Environmental Databases and Information Management Programmes of International Organizations

Abstract

A wealth of data on the state of the environment is being created in innumerable programmes world-wide. Optimal use of this data requires that information on its existence is available, that it can be readily accessed and — most important of all -that the data be compiled and classified in ways which are compatible. Achieving this is the basic aim of harmonization of environmental measurement. Although great care is generally taken to harmonize data collected within programmes, harmonization between programmes remains a major goal for the future.

In 1989 UNEP established an office as a basis for the planned Harmonization of Environmental Measurement Project (HEM) under the auspices of the Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS). The office is developing a concept for an information system which will provide a basis for the harmonization of information on the environment collected at different levels and in different programmes.