International Institute for Environment and Development 
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| International Institute for Environment and Development |
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Strategic Planning and Assessment Project Summary |
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Theme: Environmental assessment Project Name: User Guide to tools for environmental integration ENVIRONMENTAL MAINSTREAMING: A User Guide to Approaches, Tools and Tactics The challenge to integrate/mainstream environment into development has never been more urgent. In response, earlier in 2007, IIED launched a project to develop a User Guide to tools and tactics for integrating/mainstreaming environment in development decision-making, steered by an International Stakeholders Panel. To learn more about the project and to contribute directly to this work, visit the new website www.environmental-mainstreaming.org. Explanation of key terms Environmental integration / mainstreaming These two terms mean the same thing. In this project they encompass the process(es) by which environmental considerations are brought to the attention of organisations and individuals involved in decision-making on the economic, social and physical development of a country (at national, sub-national and/or local levels), and the process(es) by which environment is considered in taking those decisions. Tools Instruments, methods and tactics that are used (individually or in combination) to carry out the above processes to take environment into consideration in decision-making , eg. approaches for providing information, assessment, consultation, analysis, planning, and monitoring so as to inform decision The focus of the User Guide will be on those tools and tactics (both formal and informal/traditional) which directly help to shape policies, plans and decisions; NOT the wider array of secondary tools applied to implement those decisions (eg market delivery mechanisms and instruments, field management tools). Such tools might be applied at a range of levels (eg national, district, community) and by a range of users (government, non-governmental and community-based organisations, the businesses and private sector organisations). An initial phase of country surveys is currently underway in different regions of the world, led by partner organisations - in the Caribbean, Chile, India, Kenya, Philippines, and South Africa. Others surveys are being planned. These surveys are gathering on-the-ground user perspectives about the challenges tool users face, their needs related to integrating tools and tactics, and which tools they use and value, and why; and which ones they avoid. In a second phase in 2008, a User Guide to the top tools and tactics will be developed. The user-driven approach means that the User Guide is likely to include an expanded set of tools and approaches, beyond those that tend to be emphasised by technical experts, e.g. those used for civil society/business action. IIED’s contention is that environmental mainstreaming capacity will be much stronger if stakeholders are able to select appropriate tools and methods. Some tools and methods are widely used and others still in development; some are easy to do and others demanding of skills and money; some are effective but others are not. Too many tools are being ‘pushed’ by outside interests, and too few locally developed (and more informal, or less expensive) approaches are widely known. There is not enough ‘demand-pull’ information from potential users. Neither is there enough information available that helps them to select the right tools themselves – as opposed to taking what others want or suggest/promote. The initiative will aim to identify which tools work best, for what purpose and for which user. The guidance will be based on evidence submitted through the regional and country-based stakeholder/user consultations and workshops, interviews and questionnaire surveys, and the Panel’s own experience. This guide will cover the large array of tools and methods available for ‘environmental mainstreaming’, building on stakeholders’ experiences of the range from technical approaches such as EIA to more political approaches such as citizens’ juries. The project process will offer three products: (a) A core of about 30 tools will be profiled and reviewed according to common criteria. Copyright © 2005 International Institute for Environment and Development. |
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