Analytical Frameworks, Impact Categories, Indicators and Performance Evaluation

Abstract

This chapter introduces the background for indicators to be used to monitor and communicate the environmental performance of different systems and activities. They are anchored in the DPSIR-analytical framework which stands for driving force, pressure, state, impact, and response. This framework is fundamental to our understanding the background for many of the tools and standards for analyzing, measuring, communicating, and reporting on environmental performance. DPSIR has been developed as a global model for understanding and analyzing the status of the Earth due to changes in environmental conditions and how to respond to these changes. The model can also be adapted for smaller systems, for example, for city or regional systems (Level 4 in the CapSEM Model), for organizations (Level 3), for products systems (Level 2) and for productions processes (Level 1).