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Indicator performance is measured using a “proximity-to-target” approach, based on a core set of Module
environmental outcomes linked to policy goals. Countries are also ranked and compared on an issue-
by-issue basis. Criteria for indicator selection include relevance, performance orientation, transparency 4
and data quality. The indicators were selected based on a review of environmental policy literature,
expert judgment and policy dialogue in the context of the Millennium Development Goals. The targets,

which are the same for all countries, were based on international agreements, international standards,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
national authorities or prevailing consensus among scientists (Yale Center for Environmental Policy and
Law, et al., 2006). Indicator weighting occurs using statistical analysis.

EXERCISE
Calculating a model Air Quality Index for countries

In principle, a single air quality indicator would combine ambient concentrations of various air
pollutants, most notably various sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane
volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), certain heavy metals (like lead), and particulate

matter (PM) of various sizes (i.e., PM10 for particles of 2.5–10 micrometers and PM2.5
for 0–2.45 micrometers). For many areas, data on the levels of these compounds are not
available, or at least not easily found. While a comprehensive global monitoring programme
on air quality does not exist, for various large cities in the world at least some figures are
known, although the data are not always comparable and often lack regular updating. The
OECD reports regularly on urban air pollution for some 40–50 cities in member countries,
and in Europe the EEA does similar reporting, but other than that the data are rather

dispersed, not always up-to-date, not easily available outside the city, country or region, or
do not exist. For more detalis on Air Quality Index (AQI) for Kuwait see page 36 of the link.

IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 69