The resource occupancy to capacity ratio indicator-A common unit to measure sustainability

Measuring consumption may not be the best method of determining whether society is progressing toward sustainability. We have been developing an indicator, the resource occupancy to capacity ratio (ROC ratio), that uses the concept of “resource occupancy” of important multidimensional aspects related to sustainability such as materials, land use, pollution, and labor. Resource occupancy is defined as the product of an amount of potentially reversible use of something such as a piece of land or material and a period of time of use. The ROC ratio is the ratio of resource occupancy of a material or other resource for a specified time period relative to the total capacity of that material or resource to provide a product or service. The ROC ratio of each aspect is expressed in a common unit (years), thereby improving our ability to compare tradeoffs between the different aspects of sustainability and to evaluate the various alternatives used to develop a sustainable society. Two example alternatives are explored as case studies in a comparison of the ROC ratio and monetary value analyses. The ROC ratio offers a different interpretation of the effects of the two alternatives on each aspect, allowing a new perspective on the effectiveness and costs of alternatives used to foster sustainable development.