Background

Agenda 21, Chapter 40 on information for decision-making outlines the needs of improved capacities for information management to make environmental information better accessible. UNEP's Division of Environmental Information and Assessment (DEIA) mandate is "to provide the world community with improved access to meaningful data and information, and to help increase the capacity of governments to use environmental information for decision-making and action planning for sustainable human development.

To meet these needs UNEP/DEIA is providing assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to strengthen their environmental data and information management capacities. Programme outputs will be an operational global environmental information network. The UNEP approach consists of four stages of activities (Assessment - Feasibility - Implementation - Operational) for which guidelines have been developed. Among these stages, the assessment will give the first broad overview of the environmental information situation in the country.

Objective of Feasibility Study

Thoroughly assess the environmental information system capacities and needs in the country and propose actions necessary for strengthening the existing capacities to improve access to environmental information for decision-making. This includes the establishment of an institutional network base with relevant national, regional and global environmental and sectorial agencies as well as donor organizations.

Tangible Outputs

Two documents will be the principal outputs of the feasibility study: A Feasibility Study Report and an Implementation Proposal. These are briefly described below, detailed Tables of Content for these documents are attached. UNEP/DEA will provide guiding assistance in the report generation, provide sample documents and tools (such as questionnaires, sample meta-database) and also conduct the final editing.

1. Feasibility Study Report

An extensive (ca. 50 pages, plus appendices) report on the status of the National Environmental Information Network in the country, outlining the needs, capacities and proposed actions.

2. Implementation Proposal

A standard proposal for a 3- to 5-year implementation phase leading to an operational, UNEP/GRID compatible environmental information network in the country. This proposal will be the base to derive Terms of Reference for consultants to be involved in the implementation process.

The activities will be conducted by consultants under contractual arrangements with UNEP (GRID-Arendal). The reports are to be written in English and should be made available in digital (standard word processing) format.

Feasibility Study Report: Table of Contents

0. Executive Summary

One-page summary of the principal findings of the feasibility study in English as well as in an official language of the country.

1. Introduction

2. Background (country profile)

2.1 Country profile (Geography, History, Economy)

Descriptions, maps and basic statistical and economic indicators (area, population, GNP etc.)

2.2 Main Environmental Issues

Priority list of the country's main environmental problems indicating causes and approaches to solve them

2.3 Environmental Decision-Making and Role of Environmental Information in improving policy and management decisions

Fundamental environmental legislation, bodies responsible for environmental legislation and decision making (diagrams), information flows (charts)

3. Status of Environmental Information Systems (national level)

3.1 National-level network:

Analysis of institutional framework, main institutions involved in data and information management and mandates: Ministry of Environment, Mapping Authority, Remote Sensing, Statistical Office, Sectors (Agriculture, Planning, Meteorology, Forests, Water, Wildlife, Health, Industry), Education (Universities), Private Sector, NGOs including mission statements, financing mechanisms, existing agreements and organizational diagram of the Ministry of Environment. Refer to recent national-level SoE publications and add them as attachments.

3.2 Sub-national environmental information network

Responsibilities for data and information management at the sub-national entities, monitoring responsibilities, flow of information between the various hierarchical levels, financing (federal-local)

3.3 International networking

Existing connections and support (indicate % of activities), on-going and planned projects of relevance, reporting obligations (sample questionnaires if available)

3.4 Analysis of Legal Framework: Existing legislation regarding management and public access to environmental information

Add core legislation as appendix

3.5 Economic considerations regarding the implementation of environmental information systems and the dissemination of environmental information

3.6 Environmental information use in everyday decision-making, awareness-raising, education and the media

Add samples (publications, videos etc..) to the appendix

4. User Needs Assessment

This will partially be based on questionnaires used in interviews with the relevant groups. Sample questionnaires have been developed by GRID, these should however be adjusted to the local situation.

4.1 Priority Needs of Information for Decision-Making:

What are the concrete environmental information needs of various groups of decision-makers, what is the social value of information in the country?

4.2 Legislation regarding the management and accessibility of environmental information:

Is there a need to improve and/or create new legislation to improve environmental data and information handling, exchange as well as the financing information gathering and dissemination?

