The document discusses proposals and reflections on developing indicators for sustainable development goals (SDGIs). It makes the following key points: 1. SDGIs should be grounded in common values, relevant science, and a conceptual framework rather than being data-driven. 2. SDGIs are needed to inform goal and target setting as well as ensure accountability. 3. Developing SDGIs through an independent yet coordinated parallel process can help ensure scientific credibility and timely input into the political SDG process. 4. SDGIs should follow a principles-based approach such as the BellagioSTAMP framework. 5. Developing SDGIs provides an opportunity to mainstream beyond-GDP

1. SDGIs: Proposals and Reflections on the
Way Forward
Prof. Laszlo Pinter
CEU and IISD
November 22, 2012
Sustainable Development Assessment:
Towards Measurable Goals
Asia-Europe Environment Forum Seminar
Singapore

2. 2

3. “We need many indicators because we have
many different purposes—but there may be
over-arching purposes that transcend nations
and cultures, and therefore there may be
overarching indicators.”
(Donella H. Meadows, 1998)
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4. Key points
• SDGs should be grounded in common values, relevant science, and a
conceptual framework and not be data driven
• Sustainable development goal indicators (SDGIs) and underlying data are
needed for goal and target setting and strong SDG accountability
• Developing the SDGIs could be best done in a parallel, but arms length
process from the political SDG process
• The development of the SDGIs should follow a principles-based approach
• The development of SDGIs represents a major opportunity for
mainstreaming beyond-GDP thinking into policy
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5. The identification of SDGs should not be data
driven, but grounded in common values,
relevant science, and a conceptual framework
that represents key domains of sustainable
development and interlinkages between the
domains.
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6. Source: Pinter, L., K. Zahedi and D. Cressman. (2000) Capacity Building for Integrated Environmental Assessment and
Reporting. Nairobi: UNEP and IISD. 6

7. Sustainable development goal indicators (SDGIs)
should inform goal and target setting and serve
as an important element of the SDGs’
governance and accountability mechanism.
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8. In order to ensure scientific credibility, objectivity,
and timely access to relevant facts and evidence in
the political SDG process, a parallel but arms-length
institutional arrangement and process should be set
up from the beginning for the development of the
SDGIs.
The political SDG and technical SDGI processes
should work iteratively and in close coordination.
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9. The development of the SDGIs should follow a
principles-based approach, such as the Bellagio
Sustainability Assessment and Measurement
Principles or BellagioSTAMP developed in a
multistakeholder process coordinated by the
OECD and IISD.
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10. BellagioSTAMP
1. Guiding vision
2. Essential considerations
3. Adequate scope
4. Framework and indicators
5. Transparency
6. Effective communication
7. Broad participation
8. Continuity and capacity
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11. The development of SDGIs represents a major
opportunity for mainstreaming results of the
ongoing review of the system of national
accounts, including the development of a new
framework for environmental statistics and
sustainability indicators into policy.
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12. Post-2015 Development Agenda
Planning Implementation
MDGs
and Sustainable Development Goals
MDGIs
Sustainable Development Goal Monitoring and Indicators
Beyond GDP and SNA reform
2012 2015

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