Measuring strong sustainability

Eric Neumayer ()

Chapter 6 in Weak versus Strong Sustainability, 2025, pp 146-170 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter explores various indicators for measuring strong sustainability (SS). With respect to physical indicators, it examines ecological footprints, material flows, and the strong environmental sustainability index (SESI). Ecological footprints measure the land area required to support human consumption and waste, highlighting global ecological deficits. Material flows track the weight of materials used in production, emphasising the need to reduce resource use. SESI measures gaps between current environmental performance and sustainability standards. The chapter also discusses hybrid indicators that combine physical measures with monetary valuation, such as Hueting's environmentally sustainable national income (eSNI) and the Greened National Statistical and Modelling Procedures (GREENSTAMP). The chapter concludes by assessing the strengths and limitations of these indicators in measuring SS.

Keywords: Strong sustainability; Ecological footprints; Material flows; Strong environmental sustainability index; SESI; Hybrid indicators; Environmental standards (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035327881
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