The document discusses the need for an effective environmental indicators system to support decision making around natural resource management in Australia. It proposes that an ideal system would:
1. Integrate indicators within each stage of the decision making process, from identifying problems to evaluating policies and strategies.
2. Aggregate data into indices and indicators to synthesize information at different scales for national, regional, and local planning needs.
3. Allow flexibility in working with indicators across scales using tools like geographical information systems, while validating the system with stakeholders.
The goal is to assess Australia's current system and identify ways to better support the assessment and monitoring of natural resource condition for sustainable development objectives.
Developing metrics for climate adaptation – Applying the TAMD framework | Sim...NAP Global Network
Presentation by Simon Anderson, IIED, on "Developing metrics for climate adaptation – Applying the TAMD framework" at the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network's Targeted Topics Forum in Lilongwe, Malawi, in February 2017.
National Adaptation Plans Thailand - Examples of MCA application in various c...UNDP Climate
So far, two UNDP-hosted workshops (June and October 2017) – attended by over 70 officials from departments under MoAC – have focused on prioritization for adaptation planning, using multi-criteria analysis (MCA); and developing a preliminary screening system for ranking and fine-tuning ongoing climate-sensitive projects and programmes.
The workshop in June focused on providing an overview of MCA as a tool to priority actions. Participants gained a better appreciation of the process and key steps involved, as well as its strengths and limitations in the context of climate adaptation planning. Feedback and key insights were also gained by MOAC on how MCA could be used in the context of implementing Thailand’s new sectoral climate change strategy (ACCSP).
In a follow-up workshop in October, participants learned the key steps to apply tools and methods in the context of their work.
After identifying key areas from the revised five-year Agricultural Climate Change Strategic Plan 2017-2021, MoAC’s is enhancing its capacity with the support of the NAP-Ag programme to to prioritize these activities, which will be funded under the Ministry’s annual budgetary cycle and put forward to international climate funds.
This paper focuses on the ways in which policymakers can improve policy-performance and decision-making for Co-Benefits by using as Systems Analytical Decision-Making Model.
The paper, which is yet tp be officially unpublished, was first delivered at the U.S. - Japan Workshop on Climate Actins and Developmental Co-Benefits, in March, 5-6, 2007, in Washington, DC held at the World Resources Institute.
The correspoding presentation is attached to the profile in the presentation section of my profile. The paper and presentation were subsequently adapted and was included in the Society of Learning, (SoL), Sustainability Consortium Newsletter Summer, 2008, that focuses on othe ways in which Best Practices can be used to improve policy performance in dynamic political situations. The newsletter version of the paper is aslo attached to this profile.
Note: This is an unpublished paper, if you wish to use it in part or in whole, please contact me at myrafrazier68@aol.com.
Tracking Adaptation and Monitoring Development: Experience from KenyaNAP Global Network
Presentation by Paul Kimeu, Kenya's National Drought Management Authority, on "Tracking Adaptation and Monitoring Development: Experience from Kenya" at the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network's Targeted Topics Forum in Lilongwe, Malawi, in February 2017.
This document presents a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tool called the PEG M&E tool for assessing progress, effectiveness, and gaps in national adaptation plan (NAP) processes. The tool was designed to monitor the overall NAP process using metrics related to process, input, output, outcome, and impact. It is based on the ten essential functions of NAP processes as defined by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group. The document provides an overview of the tool and its principles, as well as examples of metrics that could be used to evaluate specific essential functions of a country's NAP process. Participants at the workshop were then asked to apply elements of the tool to evaluate the NAP process of a selected
This document discusses frameworks and indices for assessing sustainability. It begins by introducing common types of sustainability assessment tools, focusing on indicators and indices. It then outlines several widely-used sustainability frameworks, including the Triple Bottom Line framework and pressure-state-response model. Next, it describes the process for constructing sustainability indices, including selecting indicators, standardizing data, assigning weights, and aggregating the results. It notes that indicator selection and weighting are often inconsistent due to a lack of standardized requirements. Finally, it argues that sustainability frameworks can effectively guide indicator selection for both standalone indicators and composite indices.
Prioritization of Climate Change Adaptation Programmes and Projects - Buildi...UNDP Climate
This document discusses prioritizing climate change adaptation programs and projects in Thailand. It notes that Thailand currently has 4 strategies, 11 programs, and 53 programs for adaptation, but many projects under programs are not tracked. Prioritization is needed to identify strategic areas and allocate limited budgets. Currently, prioritization is intuitive rather than systematic. The document proposes using a scoring methodology to systematically prioritize programs and projects based on their climate relevance, policy alignment, socioeconomic impacts, co-benefits, feasibility, and financing requirements. An example scoring framework is provided.
Building Institutional Capacity in Thailand to Design and Implement Climate P...UNDP Climate
The document discusses impact chains and their application in assessing climate risks and impacts for agricultural sectors in national adaptation plans (NAPs). It defines key terms like hazards, exposure, vulnerability, risk, and outlines how these components can be applied to develop impact chains. Specifically, it provides examples of developing impact chains for the rice sub-sector in Thailand by outlining climate drivers, sensitivity factors, and adaptive capacities. The document concludes by discussing opportunities for support from GIZ and the Thai government in further developing impact chains.
Developing metrics for climate adaptation – Applying the TAMD framework | Sim...NAP Global Network
Presentation by Simon Anderson, IIED, on "Developing metrics for climate adaptation – Applying the TAMD framework" at the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network's Targeted Topics Forum in Lilongwe, Malawi, in February 2017.
National Adaptation Plans Thailand - Examples of MCA application in various c...UNDP Climate
So far, two UNDP-hosted workshops (June and October 2017) – attended by over 70 officials from departments under MoAC – have focused on prioritization for adaptation planning, using multi-criteria analysis (MCA); and developing a preliminary screening system for ranking and fine-tuning ongoing climate-sensitive projects and programmes.
The workshop in June focused on providing an overview of MCA as a tool to priority actions. Participants gained a better appreciation of the process and key steps involved, as well as its strengths and limitations in the context of climate adaptation planning. Feedback and key insights were also gained by MOAC on how MCA could be used in the context of implementing Thailand’s new sectoral climate change strategy (ACCSP).
In a follow-up workshop in October, participants learned the key steps to apply tools and methods in the context of their work.
After identifying key areas from the revised five-year Agricultural Climate Change Strategic Plan 2017-2021, MoAC’s is enhancing its capacity with the support of the NAP-Ag programme to to prioritize these activities, which will be funded under the Ministry’s annual budgetary cycle and put forward to international climate funds.
This paper focuses on the ways in which policymakers can improve policy-performance and decision-making for Co-Benefits by using as Systems Analytical Decision-Making Model.
The paper, which is yet tp be officially unpublished, was first delivered at the U.S. - Japan Workshop on Climate Actins and Developmental Co-Benefits, in March, 5-6, 2007, in Washington, DC held at the World Resources Institute.
The correspoding presentation is attached to the profile in the presentation section of my profile. The paper and presentation were subsequently adapted and was included in the Society of Learning, (SoL), Sustainability Consortium Newsletter Summer, 2008, that focuses on othe ways in which Best Practices can be used to improve policy performance in dynamic political situations. The newsletter version of the paper is aslo attached to this profile.
Note: This is an unpublished paper, if you wish to use it in part or in whole, please contact me at myrafrazier68@aol.com.
Tracking Adaptation and Monitoring Development: Experience from KenyaNAP Global Network
Presentation by Paul Kimeu, Kenya's National Drought Management Authority, on "Tracking Adaptation and Monitoring Development: Experience from Kenya" at the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network's Targeted Topics Forum in Lilongwe, Malawi, in February 2017.
This document presents a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tool called the PEG M&E tool for assessing progress, effectiveness, and gaps in national adaptation plan (NAP) processes. The tool was designed to monitor the overall NAP process using metrics related to process, input, output, outcome, and impact. It is based on the ten essential functions of NAP processes as defined by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group. The document provides an overview of the tool and its principles, as well as examples of metrics that could be used to evaluate specific essential functions of a country's NAP process. Participants at the workshop were then asked to apply elements of the tool to evaluate the NAP process of a selected
This document discusses frameworks and indices for assessing sustainability. It begins by introducing common types of sustainability assessment tools, focusing on indicators and indices. It then outlines several widely-used sustainability frameworks, including the Triple Bottom Line framework and pressure-state-response model. Next, it describes the process for constructing sustainability indices, including selecting indicators, standardizing data, assigning weights, and aggregating the results. It notes that indicator selection and weighting are often inconsistent due to a lack of standardized requirements. Finally, it argues that sustainability frameworks can effectively guide indicator selection for both standalone indicators and composite indices.
Prioritization of Climate Change Adaptation Programmes and Projects - Buildi...UNDP Climate
This document discusses prioritizing climate change adaptation programs and projects in Thailand. It notes that Thailand currently has 4 strategies, 11 programs, and 53 programs for adaptation, but many projects under programs are not tracked. Prioritization is needed to identify strategic areas and allocate limited budgets. Currently, prioritization is intuitive rather than systematic. The document proposes using a scoring methodology to systematically prioritize programs and projects based on their climate relevance, policy alignment, socioeconomic impacts, co-benefits, feasibility, and financing requirements. An example scoring framework is provided.
Building Institutional Capacity in Thailand to Design and Implement Climate P...UNDP Climate
The document discusses impact chains and their application in assessing climate risks and impacts for agricultural sectors in national adaptation plans (NAPs). It defines key terms like hazards, exposure, vulnerability, risk, and outlines how these components can be applied to develop impact chains. Specifically, it provides examples of developing impact chains for the rice sub-sector in Thailand by outlining climate drivers, sensitivity factors, and adaptive capacities. The document concludes by discussing opportunities for support from GIZ and the Thai government in further developing impact chains.
Adaptation Metrics: Community Based Measuring And Prioritizing Adaptation Act...Prabhakar SVRK
The presentation is about the background of the adaptation metrics, approaches to measuring the effectiveness of adaptation, developing local adaptation index and using analytical heirarchy process for prioritizing adaptation actions using a set of indicators and criteria.
Kenya Draft National Climate Change Framework Policy 2014cliffordcomondi
The document outlines Kenya's draft national climate change framework policy. It discusses the need for a policy to address climate change based on IPCC reports showing Kenya's vulnerability. It identifies key sectors impacted by climate change and gaps in governance. It then outlines the goal, objectives, guiding principles, and policy pillars/statements around low carbon development, mainstreaming climate change, research/education, governance, finance, implementation and more. The overall aim is to enhance resilience and support low carbon development in Kenya.
This document outlines Alberta's plans to implement a new Cumulative Effects Management System (CEMS). The key points are:
1) The CEMS will take an outcomes-based approach to manage the cumulative environmental impacts of development at a regional level, considering economic and social factors.
2) It will be implemented through regional land use plans that set thresholds and strategies to achieve desired environmental outcomes over 50-year horizons.
3) The CEMS will integrate both regulatory and non-regulatory tools like market-based incentives to manage cumulative effects in a collaborative way across sectors.
4) Management frameworks will use environmental monitoring to implement progressive management actions tailored to the condition of each region.
This document discusses metrics for measuring the success and effectiveness of adaptation efforts at different levels, from local to national to global. It notes that while measuring adaptation is important for accountability and learning, there is no universally accepted metric. Frameworks have used indicators of processes, outcomes, and vulnerability/resilience but these may not translate across scales. The document explores how countries are developing their own metrics and indicators in adaptation strategies and calls for balancing policy and practice through narrative explanations to justify measures. It also discusses ensuring coherence between adaptation measurement and SDG indicators for sustainable development. Key challenges raised include quantifying non-economic impacts of adaptation and uncertainty around long-term climate trends and impacts.
The vulnerability assessments project aimed to develop methods for assessing climate change vulnerability that could be applied at regional and local levels in India. Over five years, the project demonstrated three approaches: 1) developing a framework and guidance, 2) conducting statewide vulnerability assessments in Madhya Pradesh across seven sectors, and 3) supporting local vulnerability assessments in six demonstration projects. The assessments helped identify vulnerable regions and communities and inform climate adaptation planning and resource allocation. Key lessons indicated the value of participatory methods and flexibility given varying data availability and contexts across scales.
This document discusses enhancing results for National Adaptation Planning (NAP) processes. It notes that NAPs are highly contextual, making universal measurement and verification systems difficult. It is also challenging to establish a clear theory of change for adaptation due to lack of clear causal pathways. The document proposes focusing on outcomes such as strengthening country capacity to implement NAPs, prioritizing adaptation in national plans, and enhancing capacity for adaptation planning and implementation. It discusses tools for monitoring and reporting on NAP implementation and challenges such as delays. Solutions proposed include ensuring quality project design and establishing effective monitoring and evaluation systems.
Baseline study survey on infrastructure projects in nepalBhim Upadhyaya
The document provides information on baseline studies for infrastructure development projects in Nepal. It defines a baseline study as a cross-sectional survey that quantifies the current status of a situation in a given population. It aims to measure the distribution of variables at a single point in time. The baseline establishes starting values that can be compared to endline data to assess changes resulting from a project. The document outlines the key components of conducting a baseline study, including objectives, research methodology, data collection and analysis.
Effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Bangladesh PerspectiveShahadat Hossain Shakil
EIA as an environment management tool has been successful in terms of global awareness rising over the last four decades. Due to its rationalist approach it has been criticised about the inherent aim of influencing development decision and protecting the environment. Numerous researches have been performed to measure the ‘effectiveness of EIA’ which is still evolving as a domain. Four major criteria’s have been established till date. Effectiveness of Bangladesh EIA system has been explored with the help of those criteria’s. Procedural ineffectiveness seeks government measure in a couple areas mainly through institutional arrangement and capacity building. Substantive ineffectiveness reflects the global trend of failure to influence the development decision truly. Transactive effectiveness will be far reaching for a country like Bangladesh, depended on foreign aid largely. Normative effectiveness is still little known, but mass awareness about the environment through the debate regarding an ES report is a recent experience.
This document discusses criteria interaction modeling in life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis. It examines using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods to aggregate evaluation results in LCA in a more flexible way that accounts for interactions between criteria. Currently, LCA often just uses weighted sums, which cannot model criteria interactions and require preferences to be independent. The document reviews different MCDA methods and their ability to model criteria interactions to help enhance LCA evaluations. It focuses on methods that can better aggregate both qualitative and quantitative data typically present in environmental problems.
The document discusses components of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). A NAP is a strategic national plan developed by a country to implement climate change adaptation. It focuses on high-level approaches to reduce vulnerability and build climate resilience. Key elements of a NAP include assessments of climate risks and vulnerabilities, adaptation options, knowledge sharing, policy development, integrating adaptation into development plans, financing strategies, and monitoring frameworks. The document provides guidance for workshop participants to discuss components of a NAP in groups and present their proposed outlines.
NAP Training Viet Nam - Stock Taking for National Adaptation PlanningUNDP Climate
This two-day workshop supported the Government of Viet Nam in building the necessary capacity to advance its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process. The workshop closely focused on building National Adaptation Plans in the agricultural sector through multi-stakeholder collaboration, and increased knowledge and capacity on a number of topics including: prioritization of adaptation options, cost-benefit analysis, overview of the broad-based nature of climate change adaption impacts, analysis of challenges, and creation of an open discussion with key stakeholders on defining a road-map for the NAP process. The workshop was delivered using discussions and case studies to enhance interactive learning for participants, with supporting presentations by GiZ and SNV.
This document summarizes the key elements and process for formulating a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). It discusses that a NAP should be a strategic national plan that focuses on high-level approaches to reduce vulnerability and ensure climate-resilient development. It should provide details to guide implementation in key sectors and for vulnerable groups. The document then outlines the typical elements that should be included in a NAP, such as background information, a methodology, an analysis of climate risks and vulnerabilities, national adaptation priorities and costs, an implementation strategy, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. Finally, it provides contact information for the Least Developed Countries Expert Group that supports countries in developing NAPs.
This document discusses adaptive resource management (ARM) as a process for managing complex environmental systems and natural resources. ARM is an iterative, structured decision-making process aimed at reducing uncertainty over time through systematic monitoring and data collection. It uses tools from both science and public participation to build understanding of systems, evaluate alternatives, and make optimal decisions given current knowledge. The document provides examples of ARM applications in managing the Everglades and water resources in the Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon areas.
Worldfish, along with the CGIAR Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, gave this presentation on the role of fish in enhancing climate resilience of food production in the Lower Mekong Region.
Session 2. Thilsted - Infant Food Development from Small Dried FishAg4HealthNutrition
This document discusses the development of a complementary food using local ingredients in Bangladesh. It outlines the high rates of malnutrition in Bangladeshi children under 2 years old and challenges with complementary feeding practices. The food was designed to be nutrient-rich using ingredients like small fish, orange sweet potato and fortified rice. After detailing the selection and processing of ingredients, the document summarizes initial testing which found the food provided significant nutrient contributions. It concludes by discussing plans for future acceptability trials, efficacy studies and options for distribution at scale.
Climate change impacts on agriculture in VietnamTingju Zhu
Climate change is already impacting Vietnam and will have serious consequences for its agriculture sector according to this report. The report summarizes that Vietnam is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change due to its location and long coastline. It finds that higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns are projected to reduce rice and crop yields. Additionally, sea level rise is expected to inundate over 400,000 hectares of land in the Mekong Delta and displace millions of tons of annual rice production by 2050. The report evaluates potential adaptation options for Vietnam's agriculture sector such as irrigation expansion, research and development, and shifting planting dates, but notes these may not fully address the threats from climate change.
This document introduces an Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project in Vietnam. It summarizes the impacts of climate change in Vietnam, including rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, and increased natural disasters. It then defines EbA and explains why this approach is suitable for Vietnam. The project aims to mainstream EbA into land use and development planning policies. It has four components: capacity building, pilot EbA measures, integrating EbA into policies, and networking/learning. Challenges include lack of EbA capacity and identifying suitable EbA measures for different locations. The project is led by MONRE and ISPONRE with support from GIZ through 2018
Adaptation Metrics: Community Based Measuring And Prioritizing Adaptation Act...Prabhakar SVRK
The presentation is about the background of the adaptation metrics, approaches to measuring the effectiveness of adaptation, developing local adaptation index and using analytical heirarchy process for prioritizing adaptation actions using a set of indicators and criteria.
Kenya Draft National Climate Change Framework Policy 2014cliffordcomondi
The document outlines Kenya's draft national climate change framework policy. It discusses the need for a policy to address climate change based on IPCC reports showing Kenya's vulnerability. It identifies key sectors impacted by climate change and gaps in governance. It then outlines the goal, objectives, guiding principles, and policy pillars/statements around low carbon development, mainstreaming climate change, research/education, governance, finance, implementation and more. The overall aim is to enhance resilience and support low carbon development in Kenya.
This document outlines Alberta's plans to implement a new Cumulative Effects Management System (CEMS). The key points are:
1) The CEMS will take an outcomes-based approach to manage the cumulative environmental impacts of development at a regional level, considering economic and social factors.
2) It will be implemented through regional land use plans that set thresholds and strategies to achieve desired environmental outcomes over 50-year horizons.
3) The CEMS will integrate both regulatory and non-regulatory tools like market-based incentives to manage cumulative effects in a collaborative way across sectors.
4) Management frameworks will use environmental monitoring to implement progressive management actions tailored to the condition of each region.
This document discusses metrics for measuring the success and effectiveness of adaptation efforts at different levels, from local to national to global. It notes that while measuring adaptation is important for accountability and learning, there is no universally accepted metric. Frameworks have used indicators of processes, outcomes, and vulnerability/resilience but these may not translate across scales. The document explores how countries are developing their own metrics and indicators in adaptation strategies and calls for balancing policy and practice through narrative explanations to justify measures. It also discusses ensuring coherence between adaptation measurement and SDG indicators for sustainable development. Key challenges raised include quantifying non-economic impacts of adaptation and uncertainty around long-term climate trends and impacts.
