Determining Localisation Metrics

Abstract

Assisting those wanting to explore localisation as a transformative sustainability strategy, this article provides the results of interviews with six localisation experts to determine localisation metrics. The interviews aimed to determine localisation qualities that should be captured for localisation measurement, and/or metrics that might be used to measure these. The shared expert belief and opinion regarding these metrics and qualities was expanded using writings by these and other experts. The formed metric set includes:(1) resource self-reliance; (2) resource dependence; (3) social health; (4) environmental damage/impact; (5) localisation type/governance participation; and (6) control and ownership of resources, land, assets and business. These metrics may be used to determine how localised a community, region, or country is, and to form localisation indexes. This article describes the formation of the metric set, and may assist clarification of localisation understandings by enabling measurement.

Measuring Localisation Regionally to Form a Bhutanese Index

“…All of the interviewed localisation experts identified resource self-reliance as crucial to localisation measurement [25]. As suggested by the experts, resource self-reliance is represented by the following submetrics: water self-reliance %; food self-reliance %; energy self-reliance %; and housing self-reliance %.…”

“…All of the interviewed localisation experts believe that resource dependence data are important to localisation measurement [25]. The resource self-reliance figures on the BLI are a percentage figure reflecting the amount of locally produced consumption.…”

“…Five of the interviewed localisation experts believe that social health data are important to localisation measurement [25]. In order to gather GNHI data, the CBS regularly surveys a large, representative sample of Bhutanese residents regarding a wide range of social health issues.…”

“…Four of the interviewed experts believe that environmental health or impact is important to measure localisation [25]. However regional, comprehensive environmental health or impact data are not available for Bhutan.…”

“…Four of the interviewed localisation experts believe that control and ownership of resources, assets and business is important to measuring localisation [25]. NSB provided all data regarding these.…”