4.3. Priorities and Approaches for Individual Countries The EISD as presented in this report constitute a recommended rather than a complete
core set of energy indicators. Since every country is unique, each will have its own
approach to the EISD and will use them according to its own priorities. Each will
decide which of the indicators within the recommended EISD core set are relevant to
its needs and may even develop other indicators for its own special circumstances of
energy supply and demand.
One approach that might be considered includes the following steps:
• Identify major energy priority areas. This might already have been done in
national energy plans or programmes. These national plans could constitute a
possible point of departure for an initial application of EISD. Known
vulnerabilities in the national energy structure or known financial,
environmental or social pressures related to energy can inspire ideas on the
critical areas to cover.
• Select the indicators from the EISD core set that are relevant for addressing
these priority areas. If necessary, define and structure new indicators.
Determine specifically how progress in specified variables and factors would
be monitored using EISD.
• Determine what data are needed to cover the priority areas. Review available
data to assess the adequacy of statistics to cover the priority areas. If needed,
collect additional statistics or establish proxy data.
• Compile data in time series for each selected EISD.
• Analyse the data and their implications. Evaluate progress made in the
relevant priority area. Assess the effectiveness of past and present energy
policies. Test interpretations and conclusions for sensitivities, for false
assumptions about linkages and causality, or for biases reflecting value
judgements.
• Consider different energy policies for the future and look at their possible
effects by using energy models for different scenarios. In this way, a country
may learn the lessons of the past while exploring options for the future.
• If possible, use alternative scenarios developed with modelling tools and
projected time series to explore future policy and growth trajectories. The
EISD need to be linked to expected or desired energy futures. Sustainability
implies a forward-looking approach and not just a look at the past and the
present.
