ambiental
Creative Commons Licenses: Recognition - No derivative works - Non commercial

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Abstract

There is an important body of literature using multi-criteria distance function methods for the aggregation of a battery of sustainability indicators in order to obtain a composite index. This index is considered to be a proxy of the sustainability goodness of a natural system. Although this approach has been profusely used in the literature, it is not exempt from difficulties and potential pitfalls. Thus, in this paper, a significant number of critical issues have been identified showing different procedures capable of avoiding, or at least of mitigating, the inherent potential pitfalls associated with each one. The recommendations made in the paper could increase the theoretical soundness of the multi-criteria distance function methods when this type of approach is applied in the sustainability field, thus increasing the accuracy and realism of the sustainability measurements obtained.

Funding Projects

Type
Code
Acronym
Leader
Title
Government of Spain
AGL2015-68657-R
Unspecified
Unspecified
Unspecified
Horizon 2020
691149
SuFoRun
Unspecified
Models and decision SUpport tools for integrated FOrest policy development under global change and associated Risk and UNcertainty

More information

Item ID: 55378
DC Identifier: https://oa.upm.es/55378/
OAI Identifier: oai:oa.upm.es:55378
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.03.005
Official URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Deposited by: Memoria Investigacion
Deposited on: 12 Jun 2019 14:38
Last Modified: 12 Jun 2019 14:38
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