Today a workshop gears off to discuss the implementation of environment statistics in Namibia. After the workshop, bilateral consultations will take place to complete the Environment Statistics Assessment for the country. The process is hosted by the Namibian Statistics Agency and Ministry of Environment and Tourism, with global spear-heading by the United Nations Statistics Division.
It is no secret that the current measurement system for nations' progress is vastly inadequate not only to measure human development, but to monitor the Sustainable Development Goals. The National System of Accounts, which measures GDP, needs an overhaul. These discussions are the first step, with a start in integrating important environmental considerations into national monitoring processes. Development of environment statistics will support results-based policy making as well as better monitoring, evaluation and reporting on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The main aims of the workshop are to build capacity for the implementation of environment statistics using the Framework for Development of Environment Statistics, facilitate dialogue and collaboration between line ministries to identify Namibia's environmental policy needs and priority areas, and more broadly discuss the development of a Namibia Compendium of Environment Statistics and the role of invited Ministries and other agencies.
We still have a far way to go if we want the transformation necessary for the SDGs to come to fruition - in fact we need an entire new measurement system - one that is more inclusive, such as the Genuine Progress Indicator, or the Inclusive Wealth Index. But, alas, one step forward is better than none.
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