An indicator-based sustainability assessment method for indigenous communities: a case study from Mexico

An indicator-based sustainability assessment method for indigenous communities: a case study from Mexico

Indigenous and Western communities are faced with increasing issues of sustainability compromising their natural resources and cultural heritage, for example, a cross-pollination/complementary approach in relation to their current knowledge systems and discourses on sustainability. There is a need f...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environment, development and sustainability Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 3293 - 3333
Main Authors: Molina Maturano, Jessica, García Serrano, Luz A., Carmona García, Juan A., García de Alva Magos, Mayela A., Hersperger, Anna M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-03-2022
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Assessments
Community
Cross-pollination
Cultural heritage
Cultural resources
Decision making
Development plans
Discourses
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Economic Geology
Economic Growth
Environment
Environmental Economics
Environmental Management
Evaluation
Family planning
Health services
Indicators
Indigenous peoples
Natural resources
Regional development
Regional planning
Renewable energy
Sustainability
Sustainable Development
Mexico
Indigenous people
Sustainable development
Indigenous sustainability
Sustainability indicators
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Indigenous and Western communities are faced with increasing issues of sustainability compromising their natural resources and cultural heritage, for example, a cross-pollination/complementary approach in relation to their current knowledge systems and discourses on sustainability. There is a need for methods that integrate different discourses relating to sustainability to identify the most pressing needs in terms of sustainability. Sustainability assessments are a type of impact assessment that focus on enhanced sustainability both now and in the future; however, the literature on indigenous sustainability assessment methods, is scarce. To address this gap, we have developed a novel Sustainability Assessment method for Indigenous Communities (SAIC). The SAIC method combines Western and indigenous sustainability objectives and principles, in order to extend the range of options for action to address sustainability. The SAIC method consists of two sections (i) values and considerations and (ii) procedure. The “values and considerations” section establishes the fundamental participatory and ethical considerations for conducting sustainability assessments in indigenous communities, and the “procedure” section establishes a set of 55 indicators in eight categories. The method was tested in a Zapotec, indigenous community in México. Results show that this community was rated highly in all eight categories. However, indicators for family planning and access to health services were rated poorly. The identified issues can be used as guidelines for decision making in future regional projects and development plans. The results reveal further areas for improvement, such as strengthening the links to national or international networks and increasing the use of renewable energies. The method presented in this paper provides an assessment approach based on Western and indigenous sustainability discourses, which is suitable for assessing indigenous communities.
ISSN:1387-585X
1573-2975
DOI:10.1007/s10668-021-01567-x