Conceptual framework for indicator selection in Water Resources Planning and Strategic Environmental Assessments

Indicators are increasingly used tools to support assessment and communication in planning processes. Water resources plans and their strategic environmental assessments are instruments that could be supported by indicators to... [ view full abstract ]

Indicators are increasingly used tools to support assessment and communication in planning processes. Water resources plans and their strategic environmental assessments are instruments that could be supported by indicators to characterize the baseline situation, assess the status of resources and implications of planning options, monitor the implementation of the proposed measures and communicate this information to stakeholders. Despite the relevant amount of works on sustainability indicators and water resources planning and assessment, there is still a lack of research on the indicator selection stage. Indicator selection is usually conducted by planners and other experts, and little information is reported about how to design and implement this practice. The main aim of this research is to develop a conceptual model to select suitable indicators for water resources plans and respective environmental assessments. The proposed framework is supported by a participatory oriented approach, assuming that effective stakeholder’s engagement improves the accuracy and effectiveness of this stage. To put the proposed framework into practice, a set of different steps and procedures is proposed for adoption in a national case study - the Portuguese water resources planning and SEA processes - and the usefulness of this methodology is demonstrated. The tool developed could support future indicator implementation for water resources planning initiatives, allowing greater guidance, objectivity and transparency in these processes.