BellagioSTAMP: SusTainability Assessment and Measurement Principles brochure

Since the early 1990s a growing number of organizations have been involved in the development of indicator systems around the key socio-economic and environmental concerns of sustainable development within their own context. In order to provide guidance and promote best practice, in 1997 a global group of leading measurement and assessment experts developed the Bellagio Principles. The Bellagio Principles have become a widely quoted reference point for measuring sustainable development, but new developments in policy, science, civil society and technology have made their update necessary.

The Bellagio Sustainability Assessment and Measurement Principles (BellagioSTAMP) have been developed through a similar expert group process, using the original Principles as a starting point. Intended to be used as a complete set, the new BellagioSTAMP includes eight principles:

1. Guiding vision
2. Essential considerations
3. Adequate scope
4. Framework and indicators
5. Transparency
6. Effective communications
7. Broad participation
8. Continuity and capacity.

The paper provides the rationale for the revision of the principles, their detailed description and guidance for their application.