Indicators for an Inclusive Green Economy: Advanced Course

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON INDICATORS FOR AN INCLUSIVE GREEN ECONOMY: ADVANCED COURSE

COURSE BACKGROUND

The global transition towards a green economy necessitates robust and adaptable frameworks for monitoring progress. Policymakers frequently face the challenge of tailoring indicator methodologies to their specific national contexts, requiring flexible frameworks that align with development priorities and statistical capacities. Measuring this transition effectively, especially “beyond GDP,” is crucial for informed decision-making and sustainable development.

ECAS Institute offers this advanced e-learning course to build upon foundational concepts, focusing specifically on the practical application of the Green Economy Progress (GEP) Measurement Framework. Developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), this framework provides a powerful methodology for tracking performance in the transition to a green economy over time.

This training explores the conceptual underpinnings of the GEP Measurement Framework, detailing how progress on individual indicators can be quantified and combined into a comprehensive GEP Index. By also covering the Dashboard of Sustainability and its integration with the GEP Index, ECAS aims to equip participants with the skills to develop informative country-specific and global ranking systems crucial for effective policymaking.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

1. Illustrate the concepts, methodology, and application of the Green Economy Progress (GEP) Measurement Framework.
2. Select appropriate indicators for a customized country application and effectively interpret relevant results.
3. Explain how countries’ progress can be compared in a global application of the GEP Measurement Framework.
4. Understand the conceptual underpinning of the GEP Measurement Framework and its contribution to the “beyond GDP” measurement agenda.
5. Describe how to measure progress on a Dashboard of Sustainability and combine this information with the GEP Index.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This advanced e-learning experience builds on introductory concepts and focuses particularly on the application of the Green Economy Progress (GEP) Measurement Framework developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE). This framework provides a methodology for comparing performance in the transition to a green economy overtime.

The course explores the conceptual underpinning of the GEP Measurement Framework and how it contributes to the “beyond GDP” measurement agenda. You will learn:

• How progress (or regress) on a single indicator can be measured and how these indicators can be combined into the GEP Index with its weighting system.
• How to measure progress on a Dashboard of Sustainability and how to combine this information with the GEP Index to create a system for ranking countries that is informative to policymakers.
• To illustrate the concepts, methodology, and application of the GEP Measurement Framework.
• To select indicators for a customized country application and interpret relevant results.
• To explain how countries’ progress can be compared in a global application of the GEP Measurement Framework.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a self-paced advanced e-learning course, structured into four distinct lessons. Participants will have the flexibility to progress through the modules at their own convenience. The program combines theoretical concepts with practical application, focusing on the GEP Measurement Framework.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

Potential participants in this training include:

• Policymakers in governments and international and regional organizations.
• Policy Analysts and Statisticians in these organizations.
• Academics from a range of disciplines concerned with the economy, environment, and society.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured into four self-paced lessons, guiding participants through the GEP Measurement Framework:

No	Module	Details
1.	Concepts in Measuring Green Economy Progress	This module introduces the fundamental concepts behind measuring progress towards a green economy, including the rationale for moving “beyond GDP.” The key topics includes: Defining a green economy and its core principles. Limitations of traditional economic indicators (e.g., GDP) in assessing sustainability. The need for comprehensive indicator frameworks for an inclusive green economy. Introduction to the “beyond GDP” agenda and its significance.
2.	The Green Economy Progress Measurement Framework Methodology	This module details the specific methodology of the GEP Measurement Framework, explaining how individual indicators are measured and combined. The key topics include: Structure and components of the GEP Measurement Framework. Methods for measuring progress (or regress) on a single indicator. Techniques for combining individual indicators into the composite GEP Index. Understanding the weighting system within the GEP Index. Data requirements and challenges for applying the methodology.
3.	Selecting Indicators for Country-Level Applications	This module focuses on the practical aspects of customizing the GEP framework, including selecting relevant indicators for specific national contexts. The key topics include: Criteria for selecting appropriate green economy indicators at the country level. Aligning indicator selection with national development priorities and policy goals. Addressing statistical capacities and data availability in country applications. Interpreting and communicating relevant results from customized indicator sets. Case studies or examples of country-level GEP framework adaptations.
4.	Global Application of the GEP Measurement Framework	This module explores how the GEP Measurement Framework can be applied globally to compare countries’ progress and provide insights for international policy. The key topics include: Measuring progress on a Dashboard of Sustainability alongside the GEP Index. Combining GEP Index and Dashboard of Sustainability information for country ranking. Utility of global comparisons for policymakers and international organizations. Challenges and opportunities in standardizing green economy measurement globally. Examples of how the GEP framework contributes to international sustainability reporting.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.