Multi-criteria decision-making

The quantitative assessment and aggregation of the different requirements that constitute the three basic pillars of sustainability is important to be able to objectively compare the relative incidence of alternatives of materials or processes and to introduce improvements. In this sense, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) is essential, as it allows evaluating multiple criteria that may be conflicting.

Among the several MCDM tools developed until present, MIVES (from the Spanish Integrated Value Model for Sustainability Assessments), stands out due to its objective, robust and flexible approach. 

In the C₃S research group, we believe that every project that is developed should be accompanied by a sustainability assessment in order to ensure that every decision made is aligned with the Agenda 2030. We develop assessment models for our projects, but also importantly, for other researchers and practitioners that want to use MIVES in their analyses. Up to date, we have collaborated with regional governments and enterprises to help them priorities alternatives on the basis of sustainability criteria. 

To reinforce the sustainability assessment, we are specializing in LCA, including environmental LCA (E-LCA), social LCA (S-LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC).