Development of Indicators
The approach for developing indicators involved three steps.
The first step involved identifying, in consultation with the Advisory Group, the primary issues of concern relative to the projects. The sustainability triangle on the right illustrates the integration of environmental, social, and economic issues.
The second step involved developing preliminary indicators by determining the most effective way to monitor and communicate information about the issues. For example, the issue “Project effects on wildlife” is effectively monitored using populations of specific fauna potentially affected by the projects (i.e., pink-footed goose, reindeer, and breeding birds). Accordingly, these fauna were selected as preliminary indicators for this issue.
The third step involved screening the preliminary indicators by applying a series of criteria to each, see figure on the right. Following is a description of questions asked during application of the criteria.
- Relevant – Indicator had to be reflective of the issue and relevant to the projects and sustainability in some way;
- Scientifically valid – Indicator had to be quantifiable using metrics that clearly measure status/change;
- Sensitive to change – Indicator had to be sensitive to change and truly reflective of conditions;
- Shows trend – Indicator had to show trend that is meaningful relative to the goals of the sustainability process; and
- Baseline data – Baseline data for the preliminary indicator needed to be available or collectable and have some historical context that would allow for clear interpretation of future trends.
The preliminary indicators that met the five criteria were selected as indicators. Preliminary indicators that did not meet the criteria were not considered further.
This process resulted in the development of 46 indicators for the Alcoa/Landsvirkjun Sustainability Initiative in Eastern Iceland.
