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A Systemic Tool and Process for Sustainability Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Claude Villeneuve

    (Chaire en Éco-Conseil, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada)

  • David Tremblay

    (Chaire en Éco-Conseil, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada)

  • Olivier Riffon

    (Chaire en Éco-Conseil, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada)

  • Georges Y. Lanmafankpotin

    (Chaire en Éco-Conseil, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada)

  • Sylvie Bouchard

    (Chaire en Éco-Conseil, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada)

Abstract

Sustainability assessment is a growing concern worldwide with United Nations’ Agenda 2030 being implemented. As sustainability refers to the consideration of environmental, social and economic issues in light of cultural, historic—retrospective and prospective—and institutional perspectives, appropriate tools are needed to ensure the complete coverage of these aspects and allow the participation of multiple stakeholders. This article presents a scientifically robust and flexible tool, developed over the last 25 years and tested in different cultural and development contexts to build a framework for sustainability assessment of policies, strategies, programs and projects in light of Agenda 2030. A selected case study conducted on a major mining project in Québec (Canada) illustrates the Sustainable Development Analytical Grid performance for sustainability assessment. This tool and process is part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Acceleration Toolkit; it is one of the most adaptable, addresses all 17 SDGs and is fully accessible for free. Other advantages and limitations of the tool and process are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Claude Villeneuve & David Tremblay & Olivier Riffon & Georges Y. Lanmafankpotin & Sylvie Bouchard, 2017. "A Systemic Tool and Process for Sustainability Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-29, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1909-:d:116035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. David Tremblay & François Fortier & Jean‐François Boucher & Olivier Riffon & Claude Villeneuve, 2020. "Sustainable development goal interactions: An analysis based on the five pillars of the 2030 agenda," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1584-1596, November.
    10. David Tremblay & Sabine Gowsy & Olivier Riffon & Jean-François Boucher & Samuel Dubé & Claude Villeneuve, 2021. "A Systemic Approach for Sustainability Implementation Planning at the Local Level by SDG Target Prioritization: The Case of Quebec City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, February.
    11. Justice Mensah & John Oti Amoah & Andrew Nketsiah‐Essoun, 2025. "Effects of artisanal gold mining and routes towards sustainable development for a low‐profile mining community in Ghana," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 49(2), pages 1584-1601, May.
    12. Kluczek, Aldona, 2019. "An energy-led sustainability assessment of production systems – An approach for improving energy efficiency performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 190-203.
    13. Edward Kassem & Oldrich Trenz, 2020. "Automated Sustainability Assessment System for Small and Medium Enterprises Reporting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-23, July.
    14. Tahmineh Akbarinejad & Alenka Temeljotov Salaj & Agnar Johansen, 2023. "Implementing the Integrated Social Sustainability Assessment to Norway: A Citizen-Centric and Expert-Weighted Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-24, August.
    15. Juliana Segura-Salazar & Luís Marcelo Tavares, 2018. "Sustainability in the Minerals Industry: Seeking a Consensus on Its Meaning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-38, May.
    16. Rosemary Horry & Colin A. Booth & Abdul–Majeed Mahamadu & Patrick Manu & Panos Georgakis, 2022. "Environmental management systems in the architectural, engineering and construction sectors: a roadmap to aid the delivery of the sustainable development goals," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(9), pages 10585-10615, September.
    17. Houda Taoudi Benchekroun & Zoubida Benmamoun & Hanaa Hachimi, 2022. "Implementation and Sustainability Assessment of a Public Procurement Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-22, November.
    18. Andrés Fernández-Miguel & Davide Settembre-Blundo & Marco Vacchi & Fernando E. García-Muiña, 2025. "Thermoeconomics Meets Business Science: Systemic Exergy Management (SYMΞX) as a New Theoretical and Flexible Framework for Sustainability," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 26(1), pages 111-139, March.
    19. Komninos Angelakoglou & Georgios Gaidajis, 2020. "A Conceptual Framework to Evaluate the Environmental Sustainability Performance of Mining Industrial Facilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, March.
    20. Camelia Catalina Mihalciuc & Maria Grosu & Anisoara Niculina Apetri, 2020. "Supporting the Sustainable Development of Companies Through the Use of Social Responsibility Practices In International Affairs," Book chapters-LUMEN Proceedings, in: Carmen NÄ‚STASE (ed.), 16th Economic International Conference NCOE 4.0 2020, edition 1, volume 13, chapter 19, pages 206-225, Editura Lumen.

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