A Candidate Sustainable Development Indicator (SDI) is an indicator identified as related to or relevant to sustainable development. The Candidate SDI List is the total set of indicators that meet the selection criteria for a Candidate SDI. The Candidate SDI List can contain any number of indicators. A Candidate SDI must relate to the SDI Framework, measure an issue of concern, and meet form and format requirements.
A vague and poorly defined Candidate SDI is worthless. Each Candidate SDI must have a clear and specific definition by meeting the following form and format requirements:
1) Understandable (essential): Each Candidate SDI should have a clear and easily understood definition. The definition should not contain obscure, arcane, or unknown parameters. Each Candidate SDI rates as "Easy," "Fair," or "Difficult" to understand. A Candidate SDI rates as "Easy" when defined as a single, widely-used parameter. A Candidate SDI rates as "Fair" when defined as several closely related parameters, a single obscure parameter, or a dimensionless number or ratio. A Candidate SDI rates as "Difficult" when its definition includes several disparate parameters, does not identify a specific parameter, specifies no parameter at all, or has no obvious relationship to the relevant framework element. To make the Candidate SDI List, an SDI must rate as "Easy" or "Fair."
2) National in Scope (desirable): Each Candidate SDI should cover, apply, or relate to the entire United States. Each Candidate SDI rates as "Local," "Regional," "National," or Global." A Candidate SDI rates as "Local" when it applies to specific urban areas or communities. A Candidate SDI rates as "Regional" when it applies to specific portion(s) of the United States or represents phenomena (such as estuaries) found only in some states and territories. A Candidate SDI rates as "National" when it applies to the United States as a whole or represents a local phenomena (such as cities) found in all states and territories. A Candidate SDI rates as "Global" when it applies to international relationships or the world as a whole To make the Candidate SDI List, an SDI should rate as "National," Global," and sometimes "Regional."
3) Scalable to State and Local Levels (desirable): The definition of each Candidate SDI should remain constant when scaling to the state, regional and local levels. Each Candidate SDI rates as "Yes," "No," or "Maybe." A Candidate SDI rates as "Yes" when it breaks down into contributions from smaller geopolitical units (state, county, city, etc.). A Candidate SDI rates as "No" when it measures interactions between the United States and other countries and international organizations or when it represents parameters that apply only to the nation as a whole. A Candidate SDI rates as "Maybe" when it's ability to scale to local levels remains unclear or in doubt. To make the Candidate SDI List, an SDI should rate as "Yes."
4) Scalable to Global Level (desirable): The definition of each Candidate SDI should remain constant when scaling up to a global level. Each Candidate SDI rates as "Yes," "No," or "Maybe." A Candidate SDI rates as "Yes" when it applies to all countries or to the world as a whole. A Candidate SDI rates as "No" when it includes some variable, law, standard, or convention that applies only in the United States. A Candidate SDI rates as "Maybe" when it's ability to scale to the global level remains unclear or in doubt. To make the Candidate SDI List, an SDI should rate as "Yes."
5) Quantitative (desirable): Each Candidate SDI should appear as a numerical value measuring some geophysical, social, or economic parameter. Each Candidate SDI rates as "Yes," "No," or "Maybe." A Candidate SDI rates as "Yes" if the parameter represents a numeric value. A Candidate SDI rates as "No" if parameter represents a qualitative value. A Candidate SDI rates as "Maybe" when it include a mix of quantitative and qualitative or known and unknown variables. To make the Candidate SDI List, an SDI should rate as "Yes."
6) Data Available (desirable): The Federal government should already collect, possess, or have access to data for each Candidate SDI. Each Candidate SDI rates as "Yes," "No," or "Maybe." A Candidate SDI rates as "Yes" if the Federal government already possesses or has access to the data that accurately represent the parameter without alteration. A Candidate SDI rates as "No" if the data does not exist anywhere, if the data exists, but the Federal Government cannot obtain it, if the Federal Government only possesses part of the data, or if the Federal Government cannot release the data to the general public. A Candidate SDI rates as "Maybe" if the Federal Government must acquire the data from a non-Federal source, if the data requires alterations to make it apply, or if the existence of applicable data remains in doubt. To make the Candidate SDI List, an SDI should rate as "Yes."