Sustainability science is dedicated to studying the interactions within and between human and natural systems. Such a link is characterized by reciprocal interactions a variety of intricate feedbacks. Sustainable scientists are therefore required to monitor various phenomena over time and at different spatial and organizational scales.
There is a growing recognition of the need to monitor and inspect the state of environments and societies, and to understand the legacy effects with their drivers, and the potential contribution of different human responses for a change in the future. Such realizations have urged scientists to develop different tools and approached towards sustainability assessment. Indicators and indices that are being developed alongside with the formation of simulation and future scenarios, can contribute to creating awareness and aid with formulating action plans for communities and public systems. Over the years, Israel has ratified international protocols, and joined international bodies (such as the OECD). Both require Israel to comply with rigorous standards and to use novel methods to assess different aspects of its own level of sustainability. Those should build up to a long-term "performance analysis" for Israeli economy and society. The Negev Center for Sustainability studies several dimensions of Israel's social, economic and environmental sustainability. Such inquiry is performed in a multi and cross-scale manner, starting at the household and community scales, through a settlement and urban scale, and ending at the regional and national scale.
