Participatory approaches to developing sustainability indicators

The chapter focusses on participatory approaches to the development of sustainability indicators (SIs) and asks the question whether perception-based indicators are more likely to emerge out of these approaches. The chapter sets out a brief history to the development and use of participatory approaches as well as frameworks designed to set out the spectrum of these approaches, especially the “Ladder of Participation” development by Arnstein. The chapter provides examples of the use of Soft Systems Methodology by students at the University of Surrey to help them identify and explore key issues in sustainability. The chapter also employs a case study from Malta designed to identify SIs, and these included some indicators based on perception. The outputs from that case study provide insights into the attraction of perception-based indicators of sustainability along with issues that are associated with them.