Environmental indicators are powerful tools that serve many purposes. The OECD has developed several sets of indicators responding to specific purposes: the OECD Core Set of environmental indicators; several sets of sectoral indicators; key environmental indicators drawn from the Core Set. Indicators are derived from environmental accounting.                               

The OECD Core Set helps track environmental performance and progress towards sustainable development. Key indicators drawn from the Core Set inform the public about key issues of common concern to OECD countries. Sectoral indicators help integrating environmental concerns into sectoral decisions (e.g. transport, agriculture).

When developing environmental indicators, OECD countries use the pressure-state-response (PSR) model as a common harmonised framework. They have identified indicators based on policy relevance, analytical soundness and measurability and have developed guidance on how to use and interpret the indicators.

Environmental indicators have been published regularly since 1991 and are used in OECD environmental performance reviews. The OECD also assists its Member countries in developing and using environmental indicators and promotes an exchange of experience with non-Member countries and other international organisations.