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4.4 What are the appropriate INDICATORS of environmental states, drivers and Module
pressures?
With drivers, pressures and environmental states identified for each issue, an additional layer of information 5
is now required in order to tell the integrated story in a quantitative and qualitative manner.
Development of data and indicators is covered in detail in Module 4. The following section represents
only the bare essentials necessary to continue with an integrated analysis of environmental trends and
policies. Participants with no prior experience with data and indicators are urged to review Module 4 Abu Dhabi, UAE
carefully before continuing.
4.4.1 Working with indicators
Indicators commonly are used to illustrate and substantiate statements made in assessments. The
choice of indicators determines the kinds of data needed for an IEA, helping to structure and guide data
collection. When choosing an indicator, it is important to select one that both demonstrates something
important about the themes and issues, and one that can be clearly communicated. When selected and
used properly, and where data are available, indicators can offer:
? Characterization of historic trends related to priority issues.
? Spatial patterns of change.
? Analysis of progress relative to targets/benchmarks/reference values.
Examples of indicators for a driver and environmental state are described in Figures 7 and 8, respectively.
To avoid selecting indicators haphazardly, we use selection criteria. For example, indicators
should:
? Be developed within an accepted conceptual framework.
? Be clearly defined and easy to understand.
? Be subject to aggregation.
? Be objective.
? Have reasonable data requirements.
? Be relevant to users.
? Be limited in number.
? Reflect causes, processes or results (World Bank 1997).
IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 43
