Issues in analyzing data and indicators for sustainable development

This paper discusses data analysis, the most technical part of performance measurements. The aim is to address issues that are problematic in undertaking research on indicators and are related to a fundamental yet often neglected area of sustainable development (SD) projects. These projects, even if implemented by an expert team, are not yet in the phase to be verified by statistical and econometric methods. SD indices (descriptors of a new paradigm) deserve to be constructed by adopting more rigorous data analysis with a good statistical base. The paper will examine the relevant lessons of four empirical projects conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The challenge is how to adopt more quantitative analysis in measuring SD. This may lead to a more comprehensive method of SD performance measures and more adequate indicators that are measurable with available data and verifiable by analysis.