k
have a threshold or reference value established against which conditions can be measured
N
be well founded in scientific and technical terms
l
be calculated from data that are readily available, or are available at a reasonable cost
>
contain documented data of known quality (verifiable and reliable)
l
be updated regularly The following
indicator sets were proposed:
l
pressure or driving force indicators
)
state indicators
l
response indicators
l
impact indicators
9 Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development 1997 SDI Indicators (SD1 Group) - Proposed In the United States, the SD1 Group, which reports to the Council on Environmental Quality in the Executive Branch of the U.S. federal government, has prepared an inventory of proposed sustainable development indicators (Proposed 1997 SDI) intended for use at the macro level. Five criteria for such indicators are recommended that may be relevant to business entities in developing eco-efficiency indicators. Indicators should be: l
understandable to a variety of user groups
l
all-inclusive
N
expandable to allow for greater detail
>
compatible with other frameworks and indicators
l
internally consistent
Criteria Summary Attempts to select or design effective performance measures or indicators of any kind are best guided by a set of principles or criteria. If a proposed measure or indicator satisfies such criteria, it is more likely to be useful for its intended purpose and users. What, then, are appropriate criteria for assessing the effectiveness of eco-efficiency indicators, whether in use or proposed? The sources identified in this appendix provide more extensive guidance on this question. Table 1 below summarizes the various selection criteria proposed by these sources, while Table 2 briefly explains the meaning of those criteria.