Comment on the utility of indicators such as GDP human development index and average per capita ecological footprint for assesing progress towards sustainable development are these indicators adequate why or why not
Answers
GDP, HDI and the Ecological Footprint per capita collectively are adequate for assessing progress towards sustainable development. Let us examine below the reasons for this.
Gross Domestic Product or GDP is the total monetary value of all the goods and services produced in a country within a specified period of time, which normally is a year, but could also be a quarter or half year.
Human Development Index or HDI is a composite figure of life expectancy, education and per capita income indicators. These are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development.
Total Ecological Footprint of a nation divided by the total population of the country gives the average per capita ecological footprint. The idea behind this index is to live within the means of our planet’s resources; in essence, the world’s Ecological Footprint would have to equal the biocapacity per person on the earth, which is currently 1.7 global hectares.
However, for human development to be sustained over long periods of time the structure and nature of governance, the delivery mechanisms and social harmony, coupled with the aforesaid three indices, would provide the right mix.