1. Indicator

(a) Name: Annual energy consumption per capita.
(b) Brief Definition: The amount of energy - liquid, solid, gaseous or electricity - used by an individual in a given year in a given geographical area.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Gigajoules.

2. Placement in Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: Driving Force.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: The purpose of this indicator is to measure energy consumption.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: Energy use is a key aspect of consumption and production. Traditionally energy has been regarded as the engine of economic progress. However, its production, use, and byproducts have resulted in major impacts on the environment. The decoupling of energy use from development represents a major challenge of sustainable development. The long term aim is for development and prosperity to continue through gains in energy efficiency rather than increased production.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: This indicator is closely linked with many other economic and environmental indicators, such as population growth, transport fuel consumption, environmentally adjusted domestic product, proven energy reserves, consumption of renewable to non-renewable energy resources, land use change, energy use in agriculture, emissions of greenhouse gases, production of ozone depleting substances, generation of waste, etc.

(d) Targets: Not available.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: The elements comprising this indicator are production, population and consumption data. The data on production refer to the first stage of production. For example, for hard coal the data refer to mine production; for crude petroleum and natural gas, to production at oil and gas wells and processing plants; for electricity to the gross production of generating plants. The data on consumption refer to "apparent consumption" and are derived from the formula which takes into account production, imports, exports, and stock changes.

(b) Measurement Methods: This indicator is computed by calculating the ratio of consumption of energy in a specific area/country/region to the population in that area/country/region.

(c) The Indicator in the DSR Framework: This indicator represents a major Driving Force within the economy.

(d) Limitations of the Indicator: Since this indicator is calculated by the aggregation of different consumption data within an area/country/region it may not accurately measure variations in the rates of consumption within that area/country/region. This can lead to invalid calculations and interpretations, and mis-allocation of resources. The indicator is not as sensitive a measure of energy intensity and efficiency as some others, for example environmentally adjusted domestic product.

(e) Alternative Indicator Definitions: Disaggregation of the indicator into sectoral components such as agriculture or manufacturing, would permit assessment of energy requirements per unit of output. On the other hand, total energy consumption, provides a more direct measure of production patterns and the implications for the environment, while energy consumption as per unit of Gross Domestic Product provides a better reflection of energy efficiency.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from National and International Sources

Energy commodity data for production and consumption, and population data are regularly available for most countries at the national level; and for some countries, at the sub-national level. Both types of data are compiled by and available from national statistical offices and country publications.

6. Agencies Involved in Development of Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the United Nations Statistical Division, department of Economics and Social Information and Policy Analysis (DESIPA). The contact point is the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA; fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.

(b) Other Organizations: Other organizations involved in the indicator development include: national statistical offices, the International Energy Agency, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD), and Eurostat.

7. Further Information

United Nations. Energy Statistics Yearbook.

SHARE OF NATURAL-RESOURCE INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES IN MANUFACTURING VALUE-ADDED
Economic	Chapter 4	Driving Force

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Share of natural-resource intensive industries in manufacturing value-added.
(b) Brief Definition: Percentage share of the contribution to manufacturing value-added of those industries that are intensive in the use of non-renewable natural resources.
(c) Unit of Measurement: %.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: Driving Force.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: The indicator is meant to represent the potential impact of the sub-sectoral structure of industrial production on the depletion of non-renewable resources. It can be expected to capture a large portion of this impact, although the complexity of the structure of natural-resource inputs (direct and indirect) to industrial production prevents any such indicator from being an ideal measure of sustainable development.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: The absorption of non-renewable resources in the world economy is an important aspect of sustainable development. This absorption is driven by three major factors: (i) the patterns of final demand for goods which largely determine the derived demand for resources; (ii) the supply response to this demand, reflected in countries' sub-sectoral patterns of production and trade, which in turn, are largely determined by comparative-advantage factors; and (iii) production technology which is an important determinant of the resource intensity of the production of each component sector of an economy. The proposed indicator is intended to capture the structural element of point (ii) above at the country level, where its scope is restricted to the manufacturing sector. The interpretation of the proposed indicator is clear. Relatively low values of or reductions in the above share are favourable to the natural resource aspect of sustainable development of a particular country.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: The present indicator is closely linked to indicators dealing with the development of the economy and the use of non-renewable natural resources, including depletion of mineral resources, proven mineral and energy reserves. It has more general links to other socioeconomic and environmental indicators, such as generation of industrial waste.

