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Module
1

Abu Dhabi, UAE

The GEO process
4

The global GEO process is described on the website (www.unep.org/geo). Module 2 shows how this
process can be modified for the purpose of national IEAs.

GEO is first and foremost a participatory process for environmental assessment; it aims to facilitate the
interaction between science on the one hand and policy and decision making on the other. Participation

by a broad range of stakeholders has been increasingly recognized as an essential element of assessment
processes dealing with complex issues, where there is a lot of uncertainty and where societal awareness
is necessary to ensure effective implementation of response options. An example is the worldwide
network of GEO Collaborating Centres with regional mandates or thematic expertise that forms

a strong assessment partnership at the core of the process, and helps in building capacity at various
levels. Comprehensive peer review and consultative mechanisms with governments, non-governmental
organizations, the private sector and scientific institutions are other integral components. Advisory
groups provide guidance on conceptual approaches and methodology development. For GEO- 5 there

are advisory groups on capacity building, data and outreach, as well as expert groups writing individual
chapters. The process is underpinned by a dedicated, interactive, online data portal (http://www.geodata.
grid.unep.ch). This participatory and consultative process gives GEO assessments scientific credibility,
accuracy and authority. The process targets a wide audience by providing information to support

environmental management, decision making and policy development. In addition to the stakeholders
being active participants, they are also a major target audience and potential GEO spokespeople.
Through their own organizations and networks at global and regional levels, these GEO stakeholders
help to spread the word on GEO’s key findings and policy messages.

IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 17