Integrated Assessment of Trade-RelatedPolicies and Biological Diversity in theAgriculture SectorIntegrated Assessment of Trade-RelatedPolicies and Biological Diversity in theAgriculture Sector
Introdution to Integrated Assessment
Session 6
Geneva, 25-27 October 2006Geneva, 25-27 October 2006
Division of Technology, Industry,
and Economics
Economics and Trade Branch
What we want to achieve?
Ideally…
Design and implement trade policies in theagricultural sector that will maximise developmentgoals and minimise impacts on biodiversity
What do we need for this…
Information on impacts and opportunities of a policy:
–Socio-economic impacts => development goals
–Environmental impacts => conservation andsustainable use of biodiversity
What is Integrated Assessment?
Economic
Social
Environmental
Systematic process for obtaining, processing anddisseminating information on
the environmental, social
and economic impact of a
specific policy or set of policies
Sustainable Dev.
Biodiversity
Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development
"Development that meets the needs of the presentwithout compromising the ability of futuregenerations to meet their own needs.""Development that meets the needs of the presentwithout compromising the ability of futuregenerations to meet their own needs."
Brundtland Commission Report "Our Common Future"Brundtland Commission Report "Our Common Future"
Sustainability Perspective
Space
community
family
nation
myself
planet
now
nextelection
nextgeneration
life-time
there andlater
Time
What does Integrated Assessmentof trade-related policies do?
Integrated assessment uses a range of impactassessment tools to evaluate the environmentalsocial and economic impacts of trade –liberalisation and other trade-related policies atnational level…
…with the aim to provide policy and decisionmakers with information necessary for informeddecision-making.
Similar Approches: Sustainability Assessment (SA), StrategicEnvironmental Assessment (SEA), Strategic Impact Assessment(SIA),…
Environmental Impact Assessment
Systematic examination of the environmental consequences ofa project with the aim to reducing or mitigate the negativeconsequences and enhance positive ones.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Systematic process for evaluating the environmentalconsequences of proposed policy, plan or programme at earlystage of decision making (to consider them on a par witheconomic and social considerations).
=> Strategic level + proactive approach
EIA and SEA
Integrated Asessment
Also at the strategic level of policies, programmes, and plans
Gives equal importance to environmental, social andeconomic consequences and aims to analyse interlinkagesand address trade offs (substantive integration)
Aims to integrate assessment methods and tools within theplanning process
Aims to integrate good governance issues in the planningprocess: participation, transparency, accountability,information access
Focus of an Integrated Assessment
An integrated assessment needs to be focused tobe manageable and generate targeted results.
•What policy and policy measures are assessed?
•What time-frame in view of the stage of planning?
•What sectors or commodities of interest ?
•What geographical focus (e.g. poor regions)
•What critical issues (e.g. biodiversity, equity etc.)?
When should IntegratedAssessments be used?
Anytime in the Policy Cycle!
10
Ex-ante
Ex-post
Policy and
Planning
Components of an Integrated Assessment
Organisationalprocess
Analyticalprocess
Conceptual framework