Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
sustainability is the goal for
energy accessibility, availability and acceptability
[2].
The energy sustainability keys are: energy diversity and energy efficiency,
energy infrastructure investment, cost-reflective prices and market-sensitive
intervention, supply reliability, regional integration of the energy system,
market-based
climate
change
responses,
technological
innovation
and
development and public understanding and trust [3].
2.1.1. Sustainability Paradigm
Sustainability is a notion, which comprises the multi-criteria validation of
the system. Sustainability is the metrics of the
quality of human life. It
includes the social, economic, technological, environmental
and social
validation. It is understood that no generation will be in debt of any
commodity of future generations. Sustainability is not the end state of the
system but an attribute of the
dynamic and adaptive system.
Sustainable development encompasses economic, ecological,
technological and social perspectives of conservation and change. In
correspondence with the WCED, it is generally defined as the
“development
that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs” [4].
This definition is based on ethical
imperative of equity within and between generations. Moreover, apart from
meeting basic needs of all, sustainable development implies sustaining the
natural life-support systems on earth, and extending to all the opportunity to
satisfy their aspirations for a better life. Hence, sustainable development is
more precisely defined as 'a process of chan e in which the exploitation of
resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological
development, and institutional changes are all in harmony and enhance both
current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations.
Sustainability provides a framework for integrating economic,
environmental, technological and social interests into an effective strategy. For
the life support systems, that have recognized the need to embrace sustainable
development, the first step is to understand how to implement it. Putting this
concept into operation requires identifying practical indicators of sustainability
and to understand how they can be measured over time to determine if
progress is made.
The energy system can be visualized in different scales, domains,
societies, and verified with multiple indicators.
