An indicator framework for analysing sustainability impacts of land use change

Abstract

Indicators can represent important sources of information for different stages in the policy-making process. Indicator frameworks are ways to organize and systematize indicators for making them consistent, transparent and end-user oriented. The paper initially describes the role that indicator frameworks may have in achieving policy relevance for indicators, ensuring that indicators correspond to the values, policies and targets of policymakers. Next, the paper addresses different types of frameworks and exemplifies these with indicator frameworks that integrate environmental objectives into sectoral policies. The characteristics of frameworks for sustainability impact assessment and the development of an indicator framework for the SENSOR project are described. This includes concepts and models of sustainable development and indicators in Europe, and the criteria used for the construction of a SENSOR framework for indicator selection. The strengths and drawbacks of the framework are discussed. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2008.