Developing a multiple-criteria decision analysis for green economy transition: a Canadian case study

ABSTRACT

Identifying planning strategies for the transition to a green economy is a formidable challenge. We proposed a novel multiple-criteria decision analysis model which can quantitatively identify the socio-economic and environmental impacts of various government and public policies. We applied the model to four practical scenarios in Canada for determining the optimal final demand that maximizes the country's GDP and employment while minimizing GHG emissions for small, short-term changes. As a result, the model suggested potential ways to simultaneously achieve a GDP growth of 2.5 billion CAD and creation of over 25,000 new jobs, and a saving of 2514 kt CO₂. As per the final demand, the electrification of domestic heating and transport should be more promoted. The proposed analysis tool will provide decision-makers with the ability to explore the design and effects of policy reforms, regulatory changes, and targeted public expenditure strategies, thereby overcoming barriers towards a green economy.

KEYWORDS:

• Green growth
• multiple-criteria decision support
• GHG accounting
• environmentally-extended input-output analysis
• Canada

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgements

We wish to express our appreciation to the reviewers and the editorial team for their constructive comments which helped us significantly improve the quality of our work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Mehdi Bagheri http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8119-2996

Masood Sheikh Alivand http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3391-914X

Mohammad Alikaram http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5315-6151

Christopher A. Kennedy http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8812-4451

Ganesh Doluweera http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9478-4747

Zeus Guevara http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1254-8423

Additional information

Funding

We recognize the support by the Fondo Sectorial CONACYT – Secretaría de Energía – Hidrocarburos through Project 280252 Red de Conocimiento ‘Infraestructura para la implementación y desarrollo de un Observatorio de Talento y Cadenas de Valor del Subsector Hidrocarburos’ of the Convocatoria 2016-03 ‘Cooperación con la Universidad de Calgary’.