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BOX 2 AGENDA 21: Information for decision making
“In sustainable development, everyone is a user and provider of information considered
in the broad sense. That includes data, information, appropriately packaged experience
and knowledge. The need for information arises at all levels, from that of senior decision-
makers at the national and international levels to the grass-roots and individual levels”. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Source: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Division for Sustainable Development. Agenda 21.
Chapter 40.
3.2 Basic conditions for initiating an IEA process
Because the IEA process involves a range of complex activities and promotes active engagement
of government, the academic community, scientists, NGOs and the private sector, a series of basic
conditions need to be in place in order to make sure the process can be properly managed.
One key element is political will and commitment of the national environmental authority or equivalent
to support the IEA process. A legal mandate and requirement to produce an IEA helps, as it may oblige
government to support a meaningful assessment and create a basis for accountability in the political
system. The mandate should be clearly laid out in the context of laws and regulations.
Some key issues in such a legal mandate include the following:
? Legislation may call for collaboration among government agencies that contribute to the IEA;
? A common methodology for data collection may be identified among the national authority, private
and public organizations, and scientists or technical experts;
? The legislation may refer to environmental reports to be produced by a range of public and private
organizations; and
? Legislation may promote exchange of data and harmonization of reporting initiatives;
? The lead agency’s role in preparing the way for consultations and external participation.
The following three boxes (3 , 4 and 5) show examples of legal mandates countries have for preparing
environmental assessments and reports.
IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 13
