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Environmental analysis for the selection of long-distance natural gas pipeline routes using MACBETH

Fahime Lotfian Delouyi (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran)
Seyed Hassan Ghodsypour (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran)
Maryam Ashrafi (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran)
Amirali Saifoddin (Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran)

Management of Environmental Quality

ISSN: 1477-7835

Article publication date: 29 September 2021

Issue publication date: 21 February 2022

113

Abstract

Purpose

Reliable operation of natural gas pipeline (NGP) is a critical factor in Iran’s economic development. NGP projects go through different ecosystems and considerably affect the environment. Environmental analysis is an essential step toward sustainable development. Tackling the challenges, this paper aims to develop a framework to systematically assess the environmental impact of NGPs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a comprehensive framework for environmental impact analysis of NGPs using Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical-Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH). MACBETH protocol is used to calculate the overall environmental scores of projects.

Findings

The results indicate that the impact of implementing NGPs on protected areas is of the highest priority, while the impact on vegetation covers is of least priority for assessing the environmental impact of NGP.

Practical implications

The practicality and validity of the model in the case of three candidate routes for the Polkale-Neizar project in Iran are examined. According to the results, the third alternative is selected based on its non-interference in protected areas and less environmental impacts. The proposed model can be modified and applied to perform environment appraisal of other linear projects such as energy, road and railway networks.

Originality/value

This model addresses a range of environmental impacts of implementing NGPs at two levels, with the second level being non-additive. The novelty of this study translates into considering the qualitative and quantitative features of each evaluation criterion applied to linear projects simultaneously using a multi-criteria value measurement.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company. The authors would like to give our thanks to Anita Khaleghi from the Pars Energy and Environment Consulting Group, who cooperated for the accomplishment of the interviews and implementing the model.

Citation

Lotfian Delouyi, F., Ghodsypour, S.H., Ashrafi, M. and Saifoddin, A. (2022), "Environmental analysis for the selection of long-distance natural gas pipeline routes using MACBETH", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 241-256. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-06-2021-0150

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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