Discussing Targets and Benchmarks

1

Fraser Basin Council Sustainability Indicators
Program

• Discussing Targets and Benchmarks

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Why Measure and Report on Sustainability?

• To increase public awareness and understanding
  about sustainability
• To identify critical issues and responses to
  improve progress
• To inform and influence decisions and actions to
  advance sustainability

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Using Benchmarks, Thresholds and Targets

• Varying definitions of indicators, benchmarks,
  thresholds, and targets
• Benchmarks, thresholds and targets may be used
  to
• Put indicator trends in context
• Make trends more meaningful / understandable

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Using Benchmarks, Thresholds and Targets

• Examples of benchmarks, thresholds and targets
• Scientific / technical basis (e.g., toxic levels
  for specific pollutants - known health risks if
  pm10 gt 25 micrograms / cubic metre, mercury)
• Policy basis (e.g., diversion of 50 of waste
  from landfills, 10 increase in affordable
  housing units)
• Comparative basis (e.g., compare trends for
  different jurisdictions, or compare trends over
  time for a single jurisdictions - I.e., getting
  better or worse over time)
• Qualitative / subjective / intuitive basis (e.g.,
  based on the interpretation of the project
  proponent and/or advisors (usually visual icons
  used such as happy faces, traffic lights, other
  gauges, up down arrows)
• Combinations of above

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Using Benchmarks, Thresholds and Targets

• Absolute sustainability versus relative
  sustainability
• Do we know what level is sustainable?
• Is there consensus or are there diverging
  perspectives?
• Reference points and baseline information
• Do policy targets exist?
• Are they relevant to the audience?
• Are data available for comparisons over time or
  geography?
• Are common targets appropriate for different
  regions?
• Are comparisons relevant and appropriate?
• One common solution - Interim targets that move
  towards sustainability