This study presented a general framework to generate, assess and replicate a composite measure of environmental sustainability at the district level for the State of Kerala.
Background
An Environment Sustainability Index is an important diagnostic tool that can enable evidence-based policymaking and assist stakeholders in prioritising environmental concerns which require immediate action. This study presented a framework to generate, assess and replicate a composite measure of environmental sustainability at the District level, for the State of Kerala. The study was initiated by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala as a baseline exercise with a view to support timely intervention, measurement and evaluation of decentralised planning for environmental sustainability. Known for a relatively active third tier of government, several land and water use issues are known to be dealt with by the local self-governments in Kerala. Hence, this study provides inputs relevant for decentralised decision making on localised environmental priorities, by presenting the relative performance of Districts across conceptual and sectoral categories