4.3 Financing of environmental information management:

Needs for improving financial base for activities related to environmental information, issues of cost-benefit, pricing policy etc.

4.4 Institutional framework:

Is there a need to improve the institutional framework, i.e. strengthen the national network through cooperative agreements and joint projects?

4.5 Cooperation with international (global and regional) environmental programmes, including UNEP and UN-wide environmental databases:

What are the expectations and needs of a national information network from the international community?

4.6 Methodologies for integration of data and information between the sectorial agencies and between the sub-national and national entities:

Is there a need to develop standard methodologies and mechanisms for information integration, exchange and dissemination? Who should be responsible?

4.7 Priority information technology needs:

What are the priority needs of strengthening the existing capacities with information technology (hardware, software, communication tools)?

4.8 Database:

What are the needs for improving the on data and meta-databases for environmental decision-making?

4.9 Training Needs:

What are needs regarding data and information management personnel, are there specific training needs?

5. Proposed Action

This chapter of the report is very closely related to the investment proposal to be developed parallelly: It should give a concise summary of the contents of the proposal.

5.1 Implementation Proposal

Summary of the implementation proposal to be developed stating long- and short-term objectives, activities (incl. workplan and budget), expected outputs and institutional framework).

Recommend actions leading to improved environmental information for decision-makers should be connected to the following areas:

1. Legislation

2. Financing

3. Institutional Framework

4. International Cooperation

5. Methodologies for information management

6. Information Technology

7. Database

8. Training

5.2 Perceived constraints for implementation

Outline of the bottlenecks (constraints) to be expected during implementation

Appendix (Database and Information Products, Directories)

Relevant contact addresses: National Institutions, Sectorial Agencies, Universities

Environmental Legislation documents

Existing meta-databases and catalogues on available spatial data

State of the Environment reports

Relevant ongoing or planned related projects or Programmes

Implementation Proposal: Table of Contents

The subsequent table of contents has been developed according to UNEP standards published in the 'Manual on Design, Approval and Evaluation of Projects'. It may be the case that donors use their own formats and standards. Experience has however shown that the UNEP format is generic enough to allow an easy transformation to suit different requirements.

1. Project Summary

One-page summary of the central project identifiers: Title, Geographical Scope, Implementation, Duration and Cost.

2. Background and Legislative Authority

2.1 Background

Situation requiring action from the government, the United Nations and other international organizations. Specific Programme activities leading to the feasibility study

2.2 Legislative Authority

Usually a UNEP governing council decision as well as specific national legislation.

3. Objectives and Achievement Indicators

3.1 Long-Term and Short-Term Objectives

Expected improvements or (realistic!)changes expected in the target institutions and the geographical area (country).

3.2 Achievement Indicators

Evidence, measures or indicators which demonstrate that the project's short-term objectives have been achieved.

4. Outputs, follow-up activities, inputs and assumptions

4.1 Outputs

Products of activities completed by the project

4.2 Use of Outputs

Identification of beneficiaries/target groups for whom the project is to be launched.

4.3 Follow-up Action

Follow-up action required before the completion date of the project

4.4 Activities

Concise description of the activities to be undertaken in order to achieve the short-term objectives.

4.5 Workplan

Activities outlined in 4.4 should be presented here in a graphical time table showing responsibilities for each of the activities.

4.6 Inputs

All inputs required are to be specified as follows: a) Experts and consultants, b) Equipment, c) Training, d) Contractual services and e) Supporting services.

4.7 Assumptions

Indicate the assumptions necessary for the success of the project, events, conditions or decisions that are outside the control of the project.

5. Institutional Framework, Evaluation and Budget

5.1 Institutional Framework

Definition of role and responsibilities of cooperating agency and supporting organization. Reporting obligations, Flow Chart!

5.2 Evaluation

Outline evaluation type, activities and outputs envisaged during project implementation.

5.3 Budget

The budget should both state local and foreign input components.

6. Monitoring and Reporting

6.1 Management reports

Progress, ad-hoc and terminal repairing requirements.

6.2 Substantive reports

6.3 Financial reports