Methods of measuring sustainable development of the German energy sector

The availability of sustainability indicators is a precondition for the conversion of the model of sustainable development into policy. Sustainability indicators define characteristics that are important for sustainable development. A single sustainability indicator defines a key issue, which characterizes a certain aspect of sustainability in the observed system. Sustainability indicator systems capture the complexity and order of the systems, and they offer new knowledge about the system that can be communicated to the general public. That is why in 2002 the German Government developed a sustainability indicator set for its sustainability strategy, including indicators for a sustainability energy system within this comprehensive strategy. The Government thereby defined a sustainable order for Germany based on the theme-based sustainability approach.