Towards a Conceptual Framework for Social-Ecological Systems Integrating Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services with Resource Efficiency Indicators

Nina Eisenmenger, Stefan Giljum, Stephan Lutter, Alexandra Marques, Michaela C. Theurl, Henrique M. Pereira and Arnold Tukker
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Nina Eisenmenger: Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Alpen-Adria Universitaet Klagenfurt-Wien-Graz, Schottenfeldgasse 29, A-1070 Vienna, Austria
Stefan Giljum: Institute for Ecological Economics, Vienna University of Business and Economics, Welthandelsplatz 1/D5, 1020 Vienna, Austria
Stephan Lutter: Institute for Ecological Economics, Vienna University of Business and Economics, Welthandelsplatz 1/D5, 1020 Vienna, Austria
Alexandra Marques: German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Michaela C. Theurl: Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Alpen-Adria Universitaet Klagenfurt-Wien-Graz, Schottenfeldgasse 29, A-1070 Vienna, Austria
Henrique M. Pereira: German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Arnold Tukker: Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA/Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: In this article we develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for resource efficiency indicators with a consistent link of resource use to the socio-economic system and activities therein as well as to the natural system and its ecosystem functioning. Three broad groups of indicators are defined: (1) resource use indicators representing pressures on the environment; (2) resource efficiency indicators relating resource use indicators to the socio-economic side; and (3) environmental impact indicators linking resource use impacts on the state of the natural system. Based on this conceptual framework we develop a structure for possible resource efficiency indicators and conduct a RACER evaluation on the Relevance, Acceptance, Credibility, Easiness and Robustness of indicators. With the RACER evaluation, we identify areas where indicators are well established and available as well as areas where indicators still need further development or even need to be designed first.

Keywords: resource efficiency; biodiversity; ecosystem services; indicators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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