UNEP POW 2010-11

Project objective

The GEO-5 comprehensive, global integrated environmental assessment is produced, communicated and used by decision makers and relevant stakeholders in decision –making in national and international policy processes.

PoW Output

# 441 (Subprogramme 4, expected accomplishment d, output 1)

Note: GC Decision 25/2/III also calls for a coherent set of integrated and thematic assessments. These are reflected in the other thematic priority area Programme Frameworks: Climate Change (AIACC), HSHW (Chemicals Outlook), Disasters and Conflicts (National/Regional Environmental Risk and Vulnerability Assessments), Resource Efficiency (The Resource Efficiency: Economics and Outlook (REEO) at the regional level).

Problem statement

Keep under review state of global environment (mandate) because assessments were partial, not necessarily policy orientated, not always strong science background, lack solutions, need for capacity development throughout process. Decision makers and other members want more relevant and timely info on state and trends of the environment which renders them less able to deal with emerging threats and be aware of early warnings and make informed decisions on sustainable development. Synthesized & scientific comprehensive knowledge on global trends Linkages between development and environment. Evaluation of GEO-4 showed there was a need for policy solutions that incorporate the linkages of environment and development

Proposed UNEP response

We will address this problem in two ways:

a. Conducting a science based Global integrated assessment with emphasis on interlinkages between the environment and the economy. It will assess the priority solutions (technological, institutional, political, legal, environmental, economic and social) for mitigating, adapting to or avoiding adverse environmental changes while ensuring that development is sustainable. The trade-off’s to be made in decision-making will be presented. Inter-linking economic and environmental analyses will also help develop policy-relevant options for action.

b. UNEP will design and set up a UNEP Live platform to further facilitate and put more emphasis on timely and results based solutions for consideration. Response to needs to address time lack on information and dissemination of same. Also to enable rapid and interactive assessments using the Live Platform. Allowing Policy Makers to interact with assessment findings. GEO-5 transitional phase leading to UNEP Live. Near real time information access.

Rationale for the proposed response

In order to help decision makers to make informed decisions and facilitate more effective uptake of policy solutions in the policy development process UNEP was requested to strengthen policy relevance of its assessment.

There is a need to strengthen the policy relevance of the GEO-5 by including an analysis of policy options. GEO-5 will be informing relevant global processes, MDG’s, etc and strategic directions of UNEP.

Specific objectives

1. Enhancing the scientific credibility of the assessment through engagement of sound and the most up-to-date science and best available scientific expertise;

2. Strengthening stakeholder ownership of the process and products through early and continuous engagement of key stakeholders in global intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder consultations: one to agree on scope and objective of the assessment and a final intergovernmental meeting to negotiate and endorse the Summary for Policy makers;

3. Strengthening capacities for IEA, especially at the regional level;

4. Strengthening networking for IEA through greater involvement of the science community at the regional and global level;

5. Strengthening data-indicators platform for IEA through further development of the existing GEO Data Portal and the UNEP Live;

6. Strengthening the Outlook component for GEO-5 through further development of scenario methodologies and tools;

7. Improving outreach and communication for GEO-5 through development and implementation of the outreach and communication strategy;

8. Strengthening UNEP’s divisions ownership of the assessment process and report through close collaboration with all UNEP’s divisions in the development of the assessment report(s) content and throughout the assessment process;

9. Improving overall UNEP’s planning process through capitalizing on GEO-5 findings and recommendations

2009-2012

Sustainability of the results

The multi-stakeholders consultation processes as well as the participation of government experts and other stakeholders in the assessment exercise ensures strengthened stakeholders ownership of the product and the assessment process.

The involvement and capacity developed during the process will help to ensure the long term sustainability and uptake of the report and adaptation of its methodologies for both regional and national planning processes.

2009-2012

Links to UNEP’s Programme of Work

Sub programme 4 Expected accomplishment (d) Improved access by national and international stakeholders to sound science and policy advice for decision making.

Sub programme 5 EAb 52P2 ‘Global Outlook on Hazardous Substances’

Sub Programme 6 EAa_61P1 ‘Scientific Assessments/Reports on Resource Flows

Sub Programme 6 EAa_61P2 ‘Asses Vital Signs/Pressures/Impacts of Resource Flows’

Sub Programme 1 EAe_15P1 ‘Global and National Climate Change Assessments’

Sub Programme 3 EAb_31P3 ‘Tools/Methodologies for Marine/Coastal Ecosystems

Output 1, 2 and 3

Poverty and gender implications

An important element of the assessment process is the achievement of human well-being through sound management of ecosystem services. This in turn means that issues of poverty are thoroughly analyzed when carrying integrated environmental assessment and looking at the linkages between environment and development.

Another important policy component of the integrated assessment process is to ensure that key environmental concerns are eventually mainstreamed into development and poverty strategies. Furthermore, issues of poverty and sound management of ecosystems and their related services depend in great part on the analysis of the role of gender and especially women as key micromanagers of ecosystems.

Science foundation

The project will follow relevant guidelines articulated in UNEP’s Science Strategy. GEO-5 will ensure that current and emerging knowledge in Earth system sciences and their interface with socio-economic processes will be analyzed and translated with the aim to inform decision-making and create credible, relevant and legitimate knowledge on the state of the environment as well as trends, impacts, outlooks, policy options and management actions.

UNEP will build on existing scientific partnerships, as well as develop key new ones, in a coordinated and coherent UNEP-wide manner (link to project concept 443 in this framework). For example partnerships with science-based networks of data and information providers, methodology developers, data analyzers, private sector.

The consultative processes at the global level will foster increased communication between the Scientific community and policy makers and help develop consensus on emerging environmental challenges as discerned from science.

Roles and responsibilities

Accountable, Managing division:

DEWA will coordinate the project and be accountable for the overall delivery of the products, however, other divisions will play a lead role in specific components of the assessment

Other divisions: …

DELC will analyze policy interlinkages, indicators, options and responses. DELC would also lead on interlinkages with MEAs and on analyzing policy options.

DEPI to lead on analysis of environmental state, trends, impact and policy effectiveness aspects of the assessment

DRC to lead in the Regional component of the assessment

DTIE to lead on the interlinkages between the environment, economy and resource use. The GEO-5 assessment process will build on the economic analyses provided in the Green Economy and the regional Resource Efficiency reports

DGEF to lead on the analysis of various state and responses aspects of the assessment

DCPI to lead on the development and implementation of an outreach and communication strategy for GEO-5 and will support the development of specifications for the UNEP Live platform. DCPI will also facilitate access to scientific literature.

Staff time and for staff travel will need to be included in the budget for GEO-5.

Supporting partners

i) Governmental: National Environmental Authorities

ii) Regional and International organizations, NGOs; GEO Collaborating Centres, UNEP-WCMC, GRID-Arendal,

iii) Science academies, universities and research institutions: environmental sciences and environmental economics including modeling experts

iv) Private sector: World Business Council; representatives of relevant multi-national organizations depending on sectors

v) Other UN agencies

Note: Partners to be determined through a rigorous screening process).

Regions and countries

Global assessment with regional components, including examples and case studies from all regions of the world..