The European Commission is proposing a Shared Environment Information System to modernize the present information gathering and disseminating systems throughout the European Union (EU).
The objective of this new system is to better tie together all existing data gathering and information flows using modern tools such as the Internet and satellite technology, the Commission said.
More than 70 of the several hundred pieces of environmental legislation in force in the EU require member states to report on specific aspects of the environment within their territory. This information is used to analyze trends and pressures on the environment and is vital when drawing up policy and assessing whether policy is effective or being properly implemented.
However, due to legal, financial, technical or procedural obstacles, the information is neither made available in a timely manner nor in a format that policy makers and the public can readily understand and use, the commission said, the executive body of the EU.
With the new system, environmentally-relevant data and information would be stored in electronic databases throughout the EU and would be inter-connected virtually and be compatible.
"Timely, relevant and reliable information on the environment is absolutely necessary for decision makers to respond to the environmental problems of our time. But this is not enough. Our citizens are also entitled to know of the quality of the air and water where they live or if floods, droughts or pollution is risking their property and livelihood. We must thus improve the way we collect, analyze and communicate information on our environment, " EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said.
The commission will present a detailed implementation plan for the new system in 2008.
Source: GNA
