SustainabilityATest Marjan van Herwijnen

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SustainabilityA-TestMarjan van Herwijnen

• Part 3

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Conclusions of SustainabilityA-Test

• The case study in particular, revealed three
  recurring themes related to tool use
• The value and challenge of combining tools (1-3)
• The scope of an assessment and the coverage of
  aspects relevant for sustainable development
  (4,5)
• Issues related to the communication within the
  scientific community and between scientists and
  policy makers. (6,7)
• Two conclusions relevant for Impact Assessment as
  carried out by the EU. (8,9)

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Conclusions on combining tools

• An integrated assessment for sustainable
  development is best supported by a combination of
  tools.
• Not too many tools should be used in an
  assessment, and tools do not necessarily have to
  be linked.
• The potential of combining tools is largely
  unexplored and could be significant.
• ATLAS
• Identify courses that focus on integrated
  assessment.
• Identify courses that focus on existing tools and
  especially also on combining these tools.
• Future
• More research is needed into making and using
  combinations of existing tools, in particular in
  connection with actual policy processes such as
  EU Impact Assessment.

4
Conclusions on covering impacts

• Defining the scope is crucial for the outcome of
  an assessment and could be supported by
  participatory tools.
• An integrated assessment for sustainable
  development combines quantitative and qualitative
  information. Tools are available for making this
  combination.
• ATLAS
• Add short-term courses.
• Add key-words to search for courses on specific
  tools.
• Future
• More research is needed to strengthen qualitative
  information in decision-making processes.

5
Conclusions on communication

• Tool use is hampered by jargon.
• Scientists need to better explain the added value
  of their own tools and learn about other tools.
• ATLAS
• Great! overview of the current educational
  provision in the area of land use and
  sustainability impact assessment.
• Future
• Tool developers should also develop and give
  courses to those who are supposed to use them.

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Conclusions on IA and the EU SDS

• Impact Assessments could benefit from the results
  of assessments done earlier in the policy making
  process.
• Impact Assessment can contribute to a
  comprehensive integrated assessment for
  sustainable development.
• ATLAS
• Identify courses that focus on integrated
  assessment.
• Future
• Research is needed on how to supplement IA with
  the more open integrated assessment frameworks.

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Thank you!