23-Sep-09 Andrea Scheller

Eurostat’s approach to measuring SD and its and First Meeting of the UNECE/ EUROSTAT/OECD Task Force on Measuring Sustainable DevelopmentGeneva, 23-24 September 2009

23-Sep-09 TF MSD 2

10 main features of the SDI set I

1. RationaleSD is an overarching principle, enshrined in the treaty - monitoring progress made towards a more sustainable EU

2. Frame of referenceEU Sustainable development strategy 2001, renewed in 2006

3. Indicator set development Common response of the European Statistical System: Task Force/Working Group

4. Data sourcesOfficial statistics with some exceptions

5. Sizeca. 130 indicators in a three-level pyramid & contextual

23-Sep-09 TF MSD 3

10 main features of the SDI set II

6. Time horizon and periodicityLonger term, yearly or less frequent data

7. FocusPerformance of EU-27 over time

8. GoalsDevelopment in desired direction, few quantitative targets

9. EvaluationTrends since 2000 with regard to desired development or distance to target path

10. Audience/ReportingPolicy makers EU, biannual reporting to December Council, member states, the public at large

23-Sep-09 TF MSD 4

Strengths and weaknesses I

1. Rationale: SD in EU treaty• “Constitutional” basis

2. Frame of reference: SD strategy• Political commitment & definition, visibility, direct use• Agenda set, inconstancy, pressure

3. Indicator set development: Joint action • Participatory process, awareness rising, support• Negotiations, vested interests, size

23-Sep-09 TF MSD 5

Strengths and weaknesses II

4. Data sources: Official statistics– Quality standards, readily available trusted data– Limited to statistical system, slow uptake of new demands

5. Size: over 130 indicators– Pool to dig in for different custom-made purposes – Heavy to maintain, communicate

6. Time horizon and periodicity: longer term, yearly data– Continuity, development over time – Time series and proxies needed, one-off studies not

exploitable

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Strengths and weaknesses III

7. Focus: EU-27 over time– Supports unification, marche de manoeuvre for countries– Resisting to change, no knowledge on regions

8. Goals: desired direction, quantitative targets– Direction is easy to agree, targets easy to communicate– Direction lacks time dimension, not all targets are SD

9. Evaluation: trend since 2000 or distance to target path– Quick message, clearer messages with targets– Time series needed, assumptions needed, linear target

path not best measure

23-Sep-09 TF MSD 7

Strengths and weaknesses VI

10. Audience/Reporting: EU Council, governance cycle– Visibility, official mandate, guaranteed use – Not enough to stay in the focus, report not adapted to

wider audiences

Let’s keep the shining and blow away some !

23-Sep-09 TF MSD 8

Sustainable development indicator sethttp://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/sustainabledevelopment E-mail: estat-sdi@ec.europa.eu

EU Sustainable development strategyhttp://ec.europa.eu/sustainable/