Sustainability Assessment Model: A Framework for Evaluating Environmental Projects

1. The experiences of applying a sustainability assessment model JE Cavanagh, B Frame, M Fraser*, J Gabe Landcare Research, *Victoria University

2. What is the sustainability assessment model (SAM)? A tool….. • for engaging sustainable development thinking within organisations • for modelling and evaluating sustainable development profiles of ‘projects’ • aims to maximise sustainability for a given project by…….

3. Developing a profile…. Total turnover or total cost Social benefit of product/service Benefits via taxation Social benefit of jobs Resources used Pollution impacts +ve -ve Social Environmental Resource Economic

4. Development of the profile…. • Requires active participation from stakeholders • Is a learning process • Allows consideration of the impact of different measures, therefore options for improved sustainability • Provides a mechanism to engage wider stakeholder groups

5. Aim of work • Investigate the application of SAM across a range of sectors and case studies • Waste • Organic waste • Options for recycling • Transport • Housing

6. Organic waste • Disposal of organic waste via traditional means vs usage in a community garden

7. Community garden

8. Outcomes • Local council opted to retain land currently used as a community garden, as opposed to using it for social housing

9. Case study – waste management options • Assessment of waste disposal vs resource recovery • Disposal to landfill • Small-scale community based recycling • Commercial-scale community based recycling • Commercial recycling operation • Collection of materials

10. Landfill Taxes Operational costs Social benefit of taxes Capital costs Human capital Air emissions Direct and indirect jobs Environmental spending Footprint Infrastructure

11. Small-scale community based recycling operation Additional benefits Social spending Direct and indirect jobs Operational costs Human capital Infrastructure

12. Commercial-scale community based recycling operation Taxes Social spending Operational costs Additional benefits Social benefit of taxes Human capital Direct and indirect jobs Infrastructure

14. Outcomes • Purpose of case study was to initiate discussion around the relative economic, social and environmental impacts and benefits of alternative waste management options • Achieved this aim, but no ‘action’ taken • Limitations: didn’t include the wider impacts of recovering materials

15. Vehicle operating costs Air emissions Fuel use Water quality impacts Case study - transport • Assessment of do-nothing vs implementation of bus priority lanes

16. Travel Time savings Vehicle operating costs Air emissions Fuel use Water quality impacts

17. Outcomes • Primary ‘benefit’ of bus-lane is anticipated travel-time savings • Minor resource and environmental benefits • Further work continuing

18. Housing case studies • Housing developer • Large-scale development (~2500 units) • Sustainability framework used in preliminary design • Housing New Zealand Corporation • 6 units, pilot study for use in asset decision-making • Currently developing SAM profiles

19. Items for inclusion….. • Economic category - broadly represents contribution to GDP, as money going into society • Project costs • Local businesses (include local employment) • Household operation • Environmental and Resource category • Land area used • Household electricity use, waste disposal • Transport (fuel, air emissions) • Water use and sewage impacts • Ecological impacts

20. Examples cont….. • Social category • Typical indicators focus on aspects such as accessibility to services, social inclusion, quality of life • Tangible outcomes • improved mental and physical health (well-being) • reduced crime/social dysfunction • Participation in community activities (time spent volunteering)

21. Experiences • Key step is defining the project scope • items for inclusion • Feasibility of including those items • Different levels of participation from stakeholders • Often desired to be used to ‘prove’ a particular option is the best option • Researcher often viewed as providing the ‘right’ answer

22. Experiences cont. • Monetisation • Different stakeholder views on the ‘value’ of monetisation • Approach is use credible valuation sources, where possible • Surrogate valuations may also be used – stakeholder participation vital • Non-monetised items can also be included

23. Experiences cont… • Technical challenges • Data provision/confidentiality issues • Valuation

24. Conclusions • SAM has not been used to full potential to date • SAM can be a useful tool to incorporate wider impacts (social, environmental, resource) in project decision-making • Depends on the decision-making environment the project leader operates in

25. Acknowledgements • Thanks to Environment Waikato, Xtreme Waste, Hamilton City Council, Fullcircle Carter Holt Harvey, Wastebusters Trust Canterbury, TerraNova, Christchurch City Council, Housing New Zealand Corporation