Environmental and socio-economic evaluation of complex process

Environmental impact assessment is used to evaluate the environmental consequences of a plan, policy, program, or project prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action. The contemporary methods are usually based on the life cycle approach. In some methodologies, like CML2001, the output of the analysis consist of several impact indicators given in the different impact categories. This is usually the source of interpretation problems. In some methodologies, like ReCeiPe, some effort has been made to create the single score describing the overall environmental effect. The further problem is how to express the environmental effect as a function of the impact on society and economy. The proposal of solution is given in the manuscript by defining the Sustainable development indicator. It includes the overall impact on the environment according to life-cycle analysis approach, but it also covers the economic and social aspects. The single score which is the result of complex analysis is very helpful and delivers coherent and reliable picture of real impact in all dimensions of the sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Indicator could turn out to be the powerful tool in decision making related to power and mining industry as well as administration.