As the list shows, the fundamental question to be asked is if the decision protects the environment? The decision will have to be in compliance with local, national and regional environmental standards or internationally recognized standards (e.g. ISO), and with relevant multilateral environmental agreements. The cumulative air, water and waste emissions and the decisions' ecological footprint will also have to be considered.

The proposed activity's overall impact on ecosystem health and integrity should be analysed, along with more detailed and micro impacts, such as compatibility with immediate and adjoining facilities and systems and potential for geomorphological, landscape and ecohydrological impacts

Most activities produce wastes and pollution in some form or the other. Is the proposed activity less polluting, and handles wastes in a more acceptable manner? To verify this, information on the total quantities of wastes (solid, water gaseous) generated should be collected, including toxic and secondary pollutants/byproducts.

Noise/vibration generation can also be a factor that affects decision-making, particularly when the surrounding communities and environment is considered. Thermal losses and radiation emissions may also need to be considered in appropriate cases.

Many national and local governments have strict laws and regulations on waste (air, water, and solid) treatment and disposal requirements. These will have to be effectively taken into consideration, along with any potential for long range transport of pollutants. Depending on the activity, there could be disposal costs for unmarketable byproducts and wastes, and potential for soil, water and air contamination that will have to accounted for.

In terms of resource use, the proposed activity will have to use all resources in a more sustainable manner. To achieve this goal, efficiency of energy, water and materials use, relative to the product or service provided need to be taken into account. In considering the life-cycle of the entire product cycle, the 'useful life' of technology, and of products/services will be an important criteria.

Relative use of renewable/non-renewable resources, and conservation of water, including portion of recycled water used will increase the overall long-term sustainability of the proposed activity. Other criteria include, for example, use of - environmentally-friendly materials, or sustainable use of local resources.

With increasing attention being placed on the 3Rs - reduce, reuse, recycle - the proposed activity will have to demonstrate higher rates of recycling its products and wastes. This has to be done through the use of recycled, reused and waste materials and byproducts, incorporation of closed loop processes. Such decisions will affect the quantity of byproduct recovered and its overall life cycle performance

The proposed activity will also have to handle residual wastes in a more acceptable manner, taking into consideration the cost of pollution abatement and waste disposal costs.