Weighting and aggregation of indicators for sustainability impact assessment in the SENSOR context

In response to the need for developing methods for evaluating multidimensional problems in sustainability assessment, the scientific literature provides many examples related to the theory and use of composite indicators. In the context of the SENSOR project, dealing with the ex-ante assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts of European policies on multifunctional land use, new constraints and dimensions are added to the exercise. Examples are the need for consistency across European regions and across different scales of analysis; the use of qualitative and quantitative information; the possibility of aggregation to different administrative levels (sensitive areas, Member States, cluster regions, EU); and the correct balancing of the sustainability dimensions.

As a basis for the development of a system of composite indicators, this paper presents a critical review of existing methods for the weighting and thematic aggregation of indicators, and considers the characteristics of selected approaches in relation to the needs of impact assessment in general and the SENSOR requirements in particular.