Risk and sustainability: trade-offs and synergies for robust decision making

• DOI: 10.1186/s12302-021-00587-8
• Publication Date: 2022-01-20T10:02:27Z
• Authors: Michael Z. Hauschild; Thomas E. McKone; Karsten Arnbjerg-...; Tine Hald; Bo F. Nielsen; Stefan E. Mabit; Peter Fantke
• Keywords: Relevance; Baseline (sea)

Abstract Decisions about the development of new marketed technologies or products invariably come with consequences for economy, society and environment. Environmental health risk assessment on one hand sustainability other are tools that offer different but complementary information such consequences. Conflicts synergies between two may arise when there trade-offs considerations specific risks safety versus long-term sustainability. There is a compelling case combined both risks, also in support successful safe sustainable-by-design (SSbD) approach, this not straightforward. We roadmap showing should be applied together how to combine them consistent way, more robust decision-making. Four alternative approaches evaluated against six performance criteria recommend an approach makes use broader generic as baseline includes iterative applications elements increase specificity, reliability relevance results. The recommended provides basis better-informed decisions technology choices policy societal stakeholders.