Multiple criteria decision-making as an operational conceptualization of energy sustainability

J.C. Romero, P. Linares

Sustainability Vol. 13, nº. 21, pp. 11629-1 - 11629-14

Summary:

There is a broad international consensus about the urgency of promoting a strong change towards energy models that are less dependent on non-renewable energy sources, more equitable, and truly environmentally friendly. In order to achieve this goal, we need to define the problem so that it can be operationally and comprehensively addressed. This paper presents a proposal of a framework for the analysis of the sustainability of energy models based on multiple criteria theory, which we consider comprehensive and operational enough. Its application to a real energy model, the Spanish one, shows that the framework is able to address most of the elements both of weak and strong sustainability and find a reasonable compromise within the limits of the problem.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este trabajo presenta una propuesta de marco para el análisis de la sostenibilidad de los modelos energéticos basada en la teoría de los criterios múltiples, que consideramos suficientemente completa y operativa. Su aplicación a un modelo energético real, el español, muestra que el marco es capaz de abordar la mayoría de los elementos tanto de la sostenibilidad débil como de la fuerte y encontrar un compromiso razonable dentro de los límites del problema.

English layman's summary:

This paper presents a proposal of a framework for the analysis of the sustainability of energy models based on multiple criteria theory, which we consider comprehensive and operational enough. Its application to a real energy model, the Spanish one, shows that the framework is able to address most of the elements both of weak and strong sustainability and find a reasonable compromise within the limits of the problem.

Keywords: energy sustainability; weak sustainability; strong sustainability; sustainability frameworks

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 3,889 - Q2 (2021); 3,300 - Q2 (2023)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111629

Published on paper: November 2021.

Published on-line: October 2021.

Citation:
J.C. Romero, P. Linares, Multiple criteria decision-making as an operational conceptualization of energy sustainability. Sustainability. Vol. 13, nº. 21, pp. 11629-1 - 11629-14, November 2021. [Online: October 2021]