Problem overview:

     Awareness and visions: PNG wants to develop a center for environmental information where there will be constant information flow and exchange both inbound and outbound from the public, the private sector and the government. PNG hopes that this interaction will increase awareness and reduce social conflict and misunderstandings.

     Information requirements: The PNG study identified the need for a comprehensive inventory of data on environmental and socio-economic parameters. These data are necessary for development planning, environmental assessment, and bench marking studies.

Background in summary:

     Environmental information in PNG is scattered throughout various institutions: Much resource and environmental data exists in PNG. This information is however, scattered throughout various organisations, government agencies, NGOs, museums, and universities. Some of the data are published, others are not published, and some are held abroad.

     There is a need to develop a center for compiling and disseminating environmental information: A proposal has been made for a decentralised resource and environmental data system, referred to as the Papua New Guinea Resource Information System (Papua New Guinea RIS). The system has been used to undertake rapid environmental appraisals for the Papua New Guinea Tropical Forestry Action Plan. Such a system could assist in incorporating environmental concerns into policy-making.

     Making the information available and retrievable: Once environmental, natural resource and socio-economic data have been collected, there is the need to make them available. These data must be available for multiple use and stored in such a way that they can be retrieved for future use. There is, therefore, the need to establish in-house databases within DEC and NPO (or the National Statistics Office).

     Encourage exchange of information among institutions: The information flow should be two-way, allowing the communities and the private sector to interact with the policy-makers. This approach would raise environmental awareness, minimise social conflict and tensions, and assist developers with compliance with regulations and standards.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
3	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	2	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		2	Participation of the community
3	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	2	Participation of resource owners/users
2	Socio-cultural adaptability.	2	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
2	Level of development adaptability.	2	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
3	Style of government adaptability.	2	Ability to attract political interest/support
2	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	2	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:      Cooperation from various parties during the information gathering process will help broaden the range of information available, visa versa, dissemination of information will help improve the understanding of those parties involved. Sustainability of the project:      Awareness and visions: PNG is aware that environmental information is important for effective decision-making, monitoring and enforcing regulations, not only for the mining sector, but for other sectors related to the environment as well. With information, there will be better understanding towards the relationship between economic and/or human activities and effects of these activities on the environmental condition. Adaptability of the project to other situations:   Process of decision making and implementation:      Meeting information requirements: Information gathering, sharing and disseminating should not only be limited to a local scale, but should be available at a national, regional or even international scale. "Easy access to a wealth of information on environmental matters expands citizen involvement and gives individuals and communities the tools for better environmental protection actions at local level. Increased environmental information exchange among stakeholders, both in-country and between countries stimulates greater awareness about the environment and what can be done to protect it." UNEP-Access to Environmental Information (website http://www.unep.org/unep/access.htm)      With the advancements in communication technologies today, information sharing at a global scale becomes a simple task. However, such technologies are still lagging behind or unavailable in many developing countries and most of the time, personnel are reluctant to use these technologies. Cost efficiency: