B - Convention on Biological Diversity

X. Exchange of InformationI. IntroductionInformation on the state of biodiversity and the availability of this information constitutes a basic preconditionfor increasing the general public and target groups awareness of biodiversity. With the development of theglobal computer network, a considerable information on biodiversity is transferred particularly in electronic form.The obligation to exchange, provide and communicate information related to the conservation of biodiversityand sustainable use of its components from all available sources follows from Article 17 of the <strong>Convention</strong>on Biological Diversity. Exchange of information on biodiversity consists primarily in access to information onthe results of scientific, technical and social-economic research, similar to the availability of information onresearch and education programmes (Art. 17 of the <strong>Convention</strong>). The Clearing-House Mechanism of the<strong>Convention</strong> on Biological Diversity (CHM CBD) was established for this purpose as a basic informationinstrument, intended to ensure exchange of information on biodiversity at a national level, in the framework ofa certain part of the world (EU, Europe) and on a global scale.II. Current ConditionsIn 2003, 37 information systems were in operation in the environmental sector, together with several thousandindependent databases, established in the carly 1990s without mutual coordination. The outputs from theseinformation systems are not uniform and frequently no records are kept of them. The data storehouse of ME,the Centre for Public Information Services (CPIS) catalogue and a specialized metainformation system, whichis part of the Unified Environmental Information System (UEIS), are intended to partly resolve this problem. Inthe framework of UEIS, whose administration and establishment is in the competence of the environmentalsector, a national Clearing House Mechanism for the <strong>Convention</strong> on Biological Diversity is being created (www.chm.nature.cz), coordinated by ANCLP CR, and the environmental web site in the framework of the InformationStrategy of ME for 2004 - 2006.From March 1, 2004, a PHARE twinning project was commenced with the Federal Ministry for the Environment,Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of FRG (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit- BMU). The main objective of the project is implementation of an integrated data model in accordance with theCENIA agency (Czech Environmental Information Agency - transformed Czech Environmental Institute). It is thetask of this agency to provide for practical and detailed implementation of the EC legislation (and legislation atother levels) on the environment, i.e. centralized data collection and control, and evaluation of the effectivenessof all the environmental laws. CENIA will provide for exchange of data on the environment between national andregional administrations, reporting in accordance with the EC Directives and harmonization with the requirementsof the EC legislation and the legislation at other levels. It will also be responsible for reporting on the state of theenvironment, preparation of analyses, policies, distribution of public information and provision of consultationto special-interest groups. The CENIA agency should also integrate the reporting on the environment, includingindicators of sustainable development, and will establish conditions for data collection, with the objective ofestablishing a uniform information system in environmental protection, which will be used by both the stateadministration and the public.64