Measuring progress towards sustainability : a treatise for engineers

• Main Authors: Sikdar, Subhas K. (Author), Sengupta, Debalina (Author), Mukherjee, Rajib (Author)
• Format: Electronic eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Cham, Switzerland : Springer, 2017.
• Subjects: Sustainable engineering.; elektronické knihy; electronic books
• ISBN: 9783319427195; 9783319427171
• Physical Description: 1 online resource

This book is a state of the art treatise on what has been done so far on measuring sustainability for decision making. Contributions will appeal to engineers and scientists engaged in technology development, assessment, and verification. Researchers working on engineering sustainability are likely t...

Table of Contents:

• Preface; Contents; Chapter 1: Scientific Sustainability; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Environmental Protection in the USA; 1.3 Sustainable Development in the USA; 1.4 Sustainability from an Engineering Viewpoint; 1.5 Sustainability in Industry; 1.6 Summary; References; Suggestions for Further Reading; Chapter 2: Sustainability and Innovation; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Motivators of Sustainable Innovation; 2.3 Drivers of Innovation; 2.3.1 Human Curiosity; 2.3.2 Government Support; 2.3.3 Environmental Regulations; 2.3.4 Sustainability; 2.4 Innovation Is Not Always Benign.
• 2.5 Sustainable Products and Processes2.5.1 Maintaining Reputation; 2.5.2 Economic Opportunities; 2.5.3 Demand Pull (Customer Choice); 2.5.4 New Technology Opportunity; 2.6 Process of Innovation; 2.7 Summary; References; Suggested Further Reading; Chapter 3: Engineering Sustainability, Needs for Metrology and Standards; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Providers of Standards and Methods of Development; 3.3 Standards; 3.4 A Conceptual Standard Framework; 3.5 Corporate Sustainability; 3.6 Summary; References; Chapter 4: Systems, Indicators, and Sustainability Assessment; 4.1 Introduction.
• 4.2 Sustainability Concept for Science and Engineering4.3 Defining Sustainability; 4.4 Classifying Indicators; 4.5 Determination of Indicator Dimensionality; 4.6 Selection of Indicators; 4.6.1 Regional Systems; 4.6.2 Selecting Indicators for Sustainability for Business and Technology Scales; 4.6.2.1 Indicators (or Metrics) for Institutional or Business Indicators; 4.7 Sustainability Assessment: A Framework; 4.8 Fraudulent Sustainability Claims and Green Washing; 4.9 Summary; References.
• Chapter 5: Sustainability Measurement for Technology and Business Systems: Use of Currently Available Tools for Quantification5.1 Introduction; 5.2 What Are Indicators and Metrics?; 5.3 Methods for Measurement of Environmental Impacts, and Indicators; 5.3.1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); 5.3.1.1 Screening; 5.3.1.2 Scoping; 5.3.1.3 Baseline Data Collection; 5.3.1.4 Impact Analysis and Prediction; 5.3.1.5 Analysis of Alternatives; 5.3.1.6 Mitigation and Impact Management; 5.3.1.7 Environmental Management Plan (EMP); 5.3.1.8 Environmental Monitoring.
• 5.3.1.9 Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)5.3.2 Life Cycle Assessment; 5.3.2.1 Goal and Scope Definition; Function, Functional Unit, and Reference Flows; System Boundary; 5.3.2.2 Life Cycle Inventory; Data Collection; Data Calculation; Allocation of Flows and Releases; 5.3.2.3 Life Cycle Impact Assessment; Calculation Methods for Characterization; Midpoint vs Endpoint Approach in Impact Calculation; Endpoint Method: Eco-Indicator 99; Midpoint Method: The Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI).