Starting Points for the Construction of Sustainability Indicators (2001)

Investigators

Daniel Spreng, Antonio Valsangiacomo, Adrian Müller, Andrea Scheller,

Time Frame

2001

Funding

Independent research project

Abstract

This project will bring together experts with various backgrounds to discuss and reflect upon their different approaches and intentions for constructing indicators for sustainability.

English Summary

Agenda 21 and, generally, the appeal of the sustainability concept have lead to much activity related to the construction of sustainability indicators. The theoretical background of this activity, however, is weak. We propose a project, with a workshop at its core, in which existing pieces of a theoretical background are reviewed and the promotion of a consistent theory is envisaged. This theory may serve constructors of sustainability indicators to see their own approach, in their respective context, as one choice in an ensemble of many possible construction schemes.
We start out with reviewing existing theoretical approaches ((disciplinary) roots, levels of aggregation, weighing schemes, communicational aspects). Sustainability-indicators experts are then invited to make reflections on their approaches and intentions to construct indicators. In one or several workshops with the experts we will try to crystallize how these starting points shape the indicator construction. The gain in knowledge may further the mutual understanding of indicator constructors from different fields which is crucial in an interdisciplinary topic like sustainability.