Statistical Terms Glossary

The course of action for an undertaking adopted by a government, a person or another party. Instruments that exist to support policy and tools used to achieve policy objectives comprise some or all of the following: societal instruments, economic and command and control instruments, direct government involvement and institutional and organisational arrangements. It is to be mentioned that although law may be used as a policy instrument, there are cases where law may impose constraints on what policies may be adopted. For example, if the Constitution states that the shore is the patrimony of the nation or requires the payment of compensation for the expropriation of the land, this would restrict the policies which could be adopted for Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM).

Loans made in support of policy and institutional changes, rather than for specific projects. Normally given under the structural adjustment and sector adjustment lending programs.

Vehicles for country authorities to reach agreement with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on the broad outline of medium-term programs to overcome balance of payments problems and foster growth. In their final form they are statements by governments of their objectives and policies over a rolling three-year period with annual updates and revisions.

A process in which changes are made to the formal “rules of the game” – including laws, regulations and institutions – to address a problem or achieve a goal such as economic growth, environmental protection or poverty alleviation.

An online discussion group where users, usually with common interests, can exchange open messages: Policy-based fora, i.e. organised around themes/issues that relate directly to a draft policy that is meant to address these, and where discussion threads are intended to solicit responses from those affected. Participants might be encouraged to submit alternative ideas and suggestions but the format implies that what is being sought is an indication of how far the participants agree (or not) with the proposals, and why.

Is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis.

It is a vaccine given to protect against polio, either by oral drops (OPV) (Sabin) which is given in the form of drops in the mouth as follows: first dose at the age of two months, the second dose at the age of 4 months, the third dose at the age of 6 months, and the dose fourth (stimulant) are given at the age of 18 months. The vaccination also given in the form of injection (Salk) (IPV) given at the age of one month and two months old.

The misuse by government or political officials of their governmental powers and resources for illegitimate, usually secret, private gain.

The risk of nonpayment on an export contract or project due to action taken by the importer’s host government. Such action may include intervention to prevent transfer of payments, cancellation of a license, or events such as war, civil strife, revolution, and other disturbances that prevent the exporter from performing under the supply contract or the buyer from making payment. Sometimes physical disasters such as cyclones, floods, and earthquakes come under this heading.

Violence that is denounced condemned or prohibited by the laws of states or the laws between states (Sjoberg and Gentry, 2007). This means the use of force and violence (by people or agents of the state) against people or things in order to achieve political goals. It may be considered a form of psychological violence.

Poll taxes are taxes levied as specific amounts of money per adult person, or per household, independently of actual or presumed income or wealth; they are part of “miscellaneous current taxes"

The number of viable pollen grains that are deposited on a stigma.

A pollutant is a substance that is present in concentrations that may harm organisms (humans, plants and animals) or exceed an environmental quality standard. The term is frequently used synonymously with contaminant

The polluter-pays principle is the principle according to which the polluter should bear the cost of measures to reduce pollution according to the extent of either the damage done to society or the exceeding of an acceptable level (standard) of pollution

The discharge, directly or indirectly, of compounds from sources into the environment in such quantity as to pose risks to human health, living resources, aquatic ecosystems, to amenities or interference with other legitimate uses of water.

Pollution abatement refers to technology applied or measure taken to reduce pollution and/or its impacts on the environment. The most commonly used technologies are scrubbers, noise mufflers, filters, incinerators, waste—water treatment facilities and composting of wastes

The value of the damage to human health due to the degradation of the environment. This value, related to pollution-linked morbidity and excess mortality, is generally calculated combining the dose-response technique and various valuation methods.

The pollution management group comprises goods and services which are clearly supplied for an environmental purpose, which have a significant impact in reducing polluting emissions and which are easily identifiable statistically. In practice this covers environmental protection services and those clean products used specifically for environmental purposes; for example, as fixed capital formation for producers of environmental protection services.

Pollution of poverty refers to environmental problems that result from the lack of development rather than from the development process itself. These problems include poor water quality, inadequate housing and sanitation, malnutrition and disease

The use of materials, processes, or practices to reduce, minimise, or eliminate the creation of pollutants or wastes. It includes practices that reduce the use of toxic or hazardous materials, energy, water, and/or other resources.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is a group of organic compounds used in the manufacture of plastics, as lubricants, and dielectric fluids in transformers, in protective coating for wood, metal and concrete, and in adhesives, wire coating and so forth.
They are highly toxic to aquatic life and persist in the environment for long periods of time. They can accumulate in food chains and may produce harmful side—effects at high concentrations

Specially designated areas (also known as allocated zones for aquaculture) for cages in mariculture, as well as in land-based aquaculture.; For coastal areas, an allocated zone for aquaculture (AZA) is intended as a spatial planning system or zoning, carried out at local or national level; an AZA is also: (i) a marine area where the development of aquaculture is prior to other uses; (ii) an area dedicated to aquaculture, recognized by physical or by spatial planning authorities, which would be considered as a priority for local aquaculture development.

Proportion of women aged 15-49 years in a polygynous union.

It is a deep area in the Adriatic Sea that is a vital spawning ground for hake and langoustines.