OECD: Measuring the transformation of the economy - green growth Indicators
The experience in Latin America raised various challenges but also highlighted the way the countries can address them (Table 2; CAF-OECD-UNIDO, 2012). First, clear communication is important. This can be achieved in many different ways: producing userfriendly and visually appealing reports (e.g. Paraguay), adopting more concise, standardised reporting (e.g. Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay), complementing the indicator-based report with a summary for policy makers (e.g. Costa Rica), and highlighting concrete policy steps and their inter-linkages to facilitate application of the indicators in national policy agendas (e.g. Ecuador).
added more indicators on a particular natural resource because of its national importance (e.g. Mexico, Colombia and Paraguay). Third, the application of the OECD framework that cuts across different themes and policy issues contributes to a better cooperation among government institutions and helps improve the countries’ environmental information systems and their connection with economic information systems. Finally, exchange of experience and good practices between the participants helps them address data challenges and measurability issues.
Second, the indicators need to be adapted to the national context. This is why some countries have
Challenges faced and ways to overcome them
Challenges Selecting indicators · Reflect adequately national circumstances and policy issues. · Reflect adequately the linkages between economic growth and environmental issues. · Assess each indicator with respect to its relevance, soundness, and measurability. Compiling data and measuring · Identify data sources across different institutions and government levels, and remaining gaps. · Compile the data and organise data flows. · Harmonise the data across national sources and addressing data quality issues, including discontinuity over time. Interpretation and communication · Place the indicators in the country’s socio-economic context. · Interprete the results in view of underlying economic, social and political factors.
Institutional co-ordination and capacity building · Cope with limited (human, financial) resources; · Co-ordinate between national institutions at different levels. · Provide appropriate training and capacity building.
Ways to address the challenges · Adapt the indicators to the national context by developing new indicators on aspects of particular importance to the country. · Ensure that the indicator set encompasses both indicators that are internationally comparable and indicators that are country specific.
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Document the data using harmonised formats. Ensure compliance with statistical standards. Organise data flows in a way that enables regular updates. Combine graphics and tables with diagrams and explanatory text to compensate for missing data.
· Provide background information on specific national circumstances. · Be clear about the limitations of the indicators and their interpretation. · Release the indicators through user-friendly reports and public websites. · Adapt the ways of reporting to the various audiences. · Use standardised reporting templates for all indicators. · Establish a network of data providers and indicator users. · Maximise the use of existing data. · Exchange knowledge and learn from peers on: - indicator selection and calculation methods. - data management and quality assurance. · Interpretation of indicators and ways to use and communicate them.
Source: CAF-OECD-UNIDO, 2012.
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