Models and Indices of Sustainability Assessment in the Energy Context

Abstract

Today, the energy sector is characterized by a high degree of unsustainability in terms of sources and supply systems, infrastructure, and policies, including climate policy. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the functions of planning and to implement new energy strategies, which should lead to the sector’s sustainability in the environmental, social, and economic dimensions. In this context, the aim of the article is to develop a model for the sustainability assessment process and to use it as a benchmarking framework for sustainability assessment indices used in energy problems. The study included 14 indices to assess various aspects of sustainable development. The indices were tested in terms of their sustainability dimensions, data sources, data normalization methods, index aggregation methods, and other elements of the sustainability assessment process. As a result of the research, it was found that none of the analyzed indices meet all the requirements for indices that are to be used for the assessment of sustainability. Therefore, the use of these indices in research problems related to energy sustainability requires a conscious analysis of their features and adaptation to specific research problems related to energy sustainability.