Goals and Objectives for the Working Draft Framework

Framework Definition

An indicator framework allows development of a logically structured list of categories for which indicators would be sought. A framework can also conceptually represent the basic types of cause-and-effect relationships believed relevant to the objectives of the indicator set. The later approach reflects the belief that sustainable development can only be achieved through a broad understanding of the interactions among the economic, environmental and social aspects of human well-being. The working draft SDI Framework has been designed with both lists and cause-and-effect relationships in mind.

Framework Objectives:

1. Provide Logical Structure: One objective of a framework is to help develop terminology and taxonomy for categorizing phenomena in a manner that facilitates the development of indicators at various levels of aggregation. The SDI Group will use the Framework to identify candidate indicators and to select a set of indicators to be developed. It will also provide a logical and understandable structure to organize, manage, and distribute indicator data. It will help the SDI Group organize existing data and identify data gaps.

2. Identify Relationships Between Components: The Framework should also provide a conceptual description of the various components and phenomena of the earth's ecosystem, as well as the relationships among those components and phenomena, that are relevant to sustainable development. This conceptual description will help to communicate an understanding of the nature of sustainability and build a consensus on the set of indicators. A comprehensive, integrated framework will also help promote cross-discipline research and communication.

Selecting Indicators With A Framework

Although a framework for indicators will help identify categories and subcategories of indicators in a logically consistent manner, it is not intended to provide the basis for determining what types of indicators should be used. For many components of the framework, biophysical measures of quantities and qualities may prove appropriate. For other components, particularly those directly relevant to human well-being, measures of the values humans place upon various phenomena may prove appropriate. In many cases, both biophysical and value measures would be useful. As with all aspects of SDI development, the choice of indicators, especially those reflecting human values, needs to emerge from an process that allows wide participation and achieves broad consensus.