What is an Indicator?
Indicators are quantified information which help to explain how things are changing over time, and make complicated, hard-to-see trends more visible and understandable. An indicator is something that helps you understand where you are, which way you are going and how far you are from where you want to be. A good indicator alerts you to a problem before it gets too bad and helps you recognize what needs to be done to fix the problem.
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An indicator is a variable considered individually or collectively with other indicators to reflect whether the projects are performing in accordance with defined sustainability objectives. For example, an indicator can give information about democratic changes in a specified area during a given period of time.
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Indicators help to make complicated processes, or course of events, more comprehensible and visible.
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An indicator is based on scientifically valid information and be sensitive to change.
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An indicator does not conclude whether a certain development is "good" or "bad." It simply specifies what the changes are. Consequently, it is in the hands of us to decide whether we are at peace with the results or if we conclude that further actions are needed to improve or turn around past development.
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A good indicator can indicate an occurring problem, and can help to identify the solution of the problem before it goes out of control.
- Indicators are applied to communicate information in a simple and explicit manner.
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Sustainability Indicators should reflect up on the three braces of sustainable development: Society, environment and economy.
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Several databases have been developed on the issue of sustainability indicators. For example, the United Nations, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs had developed guidelines and methodologies. Please click to access further material.
