The document discusses the EPA's systems approach called Triple Value (3V) which provides an integrative framework for systems thinking. The 3V approach addresses sustainability and resilience issues in communities by understanding the interactions between economic, social, and environmental systems. EPA has applied the 3V approach successfully to pilot projects in different regions to identify unintended consequences of decisions and achieve sustainable solutions. The document provides an overview of the 3V framework and examples of its application to issues like nutrient pollution management.

1. Systems-Based Approach to Support
Sustainable and Resilient
Communities
Gary Foley, PhD
Senior Advisor
Montira Pongsiri, PhD, MPH
Environmental Health Scientist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
26 February 2015

2. Objectives for Today
Discuss EPA’s Systems approach (Triple Value (3V)):
 A platform for ongoing EPA regional community-based
projects that address challenging sustainability issues (e.g.,
Narragansett Bay pilot) and resilience issues (e.g. the
Delmarva Peninsula pilot).
 An integrative framework for “systems thinking” on energy,
water, materials, infrastructure, etc.
 helps to show the big picture in a simple yet comprehensive
way
 A necessary first step for communities to identify unintended
consequences of decisions; understand the dynamics between
economic, social, and environmental impacts; and, to achieve
sustainable solutions.

3. Today’s issues are broad in scope,
deep in complexity and widespread
in their impacts.

4. Provide science and technology to support EPA’s
mission of protecting human health and the
environment.
Mission for Research & Development
4
Bristol Bay,
Alaska
Gulf
Oil
Spill

5. EPA Supports Resilient Communities
“Resilience: the capacity of individuals, communities,
institutions, businesses, and systems within a system to
survive, adapt, and grow no matter what kinds of chronic
stresses and acute shocks they experience.”
“EPA researchers will work directly with urban
communities to share a variety of innovative tools and
initiatives they have developed to meet just such
challenges.”
- Lek Kadeli, Acting Assistant Administrator in
EPA’s Office of Research and Development
5

6. Sustainability is the capacity for:
 human health and well being
 economic vitality and prosperity
 environmental resource abundance
Resilience is the capacity to:
 overcome unexpected problems
 adapt to change (e.g., sea level rise)
 prepare for and survive catastrophes

7. What is a Systems Approach?
 A comprehensive methodology for
understanding the interactions and feedback
loops among
 Economic systems—companies, supply chains….
 Ecological systems—forests, watersheds….
 Societal systems—cities, networks….
 Reveals consequences (sometimes unintended)
of human interventions, such as new policies,
technologies, and business practices
 Case in point: Degraded ecosystems threaten the
sustainability and resilience of human
communities7

8. Overview
 EPA has pioneered an innovative systems approach to
developing and implementing sustainability strategies
 Based on the Triple Value (3V) framework
 Conceptual framework for EPA Report on the Environment
 Piloted successfully in partnership with EPA Region 1 (New
England), and now being applied to sustainability problems
in several Regions
 The systems approach offers an integrated view of EPA’s
strategic initiatives and cross-cutting priorities
 Synergies among programs provide multiple benefits
 Partnerships & collaboration complement regulatory actions
 Performance indicators reflect sustainability and resilience

9. Triple value
simulation
Sustainability Realization Process
System
Characterization
Sustainability
Assessment
Sustainability
Enhancement
System
Adaptation
Scope, context,
stakeholders, goals,
problems, stressors,
barriers, solution
options
Indicators, baseline
assessment, option
evaluation, risks &
benefits, trade-offs,
knowledge gaps
Decision making,
consideration of
system resilience
Monitoring,
response to
problems
Stakeholder Involvement
Conceptual
framework
Intervention Outcomes
Lessons for EPA
policy & research
2 to 4 months 6 to 9 months
“The Triple Value Model: A Systems Approach to Sustainable Solutions,” Clean Technology & Environmental Policy, 2014.

10. Triple Value (3V) Framework
Environment
(Natural Capital)
waste and emissions may
degrade the environment
industrial demand
for ecological
goods and services
places stress on
natural capital
community use of
ecological goods and
services places stress
on natural capital
some waste
is recovered
and recycled
emissions may
harm humans
Society
(Human & Social Capital)
Industry
(Economic & Built Capital)
economic value
is created for
society
labor is utilized in industry

11. Strategic Use of the 3V Framework
 Provide unifying conceptual framework to identify
potential synergies among diverse EPA programs
(See EPA Report on the Environment)
 Develop high-level performance indicators to capture
progress in sustainable resource use (energy, water,
materials, land) and resulting benefits
 Improve communication about
resilience/sustainability strategy to a variety of
stakeholder audiences

12. EPA New England (Region 1) and
Office of Research & Development

13. Application of Systems Thinking
at a Watershed Scale

14. Challenges of Nutrient Pollution
 Concentrations of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P)
in many U.S. waterways have increased greatly due to
human sources, e.g., municipal wastewater treatment,
agricultural & stormwater runoff, airborne emissions
 These excess nutrients result in algal blooms and
degraded aquatic ecosystems, adversely impacting
drinking water, fishing, recreation, and tourism
 N and P are difficult to control or remove because the
sources are broadly dispersed, the environmental
pathways and mechanisms are complex, and the
removal technologies are costly and energy-intensive

