Phase 3: Gathering and structuring information

In this phase, all available information that can help to represent the social choice problem is gathered and structured. This will permit the analysis and construction of indicators that describe and represent at best the performance issues or criteria identified in phase two. Indicators must provide complete and specific information about leaving fossil fuels in the ground in Yasuní ITT as a social choice problem.

In this non participative exercise, the definition of representative indicators will depend on the knowledge, practices, and understanding of the social choice problem issues, and in the practice on this exercise.

The figure below, explains the analytical process followed until the definition of indicators for the multi-criteria, multi-actor evaluation of the Yasuní ITT oil projects social problem.

Process for the definition of indicators for leaving fossil fuels in the ground as a social choice problem in Yasuní ITT.

Sub-issues are identified based on specific problems or questionings within each performance issue. Indicators are later on identified or defined from sub issues. Constant feedback through this process generates the redefinition and organisation of information.

Reflection is based on previous knowledge of political and cultural Ecuadorian reality, and from all relevant information that describes the situation of the Yasuní ITT case study: the Yasuní ITT initiative (official and original), petroleum extraction projects in ITT, Ecuadorian political regulations, considerations of spatial and temporal concern, values and practices of stakeholders, etc.

Indicators will provide judgment in the evaluation phase.

Nevertheless, as this is a non participative and an individual proposition of indicators, they must be considered as an example and not as definitive indicators for this social choice problem. Other research experience from different sources, such as international agencies, sector-related enterprises, research institutions, or others, could provide more opportunities to discover representative indicators to be considered in a later study.

Number of indicators for each performance issue.