In the realm of energy and sustainability, researchers like Apala Chakrabarti from the University of Cambridge are pioneering innovative frameworks to aid decision-making processes. Chakrabarti’s recent work introduces a structured approach to evaluating the sustainability of various systems, including those within the energy sector.
The study presents a framework called Conflict Mapping and Resolution for Sustainability of Systems (CONFARM). This framework aims to address a critical gap in sustainability assessment tools: the lack of clarity around trade-offs between environmental, economic, and social outcomes. CONFARM consists of four key steps: documenting the lifecycle of a system, mapping cause-effect relationships, constructing a conflict database, and applying multi-criteria scoring. A conflict is identified when a single decision yields both positive and negative effects across these three pillars. Each effect is then evaluated based on its magnitude and the weight of the pillar it impacts, resulting in a sustainability ratio.
The framework’s versatility is demonstrated through its application in three distinct sectors: agriculture, fashion, and energy. Within the energy sector, CONFARM was used to analyze nuclear and natural gas systems. The study found that sustainability scores stabilized as more conflicts were mapped, indicating consistent evaluation across different methods. Notably, nuclear energy systems exhibited higher sustainability performance compared to natural gas systems.
One of the standout features of CONFARM is its adaptability. It can be applied manually or through automated processes using natural-language processing and large language models. This flexibility makes it a valuable tool for early-stage decision support, enabling comparative evaluations and making trade-offs explicit. For the energy industry, CONFARM offers a structured approach to cleaner production and scalable sustainability assessment, ultimately aiding in the development of more sustainable energy systems.
The research was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, highlighting its relevance and potential impact on the energy sector and beyond. By providing a clear, concise, and practical framework, CONFARM helps energy professionals navigate the complexities of sustainability assessment and make informed decisions that balance environmental, economic, and social considerations.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.