Lutter, S., Prigmaier, E., Frühmann, J., Burger, E., Mayr, M., Polzin, C. (2009)

This booklet “Measuring Performance towards Sustainable Consumption and Production – Types of Indicators and Indicator Sets” has been published under the framework of the “Action Town – Research and Action for Sustainable Consumption and Production” project. The booklet is part of a series of three different guidelines: The Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) prepared a guideline on policy instruments, the Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI) prepared this guideline on indicators and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) prepared a third guideline dealing with assessment tools for SCP.

By reviewing existing knowledge and the latest research on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP), these guidelines aim to provide a quick hands-on overview of selected instruments, assessment tools and indicators. Each guideline uses examples to illustrate how, by means of policy instruments, assessment tools and indicators, civil society organisations can take effective action to encourage more sustainable consumption and production practices. While measuring the environmental impacts of consumption and production processes has become relatively sophisticated with several tools already available, the social dimension of consumption and production has lagged behind. However, in measuring sustainable consumption
and production, both environmental and social responsibility must be addressed as part of the economic system.

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