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MODULE 4:MODULE 4:

MANAGING THE MANAGING THE ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENT AND

REPORTING PROCESSREPORTING PROCESS

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Introduction

This module discusses the involvement of various groups of people in the IEA process. It highlights:

the Importance of the IEA process,who should get involved and the level of involvement for different groups of people, how important issues should be decided, andhow the IEA process could be managed.

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IEA ProcessIEA Process

IEA is a continuous process

Its organization and management should allow scientists from various fields of environmental pursuits (transdisciplinary) to decide the important issues for analysis in collaboration with a broad but manageable range of civil society

The institutional setting that is entrusted with the leadership should have a legal mandate to conduct or provide leadership in all aspects of environmental assessment and reporting, and to expect the participation of other institutions as an necessary obligation

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Importance of the IEA ProcessImportance of the IEA Process

It is a learning process for all that get involved assisting to build capacity on knowledge about the environment

It provides a broad basis for: Supporting sustainable development Exploring linkages between policy, the

economy, society and environment Developing appropriate policy packages Encouraging good governance and

ownership of the report Bringing together fragmented

knowledge and streamlining issues of policy formulation

Facilitating cooperation of policy makers across government and beyond

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Involvement in the IEA processInvolvement in the IEA process

Communication in Africa with different social groups is particularly difficult. Involvement in the IEA process should not be taken for granted for any social group

Planners of the process should make extra effort to include poorer communities which are commonly overlooked

Contribution of poorer marginalized communities may be unique, e.g may add indigenous knowledge.

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Involvement in the IEA process Involvement in the IEA process may be on three major levelsmay be on three major levelsInformation dissemination – civil

society is informed of environmental policies either already made or about to be made and is allowed to comment. Their comments may not influence the outcome.

Consultation – at some time before or after the environmental policy is drawn up, the opinions of civil society are solicited. Its opinions and views are expected to influence the final policy formulated.

Participation – continuous communication between civil society, policy drafting groups and decision makers. Final environmental policy is the outcome of direct and complete involvement of the three groups.

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Involvement in the IEA process in Involvement in the IEA process in practicepractice

Different groups of civil society are involved at different levels depending on their level of interest and relevance for a particular issue of the report

Only a number of manageable representatives are involved, not everybody relevant

Some suggestions on levels of involvement in different issues:Issue Section of civil

societyLevel of involvement

Agriculture Farming communitiesTaxi drivers

ParticipateInform

Water resources All Participate

Deforestation School teachersUrban communitiesMining communities

ParticipateConsultinform

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AEO Process uses all three levelsAEO Process uses all three levels

In the development of the AEO, all three levels are used

Participation – special working groups (e.g on policy, capacity-building, data, etc.)

Consultation – with thematic groups

Information dissemination – general public

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Deciding important issues in the Deciding important issues in the process process

The whole range of issues relevant to environmental assessment cannot be included in a report. Early selection of a manageable list of the most important issues is important.

Importance of issues will differ with scale of analysis (regional, sub-regional, national, etc.) and among different countries or other regions of analysis

It is advisable to start with a long list of relevant issues drawn up by experts from which a manageable list may be selected by a wide range of stakeholders.

This process was used to decide on important issues for AEO-2

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Management of the process at the Management of the process at the national levelnational level

Existing structures at the national level may be difficult to modify to accommodate the IEA process; the process normally is made to fit into existing structures.

No overall “best” management structures are agreed on but best practices in many African countries show the importance of a key existing department in a ministry or a new department or authority.

The coordinating role of the key department or authority requires a level of clout over other departments

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Possible organizational chartPossible organizational chart

S take ho lde r o r fo cu s g rou ps

A d v iso ry G rou ps

S take ho lde r o r fo cu s g rou ps

A d v iso ry G rou ps

E N V IR O N M E N T A L A U T H O R IY

M in is try o f E n v iron m e nt O the r re lev an t m in is tr ies

C A B IN E T

PARLIAMENT

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Possible organization Possible organization

At the national level in an African country, it has been considered appropriate to put environmental assessment and reporting directly under cabinet responsibility. One possible organization:

Parliament – legislative, policy making body Cabinet – final decision making authority Relevant Ministry – e.g. Ministry of

Environment, champions the cause of the IEA process but works in close collaboration with other ministries

Environmental Authority – the workhorse on environmental matters in the Ministry of Environment

Expert technical advisory groups – participants with specialised knowledge

Stakeholder focus groups – representatives of various social organizations

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Management of the process at the Management of the process at the sub-national levelsub-national level

More analytical assessment of an independent or semi-independent agency may be made because it may have more advantages than would be the case at the national level:Will start with a clean slate

avoiding inter-departmental bickering

May be more independent in getting funds in addition to funds from government

May more easily link with NGOs

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The legal mandateThe legal mandate

IEA requires that many departments and organizations work together attending to specific responsibilities under tight time budgets

Each participant must have the legal responsibility to carry out what is expected and the authority to demand others’ inputs

Legislation at the national level required to define relationships, responsibilities, authority and expectations for a successful IEA process.

Beyond national level, governments should provide mandates to the appropriate reporting institution.

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Legislation could be particularly used Legislation could be particularly used at the national level for:at the national level for:Setting the stage for

collaboration expected between government agencies

Encouraging data sharing and harmonization

Defining rules for external consultation and participation

Defining the rules for sustainable local capacity building to replace external assistance