Sustainability measurement & disclosure
Environmental performance indicator
Definition
An environmental performance indicator is a specific expression that provides information about an organisation's environmental performance (ISO 14031). The standard distinguishes management performance indicators (management efforts) from operational performance indicators (performance of operations), within environmental performance evaluation — the process of selecting indicators, collecting data and assessing results against criteria.
References
formal definitions
1999 publication, EMAS link, indicator selection
Overview
What it means
ISO 14031 (first published 1999) provides a Plan-Do-Check-Act method for choosing meaningful indicators tied to significant environmental aspects; the EU EMAS regulation likewise requires performance measurement with indicators for continual improvement. Typical indicators cover energy, water, waste, emissions and compliance.
How it is used
Used in EMS monitoring, corporate sustainability reports, benchmarking and target tracking.
Why it matters
Indicators make environmental performance manageable and comparable, and are the building blocks of disclosure regimes.