Training WorkshopEnvironment Statistics Concepts and

Frameworks Providing the Foundation for Official Environment Statistics of Qatar

Doha, Qatar23-25 September, 2012

Core Set of Environment and Sustainable Development Indicators For the Arab Region

Adel Farid Abdel-KaderRegional Coordinator- West AsiaEarly Warning and Assessment

UNEP

Knowledge gained from data is fundamental to our understanding of environmental issues as well as for communicating information to policy makers and other groups in society.

However, without good quality, relevant data and indicators, the assessment loses not only valuable communication tools, but also credibility and the ability to measure progress towards sustainability goals and objectives.

Introduction

Maps

Images

Graphs

TablesPictures

Videos

Data and Indicators

• Data are neutral facts.

Why Measure?

Societies measure what they care about on the

basis that: If you can't measure it,you can't manage it !!

A Framework for Data Flows

EDB

Economic Development Board

National Planning Development Strategies

Disaggregated Data + Statistics

Integrated Databases

Disaggregated Indicators

Indicators Profiles

Simple Indices

CompositeIndices

Total Quantity of Information

Continuum from Data to Indices: From narrow to broad views

IncreasingSynoptics and

Integration

What are the relevant issues?

• Desertification• Water resources

management• Climate change• Quality of the urban

environment• Eutrophication

• Fish resources decline

• Toxic contamination• Oil resources• Disposal of waste • Depletion of the

ozone layer• Loss of Biodiversity

• Types of data

In this session…

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• Spatial data

• Non-spatial data

Prioritize the issues

Criteria for Issue Selection Urgency & immediate impactIrreversibilityEffects on human healthEffects on economic productivityNumber of people affectedLoss of aesthetic values Impacts on cultural and historical heritages

Theme & Issue

Monitoring and Data Collection of

Environmental Trends and Conditions

• Monitoring provides tangible information on a regular basis over an extended period of time about past and present conditions of the environment.

• Monitoring can be used to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of policies implemented and actions taken.

1 February to 11 March 2006

Data Collection Steps

1) Develop a plan for data collection, considering,

a. What type of data is needed?b. What data needs are higher priority?c. What are the criteria for data collected,

including quality and cost?

2) Survey data availability for the different components of your assessment.

Steps for Data Collection

and Compilation

Source: UNEP/DEIA, Rump, P.C. (1996). State of the Environment Reporting: Source Book of Methods and Approaches. UNEP/DEIA/TR.96-1, UNEP, Nairobi.

Environmental Indicators

Environmental Indicators

• Indicator: A Parameter, or a Value Derived from parameters, Which Points to, Provides Information About, Describes the State of Environment with Significance Extending Beyond that Directly Associated with a Parameter value.

• Parameter: A property That Is Measured or Observed.

What is indicator?

• The term indicator comes from the Latin indicate, which means to point out. Indicator could also be defined as a parameter, or a value derived from parameters, which points to, provides information about, and describes the state of a phenomenon/ environment/ area.

• Environmental indicators : are scientific measurements that track environmental conditions over time.

• 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.

Descriptive and performance indicators

• Descriptive indicators show trends in degradation or improvement of a situation.

• Performance indicators show not only trends but distance to some threshold or goal associated with a time schedule, set by environmental policy.

General criteria for the selection of environmental indicators

• Sensitive• Policy relevant and acceptable• Measurability• Simplicity• Reliability• Validity• Predictability• Time – series data

Indicators should be SMART

specific,

measurable,

achievable,

relevant

and time-bound

Theme/Sub-theme Framework

• The rationale for the theme framework is to better assist national policy decision-making and performance measurement.

Themes For Our Meeting• Theme 1: Poverty• Theme 2: Governance • Theme 3: Health• Theme 4: Education• Theme 5: Demographics• Theme 6: Peace and Security• Theme 7: Atmosphere • Theme 8: Agriculture/Land• Theme 9: Coastal and Marine Environment• Theme 10: Water• Theme 11: Biodiversity• Theme 12: Economic Development • Theme 13: Global Partnership• Theme 14: Consumption and Production Patterns

DPSIR Framework

• Driver – Pressure – State – Impact - Response

• Shows relationships between human activity and ecosystem well-being and is used for GEO - 4.

