Australia's indicator-based sustainability assessments and public policy

Adnan A. Hezri, Stephen R. Dovers

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Operationalising sustainability has proven difficult because the concept is ambiguous and fraught with contradictions. In response, sustainability indicator systems to characterise and measure sustainable development have been developed globally. The focus of this article is on how indicators function as an instrument of policy to enhance achievement of environmental and sustainability policy in Australia at national scale. In theory, by integrating information from the environmental, social and economic domains and then feeding knowledge to a wide range of policy sectors, sustainability indicator systems may facilitate cross-agency and -portfolio connectivity. Key characteristics of the various sustainability indicator systems developed to inform policy at the national level are described, noting the diverse approaches to indicator development in Australia. The structural relevance of indicator systems to the mechanisms of policy and institutions in Australia is discussed, and corresponding issues of institutional fit are analysed.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)303-318
    Number of pages16
    JournalAustralian Journal of Public Administration
    Volume68
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2009

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