The vulnerability assessments project aimed to develop methods for assessing climate change vulnerability that could be applied at regional and local levels in India. Over five years, the project demonstrated three approaches: 1) developing a framework and guidance, 2) conducting statewide vulnerability assessments in Madhya Pradesh across seven sectors, and 3) supporting local vulnerability assessments in six demonstration projects. The assessments helped identify vulnerable regions and communities and inform climate adaptation planning and resource allocation. Key lessons indicated the value of participatory methods and flexibility given varying data availability and contexts across scales.
This document discusses enhancing results for National Adaptation Planning (NAP) processes. It notes that NAPs are highly contextual, making universal measurement and verification systems difficult. It is also challenging to establish a clear theory of change for adaptation due to lack of clear causal pathways. The document proposes focusing on outcomes such as strengthening country capacity to implement NAPs, prioritizing adaptation in national plans, and enhancing capacity for adaptation planning and implementation. It discusses tools for monitoring and reporting on NAP implementation and challenges such as delays. Solutions proposed include ensuring quality project design and establishing effective monitoring and evaluation systems.
Baseline study survey on infrastructure projects in nepalBhim Upadhyaya
The document provides information on baseline studies for infrastructure development projects in Nepal. It defines a baseline study as a cross-sectional survey that quantifies the current status of a situation in a given population. It aims to measure the distribution of variables at a single point in time. The baseline establishes starting values that can be compared to endline data to assess changes resulting from a project. The document outlines the key components of conducting a baseline study, including objectives, research methodology, data collection and analysis.
Effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Bangladesh PerspectiveShahadat Hossain Shakil
EIA as an environment management tool has been successful in terms of global awareness rising over the last four decades. Due to its rationalist approach it has been criticised about the inherent aim of influencing development decision and protecting the environment. Numerous researches have been performed to measure the ‘effectiveness of EIA’ which is still evolving as a domain. Four major criteria’s have been established till date. Effectiveness of Bangladesh EIA system has been explored with the help of those criteria’s. Procedural ineffectiveness seeks government measure in a couple areas mainly through institutional arrangement and capacity building. Substantive ineffectiveness reflects the global trend of failure to influence the development decision truly. Transactive effectiveness will be far reaching for a country like Bangladesh, depended on foreign aid largely. Normative effectiveness is still little known, but mass awareness about the environment through the debate regarding an ES report is a recent experience.
This document discusses criteria interaction modeling in life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis. It examines using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods to aggregate evaluation results in LCA in a more flexible way that accounts for interactions between criteria. Currently, LCA often just uses weighted sums, which cannot model criteria interactions and require preferences to be independent. The document reviews different MCDA methods and their ability to model criteria interactions to help enhance LCA evaluations. It focuses on methods that can better aggregate both qualitative and quantitative data typically present in environmental problems.
The document discusses components of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). A NAP is a strategic national plan developed by a country to implement climate change adaptation. It focuses on high-level approaches to reduce vulnerability and build climate resilience. Key elements of a NAP include assessments of climate risks and vulnerabilities, adaptation options, knowledge sharing, policy development, integrating adaptation into development plans, financing strategies, and monitoring frameworks. The document provides guidance for workshop participants to discuss components of a NAP in groups and present their proposed outlines.
NAP Training Viet Nam - Stock Taking for National Adaptation PlanningUNDP Climate
This two-day workshop supported the Government of Viet Nam in building the necessary capacity to advance its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process. The workshop closely focused on building National Adaptation Plans in the agricultural sector through multi-stakeholder collaboration, and increased knowledge and capacity on a number of topics including: prioritization of adaptation options, cost-benefit analysis, overview of the broad-based nature of climate change adaption impacts, analysis of challenges, and creation of an open discussion with key stakeholders on defining a road-map for the NAP process. The workshop was delivered using discussions and case studies to enhance interactive learning for participants, with supporting presentations by GiZ and SNV.
This document summarizes the key elements and process for formulating a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). It discusses that a NAP should be a strategic national plan that focuses on high-level approaches to reduce vulnerability and ensure climate-resilient development. It should provide details to guide implementation in key sectors and for vulnerable groups. The document then outlines the typical elements that should be included in a NAP, such as background information, a methodology, an analysis of climate risks and vulnerabilities, national adaptation priorities and costs, an implementation strategy, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. Finally, it provides contact information for the Least Developed Countries Expert Group that supports countries in developing NAPs.
This document discusses adaptive resource management (ARM) as a process for managing complex environmental systems and natural resources. ARM is an iterative, structured decision-making process aimed at reducing uncertainty over time through systematic monitoring and data collection. It uses tools from both science and public participation to build understanding of systems, evaluate alternatives, and make optimal decisions given current knowledge. The document provides examples of ARM applications in managing the Everglades and water resources in the Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon areas.
Worldfish, along with the CGIAR Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, gave this presentation on the role of fish in enhancing climate resilience of food production in the Lower Mekong Region.
Session 2. Thilsted - Infant Food Development from Small Dried FishAg4HealthNutrition
This document discusses the development of a complementary food using local ingredients in Bangladesh. It outlines the high rates of malnutrition in Bangladeshi children under 2 years old and challenges with complementary feeding practices. The food was designed to be nutrient-rich using ingredients like small fish, orange sweet potato and fortified rice. After detailing the selection and processing of ingredients, the document summarizes initial testing which found the food provided significant nutrient contributions. It concludes by discussing plans for future acceptability trials, efficacy studies and options for distribution at scale.
Climate change impacts on agriculture in VietnamTingju Zhu
Climate change is already impacting Vietnam and will have serious consequences for its agriculture sector according to this report. The report summarizes that Vietnam is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change due to its location and long coastline. It finds that higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns are projected to reduce rice and crop yields. Additionally, sea level rise is expected to inundate over 400,000 hectares of land in the Mekong Delta and displace millions of tons of annual rice production by 2050. The report evaluates potential adaptation options for Vietnam's agriculture sector such as irrigation expansion, research and development, and shifting planting dates, but notes these may not fully address the threats from climate change.
This document introduces an Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project in Vietnam. It summarizes the impacts of climate change in Vietnam, including rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, and increased natural disasters. It then defines EbA and explains why this approach is suitable for Vietnam. The project aims to mainstream EbA into land use and development planning policies. It has four components: capacity building, pilot EbA measures, integrating EbA into policies, and networking/learning. Challenges include lack of EbA capacity and identifying suitable EbA measures for different locations. The project is led by MONRE and ISPONRE with support from GIZ through 2018
Effects of climate change on planet ocean, IPCC 5th assessment report and bey...ipcc-media
- According to climate models and emission scenarios, oceans will continue warming and acidifying as CO2 levels rise. Warming is projected to displace marine species and reduce fish and invertebrate biomass and diversity at low latitudes.
- Warming of 2°C or more above pre-industrial levels will reduce the habitat range of many marine species by over 20% and up to 40% at northern high latitudes. Combined warming and oxygen loss could further reduce metabolic scope in many marine animals.