15. Triple Value (3V) Framework
Environment
(Natural Capital)
waste and emissions may
degrade the environment
industrial demand
for ecological
goods and services
places stress on
natural capital
community use of
ecological goods and
services places stress
on natural capital
some waste
is recovered
and recycled
emissions may
harm humans
Society
(Human & Social Capital)
Industry
(Economic & Built Capital)
economic value
is created for
society
labor is utilized in industry

16. Criteria to Develop and Apply 3V
 Strategic importance to decision-makers of looking at possible
solutions to the challenges in a big picture way
 Complexity of sustainability “nexus” issues – i.e. understanding the
intersections and interconnections between economic, social and
environmental impacts.
 Existence of collaborative, not controversial, stakeholder
relationships to the issues
 Timeliness and sense of urgency – need for making decisions
sooner than later
 Availability of historical baseline data (that the city and its
stakeholders can provide) on the issues (and indicators) of interest
 Political and legal considerations (not barriers but opportunities)
 Transferability to other communities and regions
16

17. Solution Options for Sustainable Water Resources
water &
nutrient
reuse
water demand
reduction
Environment
SocietyEconomy
Agriculture
Energy
Manufacturing
Transport Infrastructure
industrial &
commercial
water use
reduction
BusinessesHouseholds
Public Utilities
coastal & wetland
restoration & resilience
Forests Soils Ecosystems
Living Species
Watersheds
Groundwater
Global Climate
runoff
reduction
exposure
and risk
reduction
water conservation
& rain harvesting
wastewater
treatment
ecosystem
impact reduction
green infrastructure &
low-impact development
pollution
prevention
innovative
technologies
stormwater
management
best management
practices
discharge
limits

18. Legend
Sustainability
Indicators
Amplifies
Diminishes
Property
Values
Economy Society
Environment
Social Development
Well-Being
Examples of Indicators for Nutrient Management
Resource flows
• Energy & water demand
• Renewable energy use
• GHG emissions
• Wastewater volume
• Wastewater pollution
• Food waste volume
• Fertilizer application
Climate
Change
Access to
Nature
• Finfish, salmon, etc.
• Shellfish beds
Interventions
Treatment Biodigestion Behavior change Water quality trading
CSO tunnels Biofiltration Design for resilience Flood control
LID and GI Aquaculture Habitat protection Land use zoning
Best practices Phytoremediation Hydrologic engin. Local sourcing
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
A
F
G
Nutrient and
Pathogen Inflows
H
J
K
L
M
K
N
O
P
Q
Q
Agriculture, Fishing,
Logging, Tourism
• Nutrient conversion ratio
• Available farmland
• Agricultural chemical input
• Land development
• Tourism activity and revenue
• Salmon & shellfish harvest
• Agricultural production
• Lumber production Food supply
• Locally-produced
• Seafood quality
Resource Flows
Economic Development
Food Supply
E
Agriculture, Fishing,
Logging, Tourism D
Fish Abundance
• Pollutant concentrations in water
• Stream temperature, acidification
• Water quality impairment, TMDL
• Fish & shellfish habitat conditions
• Benthic index—biotic integrity
• Biodiversity in waterways
• Hydrographic changes
• Nitrogen & phosphorus loadings
• Chemical & microbial contaminants
• Natural attenuation in waterways
• Snowpack
• Precipitation
• Sea level rise
• Storm intensity
Storms & Floods
• Floodplain area
• Natural protection
• Flood damage risk
• Stormwater runoff
• Land cover changes
Storms & Floods
O
• Cultural spaces
• Tribal fish catch
• Recreation
• Quality of life
• Flood insurance cost
• Household income
• Population growth
• Job creation & job quality
• Industry growth (GDP)
• Built environment & infrastructure
Human
HealthB
P
C
N
Coastal Ecosystem Health
M
L
J
Adapted from the
Tulalip Tribe/Region 10
3V Model for Snohomish Basin

19. Interventions
WWTF treat. Air reduction
CSO tunnels Fertilizer red.
LID and GI Aquaculture
ISDS upgrade Waterway eng.
Stormwater
runoff
Fishing &
Tourism
Economic
development
Wastewater
treatment
Municipal tax
revenue
Atmospheric
deposition
Farming &
livestock
Property
values
Beach
visits
Septic tanks
& cesspools
Climate
change
Fresh water
loadings
Precipitation
episodes
Economy Society
Fish
abundance
Environment
Legend
Sustainability
Indicators
Amplifies
Diminishes
Water
demand
Impervious
surfaces
GHG
emissions
Lawn
fertilizer
Forest
loss
Energy
demand
Phosphorus
loadings
Pathogen
loadings
Flows of water, nutrients, pathogens
via land, groundwater, surface water
Beach
esthetics
Nitrogen
loadings
Algae blooms
(eutrophication)
Watershed
Population
Employment
Risk of hypoxia
& fish kills
A B
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
C
D
E
F
G
H

