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1.4 Examples Module
The SoE reporting system in India provides a good example where monitoring and evaluation became a 8
tool to make the national process a success (Box 1).Monitoring and evaluation increased the perception
of saliency (i.e., of current importance), credibility (i.e., can we believe the results) and legitimacy (i.e.,
can we trust the results) of the environmental assessment. In India’s case you can see a systematic effort
to embed SoE reporting in state-level governance to addresses environmental issues (e.g., in Punjab,
Kerala and Chandigarh), and to strengthen capacities at the level of individuals, organizations (e.g., state
and national lead agencies) and institutions (i.e., evidence based policy making). Abu Dhabi, UAE
BOX 1 SoE Reporting, India – Monitoring and Evaluation of a Reporting Process
The SoE reporting system of India has been monitored and evaluated closely, with the
aim of embedding the reporting system in the practice of state governments. This ongoing
programme involves building capacities for the preparation of SoE reports within the state/
regional institutions and governments and the national government, and supporting triennial
SoE reporting by state and national governments.
The process was carefully designed. Only a few expert institutions, designated national host
institutions (NHI), were given the responsibility of identifying state host institutions (SHI) and
building interest and capability within those SHIs to undertake SoE reporting. Beyond training,
NHI also review progress made by SHIs in developing their products, provide expert input
on the frameworks of analysis and critically analyze the products before final publication.
SHIs are responsible for identifying and mobilizing partners, facilitating a participatory process,
collecting and analyzing information, interacting with NHIs and developing SoE products.
At the national level, the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests, the lead ministry for
the programme, periodically evaluates the progress made by NHIs and SHIs through review
meetings. Funding is tied to the demonstration of progress.
A two-stage monitoring and evaluation process is in place. The NHIs’ performance evaluation
(done by the ministry) is linked to the level of success they achieve, as indicated by the
number of states that have made significant progress towards establishing systems for SoE
analysis, and for publishing a final SoE report. The second element relates to the linkage
IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 11