“Information Society Technologies and the Environment” H “Information Society Technologies and the Environment” H.SAARENMAA, European Environment Agency W. BOCH, European Commission, DG XIII

What is Information Society A society where a majority of production comes through processing of information and services based on that An electronic democracy where citizens are informed at proper stages of planning and can participate in decision-making A networked society of participation and co-operation where some new rules apply

Networking means co-operation Stages of empowering stakeholders Information Enabling: network build-up Participation, linking to Co-operation True progress is possible only when you can build on work made by others, maximizing work-share benefits Co-operation is surprisingly difficult, because it means giving up something

Caveats in Information Society Information overload Flat organisations, email speed, imbalanced expectations of efficiency, escalation of meetings Outdated forms of information Can you compete on and with AltaVista Search? Being technology-driven but allow some… Duplicated efforts and networks Learn to add value, integrate networks with others

Information Society and the Environment Environmental issues -- info needs cross-cutting Sustainability as guiding principle on all sectors Citizens are stakeholders in environmental decision making Current ways of co-operating are not sufficient Huge market for simple environmental information Improve by exposing: data and environment EU Directive on access to environmental information US EPA experience

Opportunities ESPRIT (DGIII) Environment and Climate Programme (DG XII) Telematics Applications Programme (DGXIII) for Environment 4th Framework Programme 1994-1998 Exploratory action, 26 projects, 23 MECU 5th Framework Programme1998-2002 Full implementation, about 100 MECU

Present and future EU R&D activities Future research activities in the 5th FP Four thematic programmes and budget Improving the quality of life and management of living resources (2650 MECU) Creating a user friendly information society (3925 MECU) Promoting competitive and sustainable growth (3100 MECU) Preserving the ecosystem, which will address energy and the environment in an integrated manner (2100 MECU)

Present and future EU R&D activities “Creating a User Friendly I Society” Key action 1: Systems and services for the citizen Intelligent environmental monitoring, analysis, forecasting and decision support Information and management support tools and systems for sustainable development Real time high performance risk and emergency management systems and services Support action for technological development

Expected benefits from R&D Examples of critical issues a) Water Resources (quality and quantity) b) Air Pollution c) Earthquakes d) Global Warming e) Black Sea disaster f) Energy Management

Expected benefits from R&D Market Employment Sustainability Transport Telematics Solutions

Conclusion The new economies and rules of Information Society Global nature of Information Society Services as catalyst and enablers to put the principle of sustainable development into action A huge opportunity in EU and CEEC The moment to build partnerships is now