- Long-term risks of ocean warming, acidification, sea level rise and other climate impacts need to be considered to guide setting ambitious global temperature goals, such as aiming to limit warming to 1.5°
Environmental Indicators for Natural Resources Management using the OECD mode...Alvaro H. Pescador
CE 2.1 This project developed Colombia's first national-level environmental indicators system from 1996-1998 to identify environmental problems and pressures on natural resources to inform policy.
CE 2.12-2.13 The consultant added "Impact" and "Management" categories to the OECD PSR framework to better track how environmental state affects human/biodiversity health and measure management effectiveness.
CE 2.15 The consultant formulated indicators for themes including urban industrial settlements, infrastructure, mining and energy to monitor pressures, state, impacts, responses and management in Colombia's system.
CE 2.1 This project developed Colombia's first national-level environmental indicators system from 1996-1998 to identify environmental problems and pressures on natural resources to inform policy.
CE 2.12-2.13 The consultant added "Impact" and "Management" categories to the OECD PSR framework to better track how environmental state affects human/biodiversity health and measure management effectiveness.
CE 2.15 The consultant formulated indicators for themes including urban industrial settlements, infrastructure, mining and energy to monitor pressures, state, impacts, responses and management in Colombia's system.
The document provides information on environmental impact assessment (EIA). It defines EIA as a process used to identify, predict, evaluate, and mitigate the biophysical, social, and other effects of development proposals. It discusses EIA as a regulatory tool to integrate environmental concerns into economic development. It also outlines the objectives, scope, classification, and principles of EIA according to Indian regulations. The document describes the different types and levels of impacts that can be assessed through EIA, including direct, indirect, cumulative, and induced impacts. It provides criteria for determining the significance of identified impacts.
Pillar 1: Presentation of the Implementation Plan | Liesl Wiese, GSP SecretariatFAO
This document outlines a plan for implementing Pillar 1 of the Global Soil Partnership, which focuses on promoting sustainable soil management (SSM) practices. The plan has four main activities: 1) Identifying and mapping best practices for SSM, 2) Implementing the World Soil Charter and Voluntary Guidelines for SSM, 3) Implementing demonstration projects for SSM, and 4) Providing guidance on assessing the sustainability of soil management practices. The total estimated budget for implementing this 4-year plan is $16.72 million, which will require contributions and support from GSP member countries and organizations.
1) What is the social and environmental screening procedure?
2) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK SCREENING TEMPLATE
3) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP)
4) Soil Moisture Active Passive Data (SMAP)
5)
Benefits of a Strategic Environmental Assessment UNDP, zubeditufail
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic process that evaluates the environmental consequences of proposed policies, plans, or programs at an early stage. SEA aims to incorporate environmental objectives into decision-making, gather necessary information, evaluate environmental effects of options, and set conditions for implementation. When applied effectively, SEA can help achieve sustainable development, strengthen decision-making processes, improve governance, and build public trust. The document outlines principles of effective SEA and provides examples of SEA benefits from various countries.
The document discusses environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and how they are used as a policy tool for pollution management. It describes the typical stages of an EIA process, including screening, scoping, assessment and public participation. It notes that while most EIA systems follow generic steps, there are differences between countries in emphasis and approach. The document also discusses advantages and limitations of EIAs, including increased public participation but also potential for over-reliance on EIAs or rent-seeking if not implemented properly. It emphasizes that EIAs work best as part of an overall environmental management system combined with other tools.
Environmental scanning is the process of gathering information about external factors that may impact an organization. It involves obtaining factual and subjective information on the business environment where a company operates or plans to enter. The key objectives of environmental scanning are to detect trends, define potential threats and opportunities, promote future orientation, and alert decision-makers to changing trends. Regular and continuous scanning allows organizations to incorporate more comprehensive external data into strategic planning and adjust plans proactively in response to environmental shifts. Various techniques can be used for environmental scanning, including analyzing issues through matrices to determine priority, creating environmental threat and opportunity profiles, and developing strategic advantage profiles.
This document provides a guide for aligning the processes of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It introduces the complementary aspects of NEPA and EMS and provides suggestions on how their processes can be integrated. Key points include:
- NEPA involves analyzing environmental impacts of proposed actions, while EMS actively manages environmental impacts of ongoing operations.
- Their processes can be mutually supportive, such as incorporating NEPA commitments into an EMS and using EMS monitoring to improve future NEPA analyses.
- Suggestions are provided for implementing complementary processes, like identifying NEPA as an EMS operational control or incorporating mitigation measures from NEPA documents into EMS objectives and targets
This document discusses the key components of establishing an effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for international development programs, including: 1) conducting a causal analysis to identify the problem, its causes, and desired outcomes of the program; 2) developing a logical framework (logframe) that outlines the goals, objectives, indicators, and assumptions of the program; and 3) creating an indicator matrix that defines each indicator and outlines the data collection methods, responsibilities, analysis, and use of data. The document emphasizes starting M&E planning early and involving stakeholders to ensure the feasibility and ownership of the M&E system.
Development of a novel framework for the design of transport policies to achi...Araz Taeihagh
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1. TOWARD AN IDEAL ASSESSMENT SCHEME OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS SYSTEM
TO MONITOR NATURAL RESOURCES
AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRALIA
Alvaro H. Pescador R.
HSEQ International Consultant
UNEP & World Bank GEF Consultant
EMS ISO 14001 Lead Auditor.
Scope
This paper has been written as a response to the Australian National Land and Water Resources
Audit Call for Proposal Assessment of Data Requirements and Availability, to Address Natural
Resource Condition and Trend Indicators. Briefly and schematically, the paper points to the
information requirements of the Natural Heritage Ministerial Board to assess the Decision Making
Process, in order to achieve the desirable sustainability thorough an adequate Natural Resource
Management. Then, some key questions are made in relation to the desirable characteristics of an
Environmental Indicators System, which is about to be assess, so it can be able to support in the
best technical and cost-effective way, the decision making process at Ministerial Council. Some
risks are identified from the lecture of the “National Natural Resource Management Monitoring and
Evaluation Framework” which is the conceptual paper upon the system will be built, and therefore,
some suggestions are made in order to establish an Auditing Scheme from which the NLWRA could
really obtain an aggregated value.
Introduction
Establishing patterns that shift the development to its desirable sustainability in a country, a region,
or any particular landscape at the local level, requires the support of scientific, social, economic
and environmental information, for the decision making process of policies plans and programs at
the planning entities. After a period of time, planners must measure the success of such strategies
and actions by using indicators which allow them to compere the percentage of success of their
own goals. More over, indicators are also needed to set objectives and goals in a reasonable way:
key subjects and sectors that have the strongest impact over natural resources may be show
through the use of environmental indicators indeed.
