Sustainability Concepts in Decision-Making: Tools and Approaches for the US Environmental Protection Agency

This book examines scientific tools methods, and approaches for incorporating sustainability concepts into assessments used to support Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision making.

This volume examines both currently available and emerging tools, methods, and approaches to find those most appropriate for assessing and/or evaluating potential economic, social and environmental outcomes within an EPA decision context.
The book discusses data needs and post-decision evaluation of outcomes on dimensions of sustainability.
The recommendations of this report will assist the agency to optimize environmental, social, and economic outcomes in EPA decisions.

Contents
SUMMARY
1. INTRODUCTION
The Committee’s Task
The Committee’s Approach to Its Task
Organization of the Report
2. SUSTAINABILITY: FROM IDEAS TO ACTIONS
Factors That Drive the Need for Sustainability Tools and Approaches
Sustainability in the Environmental Protection Agency
3. TOOLS AND METHODS TO SUPPORT DECISION-MAKING
Introduction
Systems Thinking
Establishing the Level of Analysis Needed for an Activity
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainability Analytics Report
Sustainability Tools and Methods Assessment
Individual Tools and Approaches
Tools, Uncertainty, and Tradeoffs
Key Conclusions and Recommendations
4. CASE STUDIES OF APPLICATIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS AND APPROACHES
Introduction
The Design for Environment Program
Combined-Sewer Overflow
Site Remediation
Implementation of National Ambient-Air Quality Standards
Renewable-Fuel Standard
Considering Generation of Electricity from Natural Gas in a Value-Chain Context
Conclusions and Recommendations
5. PRIVATE-SECTOR AND PRIVATE–PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES: APPLICABILITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DECISION-MAKING
Corporate Drivers of Sustainability Initiatives
Collaboration as Central to Operationalizing Sustainability Concepts
Sustainability Initiatives Outside the Environmental Protection Agency
Innovation Opportunities for the Environmental Protection Agency
Conclusions and Recommendations
6. IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING NEW ISSUES
Introduction
Key Considerations for Identifying and Addressing New Issues
Specific Challenges
The Nexus of New Issues with Environmental Protection Agency’s Focus Areas of Sustainability
Key Conclusions and Recommendations
7. APPLYING SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS AND METHODS TO STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DECISION-MAKING
“Nudging The Future”: The Environmental Protection Agency’s Evolving Role in Managing Sustainability Issues
Motivations for Leadership by Business, Nongovernment Organizations, and Government
Relationship of Risk-Assessment–Risk-Management Decision-Making to Sustainability Tools And Approaches
Key Conclusions and Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDIXES
A. STATEMENT OF TASK
B. BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFIC TOOLS AND APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABILITY
C. THE SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT APPROACH
D. GLOSSARY OF SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS AND APPROACHES
E. APPLICATION OF GENERAL EVALUATION CRITERIA