Title: Comparison of sustainability indices applied to the electrical sector in Brazil

Authors: Annibal Parracho Sant'Anna; Marcilio Henrique Ferreira; Silvia dos Reis Alcantara Duarte

Addresses: Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Passo da Patria, 156 Bl. D sl. 309, Niteroi-RJ, 24210-240, Brazil ' Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Passo da Patria, 156 Bl. D sl. 309, Niteroi-RJ, 24210-240, Brazil ' Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Passo da Patria, 156 Bl. D sl. 309, Niteroi-RJ, 24210-240, Brazil

Abstract: This article draws a research on the combination of indicators of efficiency in the management of sustainability by enterprises. The concept of sustainability and the identification of the dimensions of this concept are also object of examination. Analyses performed employing two different tools, data envelopment analysis (DEA) and composition of probabilistic preferences (CPP), are compared. The comparison is developed by examining the results obtained by application of these tools to data of some of the leading companies in the Brazilian electric energy sector. The data are from social balances published by the companies which include the relevant aspects of their environmental responsibility. It was found significant dispersion in the scores for the level of socio-environmental efficiency along the companies. It was also found that the two tools, DEA and CPP, create similar classifications and may be used to complement each other.

Keywords: sustainability indicators; probabilistic preferences composition; CPP; data envelopment analysis; DEA; electrical energy; investment; environmental impact; electricity industry; Brazil; environmental responsibility; socio-environmental efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEPDM.2014.067583

International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, 2014 Vol.1 No.2, pp.162 - 179

Received: 19 Oct 2013
Accepted: 31 Oct 2014
Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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