Abstract
Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence on the ongoing degradation of the environment, there is a clear gap between the urgency of the environmental crisis and the policy measures put in place to tackle it. Because of the role of metrics in environmental governance, the way environmental information is translated into metrics is of utmost relevance. In this context, we propose criteria to assesses the suitability of environmental metrics to monitor environmental sustainability at the national level. After assessing well-known environmental metrics such as the Sustainable Development Goals indicators and the Environmental Performance Index, we conclude that countries still lack robust and resonant metrics to monitor environmental sustainability. In order to bridge this metric gap, we present the Environmental Sustainability Gap (ESGAP) framework, which builds on the concepts of strong sustainability, critical natural capital, environmental functions and science-based targets. Different composite indicators are proposed as part of the ESGAP framework. Through these metrics, the framework has the potential to embed strong sustainability thinking and science-based targets in nations in which these concepts are not currently sufficiently reflected in policies.
Highlights
Major international assessments show that the evidence of widespread environmental degradation is unequivocal (IPCC 2014; IPBES 2019; UN Environment 2019)
In order to assess whether a metric gap exists when measuring environmental sustainability at country level, we interrogate a series of well-known environmental metrics based on the criteria above
In the original work of Ekins, environmental sustainability performance was measured through an index representing the “physical sustainability gap”, Progress towards environmental sustainability, on the other hand, was calculated through “years to sustainability”, In the Environmental Sustainability Gap (ESGAP) framework, both indices have been replaced by Strong Environmental Sustainability Index (SESI) and Strong Environmental Sustainability Progress Index (SESPI)
Summary
Major international assessments show that the evidence of widespread environmental degradation is unequivocal (IPCC 2014; IPBES 2019; UN Environment 2019). Given that the scientific evidence is unequivocal when it comes to stressing the urgency to act, one must wonder whether the way this information is translated into metrics that can influence the decision-making process through complex mechanisms (Radermacher 2019), can be a contributing factor to the implementation gap. In this context, it is fair to ask whether we are really measuring what matters. Maintenance of natural capital Maintenance or improvement of the integrity of the life support system of the Earth Maintenance of important environmental functions and the maintenance of the capacity of the natural capital stock to provide those functions The ability to maintain the qualities that are valued in the physical environment Maintaining nature’s services at a suitable level
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