Sustainability Monitoring and Reporting: Tracking Your Community s Sustainability Performance Thursday, February 11 th, 2011 FCM Sustainable Communities Conference, Victoria, BC
The Agenda 1. Welcome and introductions 2. Workshop learning objectives 3. Quick Survey Where are you now? 4. Why monitor sustainability indicators? 5. The anatomy of a good indicator 6. Data sources where to look/how to use them 7. Data analysis and reporting systems (+ Q&A) 8. 2011 Sustainable Cities Ranking (+ Q&A) 9. Summary
Learning Objectives 1. Understand the importance of measurement 2. Understand the five steps required for an effective monitoring system 3. Identify characteristics of a good indicator 4. Identify common sources for data collection 5. Explore monitoring and reporting tools that are used by local governments 6. See how others are doing
Whistler Centre for Sustainability MISSION: To lead communities and tourism toward a sustainable future
The Centre s Role and Expertise Community sustainability plans Implementation strategies and action planning Monitoring and reporting Community engagement Capacity building and training Energy and emissions planning, management, reduction strategies Sustainable tourism practices Within Whistler Inspire, share Learn, share Outside Whistler
Survey Where are you at now?
Where are you at now? 1. Up and running 2. Development in progress/redesigning 3. Just starting out 4. Still thinking about it 5. Other?
What are the barriers you face(d)? 1. Lack of corporate or community support 2. Initial costs 3. Operating costs 4. Agreeing on indicators to monitor 5. Finding the right technology 6. Availability of data 7. Other?
What would you like to see in a system? 1. Ease of use data entry and maintenance 2. Simple external user interface 3. Low cost 4. Engaging look and feel 5. Provide guidance on trends for decision making 6. Others?
What are your concerns? 1. System will consume too many resources 2. Data sources may change/disappear over time 3. Data will be misunderstood/interpreted by users 4. System will not be used to guide decisions 5. System will become neglected 6. Other?
Earlier Survey Results
Does your community currently have a performance measurement system in place? Yes 19% No 58% Partially 14% N/A 8%
If not, are you planning on developing a monitoring system? Yes 19% Would like to/need more info 58% Not sure/no response 14% If currently monitoring, the majority of communities are measuring GHG/energy and waste only.
Monitoring Programs...
Why monitor sustainability indicators?
Seeing the big picture where all the sustainability pieces fit
Support your vision of a sustainable community
Identify worrying trends or opportunities
Engage and Educate
Transparency and Accountability
Partners for Climate Protection
Meeting Bill 27/Climate Charter GHG commitments
Saving you money
and most importantly: WHAT GETS MEASURED... GETS DONE!
Monitoring and Reporting System Process Communicate Select Indicators Prepare Report Collect Data Analyze
What makes a good monitoring and report system? 1. Integrated into a communities vision and action implementation process (ICSP) 2. Contains a set of indicators that can effectively track progress toward that vision 3. Developed with input from citizens and stakeholders 4. Timely, in that the reporting is available at key periods throughout the year 5. Reliable and accurate
The anatomy of a good indicator...
Indicators and Targets defined 1. Indicators - selected statistics or parameters related to key sustainability objectives that, when monitored over time, represent trends. 2. Targets a measurable goal that may be assigned to be achieved within a specified time period.
Good indicators are 1. Relevant to those you wish to engage 2. Clearly related to the community sustainability Vision, Priorities, Strategies and Implementation Actions. 3. Measurable and easily understood. 4. From data that is and will remain readily available. 5. Able to measure the current situation against both past and future performance (i.e., to see trends). 6. Comparable to other jurisdictions.
Indicators don t need to fit neatly under a single pillar Indicator: Natural Area Corridors
Examples of common indicators Increase/decrease business licenses Average household income Crime rate per 1000 residents Community energy consumption Needs Improvement Community A Community B Star Performer Your Community
Priorities and Targets
Collecting Data and Data Sources Local Sources of Data
Tips for When to Consider Targets 1. For most indicators, it s enough to track trends... getting better, getting worse, or staying the same 2. Use only for key indicators and priority outcomes 3. Use your Description of Success (desired future sustainability outcomes) to guide the target value 4. Ensure that you have buy-in and support from all community partners needed to reach the target 5. Not too high as to risk failure and confidence 6. Not too low as to not be challenging
Analysis and Reporting Tools
Spreadsheets: GHG inventory by business unit!
Spreadsheet: Simple Indicators Home Page
Spreadsheet: Data Entry and Display Sheet
Web-based Reporting Systems
Questions?
...and now a word from Corporate Knights!
Workshop Summary In this workshop, the objective was to: Understand the importance of measurement Understand the five steps required for an effective monitoring system Identify characteristics of a good indicator Identify common sources for data collection Explore monitoring and reporting tools that can be adapted to local government needs See what other communities are doing
Thank you! info@corporateknights.ca corporateknights.com whistlercentre@whistler.ca whistlercentre.ca