Measuring Sustainable Development - OECD.org

1 STATISTICS. STATISTICS. Measuring Sustainable Development Measuring Sustainable Development INTEGRATED ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL. FRAMEWORKS. Sustainable Development has been defined by the Brundtland Commission as Development that meets Measuring the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs . However, converting this definition into manageable policy objectives is a daunting task encompassing the economic, environmental, and social realms of society. The delicate trade-off decisions that must be undertaken by policy makers necessitate a working framework to measure Sustainable Development comprised of appropriate indicators that can adequately synthesise all dimensions.

2 In May 2003 the OECD hosted a workshop to compare projects launched by OECD countries and International Organisations to extend the well known economic accounts schemes to environmental Sustainable and social phenomena. The papers contained in this volume address the various conceptual, measurement and statistical policy issues that arise when applying accounting frameworks to this complex problem. Proceedings of an OECD workshop Workshop for Accounting Fameworks in Sustainable Development , Development May 2003. INTEGRATED ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL FRAMEWORKS.

3 INTEGRATED ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL. FRAMEWORKS. OECD's books, periodicals and statistical databases are now available via , our online library. This book is available to subscribers to the following SourceOECD themes: Environment and Sustainable Development General Economics and Future Studies Social Issues/Migration/Health Statistics: Sources and Methods Ask your librarian for more details on how to access OECD books on line, or write to us at ISBN 92-64-02012-8. 30 2004 04 1 P. -:HSTCQE=UWUVWW: Page 1 Thursday, June 17, 2004 11:42 AM.. 45"5*45*$4.

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8 Indeed the definitions and analysis offered in that Report still enjoy wide acceptance. Members of the OECD agree that Sustainable Development stands on three pillars: economic, social and environmental. And, in fact, the aims of the OECD, as set forth in its Convention drafted some 44 years ago, targeted Sustainable Development . The first part of Article I reads: to achieve the highest Sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in Member countries, while maintaining financial stability, and thus to contribute to the Development of the world economy.

9 This squarely addresses the economic and social dimensions of Sustainable Development . The OECD has pursued those aspects of Sustainable Development with determination since that time, and the spectacular growth of OECD economies, complemented by social safety nets, public health, education and so on, bears testimony to the success of the OECD in implementing Sustainable Development within the framework of the two pillars. But what of the third pillar, the environment? It was not mentioned in the Convention and this should not be a surprise because 44 years ago, it was not on the public agenda.

10 We hardly spoke of the environment until Rachel Carson woke us up in 1962 with her seminal work Silent Spring ! Once again, the OECD was out in front when in 1970. Secretary-General Emil Van Lennep established the Environmental Directorate and the very first intergovernmental committee dealing with the environment. In fact, Gro Harlem Brundtland chaired the first OECD Ministerial meeting on the environment in 1974. So it was in the early 1970s that the OECD began to address all three pillars of Sustainable Development , some 19 years before the Brundtland Commission Report.