Need of Information for The Decision Making Process
The decisions making process for planning the Environmental Resources Management starts from
the identification of the key resources to manage (e.g. water and land use) as well as significant
environmental impacts caused by development processes such as mine exploitation, urban
activities, industrial processes, agricultural harvesting, forest extraction, and catchments, among
others. After assessing The Land Use and water conditions (both availability and quality), and
identifying critical areas or resources: e.g., The Great Artesian Basin, or the Great Barrier Coral
Reef, it comes the definition of PPP.
2. 2
In Australia, are so relevant The Natural Heritage Trust Act (1997), and the National Action Plan.
After it, The definition of Programs, projects, objectives and goals in function of priorities, pressures,
technical and political needs already identified. Then, actions and strategies established throughout
the regions, and next, monitoring the efficiency management in the compliment and execution of
programs and projects, as well as the impact on the economic, social, and environmental
components.
Figure 1. The Decisions Making Process
To carry out the process (Figure 1), is necessary the production of information that allows to
measure the success in getting the objectives, goals, actions and strategies taken. Naturally, the
decisions making process as well as the development process, are dynamic, which imply the
necessity of elaborating tools which permit analysis and monitoring at different levels and scales.
Thus, these processes are carry out at different levels of decision making in the country,
administrative and/or ecological (eg. Territories, Basins, etc.) and imply environmental, political,
institutional, economic, social, and cultural considerations. Therefore, when the projects and
actions are applied and executed, should be taken into account the different scales (national,
regional and local) since imply different impacts in the space and the time
1
.
Indeed, The cycle shown in Figure 1 is not quite different to the one known as the Deming Cycle or
the Continual Improvement Scheme, stated by the ISO 14001 International Standard for an
Environmental Management System, model under Australia is already working within the EMS
National Pilot Program.
1
Principle 2c of the National Framework.
SEA, EIA Assessments
and Diagnostic
Formulation of Policy,
Plans and Programs:
Eg: NHTA, NAP
EMS National Pilot
Program;
Setting Objectives and
Goals
Identification of Problems
Establishment of Actions
and Strategies
e.g. National Water Quality
Management Strategy
Monitoring and
Measurement
QA/QC
Evaluation of PPP, and
Performance of the
National & Regional
Environmental
Management System
3. 3
The important issue here is to understand that the Environmental Indicators System should be
integrated inside the Decisions Making Process, and more over, at each stage of it. In this cycle
four main phases can be defined, for which the needs and uses of the information are different: the
identification of the problems, the formulation of PPP, the establishment of the strategies and
actions based on projects, objectives and goals, and finally, the evaluation of the politics, strategies
and actions in function of the goals and objective defined.
For the decisions making process, the analysis and monitoring of the politics and strategies of
development, exist a series of data, statistical economic and social at national, regional and local
levels, that usually are used (UNEP 1993, UNDP 1994; World Bank 1995; WRI 1996).
Nevertheless, equivalent environmental information does not exist, is not found available for the
users, or is being built, as in the Australian case.
Besides, the problem of production and availability of information to support decisions making
increases when we want to monitor the interactions and relations among components such as
environmental risks and public health implications, eco-efficiency and clean production, life cycle
assessment of products manufactured in Australia and International Green Markets, among others,
as shown in figure 2
2
.
Figure 2. HSEQ Interactions at a National Level
Nevertheless, although in many cases sufficient data exist, even with statistical environmental
series that would permit to increase the use of environmental information (e.g. The National
Pollutants Inventory), one of the targets of the auditing scheme will be the principle 2b of the
National Framework due to its key importance for the System success
3
.
2
This was also one of the outcomes identified by the Auditing Scheme of (1997-2002), Recommendation 4.
3
Some times the environmental indicators are not used as widely and wisely they could be, due to National
frameworks are no easily to validate with all the stakeholders, difficulties accessing the data, or the lack of
analytical tools which allows the information to be used at different scales and levels: Australian Spatial Data
Directory seems to be a Geographical Information System (GIS) which successfully solves this fear. We find
out this, during the Assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL
RISK
PUBLIC
HEALTH
ECO EFFICIENCY
Sustainable
Development
4. 4
Inside this context, the GIS are useful tools to incorporate environmental information inside the
decisions taking and planning process. The environmental, economic, and social integration of
indicators inside a spatial context, permits powerful and more real analysis of the ones that offer the
conventional methods (tabulated data, time series, etc.) The application and integration of these
tools (indicators and GIS) will improve the application of the National Framework, allowing a more
harmonious causes-effect analysis of the reality. More over, the selection of the units described
previously, (whether administrative or ecological) does not limit the use of the System to these
scales. Therefore, in function of the quality and availability of the data, an Environmental Indicators
System must supply planners with a cost effective tool, allowing to work and to use the information
to the necessary scales, in order to assess in the more accurate way the decisions making cycle.
Planning the Assessment
In the following paragraphs we will ask some key questions to identify the essential patterns and
the ideal characteristics of an Environmental Indicators System, in order to set the criteria that will
be used to assess the Australian Environmental Indicators System.
1. Does allow the Environmental Indicators System to get aggregated information, by the
way, expressed in Indices as shown in figure 3?
Figure 3, The Information Pyramid
Agreggation
1
Indices
The production of indicators requires an aggregation and synthesis process in different steps which
can be visualised by means of the well known information pyramid (Hammond et al. ,1995, Figure
5
10
100
1,000 Primary Data
Analyzed Data
Simple
Indicators
Aggregated
Indicators
5. 5
3). At the base of the process we find data obtained through monitoring and analytic process; with
which statistics and time series can be created, and these, in turn, contribute to the creation of
indicators and indices
4
.
The Planning strategy and the environmental management implies a process of synthesis and
aggregation in different phases. This process should be done in agreement with the decisions
making cycle (Figure 1), and implies the development of an specific selection methodology to build
the information (Figure 3). The obtaining and elaboration of data, statistical and the monitoring are
splits fundamental of the information elaboration process, requiring besides to choose a capable
assembly core of indicators to integrate the data and statistical, in order to produce useful
information for monitoring the process of development, projects, goals and objective, in relation to
the environment.
In this manner, the system will permit to improve and to do more efficient the process of exchange,
diffusion and communication of the information, structuring the different sources, analysing and
synthesising the problems and areas arising to the planning and management, so much as the
interactions among variables and components of the development. Of such form, the System will
be able to guide and to perfect the data harvesting process, as well as to help to identify areas and
fear where the available information is inadequate or non existent, to incorporate all the elements of
the decision making cycle (Winograd,1998).
2. Does the Environmental Indicators System conciliates scales, levels and uses of
indicators?
The dynamic of relationships between land use and the environment does not allow for a separation
of their spatial and time frameworks. The development process implies a sequence of interactions
where cause-effect relationships can be direct, indirect, non-lineal or have synergistic effects. The
existence of these types of relationships means that in many cases the relevant information about
sustainability will be provided by the combination of values from a set of indicators in a geo-
referenced way, or by the picture shown by the overlay of indicators maps and not only by their
addition, aggregation or listing (Gallopin, 1996).
