Information Sources for a European Integrated Environmental Information Space

Abstract

A huge amount of environmental information is available in Europe, and there is no lack of political will behind the idea of integrating environmental information sources in general. DG Environment favours the creation of a Shared Environmental Information Space (SEIS), while DG Information Society & Media (INFSO) is pursuing the strategy of a Single Information Space in Europe for the Environment (SISE). Both approaches are in accordance with the principles of eGovernment, eDemocracy and eEnvironment. This paper attempts to identify the preconditions for building a Single European Information Space and associated projects in the field of sustainable growth. It looks at the legal background and provides an overview of the current status of SEIS, SISE and eEnvironment. It also provides an assessment of some of the sources of environmental information and of existing projects, information flows and obstacles to user-oriented application. A list of national web tools for integrating information sources into an SISE and examples of existing implementations are also provided.