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MODULE 7:MODULE 7:

ASSESSING THE STATE OF ASSESSING THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENTTHE ENVIRONMENT

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IntroductionIntroduction

This module is designed to introduce you to assessing the state of the environment as a first step in IEA. It helps you to:

Understand the importance of reporting on environmental trends and conditions within an integrated system of environmental analysis

Learn a strategy for selecting the most important points in assessing the state of the environment

Learn about data and indicators and their importance in linking environmental assessment to policy formulation

Learn about the value of remote sensing and GIS in SOE analysis

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The place of SOE reporting in IEAThe place of SOE reporting in IEA

Assesses “what is happening to the environment”

Very useful as a starting point to give the basic environmental information on “the state” and “pressures”

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Important points in assessing “What is Important points in assessing “What is

happening”happening”

Strategy may differ but the following points are important:

Extent of area: data requirements differ with scale. Global

data not sufficient for sub-national level comparisons

Too much detail may blur trends

How area is demarcated. May be based on: An ecosystem – more natural and would

have more meaningful averages Political boundaries – more common

because they already exist as boundaries. Many policies are based on political jurisdictions.

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nt The most important

environmental trends and conditions: identifying them at this stage makes it easier to link human activity to the environment.

The forces for environmental change: pressures that influence trends, e.g. demographics, production, consumption, etc.Helpful to understand the state of

the environmentNote indirect forces, e.g. trade

Important points… (cont’d)Important points… (cont’d)

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Data and indicatorsData and indicators

Appropriate good quality data useful in environmental assessment

Data quality and availability are two of the most important problems in environmental assessment in Africa

Data from various sources, some of which may require special skills to use, e.g. remotely sensed data

Data processed to obtain indicators to improve communication between scientists, decision-makers and the public

Comparison of indicators over time will show if the environment is improving or deteriorating 

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The AEO/GEO environmental The AEO/GEO environmental assessment Pyramidassessment Pyramid

IEAIEA

harmonized harmonized processesprocesses

nested productsnested productsglobal/regional/thematicglobal/regional/thematic

Underpinned by sound data and scienceUnderpinned by sound data and science

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Data and indicators are useful in:Data and indicators are useful in:

Formulating policy and monitoring progress towards sustainable development

Providing feedback on system behaviour and policy performance

Improving chances of successful adaptation

Improving coordination and ensuring movement towards common goals

Improving implementationIncreasing accountability 

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Information pyramidInformation pyramid

Indices

Indicators

Statistics

Raw data

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Data and decision-makingData and decision-making

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Collection of data for an SOE Collection of data for an SOE

For IEA, the range of variables required from various Departments, institutions, etc., will be many

Range of data and variables determined by the issues in the SOE report

Availability of data may limit issues on which analysis may be made but may also reveal where gaps are

Manage the data for an SOE report in step with the report development process, going on to types and sources as they become needed

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Remotely sensed data Remotely sensed data

Very useful where areas are inaccessible or where the cost of collecting spatial data over extensive areas is prohibitive

Provide good “pictures” for convincing the public of the value of participating in environmental assessment

Provide data over large areas that have standard format

Are available on a repetitive basis and have been used to provide data for areas over a long time basis

May be used to monitor the progress of environmental projects 

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Data qualityData quality

Data quality and availability are two of the most important problems in environmental assessment in Africa:

debates based on poor quality data complicate the decision making process

using poor quality data may probably be more dangerous than having no data

it might build false confidences in environmental analysts and decision makers which could lead to making the wrong decisions

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Assessing data qualityAssessing data quality

Relevance

Timeliness

Accessibility

Clarity

Metadata

Accuracy

Completeness

Comparability

Methodological soundness

Efficiency

Coherence

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Collection of data for an IEA report Collection of data for an IEA report

Data and variables required from various departments, institutions, etc., will be many:

Range of data and variables determined by the priority issues in the IEA report

Availability of data may limit issues on which analysis may be made but may also reveal where gaps are

Manage the data for an IEA report in step with the report development process, going on to types and sources as they become needed

Data should be collected and processed with a clear decision making process in mind rather than as an end in itself

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Data collection and acquisitionData collection and acquisition

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IndicatorsIndicators

Are measurable properties of the environment, defined in a time, space and policy context

Their purpose in IEA reporting – to provide a detailed assessment of the environment, backed by reliable data (raw or manipulated)

Indicators give statistical, scientific and technical information to the population as a whole and to certain social sectors about public policy objectives and goals

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Indicators (cont’d)Indicators (cont’d)

Environmental indicators represent a powerful tool for communicating synoptic information

Indicators represent a bridge between the wealth of detail and the need for interpreted information focusing on the interactions and changes in the environment.

