Action Research on Sustainble Development Indicator Development

Sustainable development as a concept has been defined many times in recent years, however the concept most generally accepted is that of the Brundtland report, where sustainable development is defined as  "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". While this definition is fine as a concept it means very little to non-academics and the public at large.

 

Sustainability is a very complex concept and as such a method must be utilised to measure sustainable development progress or regression. Indicators are an accepted methodology for simplifying complex sustainability issues. Using indicators trends in the economy, society and the environment can be identified and corrective action can be taken sooner than may otherwise have been possible, even before negative trends are expressed in the system.

 

Indicators

However the use of indicators is not without its problems, it is widely accepted that sustainability as an ideal will be impossible to achieve to any degree without the understanding and support of the general public. One of the barriers to the elicitation of this support is in the nature of the indicators themselves. Commonly indicators that are used are selected from a "top down" approach i.e. the indicators are selected by local, regional or national bodies with little or no input from the public. These indicators while perfectly valid  from a scientific viewpoint fail to resonate with the public.

 

Methodology

This research project aims to develop a methodology for developing sustainable development indicators from a "bottom up" approach, whereby the indicators of sustainable development are identified by the community. This will lead to greater "buy in" by the public toward the concept of sustainable development, and lead to a greater appreciation of the concept of sustainable development A standardised methodology will be created that can be used in other areas of Ireland.

 

	Funded under the Environmental RTDI Programme 2000-2006, financed by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and administered on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Local Government by the Environmental Protection agency.