2 Background
Currently, there are several different organisations involved in indicator programmes that are developing sets of indicators to predict the state of the environment to serve particular goals. The indicators developed in this project are intended to be compatible with and to complement the other programmes.
2.1 ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS FOR AGRICULTURE
In 1991, there was a recommendation by the OECD Environment Policy Committee Group on the State of the Environment to "further develop sets of reliable, readable, measurable and policy-relevant environmental indicators" for agriculture. A core set of indicators is being developed to be used in Environmental Performance Reviews, which relate to pollution and natural resource management issues, policy integration, and international co-operation.
National Environmental Indicators: Building a Framework for a Core Set (Jan 1997)
The Ministry for the Environmental (MfE) is establishing a core set of environmental indicators for use nationally. The aim is that these indicators will provide an overall impression of the state of the environment, and thus the effects of environmental policies and legislation.
MfE are standardising environmental monitoring throughout the country to make it comparable. A set of indicators will be found for the following issues:
- Land;
- Air;
- Water;
- Pollution Waste and Hazardous Substances;
- Indigenous Habitat and Biodiversity;
- Pests Weed and Diseases;
- Fisheries Resources;
- Energy;
- Transport;
- Climate Change;
- Ozone Depletion;
- Additional Social, Cultural, Economic Indicators.
Studies to date have covered land, air and freshwater, with marine water and biodiversity studies underway. Most of these studies only provide suggested indicators, and concentrate on the different possibilities for the development of indicators. Further work will be required to assess the suggested indicators and establish a useful set.
MAF Policy is committed to facilitating resource management, and implementing policies on factors influencing sustainable agricultural practices. This includes focusing research activities on providing environmental indicators or reporting systems for monitoring soil quality, water quality, air quality, biodiversity and energy use.
The Indicators of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture study (this project) and the Best Management Guidelines for Sustainable Agriculture and related projects fall within MAF Policy’s operational research objectives. Studies that have been completed or are currently being completed within these objectives are described below.
Best Management Guidelines for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture: This work involves the use of the indicators and proposes on-farm monitoring systems and management practices for the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Many of the existing sustainability indicator studies are trying to select indicators that reflect the success of legislation in place, and are primarily for use by national/regional/territorial authorities. This study, however, is aimed at implementing practical indicators that farmers can use to achieve their goals by taking note of and controlling changes occurring on-farm.
Soil Quality Indicators for Sustainable Agriculture: This work, in conjunction with Lincoln University, is based on selecting indicators that are applicable in the New Zealand situation to reflect soil quality and meet a defined set of criteria (e.g. readily measurable, scientifically valid). To fit in with the MfE indicators programme, the soil quality indicators are able to be used nationally, but the emphasis is on indicators which can be used at the local level to improve soil quality by changing on-farm management practices. The list of suggested indicators is comprehensive and reasonably complex.
Total Energy Indicators of Agricultural Sustainability: This project, currently being completed by Agriculture New Zealand, is focusing on the use of total energy consumption as an indicator of sustainability. It is looking at indicators of efficient energy use, the use of non-renewable energy sources, and the potential for energy substitution.
Financial Indicators of Sustainability for Farming Businesses and Families: A Conceptual Model to Relate these Indicators to those used for Environmental and Social Sustainability
The Massey University Department of Agribusiness and Resource Management is looking at the usefulness of economic indicators to reflect the sustainability of a farming business.
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