Indicators Report

About the Indicators Report

Indicators for a Sustainable San Mateo County provides fact-based information on local trends impacting our economy, environment, and society. Propelled by the philosophy “what gets measured, gets managed,” the Report presents indicators that raise awareness of sustainability in the county and improve our ability to make sound decisions for the benefit of future generations.

The indicators in this Report are used by governments, businesses, civic groups, and nonprofit organizations to set goals, measure progress towards achieving them, and prioritize the allocation of scarce resources. In addition to the indicators, the Report highlights success stories, showcases positive changes that local governments and businesses are making, and presents resources for individuals to take further action.

Each year, we feature a Key Indicator, which provides an in-depth look at a current issue that is critical to the long-term sustainability of San Mateo County. This year’s (2019) Key Indicator, Climate Change – How Do We Respond? explores climate change with a focus on key actions which are being driven by multiple agencies and businesses in San Mateo County (SMC). The report presents long term hazard mitigation strategies for wildfires and inundation, infrastructure management of transportation and renewable energy systems, and human welfare aspects of health, adaptation and resilience-building along with social equity as a cross-cutting theme weaved in throughout the report.

This Report would not be possible without our sponsors and dedicated team of volunteers, each of whom contributed time and energy to help research, edit, and design the pages. We also thank the local experts who reviewed and commented on draft indicators.