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Methodological Approach for the Sustainability Assessment of Development Cooperation Projects for Built Innovations Based on the SDGs and Life Cycle Thinking

Author

Listed:
  • Stephanie D. Maier

    (Global Change Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95447, Germany)

  • Tabea Beck

    (Department of Life Cycle Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart 70563, Germany)

  • Javier Francisco Vallejo

    (Institute for Latin American Studies, History of Transfer of Knowledge, FU Berlin, Berlin 14197, Germany)

  • Rafael Horn

    (Department of Life Cycle Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart 70563, Germany)

  • Jan-Hendrik Söhlemann

    (Energising Development (EnDev), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Trung Thanh Nguyen

    (Institute for Environmental Economics and World Trade, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany)

Abstract

This paper describes a methodological approach for a sustainability assessment of development cooperation projects. Between the scientific disciplines there is no agreement on the term of “sustainability”. Whereas the definition of sustainability within the context of development cooperation frequently highlights the long-term success of an intervention, the United Nations herald the inclusion of social, economic and environmental aspects. This paper proposes to bridge this gap by providing an analytical framework that uses nine impact category groups based on thematic priorities of sustainable development derived from the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the long-term effectiveness of a project is taken into consideration. These impact category groups comprise the analytical framework, which is investigated by the Life Cycle Assessment and an indicator-based analysis. These data are obtained through empirical social research and the LCA inventory. The underlying concept is based on life cycle thinking. Taking up a multi-cycle model this study establishes two life cycles: first, the project management life cycle; and, second, the life cycle of a project’s innovation. The innovation’s life cycle is identified to have the greatest impact on the target region and the local people and is consequently of primary interest. This methodological approach enables an ex-post sustainability assessment of a built innovation of a development cooperation project and is tested on a case study on Improved Cooking Stoves in Bangladesh.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie D. Maier & Tabea Beck & Javier Francisco Vallejo & Rafael Horn & Jan-Hendrik Söhlemann & Trung Thanh Nguyen, 2016. "Methodological Approach for the Sustainability Assessment of Development Cooperation Projects for Built Innovations Based on the SDGs and Life Cycle Thinking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-26, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:10:p:1006-:d:80075
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    2. Kristina Henzler & Stephanie D. Maier & Michael Jäger & Rafael Horn, 2020. "SDG-Based Sustainability Assessment Methodology for Innovations in the Field of Urban Surfaces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-32, June.
    3. Bishawjit Mallick & Zakia Sultana, 2017. "Livelihood after Relocation—Evidences of Guchchagram Project in Bangladesh," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Marwa B. Hannouf & Alejandro Padilla‐Rivera & Getachew Assefa & Ian Gates, 2023. "Methodological framework to find links between life cycle sustainability assessment categories and the UN Sustainable Development Goals based on literature," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 707-725, June.
    5. Ebert, Cara & Flörchinger, Daniela & Frohnweiler, Sarah & Ihring, Stephanie & Rosadio Cayllahua, Karen Micaela, 2021. "Employment and income effects of skills development interventions: An impact evaluation of three employment promotion measures in Eastern Africa within GIZ's employment and skills for development prog," RWI Projektberichte, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, number 251877.
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    8. Arlene Lu-Gonzales & Takuji W. Tsusaka & Sylvia Szabo & Reuben M. J. Kadigi & Camilla Blasi Foglietti & Seree Park & Zoe Matthews, 2023. "Evaluating the Contribution of Complex International Research-for-Development Programmes to the Sustainable Development Goals," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(2), pages 380-401, April.
    9. Jing Wang & Stephanie D. Maier & Rafael Horn & Robert Holländer & Ralf Aschemann, 2018. "Development of an Ex-Ante Sustainability Assessment Methodology for Municipal Solid Waste Management Innovations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-29, September.
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