(d) Targets: There are no specified targets established for this indicator.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: There are no international conventions/agreements relating to the indicator (see section 3d above).

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: The definitional elements of the indicator are: (i) value-added of the entire manufacturing sector; and (ii) value-added of those industries within manufacturing that are particularly intensive in the direct use of non-renewable resources. The first element is a standard variable in industrial statistics. For the second element, the following industries are relevant (International Standard Industrial Classification codes are given in parentheses): petroleum refineries (ISIC 353); manufacture of miscellaneous products of petroleum and coal (ISIC 354); iron and steel basic industries (ISIC 371); and non-ferrous metal basic industries (ISIC 372). The concepts involved in the definitions of these elements are available in standard documentation on industrial statistics (see section 7 below).

(b) Measurement Methods: Since the indicator is based on detailed industrial statistics, measurement is standard as described in the documentation of general industrial statistics (see references in section 7 below).

(c) The Indicator in the DSR Framework: The indicator is generally characterized as a Driving Force measure of natural-resource intensity within a country's industrial production.

(d) Limitations of the Indicator: At least four types of limitations arise with the present formulation of the indicator: (i) in the present version, only direct inputs of natural resources to industrial sub-sectors are considered, while all indirect inputs are disregarded; (ii) the concept of natural resources is confined to non-renewable ones; (iii) only broad definitions are applied in the description of natural-resource intensive industrial sub-sectors; and (iv) the indicator does not discriminate between domestically produced and imported natural-resource inputs.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

(a) Data Needed to Compile the Indicator: Only general industrial statistics are needed to compile the indicator.

(b) Data Availability: The data described under 4a above are available at the national level for most countries on a regular basis and in a form that allows for meaningful international comparisons.

(c) Data Sources: The primary source for internationally comparable time-series data is the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Industrial Statistics Database. The most recent country information can usually be obtained from national statistical institutions.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

The lead agency is the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The contact point is the Chief, Industrial Statistics Branch, Information and Research Division, UNIDO; fax no. (43 1) 232 156.

7. Further Information

(a) Further Readings:

International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities. Statistical Papers, Series M, No.4/Rev.2. United Nations Publication, Sales No. E.68.XVII.8.

International Recommendations for Industrial Statistics. Statistical Papers, Series M, No. 48/Rev.1 United Nations Publication, Sales No.E.83.XVII.8.

Industrial Statistics for Research Purposes - Methodology Applied in the Development and Maintenance of the UNIDO Industrial Statistics Data Base. UNIDO/PPD.192.

(b) Other References:

Hammond, Allen, et al. Environmental Indicators: A Systematic Approach to Measuring and Reporting on Environmental Policy Performance in the Context of Sustainable Development, (Chapter VI and Appendix I). World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C. 1995.

(c) Status of the Methodology:

The methodology for general industrial statistics relevant to the present indicator has been agreed to by numerous intergovernmental fora.

PROVEN MINERAL RESERVES
Economic	Chapter 4	State

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Proven mineral reserves.
(b) Brief Definition: Orebodies or deposits economically viable for extraction which have been sampled sufficiently enough to make reliable estimates of spatial extent, tonnage, and average grade.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Tons.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.

(Indicator under development)

 

PROVEN FOSSIL FUEL ENERGY RESERVES
Economic	Chapter 4	State

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Proven fossil fuel energy reserves.
(b) Brief Definition: Proven fossil fuel energy reserves are generally defined as those quantities which geologic and engineering information indicate can be recovered with reasonable certainty in the future from known energy resources under existing economic and technical conditions.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Oil equivalent.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: The purpose of the indicator is to measure availability of fossil fuel energy resources.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: Energy is a key aspect of consumption and production. This indicator provides a basis for estimating future energy supplies enabling proactive decision making to ensure the efficient use of these resources over the longer term. Proven energy reserves represents a basic stock from which governments can use to attain higher levels of sustainable development.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Interpretation of this indicator is enhanced when combined with annual energy production, annual energy consumption per capita, and lifetime of proven energy reserves.

