CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Chapter Three
Measuring
Sustainability
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Introduction
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Sustainability efforts must be measured to verify
success. It is a testament to the adage
what gets measured gets done.
lf progress can’t be measured, improvement efforts
can’t usually be sustained.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The text introduces the term greenwashing. The
author defines greenwashing as intentionally
deceiving others about environmental effects.
The author also notes that many organizations have
advertised they are going green but end up not
actually doing things that help the environment.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The point is to avoid greenwashing, or possibly
identify greenwashing, clear measurable
approaches have been developed to verify the
environment is being improved by the efforts being
undertaken.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Methods to measure sustainability generally exhibit
the following features:
• The method provides specific goals or benchmarks. It might
be fuel saved or food source quantity increasing. Whatever
it is, it must be measurable.
• The method provides a way for the sustainability process
being measured to be verified by a third party. This is
typically done by using publicly available benchmarks and
data.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Methods to measure sustainability generally exhibit
the following features (cont.):
• Benchmarks are comparable across similar sustainable activity
areas or industries. That is, the benchmarks may be used to
compare an organization or manufacturer to similar
organizations or manufacturers.
• The results of the measurement may be evaluated in order to
improve sustainability practices or address emerging
technologies.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Chapter 3 reviews several benchmarking
efforts...
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The United Nations Millennium Goals
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The UN Millennium Goals were published after the UN
Millennium Summit. The UN approach was to consider the world
and measure progress. However, individual countries could also
be assessed using the same goals and could compare their
efforts to other countries around the world.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The major eight goals are:
1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieving universal primary education
3. Promoting gender equality and empowering women
4. Reducing child mortality rates
5. Improving maternal health
6. Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensuring environmental sustainability
8. Developing a global partnership for development
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Recall that each goal was also accompanied by subgoals, with
specific targets. For example, for Goal 1, one of the targets was
to halve the population of people living on less that $1.25 per
day.
The focus of the Millennium Goals was enhancing the lives of
people in developing countries. In all, there were eighteen
targets, of which three-and-one-half were met. It is worthwhile
noting that the target for Goal 1 mentioned above was met.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
UN Millennium Goals
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail
/millennium-development-goals-(mdgs)
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
National Sustainability Planning
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Many nations around the world have developed sustainability
planning mechanisms for benchmarking their progress.
Some countries use the UN goals, but most countries that do
some form of sustainability assessment create indicators that
reflect their particular situation. That is, agricultural countries
tend to focus on environmental protection related to agricultural,
industrialized nations tend to focus on indicators like GHG
pollution.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Using these indicators, nations can develop policies that make
sense for the long-term health of the country.
The text compares the national plan for Canada and Bhutan (a
land-locked country in Southern Asia, south of Tibet and east of
India).
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The country of Bhutan
map of Bhutan
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom with a
parliamentary government on the Himalayas’
eastern edge, is known for its monasteries,
fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic
landscapes that range from subtropical plains
to steep mountains and valleys. The
population is approximately 780,000 as of
2021.
Bhutan's economy is based on agriculture,
forestry, tourism and the sale of hydroelectric
power to India. Agriculture is the livelihood for
approximately 55% of the population. Per
capita annual income is $3000.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The Canadian plan focuses on broad environmental issues, and
the Bhutan plan focuses on the overall happiness of their
population.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Canadian Plan
The Canadian plan has 13 main themes, each with distinct
measurable goals. The themes include action on climate
change, resilient infrastructure, clean drinking water, clean
energy, sustainable food, healthy wildlife, and connecting
Canadians with nature.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Canadian Plan
Goals under the effective action on climate change include:
• By 2030, reduce GHG emissions by 30% relative to 2005
levels.
• Zero-emission vehicles will be 10% of new vehicle sales by
2025, 30% by 2035, and 100% by 2040.
• Phase-out coal-fired electricity by 2030.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Bhutan Plan
The Bhutan plan focuses on the overall happiness of the people,
while also addressing broad sustainability goals. The plan
measures seven main categories:
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Bhutan Plan
• Economic wellness • Workplace wellness
• Environmental wellness • Social wellness
• Physical wellness • Political wellness
• Mental wellness
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Bhutan Plan
Each of these indicators has quantitative and/or qualitative ways
to measure wellness within the framework of national happiness.
In fact, this approach has attracted attention from other countries,
and many countries are trying to develop ways to incorporate an
assessment of happiness into their sustainability approach.
Other countries, however, have been critical of the happiness
measurement.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
US Plan
The US has no single national plan or single national office that
tracks sustainability indicators. Thus, it is difficult for the US to
conduct long-term planning on overall national sustainability.
Why?
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
US Plan
The author discusses two reasons:
• Politics and the federal system – the US has suffered from
political division for at least two decades
• Organization of the executive branch of the government – this
branch of government has 15 executive officers, but the head
of the EPA is not a cabinet member (though the head does
possess cabinet-level authority).
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
US Plan
The author discusses two reasons:
Most of these 15 executive offices in some way deal with
sustainability issues. Even if the president issues sweeping
directives, the directives may not last as they can be swept away
by the next president.
Unfortunately, some of the hesitation regarding sustainability may
be built-in to US culture.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
US Plan
Note that just as different people can have different approaches
to the natural world
instrumental value: valued for its benefits
intrinsic value: valuable simply for being
Sustainable development can also be approached differently by
different observers and stakeholders.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
justice
welfare
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
justice
welfare
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
justice
welfare
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Consequently, sustainable development is more
successful or more easily embraced in some cultures
(for example, European continent) than in others.
