www.cymru.gov.uk

IGIBS Kick Off Meeting11th April 2011

Colin Chapman

Overview

• Who are SEED• Some History• Wales’ Natural Environment Framework – Concept & Scope• Research and Evidence Agenda• Benefits

WAG Involvement in IGIBS

Who are SEED?

Sustainable Futures Directorate

Heritage Group Regeneration

Rural Affairs

Tourism & Marketing

Dept Environment & Sustainability

Sustainability & Environmental Evidence Division (SEED)

Scientific Evidence & Assessment Branch (SEAB)

GI Policy Unit

WAG Involvement in IGIBS

• WAG Corporate GIS Programme• External Business Improvement Prototypes• SEED Provide Strategic Steer For Environment Prototypes• Natural Environmental Framework

• A Partnership between SEED & G&T• Delivering business improvements through GIS for NEF/SF

Some History

WAG Involvement in IGIBS

• ‘A Living Wales’ Consultation

“Demands on the environment are increasing because of climate change, human activity and other factors. Until now we have usually looked at parts of the environment separately. This means we have underestimated the importance of the environment in our lives. Our new Natural Environment Framework (NEF) focuses on managing our environment as a whole rather than focusing on separate parts.”

• Ecosystems Approach• Focus on Ecosystem Services

Natural Environment Framework - Concept

WAG Involvement in IGIBS

• NEF as an umbrella initiative – “From Land To Sea”• Ambitious• Links & dependencies on other policies, programmes & initiatives• Importance of spatial intelligence• Collaborative initiative – data sharing access to data and tools

Natural Environment Framework - Scope

WAG Involvement in IGIBS

• Maintaining and creating links to Universities in Wales• Horizon scanning• Emerging technologies and science to answer policy questions• Supporting/sponsoring new relevant research• Access to data• Evidence Base (SEED as evidence leads)

R&D and Evidence Agenda

WAG Involvement in IGIBS

Benefits for Sustainable Futures

WAG Involvement in IGIBS

• Building on existing relationship with Aberystwyth University• Linking into emerging technologies and techniques - Earth Observation• Stimulate two way exchange of information – research and policy drivers

• Exploring ways of improving access to data in Environment/Rural Sectors• Web based technologies to facilitate better access to relevant data• Exploring access control – communicating data at an appropriate level• Findings to inform development of specific solutions to support NEF

• Exploring emerging technologies and science to answer policy questions• Innovative solutions to old problems – monitoring, targeting policies and activities• Big questions: climate change, ecosystem health; Need for a robust evidence base

• Communication with stakeholders across Environment/Rural Sectors• Engaging at the right level with stakeholders• Application of technology to inform development what is possible / necessary