At the same time, it is becoming clear that environmental and development issues have features
that change in time and space (Holmberg, 1995). Many of them have turned the local character of
some decades ago into a regional and global issues (for example, climate change in the case of
environment and trade in the case of development). This is how many environmental issues do not
come from a single identified source but from many and small widespread sources, as in the case of
urban pollution. This change in the character and scale of issues means that the time of impact is
shortening while de scale is enlarging: for example modification in land use with important impacts
on river basins and water supply.
Thus, environmental problems can not be understood or solved only in the administrative domain,
since many human or natural disturbances can result in impacts that do not respect political
borders. The definition and knowledge of spatial borders, to delimit political, geographical and
ecological units for the survey, can have a deep impact on the effectiveness of responses, actions
and management strategies.
4
Pages 11-12 of the National Framework states the importance of this idea at a National level, but also the
relevance of having de-aggregated data at Regional and local levels.
6. 6
3. Are the Environmental Indicators being develop in agreement with the requirements of
the information needed by all the users?
The information production should be analysed from the perspective of the users. The specialists
and the planning entities shown in page 8 of the NLWRA Strategic Plan (2003-2007) as well as the
stakeholders need information detailed on different aspects related to the environment and the
development process. For this reason, special attention should be taken into account in order to
design the inter phase, agreed what institution will do the custody and maintenance as well as Data
Atlas and Libraries to be used in order to manage the data bases inside the Information System.
The inter phase should allow the reconciliation and efficient use of the indicators core in the
different levels (administrative and ecological) and scales (global, national regional and local) since
in function of these, the information and warning necessary for monitoring the development
process, and the projects, change.
4. Is the Conceptual Framework consistent enough to build an Environmental Indicators
System which support with accurate information the decision making at the Natural
Heritage Ministerial Board of Australia?
The information production to assess the decision making process implies the knowledge of what
and how we should measure and monitor. For this reason it is necessary to define a framework of
reference that permit to organise the information in agreement with priorities and user’s needs.
There are various conceptual frameworks available that can be used to guide the selection, the
development and use of indicators. The existing models to obtain, analyse and to organise
environmental information are generally of two types (Adriaanse,1993; Bakkes et al. ,1994):
a) Models to assess the decision making process and application of strategies and actions, that
define the relation among the environmental information with the social and/or objective values of
political goals (CCME,1994; EPA,1994). These models have been used particularly by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Canadian Counsel of Ministers of Environment
(CCME) to delineate a strategy for the development of goals, objective and warnings for the
management of the ecosystems.
b) Models for monitoring the environmental processes and the environment institutions interactions,
that try to classify the environmental problems in causes-effect chains terms, or in a spatial base to
know where these processes occur and interact (Friends and Raport, 1979; OECD, 1993;
Environment Canada, 1994; World Bank,1995).
The National Framework Structure, downloaded form the Internet is shown schematically in Fig. 4:
Figure 4. National Framework Structure
Natural Resource
Condition
Program, Strategy and Policy
Performance
Monitoring • Natural resource
condition monitoring at
local, regional,
State/Territory and
national levels
• Monitoring of resource condition
against Standards and Targets
Framework)
• Management action monitoring
Evaluation Evaluating progress towards
improved natural resource
condition at the national
level
• Performance evaluation of
programs and strategies
Evaluating
models &
assumptions
7. 7
Here we have something of Major Importance. This scheme is going to give a structure and a
shape for the whole Environmental Management Systems which is turn will support the decision
making process in Australia, along the years.
We are going to compere it with the one developed by the OECD, category b, of the Frameworks
discussed above, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 The P-S-R Framework
This framework is probably the most accepted one at World level due to its simplicity, facility of use
and the possibility of application to different levels, scales and human activities. The framework has
been applied at global level (World Bank,1995), continental (Winograd, Project CIAT-UNEP in Latin
America and the Caribbean, 1995), National (Environment Canada, 1994, CIAT-DNP, 1997, and
regional CIAT-CARDER, 1996).
The model P- S - R is a simple framework which allows to organise the information in a causal
progression of the human actions that produce a pressure on the natural resources, and that at the
same time involve a change in the state of the environment, then the Governmental Organisations
responds with measures or actions, to reduce or to prevent significant environmental impacts. It
gives the possibility to focus the environmental management in a cause/effect relationship to the
driven forces which produces the degradation of the natural resource conditions.
There is an slight but important difference with the Australian Framework. Another category is being
taking into account, and indeed, is the one over the Environmental Management has to focus, over
the causes which affect the natural conditions
5
.
Nevertheless, given the characteristics and nature of the development problems and environment in
their different scales, the relations causes-effect of the environmental problems and/or of
development are not easy to establish. Thus, we know that the environment has the capacity to
absorb pressures caused by the human activities; the data and statistical can show the presence of
the pressure, but we do not have the certainty that some change of importance in the state of the
environment occurs as a result of said pressure or an action taken. But any way, if there is a Natural
Resource Undesirable Condition shown by the State indicators, and we do not know the cause(s),
or why is this happening, it will be very difficult to decide, or to design an answer, or correct a
management strategy.
5
For instance, if we want to control urban atmospheric pollution we might measure the concentration of
pollutants in the air, but the action we really have to do is to identify and reduce some emissions sources.
The same may happens with a turbid river: we can measure the Suspended Solids, and then for instance
realise that the increment of this indicator is caused by an erosion process. But we don’t know if this is due to
a deforestation activity done upstream by a farmer, or due to a land use change e.g., mining exploitation.
PRESSURE STATE RESPONSE
8. 8
On the other hand, while preparing this proposal and browsing in the Internet, I have realise that
fortunately you are working within OECD model already. Maybe, it would be better to explicit it in
the National Framework
6
.
5. Does the Conceptual Framework allows the consecution of the following targets?
• To Connect the data, statistical series and environmental information related to the political
needs of management at national, regional, and local levels.
• To Integrate assemblies of data in a geographical base in order to support the decision making
process in function of the different levels (country, ecosystem, basin).
• To Improve and to facilitate the exchange and the quality of information used in Planning
Australia’s Environmental Resource Management Institutions.
• To Communicate to different types of users, national, regional and local information, useful to
support decisions.
6. Is there a building indicators methodology based upon a systematic approach, beyond
the development of Structure Sheets of Data Protocols for each indicator?
It is very important to establish a methodology to elaborate information in the shape of
environmental indicators and indices. The following process has been successfully used at
Regional, National (administrative) and Basin (ecological) management levels:
a) To identify the problems for which we should seek for information.
b) To define themes and variables to select the necessary core of indicators.
c) To know the spatial borders for delimiting ecological, geographical, and political units, in
order to carry out a monitoring of the environment and the natural resources.
d) To select an assembly of indicators based on the defined variables and a series of criteria in
function of the of the data accuracy, the relation with the problems and fears, and the utility
for the user.
e) To search for information, and to analysis the quality assurance / quality control process
involved in monitoring the resources, quantity and availability of data for the development and
use of the indicators.
