Examples of Objectives, Targets and Indicators

From SEA.unu.edu/wiki

Environmental objectives, targets and indicators are the tools through which the environmental impact of a proposed plan may be assessed and the monitoring system developed.

Objectives In SEA, environmental objectives are goals established to protect the environment. They may be aspirational in nature and should not be confused with 'plan' objectives.

Targets A target usually underpins an objective and ideally should have a specified time deadline and limits or thresholds accompanying it. Many targets are already established in legislation such as pollution standards or conservation targets in Biodiversity Action Plans and should be incorporated into the SEA process where appropriate.

Indicators The primary aim of indicators, in the SEA process, is to demonstrate and enable predictions of the impact (positive or negative) of proposed plans and programmes on the environment. This implies determining the impact on the environmental receptors suggested in the SEA Directive.

For more detail see, Donnelly, A., Jennings, E., Finnan, J., Mooney, P., Lynn, D., Jones, M., O’Mahony, T., Thérivel, R. and Byrne, G. (2006) Objectives, targets and indicator for use in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management 8: 135-156.