(d) Targets: Not available.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

Annual Production is the production of a commodity in a specified year. Proved amount in place is the tonnage that has been both carefully measured and assessed as exploitable under present and expected local economic conditions with existing available technology. Proved recoverable reserves are the tonnage of proved amount in place that can be recovered (extracted from the earth in raw form) under present and expected local economic conditions with existing available technology. Estimated additional amount in place is the indicated and inferred tonnage additional to the proved amount in place. The estimates are based on the results of geological and exploratory information about an area or on evidence of duplication or parallelism of geological conditions that occur in known deposits. Deposits, the existence of which is merely speculative, are not included. Estimated additional reserves recoverable is the quantity of the estimated additional amount in place which might become recoverable within foreseeable economic and technological limits. Reserves/production ratio (R/P) is computed by dividing proven energy reserves of a commodity at the end of a year by the total production of that commodity in that year.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

To compile this indicator data are needed on a country basis. Available sources are national statistical offices and publications.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Information and Policy Analysis. The contact point is the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA; fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.

(b) Other Organizations: The agencies involved in the development of this indicator are the World Energy Council (WEC), the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) and the International Gas Union (IGU).

7. Further Information

World Energy Council.. Survey of Energy Resources. Annual Publication.

LIFETIME OF PROVEN ENERGY RESERVES
Economic	Chapter 4	State

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Lifetime of proven energy reserves.

(b) Brief Definition: Lifetime of proven energy reserves, known as the production life index, is the ratio of energy reserves remaining at the end of any year to the production of energy in that year.

(c) Unit of Measurement: Years.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.

(b) Type of Indicator: State.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: This indicator provides an indication of the length of time that proven reserves would last if production were to continue at current levels.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: Energy is a key aspect of consumption and production. This indicator provides a basis for estimating future energy supplies enabling proactive decision making to ensure the efficient use of these resources over the longer term. Lifetime of proven energy reserves represents a basic stock indicator which governments and the private sector can use in decision making to attain higher levels of sustainable development. However, it is important to note different views on resource scarcity as they apply to the interpretation of this indicator. One view emphasizes the use of these scarce resources and their environmental pollution consequences. The other view stresses the movement and changing appearance of energy stocks, emphasizing substitution and material recuperation.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Interpretation of this indicator is enhanced when combined with annual energy production, proven fossil fuel energy reserves, intensity of material use, annual energy consumption per capita, and waste recycling rate.

(d) Targets: Not available.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

Proven Energy Reserves are generally defined as those quantities which geologic and engineering information indicate with reasonable certainty can be recovered in the future from known energy resources under existing economic and technical conditions. The reserves/production ratio (R/P) is computed by dividing proven energy reserves of a commodity at the end of a year by the total production of that commodity in that year.

The depletion rate or potential reserves provide alternative measures for this indicator. The rate of use of energy reserves is very dependent on economic conditions. In addition, the indicator cannot take account of unproven resources, or those not currently unavailable due to technology or economic limitations.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

Data on production and proven energy reserves are used to compile this indicator. While data on production on a country basis are available on a regular basis from various sources, data on proven energy reserves are only available from the annual publication Survey of Energy Resources by the World Energy Council and are subject to frequent revision.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Information and Policy Analysis. The contact point is the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA; fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.

(b) Other Organizations: The World Energy Council (WEC) has been associated with the development of this indicator.

7. Further Information

World Energy Council. Survey of Energy Resources.

United Nations. Energy Statistics Yearbook.

 

INTENSITY OF MATERIAL USE
Economic	Chapter 4	State

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Intensity of material use.
(b) Brief Definition: This indicator is defined as the consumption volume of primary and secondary materials per unit of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is calculated for one commodity at the country level.
(c) Unit of Measurement: kg/tons/m3 per $1 000 US.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: The intensity of material use provides a good indication of long-terms trends in changing consumption patterns of the key non-fuel, non-renewable natural materials.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: The proposed indicator is relevant to sustainable development as it documents total material consumption trends as well as changes in consumption patterns. Declining intensity of material use implies a lower use of non-renewable materials. Conversely, increasing intensity of material use does not necessarily imply a higher use of non-renewable resources. The four-component structure of the indicator (primary material use, consumption of secondary material, changes in stocks, and consumption of material embodied in imported products), allows an analysis of consumption of recovered versus virgin resources.

The indicator comprises consumption of primary and secondary materials, changes in stocks as well as materials contained in the most important imported and exported material; and the intensive semi-fabricates and manufactures. This would bring the indicator very close to measuring real material absorption of an economy. Per-capita consumption volume of the materials in question would be measured as a supplement facilitating the interpretation of intensity of use trends.

