Week 10 : Measurement, Indices and Indicators for Sustainable Development and SDG

 This week in our SCSH1201 class, we explored a topic that really made me think: How do we measure if something is truly sustainable? It’s easy to say we want to “go green” or “achieve SDGs,” but how do we know if we’re actually making progress?

Our lecture introduced many interesting tools and indexes used to measure sustainability. Some that stood out to me were the Human Development Index, Ecological Footprint, and the Happy Planet Index. These go beyond just money or profit – they measure quality of life, environment, and real well-being.

I also learned about the Malaysian Shariah Index, which was really eye-opening. It’s a system that checks how well the government follows Islamic values (Maqasid Shariah) in its policies. This shows how measurement can be adapted to fit a country’s values and culture.

We also discussed four main types of indicators:

• Context – the situation we're in (like poverty levels),

• Input – what we use (money, people, etc.),

• Process – how we do things (speed, involvement),

• Impact – what changes happen (health, education, etc.).

The example of SDG 2: Zero Hunger helped make it clear. It’s not just about giving out food, but also looking at whether people are healthier and better nourished in the long run.

This class made me realize that good intentions are not enough – we need proper tools to track our actions and improve where needed. It also reminded me that sustainability is about real impact on real lives.