VIDEO CONTENT

2. Evidence-based policy making requires more, reliable data

The lack of reliable and consistent time-series data on the state of the environment is a major barrier to increasing the effectiveness of policies and programmes. Additionally, many of the most important drivers of environmental change or even their impacts are not systematically monitored. All countries should undertake to monitor and assess their own environment and integrate social, economic and environmental information to inform decision-making processes. As standardized approaches to data collection are needed, international cooperation and capacity building for collecting data must be strengthened. Improving access to information is also essential.