When experts disagree: the need to rethink indicator selection for assessing sustainability of agriculture

Evelien M. de Olde (), Henrik Moller, Fleur Marchand, Richard W. McDowell, Catriona J. MacLeod, Marion Sautier, Stephan Halloy, Andrew Barber, Jayson Benge, Christian Bockstaller, Eddie A. M. Bokkers, Imke J. M. de Boer, Katharine A. Legun, Isabelle Le Quellec, Charles Merfield, Frank W. Oudshoorn, John Reid, Christian Schader, Erika Szymanski, Claus A. G. Sørensen, Jay Whitehead and Jon Manhire
Additional contact information
Evelien M. de Olde: Aarhus University
Henrik Moller: University of Otago
Fleur Marchand: Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO)
Richard W. McDowell: AgResearch
Catriona J. MacLeod: Landcare Research
Marion Sautier: University of Otago
Stephan Halloy: Universidad Nacional de Chilecito
Andrew Barber: Lincoln University
Jayson Benge: Lincoln University
Christian Bockstaller: INRA-Université de Lorraine
Eddie A. M. Bokkers: Wageningen University
Imke J. M. de Boer: Wageningen University
Katharine A. Legun: University of Otago
Isabelle Le Quellec: Lincoln University
Charles Merfield: The BHU Future Farming Centre
Frank W. Oudshoorn: Aarhus University
John Reid: University of Canterbury
Christian Schader: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
Erika Szymanski: University of Otago
Claus A. G. Sørensen: Aarhus University
Jay Whitehead: Lincoln University
Jon Manhire: Lincoln University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2017, vol. 19, issue 4, No 13, 1327-1342

Abstract: Abstract Sustainability indicators are well recognized for their potential to assess and monitor sustainable development of agricultural systems. A large number of indicators are proposed in various sustainability assessment frameworks, which raises concerns regarding the validity of approaches, usefulness and trust in such frameworks. Selecting indicators requires transparent and well-defined procedures to ensure the relevance and validity of sustainability assessments. The objective of this study, therefore, was to determine whether experts agree on which criteria are most important in the selection of indicators and indicator sets for robust sustainability assessments. Two groups of experts (Temperate Agriculture Research Network and New Zealand Sustainability Dashboard) were asked to rank the relative importance of eleven criteria for selecting individual indicators and of nine criteria for balancing a collective set of indicators. Both ranking surveys reveal a startling lack of consensus amongst experts about how best to measure agricultural sustainability and call for a radical rethink about how complementary approaches to sustainability assessments are used alongside each other to ensure a plurality of views and maximum collaboration and trust amongst stakeholders. To improve the transparency, relevance and robustness of sustainable assessments, the context of the sustainability assessment, including prioritizations of selection criteria for indicator selection, must be accounted for. A collaborative design process will enhance the acceptance of diverse values and prioritizations embedded in sustainability assessments. The process by which indicators and sustainability frameworks are established may be a much more important determinant of their success than the final shape of the assessment tools. Such an emphasis on process would make assessments more transparent, transformative and enduring.

Keywords: Indicator selection; Multi-criteria assessment; Ranking; Sustainability assessment; Temperate agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-016-9803-x

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