The IEA should not be seen as a one-time effort, but rather as the first step in a system that will hopefully produce environment and be sustainable development relevant information at regular intervals. The frequency of the IEA cycle is determined country by country, but the range typically varies between 2-5 years. Continuity of reporting will allow for better analysis of the impacts of actions taken, as well as the evolution of the links between pressures, the state of the environment, and impacts on ecosystem services and human well-being.
Evaluating the impact of the IEA is an important part of the learning process in reporting and for progress toward sustainable development. You can set up a process and simple database for technical teams to document evidence of the IEA’s impacts of their work or to track the uptake of recommendations by policymakers and the public.
As covered in detail in Module 8, it is important to monitor progress at each stage throughout the process. For effective monitoring, it is important to define, in the planning of each stage, the expected results and key progress measures. The monitoring process allows improvements in IEA methodology and the institutional framework based on lessons learned at every stage.
- Do you think it is important to evaluate your national IEA processes? Why?
- Which measures will be good to keep track of your impact?
- Which mechanisms will you implement in order to promote continuity of your reporting processes?