Beyond Climate Ready? A History of Seattle Public Utilities’ Ongoing Evolution from Environmental and Climate Risk Management to Integrated Sustainability
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a municipal water supply, drainage, wastewater, and solid waste management utility in Seattle, Washington. It is important to transforming their strategic orientation from environmental and climate risk management to integrated sustainability. This article will attract the attention and discussion of readers from the climate service community, public utilities and municipal authorities, as well as policy entrepreneurs who are interested in sustainability. Some suggestions for modification are recommended.
1. Add more historical data and figure information of SPU’s history as a risk management utility.
2. Discuss the risks and feasibility of transforming their strategic orientation from environmental and climate risk management to integrated sustainability in terms of economic and technical.
3. English language and style are fine/minor spell check required.
Author Response
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Important paper that will attract attention. |
Thank you, we agree that the paper will be of interest to a wide range of technical and professional readers. |
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Add more historical data and figure information of SPU’s history as a risk management utility |
Thank you for this excellent suggestion. We have addressed this comment in two ways. First, we have revised and expanded the Technical Approach section to make it more clear that the article presents an historical description of SPU’s development and ongoing evolution toward sustainability, and emphasized that major sub-sections are written as narrative chronologies. Second, we have modified language in the abstract to make the chronological nature of the paper more apparent to readers. |
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Discuss the risks and feasibility of transforming [SPU’s] strategic orientation from environmental and risk management to integrated sustainability in terms of economic and technical [considerations]. |
This is an excellent suggestion, thank you. We have added a new section at the end of the paper dealing with “Ongoing Challenges” that SPU is likely to face as it works to continue its transition toward integrated sustainability. |
Reviewer 2 Report
This article is an important empirical approach based on historical experiences and current plans of the SPU. The characterized case of SPU in contexts of evolution from a risk management viewpoint to a commitment of a broader and more inclusive set of factors is following the intended sustainability. Since the climate change issues are of global character the employed mitigation measures and planning components presented within manuscript are of global values.
The reflection of adaptive management within utility is an added value of the analyses, and well addressed.
Some of the issues to be considered for manuscript improvement:
In the section Technical approach (line 102), under mixed methods description there is…. (4) semi-structured, in-depth interviews with SPU staff working on different facets of sustainability, climate science, policy, and planning between 1993 and the present. It would be good if authors present as an annex the questionnaire or interview structure (probably in a form of table). This will significantly increase the value of article but also used by other utilities as a good practice.
Then, in case of data analyze this set might be better integrated within sections of Strategic planning and SPU, Sustainable Operations, and New Questions for the Climate Services Community
Author Response
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In the technical approach section, it would be good if the authors present as an annex the questionnaire or interview structure (probably in the form of a table). |
This is an excellent suggestion. We have added our interview questionnaire as an appendix and have included an expanded description of the interview protocol. |
Reviewer 3 Report
Thank you for sharing an insider's perspective about SPU through this 'case study' that presents a very positive 'Viewpoint' by its affiliates. Whilst not academic research, this "essay" is nicely structured and the English is well-written. To pursue this for publication, it is necessary to create a more ‘balanced’, less-biased picture of the utility’s history, by exploring the inevitable ups and downs that organisations experience in trialing and achieving sustainability initiatives. This would better align with academic research processes and help gain readers’ trust, as well as perhaps be more encouraging to those struggling to achieve sustainable policy and practices.
It is likely the case that SPU is, indeed, doing and achieving fantastic leadership in environmental sustainability. However, in its current form, this paper presents an overly long, glowing opinion piece written by employees about their organisation’s history that may be of little interest to the journal’s readership, and beyond. The academic references cited are not used in a scientific way as suitable for the scientific research process. Academic references are sparse and largely site factual information rather than be used to review, and further, academic knowledge and research. There is no review of academic literature in most of the paper, no theory, little connection of the research methods used to the information presented, no situation of this case study amid broader, global studies or research, and no discussion of findings. Presently, this is a descriptive essay of the programs and partnerships SPC is undertaking or undertook.
As the essay ends, there is a sub-section titled, “7. Moving from Climate Resilience to Sustainable Operations: Some 1078 Observations”. Whilst still largely opinion-based, this section situates SPU’s experience within some academically-cited literature. This is a much better section and it is recommended that this format be adopted and utilized throughout should the authors wish to make this ‘Viewpoint’ suitable for publication in Sustainability, as an academic outlet. In its present form the paper is better suited for an industry newsletter / professional practice outlet.
Good wishes with your future endeavors.
Author Response
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It is necessary to create a more ‘balanced,’ less-biased picture of the utility’s history, by exploring the inevitable ups and downs that organizations experience in trialing and achieving sustainability initiatives. This paper presents on ‘overly glowing’ history of the organization. |
We have done three things to address this insightful comment: (1) we have re-titled the paper to make it more clear that achievement of sustainable operations is a challenge and that success is not a foregone conclusion, (2) we have extensively edited the text to identify and eliminate narrative that could have been interpreted as ‘glowing’ or overly positive, and (3) we have added a new section at the end of the paper dealing with “Ongoing Challenges” that SPU is likely to face as it works to continue its transition toward integrated sustainability. As applicable, this new section is tied to references in the academic and professional literature. Finally, we have edited the document to emphasize – where appropriate – that many of our accomplishments are ‘tentative’ or ‘in progress’ rather than finalized outcomes. |
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There is no review of academic literature in most of the paper, no theory…no situation of this case study amid broader, global studies or research…” |
We understand and appreciate this perspective, but urge the reviewer to re-read and consider the purpose statement for this Special Issue of Sustainability: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/climate_service. As is understood by the Journal’s editorial team, this manuscript is not intended to be a classic research paper. Although the paper communicates a perspective, there is no hypothesis being tested. The paper was not solicited by the editors to explore, advance, or critique a particular theoretical perspective. The paper is chronological and descriptive. It shares archival information and the professional reflections of the staff and leadership of a single, American utility (SPU). The paper is not intended to be a comparative exercise. Broadly speaking, it shares information and informed perspective on the establishment and evolution of SPU’s efforts to adapt to climate change and pursue sustainable operations. Since most the papers in this collection (7/10) are academic tracts dealing with the development and use of climate services (and related organizational adaptations), the paper was one of three solicited by the editors to provide points of real-world reference for the edition as a whole. Besides providing an experiential point of reference for the Special Edition, we hope the paper serves as a source of ideas and helpful perspective for other utilities contemplating climate resilience or sustainable operations. Beyond this paper, the editorial team plans to contribute a synthesizing introductory paper that draws associations and lessons between the research articles and the descriptive articles, especially as they relate to the development and application of climate services. And finally, we hope the paper generates enthusiasm at other utilities and municipalities to address and continue to address climate resilience issues. |
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There is “little connection of the research methods to the information presented…” |
We think we have strengthened this connection through addition of our interview questionnaire as an appendix along with an expanded description of the interview protocol. |