HUMAN SOCIETY

ENVIRONMENT

STATE and TRENDS

IMPACTS

Human wellbeing

Economic, Social Goods & Services

RESPONSES

Mitigation and adaptation

PRESSURES

Sectors:

Human influences:

Natural processes:

DRIVERS

Step 2Step 1

Step 1

Step 1

Step 3

Step 1 What is happening to the environment and why?

Step 2 What are the consequences for the environment and humanity?

Step 3 What is being done and how effective is it?

Ecosystem Services

Indirect influence through human development

Direct influence through human interventions

Water, land, atmosphere, biodiversity

DPSIR Framework

• Driver – Pressure – State – Impact - Response

• Shows relationships between human activity and ecosystem well-being.

HUMAN SOCIETY

ENVIRONMENT

STATE and TRENDS

RESPONSES

Oil spill clean upOil tanker technology incentives

PRESSURES

Petroleum / Oil and Gas

Oil spills

ContaminationToxic effectsSmothering

DRIVERS

Step 2Step 1

Step 1

Step 1

Step 3

Step 1 What is happening to the environment and why?

Step 2 What are the consequences for the environment and humanity?

Step 3 What is being done and how effective is it?

Energy Demand

Direct influence through human interventions

Coastal water quality

declining.

COASTAL AND MARINE WATER

IMPACTS Wellbeing- Health - Recreation- Tourism- Fisheries

Services- Clean water- Biodiversity

Indices

What are Indices?

• Consist of multiple indicators combined into a composite or aggregated unit

• Are often used to assess and compare performance against benchmarks or among performers

• If using to inform policy, it is paramount that that the indicators are well constructed and accurately interpreted

Data Analysis

• Non-spatial data analysis• Spatial data analysis• Linkages to Module 7 on physical

presentation of data

Prioritize the issues

Criteria for Issue Selection Urgency & immediate impactIrreversibilityEffects on human healthEffects on economic productivityNumber of people affectedLoss of aesthetic values Impacts on cultural and historical heritages

Theme & Issue

Steps of Environment & Development Indicators

•  Identifying priority environment and development issues;

•  Prioritizing the issues relevant to different sectors and media;

•  Identifying indicators needed;

• Identifying data available and data gaps relevant to these issues;

•  Identifying responsible institutions for data that is available;

•  Assessing the possibilities of generating data, where and when needed, to fulfill data gaps;

• Identifying tentative list of indicators relevant to your issue;

• Collecting data and calculating indicators.

Themes for the Core Set

• Theme 1: Poverty

• Theme 2: Governance

• Theme 3: Health

• Theme 4: Education

• Theme 5: Demographics

• Theme 6: Peace and Security

• Theme 7: Atmosphere

Themes for the Core Set

• Theme 8: Agriculture/Land

• Theme 9: Coastal and Marine Environment

• Theme 10: Water

• Theme 11: Biodiversity

• Theme 12: Economic Development

• Theme 13: Global Partnership

• Theme 14: Consumption and Production Patterns

Theme No. Sub-Themes

No. of Indicators

1. Poverty 6 8

2. Governance 2 2

3. Health 4 11

4. Education 2 5

5. Demographics 2 5

6. Peace and Security 1 2

7. Atmosphere 2 3

Theme No. Sub-Themes No. of Indicators

8. Agriculture/Land 3 6

9. Coastal and Marine Environment

2 3

10. Water 5 5

11. Biodiversity 3 5

12. Economic Development

5 13

13. Global Partnership 2 5

14. Consumption and Production Patterns

4 12

Total 43 85

Theme 1: Poverty issues and indicators

Theme 1: Poverty

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Income Poverty Income Poverty

proportion of population living below national poverty line - core indicator

percent of population livingbelow national poverty line

proportion of population below $1a day

proportion of population belowinternational poverty line ($1 or $2

Income Inequality Income Inequality

ratio of share in national income of highest to lowest quintile

ratio of share in national incomeof highest to lowest quintile

Sanitation Sanitation

proportion of population using an improved sanitation facility

proportion of population with access to improved sanitation, urban and rural

Theme: Poverty issues and indicators (continued)

Drinking Water Drinking Water

Proportion of population using an improved water source

Proportion of population with access to safe drinking water

Access to Energy Access to Energy

Share of households withoutelectricity or other modern energy services

Share of households without access to electricity or commercial energy

Living Conditions Living Conditions

Percentage of population using solid fuels for cooking

 

