1. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Indicators for the Periodic Reporting Working group on the simplification of the Periodic Reporting questionnaire 22-23 January 2007 Lydia Deloumeaux Unesco Institute for Statistics

2. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS What is an indicator ? l Number or ratio (a value on a scale of measurement) è derived from a series of observed facts; è can reveal relative changes as a function of time l Variable or value calculated from different variables giving indications on or describing the state of a phenomenon, an environment or a geographical area beyond the scope of the information directly linked to the value of the variable l Variable having for object to measure or to appreciate a state or an evolution. è Simple information (easily understandable) è Easily quantifiable è Reproducible è Synthesis of complex phenomena with various scales

3. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Choices of indicators are depending on what do you want to monitor l Descriptive indicators: quantitative measurements (index, rate or %) è Numbers of staff related to numbers of tourists è % of site budget expenditure allocated to conservation è % change of number of sites in danger by year l Qualitative indicators (prescriptive indicators; normative indicators) è Performance indicators: management effectiveness indicators: improvement in management between two PR è Evolution of State of conservation: in relation to key threshold è Evolution of OUV

4. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Purpose of global cross-nationally comparable indicators l To provide the global picture è for advocacy è resource mobilisation, engaging donors, demonstrating commitment è accountability of governments – l For purposes of comparison è learning from one another - to show what can be achieved: best practice è benchmarking è act as a catalyst for debate

5. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS At what level : what do we want to measure ? l Global level è Few basic quantitative statistics to build meaningful indicators »Tourists: annual visitor numbers »Employment: staff involved in site management »Annual budget »Area covered by designation »Population in smallest surrounding administrative community »Others: level of international assistance è Limited qualitative information »Universal value l Regional level è Regional cooperation è Capacity building

6. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS At what level ? contd.. l National level è Management effectiveness è National policy of conservation è Identify best practice l Site level è Monitoring the site management è Sustainability of the outstanding universal value of a site over time è Involvement of local stakeholders on site management è Measures in relation to key thresholds – visitors, acidity

7. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Defining the indicators

8. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS World heritage: Building a conceptual system of indicators l Goals to be defined: è Maintenance of OUV over time è Maintenance over time of authenticity and integrity of a site è Identify threats to properties: role of assessment tool & summary sheet è Assess management of the property: assessment tool è Assess public use of the property l Overview of existing indicators l What level of information can be useful with sustainable data collection ?

9. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS What do we want to measure ?: Integrity l Physical depreciation: è Natural: physical ability of these forms of natural wealth to provide services: provision of clean air and water è Cultural: deterioration of physical structure l Economical depreciation: è decline in the ability of capital (site) to provide services of value: change of value over time è Often in parallel with physical depreciation Need mechanism to minimise or prevent physical depreciation Assign economic and cultural value to natural site or cultural site

10. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Example of indicators at site level l Nitrogen deposition l Acid rain level l Increase or decrease of protected areas surface l Water quality : level of pollution l Number and evolution of alien species l Carrying capacities

11. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Cultural significance of a site l Aggregate of values attributed to a site è Value by experts and public Economic value Use Non use (non market value) Existence value Option value Bequest value Economic value Use Non use (non market value) Existence value Option value Bequest value Socio cultural Aesthetic Historical Social Spiritual Educational Scientific Socio cultural Aesthetic Historical Social Spiritual Educational Scientific Cultural landscape Integration of indigenous values

12. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Methods to assess economic value l Revealed preference method è Economic impact studies: measure economic investment and employment gains directly related to conservation activity: impact of having a world heritage site è Travel costs : look at the level of travel expenditure related to use consumption of cultural site

13. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Stated preference methods: non use market value l Contingent valuation: è Survey which asks individual to reveal the value they place on public good è Measure the total value that an individual apply to a site è How much additional taxes they are willing to pay to preserve a site l Opportunity cost: True value is based on what an individual is willing to give up in order to get it

14. UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Other methods Anthropological method Ethnographic method Cultural motivations, values and symbols attached to a site