Developing and implementing framework conditions that promote green growth requires a good understanding of the determinants of green growth and of related trade-offs or synergies. It also requires appropriate information to support policy analysis and to monitor progress. Progress can be measured through indicators that monitor trends and structural changes, and that attract attention to issues that require further analysis and possible policy action. Indicators also help raise the profile of green growth issues in the public debate and gauge how well policies are performing with respect to green growth.

A practical and pragmatic way of integrating economic and environmental policies requires a matching framework, definitions and comparable data to measure progress towards green growth.

While it may be premature to identify a final set of OECD indicators, a preliminary selection can be made on the basis of existing work and experience in the OECD, the IEA, other international organisations, and in member and partner countries (Box 5). Such a set will serve as a start for further discussions and will provide a useful tool for current OECD work on country reviews and policy analysis.

Measurement issues constrain the full and timely production of green growth indicators. Some issues are located at the conceptual level and many issues are of an empirical nature.