Proportion of urban population living in slums

Proportion of population living in slums

Theme 2: Governance issues and indicators

Theme 2: Governance

SUBTHEME/ Issue – CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Corruption Good Governance

Percentage of population havingpaid bribes- core indicator

The proportion of cases in the ministry of justice which action has been taken within specific time period of the total cases recorded during the same period

Crime Crime

Number of intentional homicides per 100,000 population- core

Number of recorded violent crimes and homicides per 100,000 population

Theme 3: Health issues and indicators

Theme 3: Health

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Mortality Mortality

Under-five mortality rate - core indicator

Mortality rate under 5 year old

Life expectancy at birth- core Life expectancy at birth

Healthy life expectancy at birth Healthy life years expectancies

Health Care Delivery Health Care Delivery

Percent of population with access to primary health care facilities (core)

Percent of population with access to primary health care facilities (core)

Immunization against infectiouschildhood diseases (core)

Immunization against infectious childhood diseases

Contraceptive prevalence rate   Contraceptive prevalence rate

Theme: Health issues and indicators (continued)

Nutritional Status Nutritional Status

Nutritional status of children Nutritional status of children (percentage of underweight and obese children)

Health Status and Risks Health Status and Risks

Morbidity of major diseases suchas HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis (core)

Prevalence of major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis

Prevalence of tobacco use Smoking prevalence

Suicide rate Prevalence of mental health problems (suicide rates as proxy)

Theme 4: Education issues and indicators

Theme 4: Education

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Education Level Education Level

Gross intake ratio to last grade of primary education (core indicator)

Gross intake into last year of primary education, by sex

Net enrolment rate in primaryeducation (core)

Net enrolment rate in primary education

Adult secondary (tertiary) schooling attainment level (core)

Adult secondary (tertiary) schooling attainment level, by sex

Life long learning Life long learning

Literacy Literacy

Adult literacy rate Adult literacy rate, by sex

Theme 5: Demographics issues and indicators

Theme 5: Demographics

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Population Population Change

Population growth rate (core) Population growth rate, rural and urban

Dependency ratio (core) Percent of rural population from total

Total fertility rate total fertility rate

  Dependency ration (young and old)

Tourism  Migration [to be confirmed]

Ratio of local residents to touristsin major tourist regions and destinations

Rate of Migration from rural to urban areas [to be confirmed] 

Theme 6: Natural Hazards/ Peace and Security issues and indicators

Theme 6: Natural Hazards Theme 6: Peace and Security

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Vulnerability to Natural Hazards Absence of Peace and Security

Percentage of population living in hazard prone areas (core)

Number of people displaced andrefugees due to wars

  Economic and human loss due towar, as percentage of population and of GDP

Disaster Preparedness and Response

 

Human and economic loss dueto natural disasters

 

Theme 7: Atmosphere issues and indicators

Theme 7: Atmosphere

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Climate Change Climate Change

Carbon dioxide emissions (core) Emissions of greenhouse gases

Emissions of greenhouse gases  

Ozone Layer Depletion Ozone Layer Depletion

Consumption of ozone depletingsubstances

Consumption of ozone depletingsubstances

Air Quality Air Quality

Ambient concentration of airpollutants in urban areas

Ambient concentration of airpollutants in urban areas

Theme 8: Land/ Agriculture issues and indicators

Theme 8:Land/ Agriculture

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Land Use and Status Land Use

Land use change Land use change

Land degradation  

Desertification Land Degradation - Desertification

Land affected by desertification Land affected by desertification/degradation

  Vegetation cover/composition

Agriculture Agriculture

Arable and permanent croplandarea (core)

Arable and permanent crop land area

Fertilizer use efficiency Use of fertilizers

Use of agricultural pesticides Use of agricultural pesticides

Area under organic farming  

Theme 8: Land/ Agriculture issues and indicators (continued)

Forest  

Proportion of land area covered by forests (core)

 

Percent of forest trees damagedby defoliation

 

Area of forest under sustainable forest management

 

Theme 9: Oceans and Marine Environment issues and indicators

theme 9: Oceans, Seas and Coasts

theme 9: Coastal and Marine Environment

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Coastal Zone Coastal Degradation

percentage of total population living in coastal areas (core)

percent of total population living in coastal areas

bathing water quality annual fish catch

  percentage of coastal land reclamation

Fisheries  

proportion of fish stocks within safe biological limits

 

