HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv 2009-10-15 - Strategic Plan for the Environmental Plan - Identification of Env IndicatorsStrategic Plan for the Environment - Implementation Plan
Be advised that Environmental Committee members are requested to think about
possible environmental indicators that can be used as part of the monitoring and
reporting piece of the Strategic Plan for the Environment - Implementation Plan.
Environmental Indicators
Environmental indicators simplify, quantify and communicate complex environmental
data, and in doing so tell us about the state or quality of the environment. They allow us
to monitor environmental trends and track progress towards stated objectives and policy
goals.
When properly developed, validated, and applied, indicators can be used to:
Tell us whether environmental quality is improving, getting worse or staying the
same.
Assess whether policies, laws and other actions are having the desired effect.
Identify emerging issues.
Inform the development of environmental policies.
There are certain characteristics that useful, effective, defensible and credible indicators
have in common:
Effective indicators are relevant, showing you something about the system that
you need to know.
Effective indicators are easy to understand, even by people who are not experts.
Effective indicators are reliable, containing trusted information.
Effective indicators are based on accessible data, with information that is
available or can be gathered while there is still time to react.
It should be noted that there are no universal set of environmental indicators. Although
many indicators appear to be the same, most indicators are developed for specific,
mission-oriented needs.
Additional Resources:
There are many excellent resources on the Internet to help communities develop
sustainability indicators and indicators programs, such as:
Environment Canada - links to CMHC, FCM and other organizations
http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/Scip/links.cfm
Region of Waterloo
http://regionofwaterloo.visiblestrategies.com/default.aspx?ExecutePath=20711+20717
US EPA - Green Communities
http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/indicator.htm#ei
City of Kelowna
http://www.city.kelowna.bc.ca/CM/Page2126.aspx
Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Progress Report
http://www.smgov.net/Departments/OSE/categories/contentFullPage.aspx?id=4215
ì ó ï