Compromises and trade-offs in the selection of indicators for the EU sustainable development indicator set. Monitoring sustainable management and use of natural resources in the European Union
PIHLAJAMÄKI, MIA (2008)
PIHLAJAMÄKI, MIA
2008
Ympäristöpolitiikka - Environmental Policy
Kauppa- ja hallintotieteiden tiedekunta - Faculty of Economics and Administration
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2008-06-17
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-19085
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-19085
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this study is to explore the process that has resulted in the selection of a set of indicators under the Natural Resources theme in the EU 2007 sustainable development indicator set.
Qualitative content analysis is used to identify, on one hand, dynamic features characterising the selection process and the role of different factors in the selection of indicators, and on the other hand, to explore the arguments used to justify the selection or removal of any given indicator. The material for this study comprises of documents relating to the meetings of the Sustainable Development Indicators Task Force and Working Group. The results are discussed with consideration for the predefined factors affecting the indicator selection (e.g. the framework and approach chosen, and data availability), while conclusions of the arguments used to justify the selection are studied in the light of the three characteristics of a good indicator; scientific validity, policy relevance and communicability.
The results show that the selection process is characterised by dynamic features such as the dynamics of sustainable development and the nature of policy processes, as well as the on-going indicator development process, resulting in constant need for revision of the set. The selection of the indicators is affected by the compromises and trade-offs made in the selection process between policy- and statistics-driven approach, a thematic-framework and causal-chain framework, participatory and expert-driven approach, stable and active indicator set, and data availability and the development of the most suitable indicators. The main argumentation for the selection of any given indicator was its policy relevance. Features relating to the scientific validity of an indicator were also discussed, especially in terms of suitability for the purpose and with respect to data availability and methodology, while there was no significant consideration given to the indicators ability to communicate to its target audience.
Keywords: sustainable development indicators, indicator selection process, natural resources, European Union
Qualitative content analysis is used to identify, on one hand, dynamic features characterising the selection process and the role of different factors in the selection of indicators, and on the other hand, to explore the arguments used to justify the selection or removal of any given indicator. The material for this study comprises of documents relating to the meetings of the Sustainable Development Indicators Task Force and Working Group. The results are discussed with consideration for the predefined factors affecting the indicator selection (e.g. the framework and approach chosen, and data availability), while conclusions of the arguments used to justify the selection are studied in the light of the three characteristics of a good indicator; scientific validity, policy relevance and communicability.
The results show that the selection process is characterised by dynamic features such as the dynamics of sustainable development and the nature of policy processes, as well as the on-going indicator development process, resulting in constant need for revision of the set. The selection of the indicators is affected by the compromises and trade-offs made in the selection process between policy- and statistics-driven approach, a thematic-framework and causal-chain framework, participatory and expert-driven approach, stable and active indicator set, and data availability and the development of the most suitable indicators. The main argumentation for the selection of any given indicator was its policy relevance. Features relating to the scientific validity of an indicator were also discussed, especially in terms of suitability for the purpose and with respect to data availability and methodology, while there was no significant consideration given to the indicators ability to communicate to its target audience.
Keywords: sustainable development indicators, indicator selection process, natural resources, European Union