Theme: Oceans, Seas and Coastsissues and indicators (continued)

Marine Environment Marine Pollution

proportion of marine area protected (core)

releases of nitrogen and phosphorus to coastal waters

marine tropic index  

area of coral reef ecosystems and percentage live cover

 

Theme 10: Freshwater/ Water issues and indicators

Theme 10: Freshwater Theme 10: Water

SUBTHEME/ Issue - CSD SUBTHEM/ Issue - Kuwait

Water Quantity (core) Availability of Water by Source

proportion of total water resources used annual withdrawals of ground and surface water as a percent of available water

water use intensity by economic activity  

Water Quality Water Demand/ Utilization of Water Efficiency

presence of faecal coliforms in freshwater (core)

annual utilization or withdrawals of water by type(agriculture domestic industrial commercial, others demand

biochemical oxygen demand in water bodies  

wastewater treatment waste water treatment by category (primary, secondary, tertiary) in urban areas

Theme 10: Freshwater/ Water issues and indicators

Water Pollution

BOD in Water Bodies[to be confirmed] 

Water Management

Wastewater Treatment Coverage [to be confirmed]

Access to Water

Access to Safe Drinking Water [to be confirmed] 

Theme 12: Economic Development issues and indicators

Theme 11: Biodiversity

Ecosystem Degradation of Ecosystem

Abundance of key species Abundance of Selected Key Species

Proportion of terrestrial area protected, total and by ecological region

Protected Area as a Percent of Total Area

Area of Selected Key Ecosystems Area of Selected Key Ecosystems

Management effectiveness of protected areas Loss of Species

Fragmentation of habitats Percentage of Threatened Species

Species Alien (invasive) Species

Change in threat status of species Number of Alien (invasive) Species/Abundance

Abundance of invasive alien species

Theme 12: Economic Development issues and indicators

Theme 12: Economic Development

Macroeconomic Performance Macroeconomic Performance (new indicator)

gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (core)

GDP per capita

investment share in GDP (core) investment share in GDP

gross saving net saving rate

adjusted net savings as percentage of grossnational income (GNI)

cost of environmental degradation(optional)

inflation rate inflation

Sustainable Pubic Finance Sustainable Pubic Finance

debt to GNI ratio (core) debt to GNP ratio

Employment Employment

labor productivity and unit labor cost (core) labor productivity by sector

share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector (core)

employment rate, disaggregated by sex

share of women in wage employment inthe non-agricultural sector (core)

employment status, by sex

vulnerable employment  

Theme 12: Economic Development issues and indicators (continued)

Information and Communication Technologies

Information and Communication Technologies

internet users per 100 population (core) internet users per 100 population

fixed telephone lines per 100 population fixed telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population

mobile cellular telephone subscribersper 100 population

unit labor costs by sector

  personal computer per 100 population (could be deleted, depending on the outcome of revision on MDG indicators)

Research and Development  

gross domestic expenditure on R&D asa percent of GDP

 

Tourism Tourism

tourism contribution to GDP (core) tourism contribution to GDP and employment

Theme 13: Global Economic Partnership issues and indicators

Theme 13: Global Economic Partnership Theme 13: Global Partnership

Trade Trade

Current account deficit as percentage of GDP (core)

Current account deficit as percentage of GDP

Share of imports from developing countries and from LDCs

Share of imports and exports by sector for total GDP

Average tariff barriers imposed on exports form developing countries and LDCs

 

External Financing External Financing

Net official development assistance(ODA) given or received as a percentage of GNI (core)

Total official development assistance (ODA) given or received as a percentage of GNI

Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows and net outflows as percentage of GDP

Net FDI inflows and outflows as percentage of GNI

Remittances as percentage of GNI Remittances as percentage of GNP (inflows and outflows)

  Technology Transfer

  Received assistance from developed countries & organizations

Theme 14: Consumption and production patterns issues and indicators

Theme 14: Consumption and production patterns

Theme 14: Consumption and production patterns

Material Consumption Material Consumption

material intensity of the economy (core) intensity of material use

domestic material consumption annual material use per capita, total and by sector

Energy Use Energy Use and Production

annual energy consumption, total and by main user category (core)

annual (commercial) energy consumption per capita, total and per sector

intensity of energy use, total and by economic activity (core)

share of consumption of renewable energy resources

share of renewable energy sourcesin total energy use

intensity of energy use electricity generation by fuel (new added indicator)

