United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Standard concepts and methods of environment statistics, indicators and accounting are being developed.

Publications of technical reports on concepts and methods of Environment Statistics including a glossary of environment statistics, and a Handbook on Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting.

Assessment and Analysis
Analysis of sustainable economic growth by means of environmental accounting in selected developing countries (chapter 2 - International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies).

Technique used is integrated environmental-economic accounting.

Indicators
Development of Environmental Indicators and Indicators of Sustainable Development. Preparation of a manual on environmental indicators.

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination of information via newsletters on programmatic activities.

Environmental and sustainable development indicators being developed to inform decision-makers. Questionnaire on environmental indicators being developed which will be sent to all national statistical services.

Network Development and Support
Network/list of environmental statisticians (hardcopy not a computer network).

Capacity-Building
In connection with case studies of environmental accounting, help decision-makers use information.

Technical assistance to developing countries and countries in transition in the establishment of programmes of environment statistics and accounting.

Identification of data gaps as part of country projects in environmental statistics and accounting.

Internet Access

http://www.un.org/Depts/unsd/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Chief
Environment, Energy and Industry Statistics Branch
United Nations Statistics Division
DC2-1650, 2 U.N. Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10017, USA
Tel: +212 963 4571
Fax: +212 963 0623
horvath@un.org

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: April 1997, updated April 1999

ORGANIZATION: United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD): Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)