The Netherlands Environmental Data Compendium (EDC): Key Factors for Successful Communication of Environmental Information

Transcription

1 EnviroInfo 2004 (Geneva) EnviroInfo 2004 The Netherlands Environmental Data Compendium (EDC): Key Factors for Successful Communication of Environmental Information Onno Knol 1, Hans Bronswijk 1, Lodewijk van Duuren 2, Bas van Esch 1 and Paul Klein 2 Abstract The Environmental Data Compendium presents a vast resource of environmental indicators for the Netherlands. A combination of factors has been responsible for the Compendium s success. These factors are co-operation of experts, independence, complete coverage, a well-defined goal and clear messages, steady supply of good quality data, a state-of-the-art website and good publicity. EDC is well prepared to comply with the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (Aarhusregulations). 1. Introducing the Netherlands Environmental Data Compendium Is the greenhouse effect still increasing? And, if so, what are the consequences for nature? Which parts of the Netherlands are at high hazard of environmental disasters? How many animal species are there in the Netherlands, and how many of those are protected? Is environmental awareness of the population decreasing? How many people are affected by noise or smell? The answers to these and many other questions on nature and the environment can be found in the Netherlands Environmental Data Compendium (EDC). The EDC brings together all relevant data on the state of the environment and nature in the Netherlands. It also includes information about the environment and nature policy, and references to other data sources and current research. 1 Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (NEAA), RIVM, P.O Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands. Onno.Knol@rivm.nl, Hans.Bronswijk@rivm.nl, Bas.van.Esch@rivm.nl. 2 Statistics Netherlands, P.O. Box 4000, 2270 JM Voorburg, the Netherlands. ldrn@cbs.nl, pken@cbs.nl Internet: English version: 13

2 Figure 1: Opening Screen of the Environmental Data Compendium. The figures in the EDC are published on the web (fig. 1) and, as a core set of indicators, in book form. The website consists of over 750 concise pages of indicators, each presenting a graph or map with a message in one sentence and basic explanation of the illustrated trend or situation. The site is updated on a regular basis. Dropdown menus, topic files and a search-engine facilitate navigation and information retrieval. An English version ( is being renewed in EDC focuses on two target groups, the Dutch government and professionals in the field of environmental science and policy. In actual practice it appears to appeal to a larger public. In the first half of 2004, attracted an average of 440 visitors a day; an increase of more than 250% compared to June A web survey, held in spring 2004, showed that a majority of visitors found the answers they required by checking the Compendium. 2. History In 1999, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and RIVM agreed to produce, on annual basis, an Environmental Data Compendium, subtitled The environment in figures. 14

3 The first edition was published in 1999 as a book, including a chapter on nature3. In 2001, Statistics Netherlands and the Nature Assessment Agency4, made a similar agreement to produce a Nature Compendium ( Nature in figures ). The growing importance and communicational possibilities of the Web induced a review of the concept. The first Nature Compendium was published in 2003, as a website and a book simultaneously. Early 2003, the two Compendium initiatives merged into the website known as the Environmental Data Compendium. The web-version of the Compendium has become leading though the book form is still important. Now, while the number of web pages is growing, the latest Environmental Data Compendium book edition presents only the 90 most important indicators. It now acts more as an overview and appetizer for the detailed information on the Website. 3. Concept of the EDC The EDC does not present environmental data in its pure form. Instead, indicators form the building blocks of the EDC. These are graphs, in the shape of maps, bargraphs, trend lines or tables that clearly depict the state of some environmental variable. A good indicator is quantitative, policy relevant, easy to understand, feasible, scientifically sound, presents a clear message, can be easily updated and shows the progress or trend (Brink, 2000, UNEP, 2003). All indicators have the same base structure: Title Lead (the message in one sentence) Graph, map, table or explanatory text Explanation of the indicator s message Relevant policy on the subject (if applicable) * Technical notes: explanation of how the indicator was calculated * Literature references * Web links to other relevant information sources Items marked with * are hidden when the page opens, but will open after a mouse click. Figure 2 shows an example of an EDC-indicator. 3 In Dutch, the subject Environment does not include Nature like in English. The subjects have their own organisations and research programs. 4 The Nature Assessment Agency is a co-operation of the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and Wageningen University & Research Centre (WUR) 15

4 4. Key Factors for Success As mentioned above, the success of the Environmental Data Compendium was due to combining a set of key factors. These are elucidated below. Breadcrumb Title Lead Graph/data Explanation Hidden section Figure 2 Structure of an indicator in the Environmental Data Compendium. 16

5 4.1 Cooperation of Expert Institutes The EDC is a co-production of three institutes, NEAA, Statistics Netherlands and WUR, having considerable authority in the Netherlands in the field of environmental data collection, analysis and assessment of the environment. Information from these institutes is considered to be reliable and therefore eligible for inclusion in the EDC. Hundreds of experts in all relevant disciplines contribute to the Compendium. The cooperation provides certain independence. The Compendium is not the website of any particular institute, but is strictly dedicated to the goal of communicating basic environmental information. The EDC is not hindered by regulations imposed by corporate identities or style issues from any of the institutions. 4.2 Complete Coverage The EDC has managed a near to complete coverage of all the facts and figures on environment and nature in the Netherlands. All compartments, themes, pollution sources and aspects of the DPSIR chain (Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Impact and Response) have been extensively covered. The chain functions as a main navigation principle on the opening page (see Fig. 1, squares at left hand side). Table 1 gives some examples of compendium indicators, ordered in the chain. 17