20. Interactive Dashboard Interface for User
Definition of “What-if” Scenarios
20

21. total property values
17.87 B
17.82 B
17.76 B
17.71 B
17.65 B
1996 2002 2008 2014 2020 2026 2032 2038 2044 2050
Time (Year)
usd
total value of owner occupied structures : BAU_May 15 - 50pct
total value of owner occupied structures : BAU_May 15
$
Benefits : Property Value Rise after 50% N Reduction

22. Legend
Sustainability
Indicators
Amplifies
Diminishes
Property
Values
Economy Society
Environment
Social Development
Well-Being
Key Indicators for Triple Value Simulation (3VS)
Resource flows
• Energy & water demand
• Renewable energy use
• Fertilizer application
• Wastewater volume
• Manure volume
• Contaminated runoff
• GHG emissions
Climate
Change
Access to Nature
Water & Air Pollution
• Nutrient conversion ratio
• Available farmland
• Agricultural chemical input
• Land development
• Tourism activity and revenue
• Fish & shellfish production
• Agricultural productivity
• Lumber production
• Confined animal feeding
• Locally sourced %
• Fish abundance
• Fish safety
Resource Flows
Food Supply
Industry & Commerce
• Inundation, salination, subsidance
• Acreage of restorable wetlands
• Water quality impairment, TMDL
• Fish & shellfish habitat conditions
• Connectivity & migration corridors
• Acres of natural land lost/preserved
• Biodiversity hotspots maintained
• Provision of ecosystem services
• Nitrogen & phosphorus loadings
• Chemical & microbial contaminants
• Code red air quality days
• Precipitation
• Sea level rise
• Storm frequency
• Storm intensity
Storms & Floods
• Floodplain area
• Natural protection
• Flood damage risk
• Stormwater runoff
• Land cover changes
Storms & Floods
• Quality of life
• Income equality
• Poverty reduction
• Human rights
• Population growth
• Job creation & job quality
• Citizen engagement
• Effective governance
• Industrial growth (GDP)
• Built environment & infrastructure
Human Health
Coastal Ecosystem Integrity
Adapted from 3V Models developed for
Snohomish Basin (WA) and Narragansett Bay
Watershed (RI)
• Waterborne disease
• Access to health care
• Premature death rate
• Asthma incidence
• Fishable, swimmable
• Green landscapes
• Recreational assets
Economic Development
Interventions
Reduce waste Remove toxics Coastal resilience
Incentives Riparian zones Environ. education
Green infra. Eco-innovation Land conservation
Reverse auction Phytoremediation Smart growth policy
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
A
F
J
K
L
M
E
D
C
L
J
B
G
H
K
K
M
R3 3VS PILOT
DELMARVA
PENNINSULAR
Depicts the overall
conceptual model.
It includes most of
the indicators that
have been
discussed R3,
ORD & the States,
plus some
additional ones. It
also includes most
of the interventions
that have been
discussed, plus
some additional
ones.

23. Triple Value Projects Across the U.S.
Durham
sustainable
community
TRIO model
Region 3
Delmarva
Peninsula
(DE, MD, VA)
Net Zero
Aberdeen
Proving
Ground
Region 10
Snohomish
River Basin
(Tulalip tribe)
Region 5
Sustainability
Portfolio
Region 1
Cape Cod
Nutrient
Control
Region 1
Narragansett Bay
Watershed Policy
Simulation (MA, RI)
Sustainability
Indicators (HQ)

24. Positive Outcomes
 Engagement of stakeholder groups in substantive
dialogue about future policies & trade-offs, e.g.:
 Region 1: state agencies (MA & RI), Cape Cod Commission
 Region 3 stakeholders from three states (DE, MD, VA)
 Region 10: Tulalip Tribe and Puget Sound groups (WA)
 Exploration of alternative sustainable solutions that
cross traditional programmatic boundaries, e.g.:
 Point source discharge limits can be supplemented by
“smart” growth and green infrastructure development
 Nutrient reduction strategies can be synergistic with food
and energy security initiatives (aquaculture, biodigestion)
 EPA leadership in advanced policy simulation tools
for integrated systems thinking

25. Conclusions
 The 3V model can provide a unifying framework for
EPA’s numerous sustainability initiatives
 Improve communication of internal workgroups
 Develop cross-cutting sustainability indicators
 EPA can achieve thought leadership in sustainability
science, providing unique value to the business
community and other stakeholders. For example:
 Establish principles of “sustainability science”
(Appoint panel of recognized experts)
 Sponsor a recognition program for industry
(Sustainable Systems Thinking Award)

26. Systems Thinking
“Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes
rather than parts, for seeing patterns of change
rather than static snapshots, and for understanding
the subtle interconnectedness that gives living
systems their unique character.”
Peter Senge, author of
The Fifth Discipline:
The Art and Practice of
the Learning Organization

27. Questions?