ISHS Acta Horticulturae 429: XIII International Symposium on Horticultural Economics
MULTIPLE CRITERIA ANALYSIS FOR DECISIONS AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT: AN APPROACH APPLIED TO THE NATURAL RESOURCE WATER |
| Author: | Ulrich R. Orth |
| Abstract:
Water is an essential prerequisite for plant production. However, even in Mid-Europe water of adequate quality is becoming increasingly scarce. Decisions on water use within a horticultural firm are heavily impacted by the system of the decision maker's goals and objectives. The cost-utility-analysis introduced here takes into consideration multiple aspects of water use for plant production as components of this system. The basic benefit of the resource use is plants or parts of plants in a sufficient quantity and quality. To reach that objective, water, labor, and capital are necessary input factors measured in different quantities and qualities. Costs occur as a consequence. Besides the basic benefit, an efficient and responsible use of water can generate additional benefits. Finally, internal and external individuals and groups have an attitude towards how the natural resource is used and treated by the firm. They form the image of water use. These relevant criteria of water use are arranged in a decision matrix according to components of the decision maker's system of goals. The analysis as a tool for environmental control starts with an accounting step of water use in the firm to identify areas for improvement and development. In a second step the matrix supports further planning by identifying suitable parameters for changing. It allows the decision maker in a third step to compare alternatives and to find a favorable one. The final objective of the approach is a more efficient use of the natural resource water under environmental, economic and social aspects. Besides this employment as a decision tool within the firm, the analysis allows judgements on possibilities and limits of concerning environmental policy instruments. | |
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