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Skeletons out of the closet: effectiveness of conceptual frameworks for communicating sustainable development indicators

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  • Jari Lyytimäki

    (Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland)

  • Ulla Rosenström

    (Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

Finland is one of the forerunners in sustainable development reporting, with abundant long term statistics on environmental, social and economic issues. In this article, we introduce the Finnish experience on producing and disseminating sustainable development indicators. We describe four indicator initiatives prepared and published during the last decade and discuss the role of different conceptual frameworks for preparing and presenting the indicators. The requirements for a good conceptual framework are reviewed and the effectiveness of different frameworks for different purposes is discussed based on the cases presented. We conclude by stressing the importance of paying more attention to indicator set frameworks instead of individual indicators and using specifically tailored frameworks for specific uses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jari Lyytimäki & Ulla Rosenström, 2008. "Skeletons out of the closet: effectiveness of conceptual frameworks for communicating sustainable development indicators," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(5), pages 301-313.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:16:y:2008:i:5:p:301-313
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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