24.1.2014: Forschung international

Wann haben Indikatoren Einfluss auf die Politik?

Les indicateurs ont-ils une influence en politique?


H. Gudmudsson, C. H. Sorensen

Forscher haben den Einfluss von Indikatoren auf die Verkehrspolitik der EU und der Mitgliedsländer untersucht. In beiden Fällen wurden Indikatoren, wie z. B. Treibhausgasemissionen, breit genutzt, doch hatten sie nicht immer einen Einfluss auf die Politik. Eine Einbindung der Entscheidungsträger in die Entwicklung der Indikatoren und ein klarer Link zu erreichbaren Zielen scheinen den Einfluss auf die Politik zu erhöhen.

Des scientifiques ont étudié l’influence d’indicateurs sur la politique des transports de l’UE et des pays membres. Dans les deux cas, les indicateurs, par exemple les émissions de gaz à effet de serre, étaient largement utilisés, mais n’avaient pas toujours une influence sur la politique. Une intégration, des décideurs dans le développement des indicateurs et un lien clair avec des objectifs atteignables semblent augmenter leur influence sur la politique.


Indicators, for example, greenhouse gas emissions as a signal of climate change impact, can be used for monitoring or performance assessment or evaluation of policies. There is a widespread assumption that indicators will inform and influence policymakers with a positive effect on decision-making. However, there are few studies regarding what influence they have on the policy design itself. In this study, conducted as part of the EU POINT project 1, researchers use two case studies to examine whether indicators included in policy assessment or analysis reports are (i) used in policymaking, and (ii) what influence they have. The first case study was at the EU level, and was based around the 2005 ASSESS study used to review the policy objectives drawn up in the 2001 white paper entitled ‘European transport policy for 2010: Time to Decide’. The indicators were used to forecast the effects of policy measures in the future, and the study then provided policy recommendations. After interviewing four core partners from this process, researchers concluded that the indicators from the ASSESS study were used to prepare documents, as well as a basis for meetings and negotiations. The researchers also found evidence of the direct influence of the indicators, as some interviewees felt that they had affected plans for policy change. This was supported by the fact that policy recommendations in official documents published subsequently matched that of the key conclusions of ASSESS. The researchers caution against exaggerating the direct effects of indicators in this case and point to other factors that may have caused the policy shifts, such as the economic downturn. However, they do conclude that it is likely that the indicators made the reasons for policy change clearer and more justifiable. The second case study was based on the 2008 Swedish Institute for Transport and Communications Analysis report, which contains several indicators and feeds into the Swedish government’s strategy plans for transport. The researchers conducted interviews with 15 individuals involved in implementing transport policy and developing indicators, including politicians, civil servants and experts. The interviews confirmed that the report was used, as it formed the basis of a small section in the state budget and was also referenced in debates. However, actual influence of indicators included in the report appeared to be low; apart from raising awareness of the issues in a very general sense, the researchers conclude that they could find no policy decisions which had changed as a result of the indicators. The researchers discuss possible factors contributing to this low influence which might Include the limited scope of the indicators and no link to clear actions. Reasons for the greater influence of indicators in the EU case study include better links to clear, achievable goals and the fact that policymakers themselves were involved in the design and development of the indicators. This meant that they trusted and understood them, say the researchers, and consequently were more likely to refer to them.

Quelle: Science for Environment Policy


Keywords:
Indikatoren, Politik



Literatur:
Gudmudsson H., Sorensen C.H. (2013): Some use-little influence? On the roles of indicators in European sustainable transport policy. Ecological Indicators 35: 43-51. DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.08.015.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/354na2.pdf
hgu@transport.dtu.dk


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