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The Missing Piece in Sustainability Indices: Accounting for the Human Factor

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Lumbreras

    (Institute for Research in Technology, Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain)

  • Lluis Oviedo

    (Faculty of Theology, Pontifical University Antonianum, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Hans-Ferdinand Angel

    (Faculty of Religious Education, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

Abstract

Sustainability is the result of a complex combination of factors. Social, cultural and personal elements are key for the pursuit of a sustainable future. Beyond the existing, very broad program on sustainability studies, additional research should contribute to specify how those social and human factors affect sustainability indices. General beliefs, values, attitudes, habits, assumed lifestyles or even meaning systems projecting purpose on one’s own life have an impact on sustainability as well. Our aim in this paper is to describe these factors, which we group under the label of ‘sustainability human factors’. This task requires a multidisciplinary effort involving anthropology, psychology and social sciences, covering cognitive, emotional or cultural dimensions. First, we set the stage describing the expected network of features and traits that could describe the human factor. Second, we propose a model which can help to assess it through multiple scales and surveying instruments. These instruments can provide valuable data that could expand the current indices. It is important to connect our program with the ongoing research in this field and to develop a broad model that highlights the human factor and its central role when planning for a sustainable future.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Lumbreras & Lluis Oviedo & Hans-Ferdinand Angel, 2021. "The Missing Piece in Sustainability Indices: Accounting for the Human Factor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:11796-:d:664639
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Wolff, Katharina & Larsen, Svein & Øgaard, Torvald, 2019. "How to define and measure risk perceptions," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
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