Assessment of eco-labelling criteria development from a strategic sustainability perspective

JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

卷:19

Article

Bratt, Cecilia¹  Hallstedt, Sophie¹  Robert, K-H^1,2  Broman, Goran^1,3  Oldmark, Jonas² 

[1] Blekinge Inst Technol, Sch Engn, S-37179 Karlskrona, Sweden

[2] Nat Step Int, S-11350 Stockholm, Sweden

[3] Lulea Univ Technol, Dept Funct Prod Dev, S-95187 Lulea, Sweden

关键词: Sustainability;    Framework for strategic sustainable development;    Sustainable consumption and production;    Eco-labelling;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.05.012

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

To turn current patterns of consumption and production in a sustainable direction, solid and under-standable market information on the socio-ecological performance of products is needed. Eco-labelling programmes have an important role in this communication. The aim of this study is to investigate what gaps there may be in the current criteria development processes in relation to a strategic sustainability perspective and develop recommendations on how such presumptive gaps could be bridged. First a previously published generic framework for strategic sustainable development is described and applied for the assessment of two eco-labelling programmes. Data for the assessment is collected from literature and in semi-structured interviews and discussions with eco-labelling experts. The assessment revealed that the programmes lack both an operational definition of sustainability, and a statement of objectives to direct and drive the criteria development processes. Consequently they also lack guidelines for how product category criteria might gradually develop in any direction. The selected criteria mainly reflect the current reality based on a selection of negative impacts in ecosystems, but how this selection, or prioritization, is made is not clearly presented. Finally, there are no guidelines to ensure that the criteria developers represent a broad enough competence to embrace all essential sustainability aspects. In conclusion the results point at deficiencies in theory, process and practice of eco-labelling, which hampers cohesiveness, transparency and comprehension. And it hampers predictability, as producers get no support in foreseeing how coming revisions of criteria will develop. This represents a lost opportunity for strategic sustainable development. It is suggested that these problems could be avoided by informing the criteria development process by a framework for strategic sustainable development, based on backcasting from basic sustainability principles. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free