What are some ways to design systems with environmental justice and sustainability in mind?

1 Define the problem and the context

Before you start designing a system, you need to understand the problem you are trying to solve and the context in which it occurs. This means identifying the root causes, the scope, the boundaries, the stakeholders, the beneficiaries, the constraints, and the risks of the problem. You also need to consider how the problem affects different groups of people and the environment, and how your system might affect them in return. For example, if you are designing a system for waste management, you need to know who produces and handles the waste, where it goes, how it impacts the health and well-being of communities, and what are the environmental implications of your system.

2 Apply systems thinking and life cycle analysis

Systems thinking is a way of thinking that recognizes the interconnections, feedback loops, and dynamics of complex systems. It helps you to see the big picture, avoid unintended consequences, and identify leverage points for change. Life cycle analysis is a tool that helps you to assess the environmental impacts of a system throughout its life cycle, from raw materials to disposal. It helps you to measure the carbon footprint, water footprint, energy use, and other indicators of sustainability of your system. By applying systems thinking and life cycle analysis, you can design systems that are more holistic, resilient, and efficient.

3 Use participatory and inclusive methods

Participatory and inclusive methods are approaches that involve the active participation and collaboration of diverse stakeholders and users in the design process. They help you to gain insights, perspectives, and feedback from the people who are affected by or benefit from your system, and to co-create solutions that meet their needs and preferences. They also help you to foster trust, empowerment, and ownership among the participants, and to address issues of power, privilege, and equity in the design process. For example, you can use methods such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, workshops, prototyping, testing, and evaluation to engage with your stakeholders and users.

4 Adopt circular and regenerative principles

Circular and regenerative principles are principles that aim to reduce waste, reuse resources, and restore ecosystems. They help you to design systems that are more sustainable and compatible with nature. Circular principles focus on creating closed loops of materials and energy, minimizing inputs and outputs, and extending the life span and value of products and services. Regenerative principles focus on enhancing the natural and social capital of systems, improving the quality and functionality of ecosystems, and supporting the well-being and prosperity of communities. For example, you can adopt circular and regenerative principles by using renewable and biodegradable materials, designing for modularity and repairability, and integrating green infrastructure and social innovation.

5 Evaluate and iterate

Evaluation and iteration are essential steps in the design process that help you to measure the performance, impact, and value of your system, and to make improvements and adaptations based on the results. Evaluation helps you to collect and analyze data and feedback from your system, and to compare it with your goals and criteria. Iteration helps you to refine and modify your system, and to test and validate your changes. By evaluating and iterating your system, you can ensure that it is effective, efficient, and desirable, and that it meets the expectations and needs of your stakeholders, users, and the environment.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?