Indicators for Integrated Environment

Assessment at National Level

Ieva Rucevska

Central and Eastern Europe and the NIS

UNEP/GRID-Arendal

Integrated environmental assessment

Sustainable development is based on economic, environmental, social and institutional issues.

Integrated environmental assessment is based on the DPSIR concept:

Driving forces (economic development), exert pressure on the environment. Pressure (release of substances: emissions) manifest in changes in

environmental conditions. State (air quality) of anv. Changes have an impact on the social and economic

functions. Responce is key for solving the problems (amount of cars with catalytic

converters).

What is an environmental indicator?

Parameter or a value that describes:– causes of pollution (industry intensity etc.)

– state of the environment (example: water quality in river Drini Ibar, lead concentration in soil samples around

Mitrovica etc.) – its impact on human being (lead concentration in

human blood in Mitrovica etc.) – responses (expenditures etc.)

Why indicators?

To measure progress of regress of your policy activities (measure your strategy, your action plan, etc.)

To improve implementation To increase accountability …

What is a good indicator?

Is relevant to an issue Monitors the status over time Can be expressed as ”below” or ”above” a target Is comparable internationally Is based on available or cost-efficient data Is easy to communicate and understand

Indicator is not only a number, it can be ”yes/no” statements, maps graphics, or text.

Comparison of different nature protection indicators

What has caused soil pollution? Indicator: Soil-polluting activities from located sources as a percentage of total

- activities causing soil pollution can be clearly identified- implementation of the legislation (landfill directive, integrated pollution prevention and control directive, water framework directive) can result in

fewer contamination.

How much is being spent on cleaning up soil contamination? Indicator: Expenditure on remediation of contaminated sites- annual expenditures vary from 35 to under 2 EUR per capita in the various countries; - the share compared to the total estimated remediation costs is relatively low (8 % max.)

Soil sealing - proxy indicator

Over the past 20 years the extent of build-up area in many western and eastern European countries has increased by 20% exceeding the rate of population growth (6%).

Urban sprawl around Copenhagen

What type of measurements?

Performance measurements: What is the statement? How do we behave? What is the progress? - state of the environment, impact, policy progress …

Cross-topic measurements: environment versus economic activities – eco efficiency, carrying capacities …

Forecasting, outlook, early warning: What are the consequences?

Other ....

Indicators for integrated environment assessment at national and local levels

Performance measurements: What is the statement? How do we behave? What is the progress? - state of the environment, impact, policy progress …

Indicators for integrated environment assessment at national and local levels

Cross-topic measurements: environment versus economic activities – eco efficiency … Has the agriculture sector in Europe made

progress in improving its eco-efficiency between 1990-1998?in improving its eco-efficiency?

Indicators for integrated environment assessment at national and local levels

Forecasting, outlook, early warning: What are the consequences?