The overarching goal of the Consultative Group on Sustainable Development Indicators (CGSDI, or CG for short) is to help arrive at an internationally accepted sustainable development index (SDI). An interim goal is to help develop and adopt a small number of new indices—potential components of the ultimate index—to supplement indices like the GDP or GNP and other measures of progress.

The work of the CG includes promoting cooperation and better coordination, and strategizing among key individuals and institutions that work on developing and using sustainable development indicators. The CGSDI secretariat at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg, Canada, supports discussion, networking and outreach activities. Discussion within the group is facilitated by an electronic mailing list open only to members.

Recent work of the CG includes:

• preparing materials for the Science and Policy Dialogue Workshop (June 1999)
• developing aggregated indices of sustainability indicators
• elaborating upon the model of the Dashboard of Sustainability

Contact information

CGSDI Secretariat
International Institute for Sustainable Development
161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0Y4
Canada

Phone: +1-204-958-7700
Fax: +1-204-958-7710
E-mail: phardi@iisd.ca