Developing environmental sustainability strategies, the Double Diamond method of LCA and design thinking: a case study from aged care. Journal of Cleaner Production, 85, 67-82. Stephen J. Clune*, Simon Lockrey.
This paper introduces a process to develop context-specific environmental sustainability strategies by utilizing streamlined Life Cycle Assessment and design thinking. This process is referred to as the Double Diamond method of Life Cycle Assessment and design thinking, and is supported by an empirical case study of a major aged care organisation in Australia. The process asked four strategic questions to inform the development of the sustainability strategy: (1) What areas of aged care have the highest environmental impact? (2) How do the areas of high environmental impacts relate to day-to-day organizational practices? (3) What alternatives are available to reduce these impacts? And,(4) How could the alternatives formulate a plan to reduce impacts over time? Each question requires a specific disciplinary approach to answer, drawing on Life Cycle Assessment, social sciences and co-creative problem solving from design.
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