Wheel of Sustainability

The Wheel of Sustainability is a framework for examining sustainability issues in Atlantic salmon production. Sustainability in salmon production is derived and created by how we produce, and by identifying the issues and risks that salmon production may entail; we are better equipped at upholding and improving sustainable production. This means to acknowledge the economic, environmental and social concerns and risks that salmon production may cause, and how effective governance is central to mediating and controlling these activities. The Wheel of Sustainability allows for an understanding of competing issues and tensions, and highlights topics (subdomains) that are in need of increased attention and deliberation. It is inspired by the Circles of Sustainability method developed by Paul James and colleagues (James, 2014).

To see how different certification schemes score on the Wheel of Sustainability, click here.

The Domains

Economics

Economics includes the practices, discourses and material expressions related to production, use and management of resources for salmon production. This domain refers to issues beyond the currently popular use and emphasis on financial return on investment and includes economic effects also on a larger scale.

Environment

Environment includes the practices, discourses and material expressions that occur across the intersection between the social and natural realms. The natural realm includes a spectrum of environmental conditions, from the untouched to the modified. This domain thus focuses on the questions of social-environmental interconnection, including the human impact on and place within the environment.

Governance

Governance is the social domain that emphasizes practices and meaning related to how public goods and services are provided and regulated. This refers to basic issues of social power as they pertain to the organization, authorization, legitimation and regulation of a social life held in common. It includes how the industry is regulated on a national level, but encompasses also the norms and practices initiated on a local and company level.

Culture

Culture is the social domain that emphasizes the practices, discourses and material expression that over time express the continuities and discontinuities of social meaning of a life held in common. Culture is understood as how and why we do things around here.

* James, P. 2014. Urban Sustainability in Theory and Practice: Circles of sustainability (1st ed.). Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY: Routledge.

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