A framework for selecting indicators of bioenergy sustainability

Dale, Virginia H.; Efroymson, Rebecca Ann; Kline, Keith L.; Davitt, Marcia S.

doi:10.1002/bbb.1562

A framework for selecting indicators of bioenergy sustainability

Journal Article · Mon May 11 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1562· OSTI ID:1265632

Dale, Virginia H. ^[1]; Efroymson, Rebecca Ann ^[1]; Kline, Keith L. ^[1]; Davitt, Marcia S. ^[2]

Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ. (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA (United States)

A framework for selecting and evaluating indicators of bioenergy sustainability is presented. This framework is designed to facilitate decision-making about which indicators are useful for assessing sustainability of bioenergy systems and supporting their deployment. Efforts to develop sustainability indicators in the United States and Europe are reviewed. The first steps of the framework for indicator selection are defining the sustainability goals and other goals for a bioenergy project or program, gaining an understanding of the context, and identifying the values of stakeholders. From the goals, context, and stakeholders, the objectives for analysis and criteria for indicator selection can be developed. The user of the framework identifies and ranks indicators, applies them in an assessment, and then evaluates their effectiveness, while identifying gaps that prevent goals from being met, assessing lessons learned, and moving toward best practices. The framework approach emphasizes that the selection of appropriate criteria and indicators is driven by the specific purpose of an analysis. Realistic goals and measures of bioenergy sustainability can be developed systematically with the help of the framework presented here.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

DOE Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1265632

Journal Information:: Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, Journal Name: Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 1; ISSN 1932-104X

Publisher:: Wiley

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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