6 Driving forces Livestock numbers Pressures State Impact Responses Nitrogen concentration in ground- & Production of Trends in meadow Legal restrictions on manure birds numbers manure application surface water Gross added value of Industry Emissions of substances into air Concentration of polluting agents in ambient air Effects on health and nature Air pollution abatement measures Individual consumption Municipal waste water production Surface water quality Medical disorders related to recreation Investments in sewerage and waste water treatment plants Traffic intensity Noise production Noise exposure near airports Health Effects: sleep disorder Legislation on noise levels at night Population growth Total catch of North sea fish North Sea Fish below limit levels Insufficient offspring production Decree on Total Allowable Catch per species Table 1 Examples of indicators organised in the DPSIR Chain A substantial part of the Compendium is dedicated to nature. Here we aim to communicate major developments in biodiversity, environmental pressure factors, landscape, nature policy and society in relation to nature. Examples are: Trend information of a large number of plant and animal groups.; The state of all major ecosystems like the dunes, heath lands, marshes and their important developments; Current nature policies, like the Birds Directive of the EU, legally protected species and the development of the National Ecological Infrastructure. 4.3 Distinct Goal and Clear Messages The EDC has the well-defined, distinct goal of communicating environmental information. This makes its identity clear and keeps it recognisable. The EDC provides facts and figures, including those related to environmental policy. However, evaluation of the policies themselves is deliberately omitted. This type of informa- 18

7 tion is annually published in the Environmental Balance and Nature Balance. For detailed information, these assessment reports refer to the Compendium. Every indicator contains a clear message on processes and patterns that play an important role in environmental management, nature conservation and policy. And the combined messages of all indicators combined form a coherent story. When we observe that important issues are lacking, or information is incomplete, new or better indicators are added - when sufficient data is available. For example, the spread of new invasive species in the Netherlands is becoming a hot item, which means that a complete coverage of these species is preferred, rather than some appealing examples. On the other hand, the quality of each indicator has to be approved formally before it is published. 4.5 Steady Supply of Good Quality Data The data in the Environmental Data Compendium must meet a high quality standard. Therefore, the partners NEAA, Statistics Netherlands and WUR have established a continuous production line from monitoring to policy indicators. It consists of a well functioning supply line of monitoring data, a processing team, an editorial staff, a graphics production team and web technical support. (see fig. 3). Basic to this supply line are several organisations like the Coordination Committee for the Monitoring of Target Sectors, who report emission data, and private nature monitoring organisations (NGO s), in which thousands of volunteers are involved, counting birds, butterflies, mammals and making plant relevees. Their contribution is of inestimable value. Statistics Netherlands puts considerable effort into controlling the data, in the whole processing chain from fieldwork to the published results of all their monitoring programs. Thanks to this co-operation, we are able to keep figures on nature quality up to date. Important aspects of the data are the topicality and the continuation. At the selection of indicators, the possibility of continuation is taken into account. Good examples of indicators that are updated on a regular basis are the yearly indicators of the Ecological Monitoring Network. 19

8 Data Collection Processing & Quality Control Indicator production Web publishing National Emission Inventory Monitoring Networks on air, soil & ground water quality Surveys Private Nature Monitoring organizations on birds, plants, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, etc. Data trimming, interpretation, checking & scaling Model application Evaluation by scientific experts Text writing & formatting (by EDC-editors) Graph lay-out EDC on web Research by Environmental Experts Figure 3 Production line from raw environmental data to published indicators. 4.6 A State of the Art Website The Compendium website is rated as very accessible. A consistent structure with recognisable sub-sections (according to the DPSIR chain, see fig. 1) and clear layout make it very easy to get up-to-date information to our target group members. All pages have the same look and feel, not only in presentation but also in content. Two leading principles here are Briefness and Information Hiding. No page is larger than two screens. At first sight, technical explanations and literature references seem absent; but in reality they are only one mouse-click away. Publicity plays an important role. EDC has keywords per page and is registered with major search engines. 60 % of our visitors were referred to the EDC by search engines. Furthermore, posters, mailings and the like are used to draw the attention of target groups. 20

9 5. Challenge: complying to The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers In 2003, at the Aarhus Convention, many countries including The Netherlands agreed to the PRTR Protocol. The objectives of this protocol are to guarantee the right of access to environmental information held by or for public authorities ( ) and to ensure that, as a matter of course, environmental information is progressively made available and disseminated to the public in order to achieve the widest possible systematic availability of environmental information. To this end the use, in particular, of computer telecommunication and/or/technology shall be promoted. Statistics Netherlands, NEAA and WUR are public organizations and so they have to make their environmental data available. The level of detail has to correspond with the responsibility of the organization. Can the EDC fulfil this duty? We think we can to a large extent. Our primary duty is to report to the National Government, so our data is published at national level. Sometimes regional details are necessary, but we will refrain from zooming in at e.g. municipality levels. 6. Conclusion EDC: a Successful Communicator The importance of providing easily accessible, extensive and yet comprehensive, environmental information is increasing, both in national and international frameworks. This makes co-operative and independent communication invaluable. The Environmental Data Compendium can play a substantial role in carrying out these and future tasks. Bibliography Brink, B.J.E. ten, Biodiversity indicators for the OECD Environmental Outlook and Strategy. A feasibility study. Bilthoven, RIVM Report no MNP & CBS, Natuurcompendium Natuur in Cijfers. Milieu- en Natuurplanbureau, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek Bilthoven, Wageningen & Voorburg. Published by KNNV, Utrecht, The Netherlands. MNP & CBS, Milieucompendium Milieu- en Natuurplanbureau, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, Bilthoven & Voorburg. Published by CBS, Voorburg, The Netherlands. UNEP, Monitoring and indicators: designing national-level monitoring programmes and indicators. UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/10. Montreal. 21