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Title Comparing region-specific sustainability assessments through indicator systems: Feasible or not?
ID_Doc 79374
Authors van Zeijl-Rozema, A; Ferraguto, L; Caratti, P
Title Comparing region-specific sustainability assessments through indicator systems: Feasible or not?
Year 2011
Published Ecological Economics, 70.0, 3
DOI 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2010.09.025
Abstract Numerous indices help us to compare country and local performance in the field of human development, globalization and sustainable development. Obvious problems arise, such as data availability and data quality. A less obvious issue is that such sets and indices do not permit the inclusion of specific characteristics or discourses that are important in a country or region. This paper investigates the possibility of comparing regional sustainability assessments in four case studies, where the indicators vary from region to region, but the method of making the assessment is similar. The concepts of weak and strong comparability were used in this analysis. Comparability of sustainable development between different regions is not an issue of rigid comparison of indicator by indicator. It should take into account regional specifics. The resulting shift from strong to weak comparability should not be seen as a lessening of the quality of the assessment and decreasing comparability. Rather than focusing on individual indicators within frameworks that do not permit inclusion of regional developments, this approach allows to look at the broader picture of regional dynamics. It reveals specific regional weaknesses that need attention, and possible areas for building alliances between regions, thus creating a more sustainable Europe. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords Sustainable development; Regional; Indicators; Comparison; Comparability
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000287179300003
WoS Category Ecology; Economics; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Studies
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Business & Economics
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