The indicator can also be used as a proxy for assessing industrial pollution at the national level. In the US, for example, it is estimated that material-intensive industries account for about 70% of total air and water pollution. Coefficients of throughput/pollution ratios can be used for this calculation although it might be difficult to mirror exactly the dynamics of these coefficients in the wake of technological change.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: This indicator is closely linked to other indicators which measure the stage of economic development such as share of manufacturing value-added to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and investment share in GDP.

(d) Targets: Not available.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

Based on the data base on minerals and metals from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), consumption volume of primary and secondary material per country can be estimated. These figures are then adjusted by (i) changes in stocks of producers, traders and manufacturers, and (ii) the volume of material contained in net trade in material-intensive semi-fabricates and manufactures. The calculated volume of material consumption is thus put in relation to real GDP in order to compute material consumption per unit of product. Intensity of use figures can be broken down into intensity of use of primary versus secondary materials.

It is problematic to correctly estimate the consumption of secondary materials, changes in stocks and the material contained in traded semi-fabricates and manufactures. As far as the latter is concerned, conversion factors of material content are being compiled and regularly updated to take account of changing trends in manufacturing technologies. Country and regional differences in this regard are however very difficult to reflect.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

Most of the required consumption and trade data are available in UNCTAD's own data base on minerals and metals. Information on consumption of secondary materials is incomplete but can be estimated with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Data on changes in stocks, in particular at the level of traders and manufacturers, are scant, although some reasonable estimates can be made. Conversion factors on material content of semi-fabricates are being compiled and regularly updated in collaboration with various industry associations. Information in this regard, however, is often incomplete, not representative, or too general.

The analysis of the use of some 20 commodities per unit of GDP at the country level is currently being reconducted. The purpose is to update the results of the 1991 survey, and to place emphasis on the analysis of consumption trends of primary versus secondary materials.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD). The contact point is the Coordinator, Sustainable Development, UNCTD; fax no. (41 22) 907 0047.

(b) Other Organizations: Eurostat, the World Resources Institute, and the Wuppertal Institute on Climate, Environment and Energy have contributed to the development of this indicator.

7. Further Information

(a) Further Readings:

Eurostat. Primary Material Balances.

Ndiaye, D. Statistical Study on the Consumption of Metals. Centre d'Economie des Ressources Naturelles, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris. Paris, 1991.

World Resources Institute. World Resources 1994-95, part IV, Chapter 21, 1995.

(b) Other References:

Behrensmeier, R. and S. Bringezu. On the Methodology of Analysing Macro-economic Material Intensity. Wuppertal Institute on Climate, Environment and Energy, Wuppertal Papers, No. 34, April 1995.

Hammond, Allen, et al. Environmental Indicators: A Systematic Approach to Measuring and Reporting on Environmental Policy Performance in the Context of Sustainable Development, (Chapter VI and Appendix I). World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C., 1995.

Hoffmann, U and D. Zivkovic. Demand Growth for Industrial Raw Materials and its Determinants: An Analysis for the Period 1965-1988. UNCTAD Discussion Papers, No. 50, Geneva, November 1992.

 

SHARE OF MANUFACTURING VALUE-ADDED IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
Economic	Chapter 4	State

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Share of manufacturing value-added in gross domestic product.
(b) Brief Definition: This indicator measures the contribution of the manufacturing sector in total production. It is obtained by devising the value added in manufacturing by the total gross value-added to GDP at basic or producers' prices.
(c) Unit of Measurement: %.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: The manufacturing sector is a major structural component of total economic activity, together with mining, construction, utilities, natural resources, and services. The relative size of manufacturing is a significant indicator of the state of the economy. It also hints at basic driving forces associated with sustainable development.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: As a key economic activity, manufacturing production has been used as a growth determinant, reflecting the stage of country development in terms of availability of human resources and capital, both essential requirements in the drive towards sustainable development. Manufacturing depends largely on the development of skills and equipment. Manufacturing activities also draw from a wide range of resources and raw materials and, like them, may deplete and degrade natural assets, for example, air, water, trees. The development of manufacturing sector is seen as a key indicator of sustainable development progress by many developing countries.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: This indicator is closely related to other economic and environmental indicators reflecting the level of development and use of natural resources, such as share of natural resource intensive industries in manufacturing, depletion of mineral resources, and share of manufacturing in exports. In developing countries it may also be linked to indicators reflecting international cooperation and per capita income.