Keep in mind, however, as you proceed in your
engineering career…the question is not your personal
view, but rather the view held by the stakeholders
associated with the particular project on which you’re
working.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Regional Sustainability Planning
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
States, or similar regions in other countries, are often
able to do more comprehensive sustainability
benchmarking than nations as they can address
regional issues more effectively than the national
government.
The text discusses a few examples, such as the
Chinese Provence of Hainan (an area in the tropical
region of China in the South China Sea) and the
County Durham in England.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
In the US, the author discusses California, which has
set distinct goals for the state government.
These goals, set by former governor Jerry Brown,
include such measures as requirement that all new
state government buildings larger than 10000 square
feet achieve LEED silver rating, reduce GHG emissions
by 20% by 2020, and reduce water usage by 20% by
2020.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
These goals were largely met, and the current
governor, Gavin Newsome, has established new goals.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Local Sustainability Measurement
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Cities, towns, and villages are also involved with
sustainability planning in their communities. They bring
together a number of stakeholders to develop
appropriate strategies for ensuring a sustainable future.
What is a stakeholder?
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Stakeholder: person with an interest, concern, or who
could be impacted by a project or plan.
So, who exactly are the stakeholders?
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
A stakeholder could be almost anyone, depending on
the project.
An owner is certainly a stakeholder. But it could also
include the owner of the property next to your project
location; or could include a local business or
community leaders; could include public groups or the
public at-large (as users or customers of the planned
project).
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The goal, when designing a sustainable project, is to
get people involved and talking about the project.
This allows people to present their ideas and concerns
and you, as the designer, can address and incorporate
their ideas and concerns into the project design as
appropriate.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Stakeholder is a term used frequently, and not only in
planning. As a designer, you may very well be asked
to identify stakeholders on your project, contact them,
meet with them, and consider their input throughout the
design process.
Some projects (for example, many federal projects)
actually require stakeholder involvement from the
beginning.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The text goes on to describe several organizations that
assist local governments with sustainability planning.
The text also describes the Green Local Governments
benchmarking tool developed by the Florida Green
Building Council. This tool is a system that awards
points for good practices in a number of categories, not
for a project but for a community. Thus, a community
may be certified platinum for their sustainability efforts.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The author notes that more than 50 local governments in
communities of all sizes across Florida have participated in
the certification process.
Additionally, the text includes a text box that describes how
major league baseball promotes sustainability throughout
both leagues and goes on to discuss sustainability plans
used by New York City and London.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Footprinting
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
The text does not discuss footprinting, but it is a common
term used to measure the impact of an individual,
household, institution, region, or nation on a particular
entity.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
In reality, footprinting does not measure sustainability,
which of course is difficult to measure. Footprint is derived
from consumption of natural resources and determined
as a quantity or economic value.
A conversion factor is typically used to translate the
quantity into a footprint.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Comparing footprints determined by the same method can
be useful in comparing improvements over time or
between different groups or institutions.
There are three footprints commonly used:
• Ecological footprint
• Carbon footprint
• Water footprint
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
An ecological footprint is a measure of how quickly
resources are consumed and waste produced as
compared to the capacity of nature to produce resources
and absorb the waste.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
Ecological footprint is expressed as an area of land on
earth that provides the resources consumed and
assimilates waste produced by a group of people.
It can be calculated for an entity or for a given region.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
It is a composite index that represents the land required to
support the demands of a population.
A composite index is a compilation of individual indicators
combined into one number that provides a single value
that reflects resource use.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
There are two methods used to calculate an ecological
footprint:
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint – Compound Calculation
Compound calculation: typically used for calculations
involving large regions or nations. Requires consumption
analysis of approximately 60 resources.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint – Compound Calculation
The consumption amounts are divided by the global
capacity (or productivity) averages for the prevalent type of
land located in the region or nation. The result is an area
of land needed to sustain activity.
Energy generation is also typically considered.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint – Compound Calculation
The results are reports as global hectares (gha), where
each unit is equal to one hectare of productive land based
on the world’s average productivity.
Note: a hectare is 10,000 square meters or 2.471 acres
(one acre = 43,560 square feet)
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint – Compound Calculation
This method captures many indirect effects of
consumption.
Results are fairly accurate.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint – Component-Based Calculation
The second method sometimes used to calculate an
ecological footprint is similar to a life cycle assessment
as the method examines products and services from
cradle-to-grave use and waste.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint – Component-Based Calculation
Life cycle assessment: a systematic analysis of the
potential environmental impacts of products or services
during their entire life cycle.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint – Component-Based Calculation
In a component-based calculation, the analysis is broken
down into categories rather than resources. This method
is considered better suited for individuals or institutions.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological
footprint
of select
countries
(2010)
Note: carbon is
purple, built-up land
is red
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological
footprint
breakdown
of US
(2010)
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Share of
ecological
footprint of
top five
countries
(2010)
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Countries
with
highest
biocapacity
(2010)
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-US/
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological
Footprint
per Person
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
https://data.footprintnetwork.org/?_ga=2.213014356.193975080
.1607636931-1228825067.1607467693#/compareCountries?cn
=all&type=EFCpc&yr=2017
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
The entire earth population has an ecological footprint of
approximately 21 billion gha, or 2.8 gha per person (as of
2018).
Unfortunately, the earth’s biocapacity is 12 billion gha or 1.6 gha
per person.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Ecological Footprint
That is, the earth’s population is using resources at a rate of
approximately 1.75 the earth’s capacity.
CIEG402: Intro to Sustainability Principles in
CE
Questions?
