Reviewing progress
This section contains quantitative analysis of the most relevant data relating to the specific subjects and commitments within in the government Sustainable Development strategy, Securing the Future, launched by the prime minister in March 2005.
Indicators
Indicators are integral to the communication of sustainable development. They help review progress, they highlight where the challenges are, and they help people to understand what sustainable development means globally, nationally, locally and for them as individuals.
National
Indicators supporting and monitoring the National Sustainable Development strategy, Securing the Future
Regional
Regional versions of the National indicators where data are available
Local
Local indicator information is collected by the National Audit Commission, more information can be found on their website www.areaprofiles.audit-commission.gov.uk
International
Some international data have been compiled for as many of the national indicators as possible
Methods and data
Methods
The methods used to make indicator assessments and to monitor sustainable development policies can be found here.
Data
Data for all indicators presented on this website can be found here.
An update of the UK Government's national sustainable development indicators
A new set of national indicators were outlined in the UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy, Securing the future, launched by the Prime Minister in March 2005. A baseline assessment of all the indicators, for which data were available, was published in June 2005.
On 31 July 2008 an update of the national indicators was published both as a free pocket booklet Sustainable development indicators in your pocket 2008.
There are 68 national indicators supporting the Strategy including measures of everyday concern such as health, housing, jobs, crime, education and our environment. The indicators also support one or more of the four priority areas outlined in the Strategy.
The indicators can be used in several ways:
- Full National Indicator set
- UK Framework Indicators - a subset of 20 indicators shared by UK Government and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Sustainable consumption and production - a subset of the indicators which are relevant to sustainable consumption and production.
- Climate change and energy - a subset of the indicators which are relevant to climate change and energy.
- Natural resource protection and enhancing the environment - a subset of the indicators which are relevant to natural resource protection.
- Creating sustainable communties and a fairer world - a subset of the indicators which are relevant to creating sustainable communities.
- Summaries - formal summary reporting for the indicator set as a whole, and for each of the priority areas.
UK Government's national sustainable development indicators - Historical
National sustainable development indicators from previous years are also available. (This content has been moved to the National Archives website.)
Updated: 8 January 2009