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Introduction to Tools and Methods

Introduces an overview of tools and methods that can be used to strategically design more sustainably and provides example questions.
Tool box
There are many methods and strategies to obtain sustainability in developed solutions. The most important thing is to consider sustainability in mind and action throughout the process and in all aspects related to the solution. Sustainability analysis can also be used to identify new opportunities and, hence, come up with novel solutions to a problem.

Examples of questions to discuss:

Environmental aspects

  • What materials are used? How do they affect the environment, now and in the future?
  • How can the use of fossil fuels be minimized? In the product, production, and end of life stages?
  • How can reuse, recycling and remanufacturing be enabled?

Social aspects

  • What social conditions are affected in the situation or the context in the short term and long term? Are there local aspects, global aspects?
  • Can the solution affect society? Locally? Globally?
  • Can the solution affect behaviors in a workplace for example? How? Positively/negatively?
  • Are aspects of equality considered?

Economic aspects

  • Does the solution contribute to long-term profitability?
  • Can the solution affect growth and employment?

© Luleå University of Technology
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Exploring Sustainable Production Systems

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