Research Conference on Sustainable Development Indicators Luxembourg, 30 September 2009 Matthias Bruckner Division for Sustainable Development Department of Economic and Social Affairs United Nations Indicators of Sustainable Development - International Experiences and Research Needs

Outline 1. CSD Indicators of Sustainable Development 2. Experiences and research needs

3 UN DESA – Division for Sustainable Development Mission Statement: To provide leadership and to be an authoritative source of expertise within the United Nations system on sustainable development DSD serves as the Secretariat of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) CSD: – –Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – –Attended by non-CSD member states, UN system, NGOs and IGOs – –Includes high-level segment with ministers in attendance DSD conducts normative work, analytical work and technical cooperation.

4 CSD Indicators of Sustainable Development UN DESA publishes a set of Indicators of Sustainable Development. UN DESA publishes a set of Indicators of Sustainable Development. –First edition published in 1996, second edition in –Third edition released in late These indicators serve as reference for countries to develop or revise national indicator sets. These indicators serve as reference for countries to develop or revise national indicator sets. –They are intended to be adapted to national conditions. They originate from a work programme adopted by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in They originate from a work programme adopted by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in 1995.

5 CSD Indicators of Sustainable Development Detailed methodology sheets for each indicator available online. Methodology sheets will be updated regularly. Guidelines address use of the indicators for monitoring strategies. Currently most downloaded document on DSD website. dev/natlinfo/indicators/isd.h tm

The CSD indicators consist of 96 indicators of sustainable development, of which 50 are regarded as core indicators. The CSD indicators consist of 96 indicators of sustainable development, of which 50 are regarded as core indicators. The CSD indicators are organized in 14 themes with 44 sub-themes. The CSD indicators are organized in 14 themes with 44 sub-themes. Indicator themes: Indicator themes: Poverty Governance Health Education Demographics Atmosphere Land Oceans, seas, coasts Freshwater Biodiversity Economic Development Natural hazards Global partnership Consumption and production patterns CSD Indicators of Sustainable Development

7 Experiences and research implications – purpose (1) CSD indicators serve as reference for countries to develop or revise sustainable development indicators (SDI) at the national level. CSD indicators serve as reference for countries to develop or revise sustainable development indicators (SDI) at the national level. Most countries use their SDI for monitoring national sustainable development strategies (NSDS). Most countries use their SDI for monitoring national sustainable development strategies (NSDS). Purposes of other (comprehensive) indicator sets include SD assessment, cross-country comparisons, communication. Purposes of other (comprehensive) indicator sets include SD assessment, cross-country comparisons, communication. Different purposes are a main factor in explaining heterogeneity of SDI sets, in particular for differences in frameworks and selection criteria. Different purposes are a main factor in explaining heterogeneity of SDI sets, in particular for differences in frameworks and selection criteria. SDI research must recognize different purposes as critical determinant of SDI. SDI research must recognize different purposes as critical determinant of SDI.

8 Experiences and research implications – purpose (2) There is a trend to develop sets of SDI for specific or cross-cutting issues (e.g., energy indicators of SD, sustainable consumption and production indicators). There is a trend to develop sets of SDI for specific or cross-cutting issues (e.g., energy indicators of SD, sustainable consumption and production indicators). Coherence of indicator sets at the national level becomes an issue. Coherence of indicator sets at the national level becomes an issue. There is a risk of duplication of efforts. There is a risk of duplication of efforts. Comprehensive SDI sets could for the basis for issue-specific sets. Comprehensive SDI sets could for the basis for issue-specific sets. This area could warrant further research. This area could warrant further research.

9 Experiences and research implications - frameworks CSD indicators are embedded in a theme-based framework, oriented along common policy-areas. CSD indicators are embedded in a theme-based framework, oriented along common policy-areas. First edition used DPSIR framework, but this proved to be impractical and limiting in national testing. First edition used DPSIR framework, but this proved to be impractical and limiting in national testing. Policy frameworks are dominant in SDI sets at the national level. Policy frameworks are dominant in SDI sets at the national level. Indices most common for SDI used for (international) awareness raising. Indices most common for SDI used for (international) awareness raising. Theory-based framework often used for conceptual work and for assessments. Theory-based framework often used for conceptual work and for assessments. SDI research on framework of main interest for purposes other than NSDS monitoring. SDI research on framework of main interest for purposes other than NSDS monitoring.

