Environmental Benchmarking For Local Authorities

This paper is an attempt to clarify and present the many definitions of benchmarking. It also attempts to explain the basic steps of benchmarking, to show how this tool can be applied by local authorities as well as to discuss its potential benefits and limitations. It is our strong belief that if cities use indicators and progressively introduce targets to improve management and related urban life quality, and to measure progress towards more sustainable development, we will also create a new type of competition among cities and foster innovation. This is seen to be important because local authorities’ actions play a vital role in responding to the challenges of enhancing the state of the environment not only in policy-making, but also in the provision of services and in the planning process. Local communities therefore need to be aware of their own sustainability performance levels and should be able to engage in exchange of best practices to respond effectively to the eco-economical challenges of the century.