How were the indicators chosen?

The objective is to map the current situation for all the main issues around nature, spatial planning and the environment, and how these have developed. The precondition for doing this is correct measurement data. When choosing the indicators, the Compendium’s editorial team uses the following guidelines:

• The Compendium contains facts and figures that contribute to the quality of political and governmental considerations in the fields of the environment, nature and spatial planning, and it is primarily intended for making strategic policy decisions and science.
• Data presented in the Compendium must be representative of the main processes or policies on nature, the environment and spatial planning in the Netherlands, and they need to be expressive.
• These data mainly concern national figures, but may also be presented on a smaller or larger scale. Many policy fields need spatial differentiation, which is in line with 1) the scale on which the issue has manifested itself (global, European, national, and where necessary also regional), and 2) the sphere of influence of the competent authorities (EU, national government, provinces and municipalities).
• Data must originate from research that is repeated on a regular basis. Ad-hoc indicators are only presented if the current situation calls for their inclusion, or if the particular subject fills a certain gap. This concerns data that provide a picture of the current situation and the trend that has led to that situation. Where possible, the current situation and the trend are compared with policy targets and/or target values.
• The Compendium does not contain policy assessing indicators that are based only on models and assumptions about the influence of government policy on the sectors involved. The indicator information does not contain policy suggestions, but merely determines whether policy targets have been achieved, and provides explanations for the situation and/or trend.