10 Experiences and research implications – scope (1) CSD indicators based on global intergovernmental consensus on sustainable development (Rio Principles, Agenda 21, JPOI, CSD resolutions). CSD indicators based on global intergovernmental consensus on sustainable development (Rio Principles, Agenda 21, JPOI, CSD resolutions). Still, quite different views on scope of SD are reflected in SDI sets. Still, quite different views on scope of SD are reflected in SDI sets. Global consensus on SD could be useful basis for research on defining SD and explaining differences in interpreting SD. Global consensus on SD could be useful basis for research on defining SD and explaining differences in interpreting SD.

11 Experiences and research implications – scope (2) SD covers both intra- and intergenerational equity concerns. SD covers both intra- and intergenerational equity concerns. Very relevant for research. Very relevant for research. SD has an international dimension (e.g., global partnership with common but differentiated responsibilities; cooperation; priority to special situation of developing countries, in particular LDCs, supportive and open international economic system) SD has an international dimension (e.g., global partnership with common but differentiated responsibilities; cooperation; priority to special situation of developing countries, in particular LDCs, supportive and open international economic system) More research on indicators addressing the international dimension (beyond trade and ODA) warranted. More research on indicators addressing the international dimension (beyond trade and ODA) warranted.

12 Experiences and research implications – scope (3) SD integrates economic, social and environmental dimension. SD integrates economic, social and environmental dimension. Interlinkages are key to the concept of SD. Interlinkages are key to the concept of SD. Despite progress in some areas (e.g. eco-efficiency), single-issue indicators remain more developed. Despite progress in some areas (e.g. eco-efficiency), single-issue indicators remain more developed. There is a need to identify indicators crossing across all three dimensions. There is a need to identify indicators crossing across all three dimensions. There is a need for integrated databases allowing for the consistent calculations of indicators. There is a need for integrated databases allowing for the consistent calculations of indicators. –SEEA has important role for indicators that integrate environmental and economic dimensions.

13 Experiences and research implications - process CSD indicators outcome of a consensus-oriented process involving international agencies and countries. CSD indicators outcome of a consensus-oriented process involving international agencies and countries. Indicators processes are key determinant for framework, size of indicator sets, design and adherence to selection criteria Indicators processes are key determinant for framework, size of indicator sets, design and adherence to selection criteria Critical components include Critical components include –Importance of consensus –Number and diversity of stakeholder involved –Role of demand and supply side of indicators SDI research could address role of indicator process. SDI research could address role of indicator process.

14 Experiences and research implications - data Data concerns remain important especially in developing countries. Data concerns remain important especially in developing countries. –Data availability –Data accessibility –Data organization –Data quality This holds in particular for environmental data. This holds in particular for environmental data. SDI research can provide direction for data collection and development, especially if taking cost considerations into account. SDI research can provide direction for data collection and development, especially if taking cost considerations into account.

15 Experiences and research implications - institutions Institutionalization critical to ensure actual application of SDI and feed-back to policy processes. Institutionalization critical to ensure actual application of SDI and feed-back to policy processes. Institutional capacity and structure of countries are important. Institutional capacity and structure of countries are important. Institutionalizing SDI often part of determining institutional structure of NSDS. Institutionalizing SDI often part of determining institutional structure of NSDS. No one-size-fits-all even among countries with similar development status. No one-size-fits-all even among countries with similar development status. Additional research warranted. Additional research warranted.

Thank You ContactMatthias Bruckner Contact: Matthias Bruckner Division for Sustainable Development Division for Sustainable Development Department of Economic and Social Affairs Department of Economic and Social Affairs United Nations United Nations