Sustainability indicators for Malta 2010

Abstract

Today we live in a world that is giving due importance to sustainable development and social cohesion as the basis for economic growth. But to walk the talk we must, first and foremost, have a set of harmonised and reliable statistics that transcends purely economic data; in other words, indicators that really help us understand what is happening to our seawater, groundwater, waste management, land development and transport as a result of economic expansion. The concept of Green GDP is gaining in appeal. In essence it refers to an index of economic growth, factoring in the environmental impacts or consequences of such growth. When we talk of these impacts, we are also signifying the broader meaning of the term, which includes social welfare and the progress of individuals. Ultimately, this reflects the development of a nation which does not compromise the quality of life of present and future generations. This publication encompasses data ranging from employment to public finance stability, to energy intensity of the economy, and its evaluation should go beyond the figures being presented. It establishes linkages between economic data and climate change statistics, sectoral emission trends and air quality, to name but a few. The publication does not attempt to cover all aspects of environmental statistics, but is a start on which future publications will be built, as well as a lead to the pursuance of future studies.