Monitoring the environmental sustainability of countries through the strong environmental sustainability index

Countries still lack adequate metrics to monitor environmental sustainability across a range of relevant and resource issues. The Strong Environmental Sustainability Index (SESI), which is based on the Gap (ESGAP) framework, intended fill this gap. SESI result aggregating 21 indicators different dimensions. Each underlying related functions natural capital normalised using science-based targets. uses geometric mean aggregate in order reflect limited substitutability between capital. results index, computed for 28 European countries, show that several are impaired Europe. tend perform worse pollution ecosystem health, compared describe provision resources, human health welfare. Because sensitive assumptions normalisation, weighting aggregation processes, choices have been aligned with theoretical underpinnings ESGAP framework. responds demands ‘Beyond GDP’ community need single metric can complement GDP its (mis-)use as headline indicator development.