Indicators for SCP overview of UNEP publications 1
Three key reports: UNEP SCP Indicators for Developing Countries A guidance framework UNEP Measuring Progress towards an Inclusive Green Economy Green Growth Knowledge Platform Moving towards a common Approach on Green Growth Indicators 2
UNEP SCP Indicators for Developing Countries A guidance framework (2008) 3
What are indicators? Indicators are a tool for analysing change and focusing attention on priorities: monitoring and review of progress in achieving key objectives and targets; effective reporting to decision-makers and the public, encouraging accountability; clarifying meaning and application in practice of SCP contributing to the revision of existing strategies and action plans, and the development of new plans; raising the political and public profile of SCP-related issues; encouraging meaningful dialogue on SCP. 4
Indicator frameworks Indicators must be based on an agreed framework for SCP. Five capitals model: 5 types of capital from which we draw the goods and services. Key part of the framework is the relation of SCP to stocks of natural capital. (Strong vs weak definitions of sustainability will tend towards critical stocks and efficiency respectively. 5
Indicator frameworks Natural capital: materials, water, land, energy, receiving environments, ecosystem services. Human capital: health, knowledge, capacity, skills, relationships Social capital: institutions, including businesses, government, families. Manufactured capital: goods, assets, infrastructure. Financial capital: no intrinsic value, but enables trade of other types of capital 6
Indicator compass Compliance adherence to standards, laws Efficiency based resource and eco-efficiency Connectivity equity, access to resources and social services Critical stock CO2 levels, water withdrawals, depletion rates of minerals, land use 7
Example of an SCP indicator set 8
Example of an SCP indicator set 9
Example of an SCP indicator set 10
Example of an SCP indicator set 11
Steps in selecting indicators 1. Plan: clarify the context What is the scope and purpose? Who are the target users? Where are the indicators applied? What timeframes? How are they applied? A scoping exercise can help to complete this step. It could include: Assessment of economic, social and environmental impacts of P&C, and the current stocks. Costs and benefits of SCP locally Overview of SCP policies and activities (including international) 12
Steps in selecting indicators 2. Identify indicator framework and indicators Scope and vision for SCP SCP indicator framework Identify indicators The last step benefits from the following criteria: Collective Necessary and sufficient Relevant usable info for decision making and target users Evidence based Balance of efficiency and absolute Appropriate spatial and temporal scale Individual Understandable, relevant, graphically communicative, monitorable, reliable, consistent, representative 13
Steps in selecting indicators 3. Implement the framework Ensuring the effective application and use of the indicators. Identify and address key constraints (incl ideal vs realistic) Identify opportunities for leverage (existing data collection) Communication and reporting (from data to information) 14
Steps in selecting indicators 4. Monitor and evaluate the efficacy of the indicators Seek continuous improvement, foster accountability and transparency. Have the objectives of the indictor framework been addressed? Is a meaningful assessment being made? Are stakeholders adequately engaged? 15
Green Growth Knowledge Platform Moving towards a common Approach on Green Growth Indicators (2013) 16
Policies and opportunities Green jobs Policy instruments (incl subsidies) Int l cooperation Environmental quality: Exposure to pollution Access to water, sanitation Ecosystem services The natural asset base. Socio-economic indicators Available stocks of aquatic, forest, mineral, Macro-economy energy, land, soil water and biodiversity Equity resources Education Health Development Production: intensity/productivity Resource inputs (materials, land, energy water) per capita or per GDP Waste, carbon, and other emissions 17
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Thank you Janet Salem Programme Officer, Sustainable Consumption and Production Regional Office for Asia Pacific, UNEP Janet.Salem@unep.org 19