Title: Adaptative methodology of sustainability indicators management by ontology

Authors: Wallace Anacleto Pinheiro, Ricardo Barros, Jano Moreira De Souza, Geraldo Bonorino Xexeo, Julia Celia Mercedes Strauch, Patricia Machado De Barros, Melissa Paes Campos

Addresses: Computing and Systems Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Brazil; Military Institute of Engineering, Brazil. ' Computing and Systems Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Brazil. ' Computing and Systems Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Brazil; Computer Science Department (IM/UFRJ), Brazil. ' Computing and Systems Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Brazil; Computer Science Department (IM/UFRJ), Brazil. ' National School of Statistic Science, Brazilian Institute of Statistic and Geography, Brazil. ' Computing and Systems Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Brazil. ' Computing and Systems Engineering Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), Brazil

Abstract: The growth of many sectors in modern society has increased the degradation of the environment. Consequently, it generates great ecological unbalance, enhancing the importance of sustainable development, since it stimulates productivity, job and income creation, while reduces the rates of deforestation, erosion and water and soil pollution. In this context, sustainability indicators can be useful to monitor the environmental and social changes. We analyse different proposals adopted in Brazil and present an adaptive methodology, based on Bossel|s criteria (1996a, 1996b). It enables the choice of the most relevant indicators according to the sustainability study and the geographic region focused.

Keywords: sustainable development; sustainability indicators; ontology; adaptive methodology; environmental degradation; ecological unbalance; Bossel criteria; high-level methodology; sustainability levels; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2009.027262

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2009 Vol.9 No.4, pp.338 - 355

Published online: 19 Jul 2009 *

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