Indicator Development
Indicators are used to show ecological or societal phenomenons that are not directly visible in a quantitative form. They simplify reality and are thus social constructs, despite their statistical and scientific appearance. Normally it is not about individual indicators but about sets of indicators or aggregated ratios that are summarised into an index. Indicators are a central part of periodic, systematic and all-embracing coverage in modern societies. This coverage is used to inform political decision makers. It is also a basis for further research studies and can be used to inform the public about processes of change in the quality of the environment, the socio-economic development or political change. Research at the FFU using indicators concerns mostly three areas: 1) Research and analysis of existing indicator systems, their performance and their practical use; 2) (Co-)Development of indicators, mainly in the context of sustainability strategies on the national level; 3) Use of indicators combined with other political instruments like Impact Assessment to perform an economical, ecological or societal impact assessment of planned measures or laws. |
The project aims at supporting and stimulating the emerging political and social debate on resource policies from a political science, legal and economic perspective. For this purpose the discussion on targets and indicators will be analyzed and options identified for selecting, operationalizing and prioritizing targets on resource policy.
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This project contributes to measurement of progress towards Green Economy and its understanding for political decision making process in Germany. Based on a synopsis of rele-vant measurement concepts it identifies deficits of available concepts and develops suggestions for an adequate indicator system.
December 15, 2011 - September 30, 2014
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The industrialized countries in particular will have to address the issue to which degree they have come closer to an ecologically sustainable development and which areas need further action in the future. Clarifications in this respect require a system of control and measures that allows for documentation and evaluate trends over an extended period of time.
Term: 01.11.2002 - 01.07.2004