A Framework for Governance of Sustainability Indicator Systems in Strategic Environmental Assessment Processes

Abstract

Sustainability indicators (SIs) are considered an important tool in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), but their choice and management present shortcomings and must be improved. This work aimed to develop a governance model of SI systems for SEA. The study was carried out by means of documentary research on SEA reports and interviews with leaders of Brazilian SEA working teams, through the application of Content Analysis. The resulting framework, called G-SINDS, is composed of six phases and three transverse elements. Each phase represents a stage of construction of the SI system, with methodological procedures adaptable to the specificity of each SEA process. The transverse elements are factors that affect each phase, in order to perfect them. The G-SINDS represents an innovative model, since it involves the “life cycle of the indicators”, is directed to the SEA and is based on principles and techniques of knowledge management, constituting a means of improving the execution of SEA processes.