What is it about?

This paper introduces a new way to help decision-makers choose the most effective tools for tackling big sustainability problems—like making aviation more environmentally friendly. Often, tools like Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) are used without asking which part of a complex challenge they should be applied to. This study offers a “transition-centric meta-framework” that helps identify where MCDA will have the most impact. It does this by looking at how sustainability transitions unfold over time and where social, technical, and policy tensions emerge. The framework is tested using sustainable aviation as an example—highlighting how it can guide smarter decisions in other areas too.

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Why is it important?

This work is unique in how it connects transition theory with practical decision-making tools like MCDA. Rather than jumping straight into ranking options, it first helps users figure out what kind of problem they're facing—and which stage of a sustainability transition they're in. It’s especially timely as fields like aviation seek more sustainable pathways, yet often struggle with fragmented efforts and misapplied solutions. This framework helps ensure the right tools are used in the right way—so efforts are more coordinated, impactful, and suited to long-term transformation.

Perspectives

This paper gave me a chance to bring together my interests in decision science, sustainability, and systems thinking. I’ve long been fascinated by how we tackle “grand challenges” like greening aviation—and it’s clear that the real issue isn’t just having decision tools, but knowing when and where to apply them effectively. By grounding this in a real-world domain like sustainable aviation, I hope the framework helps other researchers and policymakers better navigate complexity—and make more strategic choices that actually move the needle.

Dr. Robert Edgell
SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: A Transition-Centric Meta-Framework for Selecting Multi-Criteria Decision Applications in Sustainability Challenges, January 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5257495.
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