7. Is it each one of the indicators developed under a scientific and cost effective approach?
To build information is always expensive. As it is shown in table 1, there is a selection criteria
assembly that can summarise in three basic groups to be kept in mind: 1) Accuracy of the data; 2)
Relation with the problems and driven forces, and 3) Utility for the users
7
.
6
The perspective of a user will be frequently adopted by the consultant.
7
National Framework, p. 13 under review, bears in mind some of the criteria shown in Board 1, but not all of
them. On the other hand, experiences such as NRA at the United Kingdom to assess Fresh Water Quality by
developing the BMWP Indices, could be taken into account.
9. 9
Board 1. Main Criteria Issues to be taken into account when selecting
a core o Environmental Indicators (EPA,1995; Rump,1995)
DATA Accuracy Relation with the problems Utility for the USERS
Scientific Support
Measurement Techniques
Representatively
Convenience of the Scales
Applicability
Not Redundancy
Availability Geographic area involved Compressibility and
Interpretability
Quality Sensitivity to the changing
conditions
Value of Reference
Cost-effective development Specificity Retrospective-Predictive
Statistics Series
Accessibility
Connectivity Comparability
Opportunity
Afterwards there are some specific series of requests associates to each one of these three criteria
groups, that should be bare in mind for the selection, elaboration and use of the indicators
8
.
Executing the Assessment
The results in answering the 7 Key Questions formulated above, would be cross with the 4
Strategic Directions stated in the NLWRA Strategic Plan 2003 – 2007, in the following way:
1. Strategic Direction 1 with questions 2, 4 and 7.
2. Strategic Direction 2 with questions 1, 3 and 7.
3. Strategic Direction 3 with questions 5, 6 and 7.
4. Strategic Direction 4 with question 3 and 5.
Nevertheless sometimes the questions interact one to each other and so does the Strategic
Directions. For instance, it would be hard to establish the difference between the Performance
Indicator formulated in Strategic Direction 2 as National Consistent Standards established for the
collection of NRM data and information, with the one of Strategic Direction 3 formulated as National
Standard and protocols being applied in the collection and collation of data and information.
8
Besides there is an operating series of criteria that allows to differentiate the types of information. The basic
information, in general is presented in form of data and its unit (pluviosity in mm, vegetable cover in km2
).
Nevertheless these basic data in the case of a reserve or resource can be an indicator (water volume in
m3/seg, surface of forests in Km2
) particularly when series of time are presented and is observed then
changes in the reserve or resource. The indicators are in general information that relates a parameter with a
variable and are presented in form of data in function of the time, the space and/or the population
(agricultural lands in hectares per capita, density of population by km2
). Finally, the indices are the result of
the combination of two parameters related to a variable (e.g. relation reforestation/deforestation).
10. 10
On the other hand, in agreement with the objectives and work to be undertaken with the Audit as
stated in pages 2-3 of the Terms of Reference, the following Activities are proposed along the time,
in order to provide a structure to the project.
Specific Activities to be undertaken
1. Framework Review
2. Assessing Data Protocols and Data Production
3. Development of the capture information format
4. Running the format at all Levels
5. Data Recovery, Analysis of Information building and information use
6. Assessment of gaps identified in points 4 and 5
7. Preparation and presentation of the final report
9
A more detailed Plan of the activities is shown in Board 2, which is the Timetable of the project, and
can be seen in the following page. Once the proposal has been approved, it will be possible to
cross also these activities with the suggested methodology being each activity assessed with some
of the key questions among Governmental Institutions, and how the information provided by the
indicators is used to plan, redirect and evaluate PPP at a national level -also crossing the key
questions with the strategic directions as explained before-, being a full assessment over the
National Water Quality Management Strategy the conductive path, but not the only one, to analyse
how Institutions access data, exchange communications, and use the information provided by the
indicators to execute and evaluate Programs and Projects.
It will be also possible to find some other attributes of the information. What experience shows is
that a National Environmental Indicators System is not better for having a lot of indicators, but for
understanding users necessities in order to provide the key information that supports the decision
making process, which afterwards, must be cost effective in its development, maintenance and
use.
9
Besides the Methodology to Analyse the collected data, and a DOSA (Debilities, Opportunities, Strengths and
Awareness) Analysis of the Environmental Indicators System, with strategies to fill information gaps, how to
aggregate information, main Conclusions and Recommendations for collecting data as well as building and
using information provided by The Environmental Indicators System, the Final Report will contain an
Appendix which include the data collected within the format and a Data Base or Spread Sheets in a CD-
ROM.
11. Board 2. Timetable - Activities and Products along the Project
ACTIVITIES March April May June
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16
A1. Framework review, discussion
and agreement (National Level)
A2. Assessing Data Protocols by
Themes defined, and assessing
required data for each indicator
A2.1 Atmosphere
A2.2 Biodiversity
A2.3 Estuaries and Seas
A2.4 Human Settlements
A2.4 Inland Waters
A2.6 Land
A2.7 Local and Community Uses
A2.8 Natural and Cultural Heritage
A3. Development of a format to report
availability of data required
for completion at national,
jurisdictional and regional levels
A4. Trawl at National, Jurisdictional
and Regional Level using the format.
Death Line of data collection in yellow
A5. Data availability determination,
access requirements, and analysis of
Institutional information exchange
A6. Assessing gaps in available data,
data access, information building,
information use, and Institutional
communications
A7. Preparing final reports & products
A7.1Final Version of the
National Framework
A7.2 P-S-R Australian Indicators Matrix
A7.3 Indicators Data Protocols By
Theme with ATAG Theme's Specialists
A.7.4 Final Report, Recommendations
and Conclusions
Conventions: Blue for the activities while yellow for the products. Source: Alvaro H. Pescador R., Feb 11, 2004
12. 12
ABREVIATIONS
ATAG – Audit Technical Advisory Group
BMWP - Biological Monitoring Working Party (UK)
CCME – Canadian Council Ministry of Environment
CIAT – International Centre of Tropical Agriculture
EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment
EMS – Environmental Management System
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency (USA)
GEF – Global Environmental Facility
GIS – Geographical Information System
GO – Governmental Organisations
HSEQ – Health Safety Environment & Quality
IOC – International Oceanographic Commission
ISO – International Standard Organisation
MEWG – Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group
NLWRA – National Land & Water Resource Audit
NRA – National River Authority (UK)
OECD – Organisation for the Economic Cooperation and Development
P-S-R – Pressure – State – Response
PPP – Policies, Plans and Programs
QA/QC – Quality Assurance / Quality Control
SEA – Strategic Environmental Assessment
UNEP – United Nations Environmental Program
WRI – World Resource Institute
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