Page 30 - Module_2_EN

Module Table 1 Most common organizational models, their advantages and
2
disadvantages

Type of agency Possible advantages Possible disadvantages
9-12 December, 2013 ? Greater collaboration within ? Tends to protect the status quo.
? Not recognized as independent.
? Political support and mandate to
Existing inter-ministerial
carry out an assessment.
coordinating body
government.
? Mandate for Environmental
reporting.
? National government ownership.
? Better access to data and
information.
? Effective coordination and
communication mechanisms

Existing government ? Political support and mandate to ? May not be recognized as an
department carry out an assessment. independent
? Limits proliferation of specialized ? May limit public and other
agencies. stakeholder involvement.
? Existing regional networks. ? May tend to protect the status
? Greater collaboration within quo.
government. ? Bureaucracy in procurement of
? Has the mandate for environmental services.
reporting. ? Difficult to coordinate and access
? National government data across sectors.
ownership.
? Access to data and information.

Independent or semi- ? Autonomous. ? May requires formal support to
independent agency (i.e. ? High profile and visibility. have access to information.
university, NGO, private ? Potential for innovation and ? Possibly weaker regional
institute) greater efficiencies. networks.
? Links to non-governmental ? Potentially insecure funding.
stakeholders and scientists. ? Limited authority associated with
reporting.
? Reduced acceptance of the IEA
by the government policymakers.

Source: Based on Pintér, Zahedi and Cressman, 2000. Capacity Building for Integrated Environmental Assessment
and Reporting. Training raining Manual. Second edition, 2000. p. 13.

28 National IEA Process Design and Organization