This study develops a new indicator for national and global sustainability. The main components
of the EIIW-vita indicator are: the share of renewable energy the genuine savings rate and the
relative green export position of the respective countries it is in line with OECD
requirements on composite indicators. As green exports are related to technological progress
and environmental-friendly products there is also a Schumpeterian perspective of this
indicator. An extended version furthermore looks at water productivity. The analysis highlights
the BRIICS countries as well as the US Germany France Spain Italy the UK and Japan.
Moreover the special challenges and dynamics of ASEAN countries and Asia are discussed. The
book derives key implications for economic and environmental policy and shows that the new
global sustainability indicator is not only relevant for green progress but also useful as a
signal for international investors. The construction of the EIIW-vita global sustainability
indicator is such that investors citizens and governments can easily interpret the results.
Correlation analysis of the new sustainability indicator with the human development index
indicates complementarity so that a new hybrid superindicator can be
constructed.Sustainability rhetoric dominates environmental policy. This fresh assessment of
key pillars of sustainable economic performance and growth is a valuable contribution to
greening the economy the leitmotiv of the latest Rio Earth Summit. The book places the
discussion of sustainability on solid data. The rather surprising results of its new
sustainability index should make policy makers rethink their environmental and economic
strategies.Prof. Dr. Peter BartelmusColumbia University New YorkMany people put the economy
first when sustainability concerns are raised while environmental indicators are often
developed without a sense of socio-economic performance. This important new book bridges
thegap. It sheds light on crucial indicators such as renewable energies exporting green goods
and services genuine savings and water productivity. And it helps to observe the impressive
changes at a global scale and in countries such as China. A must read for all experts
interested in those issues.Prof. Dr. Raimund BleischwitzUniversity College London