Theme 14: Consumption and production patterns issues and indicators (continued)

Waste Generation and Management Waste Generation and Management

generation of hazardous waste (core) generation of waste by industry /sector

waste treatment and disposal (core) generation of hazardous waste

generation of waste management of radioactive waste

management of radioactive waste waste treatment and disposal by method of treatment (recycled, incinerated, land filled)

Transportation Transportation

modal split of passenger transportation (core)

share of cars in passenger transportation

modal split of freight transport road share of freight transport

energy intensity of transport fuel use by distance of passenger transportation (energy intensity of transport

METHODOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION EXAMPLS THEME: WATER

Arab Region

Subthemes: Indicator

Availability of water by source Annual Availability of conventional water

Definition:  

Assess the conventional water which is the freshwater resources and their availability in a country (surface water resources or runoff and groundwater

CSD

Subthemes: Indicator

Water Quantity Proportion of total water resources used

Definition:  

Total annual volume of groundwater and surface water withdrawn from their source for human use; expressed as percentage of the total volume of water available annually through the hydrological cycle (total renewable water resources). The terms water resources and water use are understood as freshwater resources and freshwater use.

METHODOLOGICAL DEFINITION EXAMPLS THEME: Biodiversity

Arab Africa Regions

Subthemes: Indicator

Degradation of Ecosystem Area of selected key ecosystems

Definition:  

This indicator will use trends in the extent area of identified key ecosystems to assess the relative effectiveness of measures for conserving biodiversity at ecosystem level and as a tool to estimate the need for specific conservation measures to maintain the biological diversity in a country or region

CSD

Subthemes: Indicator

Ecosystem Area of selected key ecosystems

Definition:  

This indicator will use trends in the extent area of identified key ecosystems to assess the relative effectiveness of measures for conserving biodiversity at ecosystem level and as a tool to estimate the need for specific conservation measures to maintain the biological diversity in a country or region

METHODOLOGICAL STRUCTURE

THEME/SUBTHEME

1- INDICATOR

Name

Brief Definition

Unit of Measurement

Placement in the CSD Indicator set

 

2- POLICY RELEVANCE

Purpose

Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development (theme/sub-theme)

International Conventions and Agreements

International Targets/Recommended Standards

Linkages to Other Indicators

METHODOLOGICAL STRUCTURE

3- METHODOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

Underlying Definitions and Concepts

Measurement Methods

Limitations of the Indicator

Status of Methodology

Alternative Definitions/Indicators

 

4- ASSESSMENT DATA

Data Needed to Compile the Indicator

National and International Data Availability and Sources

Data References

 

5- AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDICATOR

Lead Agency

Other Contributing Organizations

METHODOLOGICAL STRUCTURE

6- REFERENCES

Readings

Internet site

Vision

“Enable global leaders, innovators and decision-makers to focus on an issue critical to the conservation of our planet ... ensuring effective access to the world’s expanding pool of environmental and societal data by all of those who need it.”

Objectives

• Eye on Earth’s (EoE) mission is to connect networks and people to bridge the environmental knowledge gap for a more sustainable future

Special Initiatives

• Eye on Water Security• Eye on Oceans & Blue Carbon• Eye on Biodiversity• Eye on Community Sustainability & Resilie

ncy• Eye on Disaster Management• Eye on Access for All• Eye on Environmental Education• Eye on Global Network of Networks

• Data networks • Earth observations• Analytical tools

and methods• Indicator

development• Access and review

of scientific literature

• Partnerships with science community

Manage Key Data and Information

Synthesize and Communicate

Knowledge

Support Decision Making

Policy Analysis ACTION

Bringing Science to Policy and Action

• Policy relevant outputs

• Tools for policy analysis

• Environmental law training

• Communication and outreach

• Policy analysis

• Policy development

• Internationa/ Regional/ National implementation

• Departments• Government• NGOs, IGOs• UNDAC

UNEP Sub- programmes

Medium-Term Strategy 2010-13

• Scientific environmental assessments and outlooks

• Emerging issues and hot-spots

• E-learning tools• Science experts

and networks• Scientific

Collaborating Centres

Science Strategy

Catalyzing and Capacity Building

Succeeding Through Strategic Partnerships

National Environmental Information Network- Thematic and functional mix of nodes

http://www.uneplive.org/

http://geodata.grid.unep.ch

Thank you