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Indicators (cont’d)Indicators (cont’d)

Data collected over time can be aggregated into indicators, which can further be aggregated into indices.

In IEA reporting, it is important to stress the need for policy-relevant indicators based on solid scientific understanding

In order to be useful, the set of key indicators for IEA reporting must be minimal, so that if properly monitored, will provide rigorous data describing major trends and impacts on ecosystems

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Criteria for selecting environmental Criteria for selecting environmental indicatorsindicators

Policy relevance/usefulness to the user:

Provide a representative picture of environmental conditions, of the pressure on the environment and society’s response.

Have an easy to understand presentation and show long-term trends.

Be sensitive to changes in the environment and related human activities.

Provide a basis for international comparisons.

Be applicable to national and/or nationally important regional environmental material.

Correctly reflect public policy priorities.

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Have scientific and technical foundations.

Be based or founded on international models and on an international consensus about their validity.

MeasurementBe or become available on a

reasonable cost/benefit basis.Be appropriately documented and

of recognized quality.Be periodically updated following

appropriate procedures.

Criteria... (cont’d)Criteria... (cont’d)

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Allow all users to have similar interpretations and perceptions.

Be transparent, that is, be easy to understand by users with different levels of comprehension and information.

Reliable Be technically/scientifically credible. Be created by institutions with

recognized capacity and technical reliability.

Criteria... (cont’d)Criteria... (cont’d)

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Transversal/UniversalMay be used to learn about trends

of different phenomena and, at the same time, allow comparisons to be made between different local situations.

AvailableBe or become available and,

preferably, present historical territorial analyses that help to understand how phenomena behave over time.

Criteria... (cont’d)Criteria... (cont’d)

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Indicators should...Indicators should...

Be developed within an accepted conceptual framework

Be clearly defined and easy to understand

Be subject to aggregationBe objectiveHave reasonable data requirementsBe relevant to usersBe limited in numberReflect causes, processes or results

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Characteristics of DPSIR indicatorsCharacteristics of DPSIR indicators

Pressure/Driver indicators Describe what caused the problems on

which the government and society must act to preserve and improve the environment.

State indicators Describe the conditions and quality of

the environment. Show how human pressure in development affects environmental quality and the quantity of available resources. These indicators are used to formulate public policy on the problems detected.

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Designed to uncover how the state of the environment affects different human interests, such as quality of life, urban economy, ecosystems, urban vulnerability as well as its impact on the political-institutional level.

Response indicators Allows an assessment to be made of

the improvement, protective, limitation and regulatory measures taken by the local government, civil society bodies, and enterprises or by individuals, to deal with environmental problems, particularly those relating to human pressure on environmental resources.

Characteristics... (cont’d)Characteristics... (cont’d)

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Characteristics of Characteristics of ""Opportunities Opportunities "" indicators indicators

Opportunities indicators:

Should reveal what opportunities are available of the environment resource

Should be more positive and look for a threshold beyond which it will start “healing” itself

How they can be used to achieve sustainable development

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Pressure State Response

Climate Change -Fossil fuel consumption-Greenhouse gas emissions

-Mean global temp-Ambient levels of CO2

-Change in energy use

Water quality / eutrophication

-Nitrogen and phosphorous emissions-Wastewater discharges-Livestock density

-BOD; dissolved oxygen; nitrogen and phosphorous levels in ambient water

-Population served by treated water supply-User charges for wastewater treatment

Urban environmental quality

-Air pollution emissions-Traffic density-Rural-urban migration

-Urban air quality-Ground level ozone concentration

-Pollution abatement expenditures

Examples of indicatorsExamples of indicators

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Indicator example Indicator example

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Develop a shopping list of indicatorsConsult stakeholders and fine-tune the

indicators list using agreed criteriaDefine the indicators so that their use

is consistent across sectors, countries, etc.

