A sustainability assessment framework for geothermal energy projects: Development in Iceland, New Zealand and Kenya

In order to develop an effective framework for sustainability assessment, several iterations of the indicator development process are required. This paper describes the development of a sustainability assessment framework for geothermal energy projects in Iceland, New Zealand and Kenya using the input of international multi-stakeholder groups and internationally recognized methods. In Iceland, stakeholders from the United Nations University Geothermal Training Program (UNU-GTP) were also consulted. The importance of the need to include diverse stakeholder views is shown in the diversity of opinions between groups. The priorities of the stakeholders regarding the goals of sustainable geothermal developments are presented. Environmental management was a common concern among the Icelandic, New Zealand and Kenyan participants, whereas water usage was considered the most important environment-related issue for the UNU-GTP fellows. The Kenyan, New Zealand and the UNU-GTP groups rated economic management and profitability, along with research and innovation, highly, whereas the Icelandic group placed highest emphasis on resource renewability and also rated knowledge dissemination highly. The indicator choices of each group are also presented and discussed.