Toward a framework for selecting indicators of measuring sustainability and circular economy in the agri-food sector: a systematic literature review

• Published in: The international journal of life cycle assessment Vol. 29; no. 8; pp. 1446 - 1484
• Main Authors: Silvestri, Cecilia, Silvestri, Luca, Piccarozzi, Michela, Ruggieri, Alessandro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agribusiness; Agricultural production; Best practice; Circular economy; Clean technology; Cluster analysis; Context; Decision making; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Economics; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Food; Food production; Food selection; Impact analysis; Indicators; Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment; Literature reviews; Mathematical models; Resource efficiency; Supply chains; Sustainability; Sustainability reporting; Sustainability transitions; Systematic review; Triple Bottom Line; Agri-food sector; Life cycle assessment; Triple bottom line; Circular economy; Indicators; Sustainability
• ISSN: 0948-3349; 1614-7502
• DOI: 10.1007/s11367-022-02032-1

Purpose The implementation of sustainability and circular economy (CE) models in agri-food production can promote resource efficiency, reduce environmental burdens, and ensure improved and socially responsible systems. In this context, indicators for the measurement of sustainability play a crucial role. Indicators can measure CE strategies aimed to preserve functions, products, components, materials, or embodied energy. Although there is broad literature describing sustainability and CE indicators, no study offers such a comprehensive framework of indicators for measuring sustainability and CE in the agri-food sector. Methods Starting from this central research gap, a systematic literature review has been developed to measure the sustainability in the agri-food sector and, based on these findings, to understand how indicators are used and for which specific purposes. Results The analysis of the results allowed us to classify the sample of articles in three main clusters (“Assessment-LCA,” “Best practice,” and “Decision-making”) and has shown increasing attention to the three pillars of sustainability (triple bottom line). In this context, an integrated approach of indicators (environmental, social, and economic) offers the best solution to ensure an easier transition to sustainability. Conclusions The sample analysis facilitated the identification of new categories of impact that deserve attention, such as the cooperation among stakeholders in the supply chain and eco-innovation.