Indicators can provide crucial guidance for decision-making in a variety of ways.

They can translate physical and social science knowledge into manageable units of information that can facilitate decision-making process.

They can help to measure and calibrate progress towards sustainable development goals.

They can provide an early warning, sounding the alarm in time to prevent economic, social and environmental damage.

They are also important tools to communicate ideas,thoughts and values.

Indicators, which are derived from data, are commonly the first, most basic, tools for analyzing change in society.

Indicators are superior data as an analytical tool for several reasons:

Firstly, they can work as a basis for assessment by providing information on conditions and trends of sustainable development.

Secondly, as a basis of such assessments, indicators can provide input to policy formulation processes.

Thirdly, by presenting several data in one number that commonly is more simple to interpret than complex statistics, communication can be facilitated between different groups (e.g. between experts and non-experts).

There is no universal set of indicators that is equally applicable in all cases.

However, a small set of well-chosen indicators tends to be the most effective approach.

There are a number of selection criteria that can be applied when narrowing down the number of indicators.

Major indicators should be: understandable, clear, and unambiguous, to

the extent possible; within the capabilities of national governments to develop;

relevant to assessing sustainable development progress;

adaptable for future needs; broad in coverage of Agenda 21 and all aspects

of sustainable development; representative of an international consensus to

the extent possible; and dependent on cost effective data of known

quality.

Social Equity

Social equity is one of the principal values underlying sustainable development, with people and their quality of life being recognized as a central issue.

Equity involves the degree of fairness and inclusiveness with which resources are distributed, opportunities afforded, and decisions made.

It includes the provision of comparable opportunities of employment and social services, including education, health and justice.

Indicators for Social Equity

Percentage of Population Living Below the Poverty Line

GNI Index of Income Inequality

Poverty

Unemployment Rate

Gender Equality Ratio of Average Female Wage to Male Wage

Health

Health and sustainable development are closely connected.

Safe water supply, sanitation, proper nutrition, safe food supply, unpolluted living conditions, and access to health services contribute to healthy populations.

Conversely, poverty, lack of information and education, natural and human-induced disasters, and rapid urbanization can all exacerbate health problems.

Pollution control and health protection services have often not kept pace with economic development.

As a consequence, poor health is associated with decreased productivity, particularly in the labor intensive agricultural and industrial sector.

Development cannot be achieved or sustained when a high proportion of the population is affected by poor health and inadequate access to health care facilities.

Indicators for Health

Nutritional Status of Children Mortality Rate of Under 5 Years Children Life Expectancy at Birth Percentage of the Population with Adequate

Sewage Disposal Facilities Percentage of Population with Access to Safe

Drinking Water Percentage of the Population with Access to

Primary Health Care Facilities Immunization against Infectious Childhood

Diseases Healthcare Delivery Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

Education

Education is widely accepted as a fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of sustainable development.

It cuts across all areas of Agenda 21, being a particularly critical element in meeting basic human needs, and in achieving equity, capacity building, access to information, and strengthening science.

Education is also recognized as a means of changing consumption and production patterns to a more sustainable path.

Education, both formal and informal, is regarded as a process by which human beings and societies can reach their full potential.

Indicators for Education

Children Reaching Grade 5 of Primary Education Level

Adult Secondary Education Achievement Level

Adult Literacy Rate

Indicators for Environment

Major Indicators for Atmosphere Climate Change Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Stratospheric Ozone Layer Depletion Consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances Ambient Air Quality Concentration of Air Pollutants in Urban Areas

Many of the effects are long-term, global in nature, and irreversible with consequences for future generations.

Major Indicators for Land

Amount of Cultivable Land Area Use of Fertilizers Agriculture Use of Pesticides Amount of Forest Area Commercial Timber Harvesting Desertification Urbanization

Land consists not only of the physical space and the surface topography, but includes the associated natural resources of soil, mineral deposits, water, plant and animal communities.

Major Indicators for Oceans, Seas and Coasts

Algae Concentration in Coastal Waters Coastal

Zone Percent of Total Population Living in Coastal Areas Fisheries Annual Catch by Major Species

Occupying about 70% of the earth’s surface, oceans and seas represent highly productive ecosystems that continuously recycle chemicals, nutrients, and water.

This recycling regulates weather and climate, including global temperature.

In addition, marine, estuary and coastal ecosystems (such as coral reefs, wetlands, and mangrove forests) are significant to biodiversity and support valuable natural resources.

Indicators for Freshwater

Quantity of Water Quality of Water Groundwater Extraction Pollution Level (e.g. BOD, presence of faecal

coliform)

Freshwater is essential to support human life, ecosystems, and economic development. It supports domestic water supplies, food production, fisheries, industry, hydropower generation, navigation, and recreation. The ecosystem services of freshwater systems include food production, reduction of flood risk, and the filtering of pollutants. The global issues of health, poverty, climate change, deforestation, desertification, and land use change are all directly associated with the water resource and its management.

Major Indicators for Economy

Consumption and production patterns Material consumption Energy use Waste generation and management Transportation Institutional framework Strategic implementation of sustainable

development International cooperation Institutional capacity Access to Information Communication infrastructure Science and technology Disaster preparedness and response