National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development
Prepared by the Ecologically Sustainable Development Steering Committee
Endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments
December, 1992
ISBN 0 644 27253 8
Monitoring and Review of the Strategy
Part 4 Future Development of ESD in Australia - Chapter 33
Challenge
To ensure that the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development continues to be effective, focussed and relevant.
Strategic Approach
Governments will monitor and assess the degree to which the actions and initiatives outlined in this Strategy are implemented, and their effectiveness in helping to meet the Strategy's overall goal, objectives and principles. Monitoring and review will occur at each level, from policy development to program delivery. Governments will also adjust and modify measures under the Strategy as necessary to meet both international and domestic developments. Given the vital role of community groups in preparing the ESD Reports, mechanisms will be developed for community consultation and participation in monitoring and review.
Objective 33.1
- to monitor and review the implementation and effectiveness of actions contained in this Strategy at the program, sectoral and national levels
Governments will:
- emphasise the primary responsibilities of line agencies in requiring program managers to implement, monitor and review the performance of policies and programs outlined in this Strategy, in the context of current annual reporting requirements
- maintain the intergovernmental ESD Steering Committee to monitor the performance and development of this Strategy by:
- coordinating a report to Heads of Government one year after the endorsement of this Strategy on initial progress in implementing the Strategy
- coordinating a report to Heads of Government every two years thereafter, or as called upon by Heads of Government, on matters which need to be drawn to their attention for decision
- providing guidance to program managers, with responsibilities for actions arising from the Strategy, on the reporting arrangements to meet the above two points
- requesting relevant Ministerial Councils with responsibilities under the Strategy to provide such information to the ESDSC as is necessary to enable it to meet its reporting requirements to Heads of Government
- seek input and comment from community groups on performance of the Strategy, including
- providing reports from the ESDSC to relevant community groups participating in the intergovernmental ESD Roundtable for discussion
- authorising the ESDSC to utilise, where possible, ad hoc consultative arrangements with groups with appropriate expertise to assist in the task of monitoring and review
- ensuring mechanisms for monitoring and review are coordinated and consistent with mechanisms for community awareness, education and participation
Objective 33.2
- to develop appropriate performance measures for the actions and initiatives outlined in this Strategy, and as a means of indicating overall progress towards ESD
Governments will:
- in the context of current program responsibilities, develop performance indicators which will enable reporting on program actions under the Strategy against its goal, objectives and principles
- through the ESDSC, commission an appropriate body to report on current developments in the integrated measurement of economic, social and environmental performance, and international developments in sustainability indicators; and draft a list of indicators for consideration
- through relevant Ministerial Councils, progressively develop coordinated performance measures for sectoral and cross sectoral ESD issues where these will contribute to more effective policy management
- through the ESDSC, assess the need for, and adequacy of sectoral and cross sectoral performance measures developed by agencies, governments and Ministerial Councils. Where there is inadequate coverage and a clear need for the development of national performance indicators, relevant bodies will be asked to develop such measures