MP15 Tools / Methods / Applications
Monday, 14 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(REI-1117-745139) Sustainable Development Scoring Index and Gap Analysis.

Reinert, K¹, Beukema, P², ¹ AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, USA² AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., Thorold, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT- Sustainable development (SD) is balancing economic growth and environmental protection in a manner that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The three components of sustainable development, the 3 E′s, are: economic, environmental and equity (social). We present a scoring index that specifically deals with each of the SD components, using a spreadsheet matrix with ′pull-down′ definitions for scoring categories and numeric associations. Results from this scoring exercise can be coupled with economic data, risk assessment information and regulatory insights to inform business team decisions regarding products and processes. Such a tool can be used during product/process stewardship reviews, new product opportunity meetings, and other Responsible Care®Global Chemical Management functions. We are also developing a complimentary, qualitative Sustainability Gap Analysis Checklist that is loosely based on our current audit tools for EH&S as part of an EMS/ISO 14000 or OHSAS/BSI 18000 Management System audit. We anticipate that preliminary results from both efforts will be described in this poster.

Key words: assessment tool, sustainable development, global chemical management, audit