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Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, national governments have introduced a range of policy measures designed to steer their economies along a more sustainable path. Yet how are we to know how successful these have been? This significant new book discusses the ways in which sustainable development indicators can be improved in order to both assess the impact of past policies and avoid the repetition of previous failings

The paper shows the need for the development and widespread use of sustainable development indicators for the regions. Drawing on global and Russia's experience, the authors suggest perspective indicators of sustainability for Russian regions and analyze possible approaches to the elaboration of indicators for the regions on the basis of the adaptation of the World Bank adjusted net savings index and the UN Millennium Development Goals. Adequate accounting of indicators, which are currently undervalued or not considered, can lead to the revision of the mediumand long-term goals for regional development.

Abstract
Assessment of sustainable position of selected countries is the important challenge in the last years. The sustainable theory has changed from the years of Rio conference and the availability of statistical resources is becoming better. Sustainable development is an important objective for each country. Enlargement of the EU has brought the current priorities and future direction of EU environmental policy sharply into focus. Enlargement process has increased the standards of environmental protection and social development. Significant environmental investments are necessary and the new members need to speed up their preparation for implementing the Gothenburg strategy "sustainable strategy".

"Analyzing the self-sufficient Danish island of Samsø, this book explains sustainability through a biogeophysical understanding of how to best use Earth's limited resources to achieve true sustainability. The method used derives from the thermodynamic function of exergy. By analyzing exergy flows and establishing a system for evaluating the energy and the materials used in a society, the author creates a platform for monitoring certain indicators of sustainability. These indicators inform readers about the actions that must be taken, and the timeframes for achieving sustainability goals. Exergy-based approach is an important tool for carrying out such analysis."

Indicators are increasingly dominating our lives; whether we are aware of it or not. They have been popular tools for sustainable development policy makers, planners and managers, largely because they do the hard work of condensing complexity into single values that can be more easily digested and acted upon. But much power rests with those who select the indicators deemed to be important. This paper explores some of these issues at what is now regarded by some as the new frontier in 'indicatorology'; their use and influence. The authors argue that a new tyranny of methodology may be at play.