Test the suitability of the indicators by populating them with data, and creating necessary databases

Finalize the indicator listMake the indicator database available

for use in IEA reporting

Process of developing indicatorsProcess of developing indicators

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Participatory indicator developmentParticipatory indicator development

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Participatory… (cont’d)Participatory… (cont’d)

Recognize already developed and Internationally recognized indicators while developing new ones

Different people living and working in different environments have different values and these must be reflected in the development of indicators

Professionals and researchers should learn to solve environmental problems together from multiple perspectives

Ensures that local skills and knowledge are considered in the development of environmental indicators that the local communities can use and maintain

Allow for comparisons of scientifically based and indigenous knowledge-based indicators

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Using indicators for IEA reportingUsing indicators for IEA reporting

Multiple pressures impact on the environment at the same time and those that are introduced as new are part of the set with the old ones.

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Examples of Remotely Sensed dataExamples of Remotely Sensed data

Monitoring vegetation degradation in Mau Forest on the Mau escarpment, Kenya 1986 (top), 2001 (bottom)

Threat to the further deterioration through logging in the forest in 2001 was exposed by using remotely sensed images.

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Proving the success of the “response” to deforestation in the Kimulot Division of Mau Forest, Kenya

Proof of the success of a reforestation project in the Division was useful to secure further funding. It was acquired using remotely sensed data

Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)

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Analysis of Midrand’s state of environment, South Africa1985 (top), 2001 (bottom)

Rapid growth of an urban area between Pretoria and Johannesburg has had major impacts on its surroundings. Satellite images have been used to show that effective environmental strategies are required to avoid further significant deterioration

Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)

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Monitoring urban growth, Banjul, The Gambia.1973 (top), 2001 (bottom)

Rapid urban growth on the peninsula of Banjul has had major impacts on the environment. Only the mangrove swamps are now remaining.

Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)

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Protection of important tourist spots, Lake Nakuru, Kenya1973 (top), 2001 (bottom)

Lake Nakuru is famous throughout the world for its unique concentration of flamingos. Data to prove the extent of deterioration around the Lake was acquired using remotely sensed data

Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)Examples of Remotely Sensed… (cont’d)

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The InternetThe Internet

 Major source of environmental data from many institutions and UN agencies, country data, etc.

Internet mapping used by UNEP to communicate images, maps, and data sets to potential users.

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Developing indicators: some Developing indicators: some important points to noteimportant points to note

Indicators should be developed:Within the limitations of available

dataWithin the demand desires for

information of decision-makersTo answer questions on key policy

priorities

Indicators are powerful tools for creating change because:They are directly linked to to

assessment and evaluationThey strengthen environmental

accountability

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Developing indicators… (cont’d)Developing indicators… (cont’d)

A criteria, with internal quality controls, within which indicators are developed should be developed so that their selection is not haphazard.

Indicators developed should reflect aspects of the system that are meaningful and will influence the issue of interest.

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Some environmental indicators suggested for AEO-2

Issue   Indicators  

  Pressure State/Condition Response

Climate change • Fossil fuel  • Greenhouse gas emissions

• Mean global temperature  • Ambient levels of CO 2 or other greenhouse

• Change in energy use

Water quality/eutrophication 2:25

• Nitrogen and phosphours emissions • Wastewater discharges • Livestock density

• Biological oxygen demand; dissolved oxygen; nitrogen and phosphorus levels in water

• Population served by treated water supply • User charges for waste water treatment

Urban environmental quality

• Air pollutant emissions • Traffic density • Rural-urban migration

• Urban air quality • Ground-level ozone concentrations

• Pollution abatement charges

 

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Participatory indicator developmentParticipatory indicator development

People in different areas differ in their value and perception of the environment

Complicated indicators may be simplified by requesting local people to work together with scientists

Very effective where indigenous peoples are requested to contribute because indigenous knowledge:

Will be more relevant to local environmental issues; some indicators from scientists may be rejected

Will give easier to use and better locally-understood descriptions of indicators

Will show that integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge in indicator development should be sought wherever appropriate

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An example of a framework for An example of a framework for participatory indicator developmentparticipatory indicator development

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An illustration of how to link Pressure/State An illustration of how to link Pressure/State indicators with responseindicators with response

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A hierarchy: from Data to indicators to A hierarchy: from Data to indicators to indicesindices

Composite indices, e.g. HDI, GNP

Indicators: to assess the performance of environmental systems. Unique for each application.

Integrated databases

Disaggregated data and statistics: collected from the field

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Presentation of spatial data and Presentation of spatial data and indicators with GIS indicators with GIS

 GIS helps:To turn environmental data into

spatial informationTo use indicators to reveal anomalies

in the average distribution of pressures, the state of the environment, or policy performance.

To provide information to influence the formulation or modification of policy

The scientist to communicate spatial information with the public and with the decision-makers.