This volume brings together a number of approaches to measuring sustainable development pursued in academia, national administrations and international organisations, as presented at an expert workshop held at the OECD headquarters in September 1999.

Measurements, Indicators, and Research Methods for Sustainability presents a thorough and accessible overview of the ways in which sustainability is charted worldwide. Some articles introduce basic concepts, such as quantitative versus qualitative data or the weak versus strong sustainability debate; others examine how indicators in specific areas (climate change and soil conservation, agriculture, and mining) have been applied (or not) to different regions. Research analysts explain the modes and media through which these measurements are broadcast, stressing the importance of developing methods that can be understood by both experts and ordinary citizens. They also examine the process of monitoring, itself a controversial topic affecting national or international policy, law, rules, and regulations.

The drive towards environmentally friendly buildings and infrastructure has led to a growing interest in providing design solutions underpinned by the core principles of sustainability to balance economic, social and environmental factors. Design Economics for the Built Environment: Impact of sustainability on project evaluation presents new directions, reflecting the need to recognise the impact of climate change and the importance of sustainability in project evaluation. The aim is to provide a new approach to understanding design economics in the context of the changing policy environment, legislative and regulatory framework, and increasing economic, environmental and social pressure as result of the sustainability agenda. The book follows a structured approach from theories and principles in the earlier chapters, to the practical applications and emerging techniques focusing on value and social, economic and environmental considerations in making design decisions. It starts with the policy context, building on various theories and principles such as, capital cost, value of design and resource-based theories, the new rules of measurement (NRM) to explore cost planning, the relationship between height and costs, key socio-economic and environmental variables for design appraisal, eco-cost/value ratio (EVR), whole life theory and the treatment of carbon emission as external costs, productivity and efficiency, fiscal drivers and legal framework for carbon reduction, procurement and allocation of risks in contracts. Case studies, practical examples and frameworks throughout reinforce theories and principles and relate them to current practice. The book is essential reading for postgraduate students in architecture, building and quantity surveying and is also a valuable resource for academics, consultants and policy-makers in the built environment.

This conference proceedings compares various approaches to the development of key indicator systems which would provide reliable information spanning the social, economic and environmental domains.

The international financial system has come under strain several times in recent years, and analysis has shown that most crises originated from the risks built into cross-border exposures. Assessment and monitoring of cross-border exposures and country risk are essential activities for international lending agencies such as government bodies, banks, multinational corporations and other investors. Inadequate risk management could have a destabilising effect on both lender and borrower and could result in a major international financial crisis. This completely revised edition of Thomas E Krayenbuehl's classic handbook clearly shows how the various players can quantify and manage the complex factors involved in order to minimise the risk and avoid potentially catastrophic consequences. It provides both a rigorous analysis of the current situation and a guide to meeting the challenges of the future. Just some of the things you'll discover. How to succeed in cross-border lending and investment through good assessment, monitoring and hedging of country risk How the Tequila and Asian crises came about, and the lessons learned The likelihood of future crises and the potential causes The latest problems to beset the international financial system The recent developments in cross-border financing Why the problem of contagion occurs between seemingly unrelated markets The enormous need for global capital to bring about sustainable economic development in the developing world, and the role of the major players in fulfilling it The numerous factors that constitute and influence a specific country risk The responsibilities of all the parties involved, from the IMF and the World Bank to the industrialised and developing nations, the regulators and the rating agencies How this study helps you: This lucid and authoritative handbook will help you to: Understand the problems facing the international financial system Identify and assess new investment opportunities Optimise risk composition of cross-border lending or investment Make sound decisions, minimise risk and achieve better outcomes The definitive study of this important topic - its purpose, practice and implications

Chapter 3: Systemic Sustainability Analysis and Prospective; Introduction; The importance of the subjective; Background to CAMP Malta; Technical specification for SSA; Familiarizing the Maltese SSA team; What are SSA and SPSA and how are they different?; SPSA and Blue Plan approaches; Chapter 4: Doing SPSA: Some Reflective Experience; Introduction; Stage 1: Find out how things are: reflection; Stage 2: Understand the context for sustainability indicators: reflection/connection; Stage 3: Gather the stakeholders in the sustainability indicator process: reflection/connection.

Although the environment of North America is not dissected by political borders, Canada and the United States often measure environmental conditions and report on them using different indicators. This report examines the environmental indicators used by both nations, and based on analysis of current research into common methodologies used in national, regional and global environmental reporting, it goes on to draw lessons for the development of bilateral indicators to cover the North American region.