Current Research Projects

The Evolution of Indicators

GPIAtlantic's work consists of two parts, the development of indicators and measures of progress; and assessments of the economic value of non-market social and environmental assets not generally valued in the conventional economic statistics.

The GPI system and framework is based on a capital accounting framework, in which the value of human, social, and natural capital is recognized along with the manufactured and financial capital that are currently measured. Like conventional capital, this human, social, and natural capital is seen as subject to depreciation, and requiring re-investment in the event of depletion or degradation. Based on this approach, the Nova Scotia GPI assesses the economic costs of liabilities like crime, pollution, sickness, and natural resource depletion, rather than counting defensive expenditures in these areas as contributions to prosperity (as current measures do.)

Over the past 10 years, GPIAtlantic has produced over 70 in-depth research reports in the different areas that make up the Genuine Progress Index. All of our reports are available for download free of charge. GPIAtlantic’s Genuine Progress Index, originally developed in 1997, features 20 components in five main categories. At the time, based on an extensive literature review and input from expert sources, this was believed to be the best structure for the index.

The Genuine Progress Index is also an effort to move beyond indicators to a full benefit-cost accounting system that takes all social, economic, and environmental benefits and costs into account. This allows it to be used as an alternative accounting system to the current Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – based accounting system that does not properly value social and environmental assets.

The table below outlines the 20 GPIAtlantic components , and provides links to GPIAtlantic publications in the respective categories.