AFRICA ENVIRONMENT OUTLOOK 3 • Authors’ Guide
KEY ELEMENTS OF THE DPSEEA FRAMEWORK The key elements of the DPSEEA framework are described below. Indicators should be used to represent and measure the different elements of the DPSEEA framework in each issue. Some issues can be represented by a single indicator, but the AEO Data Working Group recognizes that a combination of indicators is preferable. Examples of indicators that can be used to describe them are listed under each element.
Drivers are sometimes referred to as indirect or underlying forces that constrain or compel activities thus having a direct impact on the environment. The environment is always in a state of flux, changing and adapting due to various forces. These include both natural phenomena, for example, earthquakes and volcanoes, as well as human-induced activities. The most significant driving forces, which have been identified under the AEO reporting process, are demographics, economics, social, culture, technology, environment, and governance. They have influenced the alteration of the state of the environment - for better or worse - over the past and will continue well beyond the outlook period of AEO-3.
In another example, some key factors at the macro scale may broadly impact environmental processes ultimately affecting human health. For example, macroeconomic policies may have major effects on the environment and on people’s health. Trade and fiscal policies may indirectly impact human health by affecting income levels and distribution. Agricultural or energy policies may affect health by impacting on land, air or water resources. Some examples of Driving Forces Indicators are: • Total fertility rate • Population growth rate • Urban growth rate • Annual energy consumption levels • GDP per capita and growth rate • Income levels, distribution/trends • Adult literacy rate • Primary and secondary school enrolment rates • Employment rate • Population below poverty line • Social equity index
Pressures: Driving forces result in pressures on the environment. They can arise from a wide range of social, economic, political and cultural activities. These can include demographics, production and consumption, population, poverty, urbanization, industrialization, technological developments, governance, regional conflicts, globalization of trade, finance, and information.
For instance, all sectors of economic activity, such as transport, energy, housing, agriculture, industry or tourism generate pressures. They can occur from specific activities such as resource extraction, processing of materials, and the
associated management of wastes. An important pressure from the point of view of human health is the release of pollutants into the environment. Many different sources and media such as water, air, and soil may be involved.
Pressures are often thought of as ‘root causes’ of environmental problems and trends. It is not necessary to address all societal developments, but only those which are of most relevance to the particular issue. Gender- related pressures should also be taken into account. Some examples of indicators of Pressure are: • Number and type of polluting industries • Levels of domestic consumption of gas, coal, and biomass • Production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Consumption levels of leaded gasoline • Average road traffic volume and density • Annual emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides, particulates, toxics and heavy metals, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Annual national and global emissions of greenhouse gases (for example carbon dioxide) by source
• Annual emissions from major industrial facilities by source • Policies (environmental and others) may also cause pressure on the environment. For example subsidies, for fertilizers, which encourage their excessive use may in turn result in their accumulation in, and subsequent eutrophication and degradation of, aquatic ecosystems.
State: The state (quality) of the environment is affected by the various pressures exerted. Some changes may be complex and widespread, affecting almost all aspects of the environment and resulting in effects such as desertification, marine pollution or climate change, while others may be more localized (for example, contamination of a local water supply). The frequency or magnitude of natural hazards (eg floods or soil erosion) may be increased, natural resources (such
as biodiversity or soil fertility) may be negatively
impacted or the quality of air and water may be affected by pollution. Some examples of State Indicators include: • Pollutant concentrations (for example sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulates, lead) in urban air;
• Concentrations of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds in urban air;
• Number of hours/days per year during which pollutants exceed standards;
• Concentrations of ozone-depleting substances in air; • Global atmospheric concentration levels of greenhouse gases;
• Indoor air pollution levels; and, • Annual number of severe pollution incidents.
Exposure: Even where the state of the environment is impacted, people’s health and well-being may be affected
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