The potential of decision analysis as a means of integrating the environment into energy policy decisionmaking

In recent years, environmental concern has been an increasingly important issue in energy policy decisionmaking. This has been paralleled by rising expectations of public involvement in major policy decisions with significant environmental impacts. However, existing mechanisms for incorporating these concerns in policy formulation and decisionmaking are widely recognised as unsatisfactory. In order to identify the nature of the debate on issues of energy and environment, which any alternative mechanisms must address, the publications of twelve organisations on energy policy were analysed. The analysis indicated that energy policy formulation and decisionmaking is characterised by the existence of multiple objectives, subjectivity, and uncertainty. Decision analysis may be used to address problems of this type. The application of decision analysis to energy policy decisionmaking is discussed, and the potential of the technique is assessed.