EIS International Advisory Committee Working Group IV Environmental Indicators and GIS Purpose Move from simple map making toward statistically valid GIS indicators that can be used to support policy making. Goal Prepare and distribute a set of guidelines for developing and using GIS-based indicators for policy making. Approach Guidelines will be based on GIS work that is either underway or completed. Step 1 Circulate documentation on environmental indicators and GIS from Cape Town and Cambridge Meetings. Step 2 Circulate findings and recommendations from Cape Town and Cambridge Meetings. Step 3 Develop criteria for GIS-based indicators. Step 4 Identify issues faced by organizations in Africa working in this field. Step 5 Carry out a series of case studies. Step 6 Convene a workshop on GIS-based indicators. Step 7 Prepare draft guidelines on GIS-based indicators. Step 8 Circulate draft guidelines to the EIS Committee. Step 9 Finalize guidelines in French and English. Step 10 Publish, distribute, and promote guidelines. Criteria for Indicators - Examples a reliable statistical measure comparable over time and space assessed against a norm or standard easily communicated to a policy making audience a clear spatial component GIS Based Indicators - Examples human pressure - area of fragmented natural habitat adjacent to a protected area market access - proportion of rural population per administrative unit within a certain distance or time of a major market erosion risk - function of slope, land cover, rainfall, and management Obstacles to GIS-based Indicators •data and information demand data and information supply information infrastructure technical skills awareness and knowledge by policy makers to interpret and communicate data and indicators Criteria for Choosing Case Studies should meet indicator criteria listed above should have been carried out by institutions in Africa over the last few years they should be carefully documented The Case Studies Should Answer •which policy issues were addressed •what information was communicated, how, and to whom •does the policy maker expect to receive this information on a regular basis The Case Studies Should Answer •what policy discussions were achieved as a result of the availability and use of this information •how was the indicator developed •what standards and procedures were used to ensure quality of the information The Case Studies Should Answer what institutional support was required what major problems were overcome and which ones remain Approach for Case Study identify a number of potential principal investigators information has to be compiled via questionnaire and interviews of policy makers provide principal investigator with funds and honoraria to compile information and prepare report Budget: $US 120,000 - 150,000 10 case studies travel to review workshop cost of review workshop copy editing of case studies preparation of draft guidelines editing, translating, and producing of guidelines distribution and outreach Status of Project after Cambridge meeting, this proposal has been circulated to members of working group some feedback from selected members of working group Next Steps agreement of working group on approach who will manage the project identify funding opportunities prepare or adapt proposal(s) secure funds (pilot or complete) identify potential case studies Last Updated 21/07/99 by Aake Bjoerke