(d) Targets: National targets for the share of manufacturing to GDP, including the other industrial activities of the economy, are usually included in policy making as a basis for budgets, funding programmes, and for priority-setting exercises.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

Data on manufacturing value-added are presently compiled in accordance with the UN International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 3. It is derived as a percentage of the sum of total value added of all production units including all taxes and subsidies on products which are not included in the valuation of output. For the purpose of the indicator, it is important that reporting uses a constant price time series. The indicator is regarded as a measure of the State of the development of the economy. Alternative indicators could focus on other major components of a country's economy, such as the share of mining, natural resources, agriculture, or the service sector to GDP.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

This indicator has no serious limitations because data on manufacturing activities in the System of National Accounts (SNA) are guided by the framework recommended in the ISIC, and are generally coherent between countries. Furthermore, most information is regularly available and reliable for the majority of countries.

Data on manufacturing value-added and GDP are generally reported by national statistical offices or central banks to the UN National Accounts questionnaire. These are supplemented by estimates prepared by the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD), as well as other international organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These estimates are largely based on indicators of production of principal manufacturing commodities obtained either from national sources or the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The latter compiles country time series for both manufacturing value-added and GDP. When using both UNSO and UNIDO data it is important to keep in mind the differences in measurement concepts between data derived from national accounts and industrial statistics.

6. Agencies involved in the development of the Indicator:

The lead agency for the development of this indicator is the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The contact point is the Chief, Industrial Statistics Branch, Information and Research Division, UNIDO; fax no. (43 1) 232 156. As the official compiler of national accounts statistics, the United Nations Statistical Division could also be a principal contact point in terms of SNA and ISIC references.

7. Further Information

Further details on the conceptual definition of GDP are contained in the SNA. National account statistics are published in the series National Accounts Statistics: Main Aggregates and Detailed Tables. The classification of manufacturing industries is covered in the UN International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, Revision 3. Concepts and definitions are in accordance with the international Recommendations for Industrial Statistics, published by the United Nations.

SHARE OF CONSUMPTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
Economic	Chapter 4	State

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Share of consumption of renewable energy resources.
(b) Brief Definition: The consumption of renewable energy resources as a ratio of total energy consumption.
(c) Unit of Measurement: %.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 4: Changing Consumption Patterns.
(b) Type of Indicator: State.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: This indicator measures the proportion of energy mix between renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: Energy is a key aspect of consumption and production. Dependence on non-renewable resources can be regarded as unsustainable in the long term. New reserves of fossil energy may be discovered, but economics may exclude their use. Renewable resources, on the other hand, can supply energy continuously under sustainable management practices. The ratio of non-renewable to renewable energy resources represents a measure of a country's sustainability.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Interpretation of this indicator is enhanced when combined with annual energy production, annual energy consumption per capita, and lifetime of proven energy reserves. It is also closely linked to some of the environmental indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions.

(d) Targets: Not available.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

The elements comprising this indicator are renewable resources, non-renewable resources, and consumption. Renewable resources refers to "energy collected from current ambient energy flows or from substances derived from them." This definition includes energy derived from the combustion of biomass, which refers to any plant matter used directly as fuel or converted into fuels or electricity and/or heat (Energy Statistics Working Group, OECD 7-8 December 1993, Paris). Renewable energy sources are biofuels (fuelwood, charcoal, bagasse, peat, industrial wastes and municipal wastes) and electricity derived from solar power, wind power, wave power, hydro power, geothermal aquifers, and nuclear power. Non-Renewable resources refers to fossil fuels: solids, liquids and gases. Consumption refers to "apparent consumption", derived from the formula "primary production + imports - exports - bunkers - (+/-) stock changes."

This indicator is computed by calculating the ratio of consumption of a renewable resource over total energy consumption. Generally, the use of renewable energy resources is shown as not cost- effective; further, because of the various forms of renewable and their uses, data collection is difficult.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

Data on renewable and non-renewable resources are available from national statistical offices and country publications.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Information and Policy Analysis. The contact point is the Director, Statistics Division, DESIPA; fax no. (1 212) 963 9851.

(b) Other Organizations: The agencies involved in the development of this indicator are the World Energy Council (WEC), the International Energy Agency, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Eurostat, and the Economic Commission for Europe.

7. Further Information

World Energy Council. Survey of Energy Resources. Annual Publication.

United Nations. Energy Statistics Yearbook.