sustainable developent indicators

Sustainable development indicators are indicators that measure progress made in sustainable growth and development. They can provide an early warning, sounding the alarm in time to prevent economic, social and environmental damage. They are also important tools to communicate ideas of sustainable development. Indicators for monitoring progress towards sustainable development are needed in order to assist decision-makers and policy-makers at all levels and to increase focus on sustainable development. Beyond the commonly used economic indicators of well-being, however, social, environmental and institutional indicators have to be taken into account as well to arrive at a broader, more complete picture of societal development. A core set of 58 indicators and methodology sheets are now available for all countries to use. This core set was adopted by the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) at its Third Session in April 1995.