151
2 What Is Hotspots Analysis?
Over the past few years, hotspots analysis has become a helpful and effective tool
that assists in the identifi cation of areas to be prioritized for action.
Hotspots analysis (HSA) is defi ned as a methodological framework that allows
for the rapid assimilation and analysis of a range of information sources, including life
cycle based studies, market, and scientifi c research, expert opinion and stakeholder
concerns. The outputs from this analysis can then be used to identify potential solutions
and prioritize actions around the most signifi cant economic, environmental, ethical
and social sustainability impacts or benefi ts associated with a specifi c country, city,
industry sector, organization, product portfolio, product category or individual
product or service. Hotspots analysis is often used as a pre- cursor to developing
more detailed or granular sustainability information (Barthel et al . 2014 ).
The fi ndings from hotspots analysis provide a comprehensive understanding of
impacts. They also allow for the prioritization of resources and actions in countries,
cities, industry sectors, product portfolios, product categories or individual products
that really matter by virtue of their environmental, social and ethical impact
profile and/or their physical trading volumes and economic value in the economy.
In addition to streamlining research and analysis, a common feature of hotspots
analysis is the presentation of information and fi ndings in accessible formats,
including for non-technical audiences, who are often the key decision-makers in
policy and business settings.
The benefi ts of hotspots analysis include the following factors (Barthel et al. 2014 ):
• The rapid assimilation and analysis of multiple evidence threads leading to
accessible outputs and a clearer understanding of the actions required to eliminate,
reduce or mitigate identifi ed hotspots
• A highly cost-effective approach to life cycle thinking and management across
multiple impact categories and issues, sectors or product categories that is
perhaps more suited to developing countries, emerging economies and SMEs
trying to fi nd an evidence-based focus for their actions
• The provision of both technical and non-technical information to decisionmakers in government, business and civil society
2.1 Typical Steps to Conduct Hotspots Analysis
Hotspots analysis employs a materiality-focused prioritization approach to identify
sustainability impacts across a range of attributes such as economic, environment,
social and governance. The results from hotspots analysis typically allow decisionmakers to identify sustainability impact improvement opportunities and prioritize
impact reduction actions. Hotspots analysis methodologies often use research and
expert inputs and stakeholder views to develop criteria and a mechanism for prioritization and interpretation of the outputs according to the scope and scale of the study.
12 Hotspots Analysis: Providing the Focus for Action
2 What Is Hotspots Analysis?
Over the past few years, hotspots analysis has become a helpful and effective tool
that assists in the identifi cation of areas to be prioritized for action.
Hotspots analysis (HSA) is defi ned as a methodological framework that allows
for the rapid assimilation and analysis of a range of information sources, including life
cycle based studies, market, and scientifi c research, expert opinion and stakeholder
concerns. The outputs from this analysis can then be used to identify potential solutions
and prioritize actions around the most signifi cant economic, environmental, ethical
and social sustainability impacts or benefi ts associated with a specifi c country, city,
industry sector, organization, product portfolio, product category or individual
product or service. Hotspots analysis is often used as a pre- cursor to developing
more detailed or granular sustainability information (Barthel et al . 2014 ).
The fi ndings from hotspots analysis provide a comprehensive understanding of
impacts. They also allow for the prioritization of resources and actions in countries,
cities, industry sectors, product portfolios, product categories or individual products
that really matter by virtue of their environmental, social and ethical impact
profile and/or their physical trading volumes and economic value in the economy.
In addition to streamlining research and analysis, a common feature of hotspots
analysis is the presentation of information and fi ndings in accessible formats,
including for non-technical audiences, who are often the key decision-makers in
policy and business settings.
The benefi ts of hotspots analysis include the following factors (Barthel et al. 2014 ):
• The rapid assimilation and analysis of multiple evidence threads leading to
accessible outputs and a clearer understanding of the actions required to eliminate,
reduce or mitigate identifi ed hotspots
• A highly cost-effective approach to life cycle thinking and management across
multiple impact categories and issues, sectors or product categories that is
perhaps more suited to developing countries, emerging economies and SMEs
trying to fi nd an evidence-based focus for their actions
• The provision of both technical and non-technical information to decisionmakers in government, business and civil society
2.1 Typical Steps to Conduct Hotspots Analysis
Hotspots analysis employs a materiality-focused prioritization approach to identify
sustainability impacts across a range of attributes such as economic, environment,
social and governance. The results from hotspots analysis typically allow decisionmakers to identify sustainability impact improvement opportunities and prioritize
impact reduction actions. Hotspots analysis methodologies often use research and
expert inputs and stakeholder views to develop criteria and a mechanism for prioritization and interpretation of the outputs according to the scope and scale of the study.
12 Hotspots Analysis: Providing the Focus for Action