Sustainable decision making: the role of decision support systems

Sustainable decision making stands for decision making which contributes to the transition to a sustainable society. It raises a number of challenging problems for which existing decision support systems (DSS) may not be equipped. The role of DSS in sustainable decision making is considered. The different models of decision making and their appropriateness in sustainable decision making are discussed. Examples from the areas of water resources and energy planning and management are presented to illustrate some of the issues in sustainable decision making and the role of DSS. Conclusions include a suggested research program for further development of models of decision making and the development of DSS for use in sustainable decision making.