13 Conclusions - Sustainability Indicators In Practice: Lessons Learned From The Past, Directions For The Future

Agnieszka E Latawiec and Dorice Agol

This book presents various case studies from around the world and we hope that for the reader it will serve as a handbook for lessons learned on practical use of sustainability indicators. Evaluating development projects using sustainability indicators continues to be a dynamic research field and those practicing sustainability are also creating it. As emerged from many of the case studies discussed here, there is rarely, if at all, an ideal indicator that fully encompasses all the desired qualities and features of ‘a perfect indicator’. Indicators are always subject to controversy, subjectivity and preferences of their users. Yet as shown in this book there are indicators that, from expert opinion, address the critical issues of sustainability in a specific context (being it fishery, wastewater, forestry) in a more (or less) comprehensive manner. These indicators can aid in the understanding and measurement of the progress of development better than ‘traditional’ indicators, for reasons discussed in specific chapters. Moreover, as often discussed throughout the book, ‘traditional’ indicators are not wrong per se. Quite the opposite, they may provide important information and should accompany what is claimed to be a ‘sustainability indicator’. In addition, the data used for delivering a specific indicator are often readily available and also can show progress over time. Sometimes it is also the interpretation and application of the data behind a traditional indicator that transform it into something that gives a notion of sustainability. For example, data on income as a traditional indicator can be used to provide purchase parity, which tells us more about the social sustainability of the system.

In decision-making processes, choosing the right indicator is often a challenge. There are always trade-offs when selecting and using sustainability indicators and it is important to be transparent and acknowledge limitations. Many of the chapters in this book suggest solutions that worked in individual case studies. This does not mean that we have a ‘silver bullet’, but it shows that a range of practitioners around the world (Europe, Latin America and Africa) faced similar challenges and proposed solutions that worked in practice.

This book covers a range of topics from different case studies but what became apparent is that many of the practical challenges associated with sustainability outlined were common for Brazil, Poland and Kenya. This is despite different economic, cultural and biophysical contexts. Solutions to the challenges were often common too. Moreover, although goals of the projects were different and set in different sectors and frameworks, there are some general conclusions that can be drawn:

• 1.   There are discrepancies between social, economic and environmental priorities within the projects, hence capturing these priorities by indicators is challenging (e.g. chapters 5, 7 and 12);
• 2.   What is measured by sustainability indicators should depend on the goal that was set before a certain intervention (e.g. chapter 1, 8 and 11). For example, if ecological restoration is the goal, the mere reforested area may not be sufficient to indicate the success of restoration. Instead, rather the diversity of species planted and their survival should be taken into consideration (chapter 8);
• 3.   Indicators are needed for decision making but they are only useful when, in addition to being placed in a specific cultural context, there is also a clear understanding of previous interventions. In other words, if indicators are used without understanding the processes and people they are relevant to, they may be easily misused (even if an indicator is good itself). This aspect was discussed virtually in all chapters of this book and strongly stressed in chapters 5, 10 and 12;
• 4.   Monitoring is fundamental for development and use of sustainability indicators. The importance of monitoring is demonstrated, in particular, in chapters 3, 4 and 7;
• 5.   Indicators can be both quantitative and qualitative (e.g. chapter 1). Yet, they should both be a measure rather than a vague approximation of what is intended to be measured. It is extremely important that indicators are well developed and carefully chosen in order to avoid wrong representations and decisions, which might result in negative consequences for sustainable development. Quantitative assessments are particularly important when dealing with issues such as pollution as discussed in chapters 9, 10, 11 and 12;
• 6.   Most of the chapters also refer to conceptual problems with interpretations of sustainability and its subjectivity. Practitioners are often compelled to act on behalf of future generations, hence the indicators should capture future scenarios. Yet, how to define what should be left for the future generations can be difficult. How do we know what the future generations will value? In that respect, how can one define what is a ’’fair’’, ethical and ’’the sustainable thing to do”? And how can we think of future generations if so many current generations do not meet their basic needs? There are no obvious answers on how this should be dealt with and it is the practitioner who often needs to make the ultimate decision. Being aware of these issues is however necessary. Acknowledging limitations and subjectivity can certainly help negotiation processes and consensus on various debates and real-world situations within which sustainability indicators are often used. The reader can find more on this topic in chapters 1 and 2.
• 7.   The previous point on subjectivity is heavily linked to issues with values. The conflicts between human wellbeing, environmental conservation and economic development are a challenge when developing sustainability indicators. Wellbeing is dependent on culture, society or spiritual traditions and it may rise as more resources are used. Although human wellbeing is the ultimate end for measuring sustainability, assessing what wellbeing actually means has been a question for thousands of years and a subject of great philosophical deliberation. That discussion has not produced one answer. To various people wellbeing means something different, it is a matter of values, culture and other complex factors. So how to measure the most qualitative, personal, culture-bound subjective yet the most important part in sustainability debate? And if we cannot assess what wellbeing is, how can we ever get there? How do we know if we are going in the right direction? This topic is discussed in depth in chapter 2.
• 8.   Acknowledging multiplicity and ambiguity in relation with the use of sustainability indicators was also discussed throughout the chapters (e.g. chapters 1, 2, 9 and 10). Our conviction strongly affects our perception of the world and understanding of it is critical to the discussion on sustainability indicators. We therefore need to acknowledge and correct for this diversity. The subjectivity of the perception of indicators and preference for different sustainability indicators is heavily embedded in the ways in which we perceive the world. There is therefore a need to acknowledge these multiplicity and ambiguity when working with indicators, and understand and accommodate multiple views on sustainability.

Notwithstanding subjectivity, multiplicity, ambiguity and complexity associated with the use of sustainability indicators, we have already enough evidence from practice about what may and what may not lead to sustainability. We hope that this book, which shows some of these examples, will enrich the existing knowledge on the use of sustainability indicators. This may help practitioners in the field, by applying some of the solutions that are suggested here, and spur more interest in sustainability indicators. Obviously, we are not exhaustive and we present only a snap shot of a bigger picture. Yet we believe that a range of environmental aspects discussed (water, land, air) from different places and cultures, brings some representative picture at least for a part of the world. Although much remains to be done on the search for desirable indicators we hope that our book will encourage more work, participation and collaboration in this extremely relevant, complex and interesting topic. Just because sustainability is difficult and many do not really know how to make up a truly sustainable world (especially as different views exist on what a sustainable world is), that does not mean that we cannot do things to be less unsustainable, and pursue sustainability.

As many scientific articles, books and reports of a similar scope after discussing the selection, uses and misuses of indicators propose characteristics of an ideal indicator, we also initially thought that given the information from the chapters we would also present a table listing features of a good and a bad indicator. Instead, however, we propose to the reader, to make their own decision on choosing their “ideal” sustainability indicator, based on the succinct information on indicator use in practice that each chapter has provided. Easy or not, working with sustainability indicators is a fascinating adventure and we invite everybody to join.