Towards a consensus on measuring transition performances within a Sustainable Human Development paradigm

The report reviews existing “beyond-GDP” indicator systems and finds that most fail to capture all key dimensions of SHD consistently. The study calls for building four interrelated forms of consensus: theoretical (shared understanding of SHD), technical (robust and transparent methodologies), policy (integration into governance), and public (participation and legitimacy). Empirical analyses show that while global synergies among social, economic, and environmental dimensions prevail, trade-offs emerge in advanced economies. The paper highlights methodological challenges such as weighting, normalization, and aggregation in composite indicators, emphasizing the political nature of measurement. It concludes with recommendations for more balanced, participatory, and policy-relevant monitoring systems capable of guiding fair and effective sustainability transitions.