GUIDELINES FOR THE CONFIGURATION OF ECO ASIA NET

1. Establishment of the Environmental Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA NET, hereinafter referred to as the "Network") was proposed by the Environment Agency of Japan at the Fifth Meeting of Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA'96) held in Gumma, Japan in July 1996. The Network, aiming at creating a databank of environmental information in the Asia-Pacific region to provide the policy makers in the region with an important basis for developing environmental policy and measures, was welcomed and supported by the Congress.

2. As directed by the ECO ASIA'96, the First International Workshop on the Environmental Information Network in Asia and the Pacific was held in Tokyo, Japan, in October 1996 to elaborate the details of the Network. After intensive discussion, participants identified the purpose and the function of the Network and the information to be exchanged through the Network. Participants agreed to discuss guidelines for the configuration of the Network at the second workshop and to ask the Secretariat to prepare its draft

3. The Second International Workshop on the Environmental Information Network in Asia and the Pacific was held in Tokyo, Japan, on 3 to 4 February 1998, with the participation of 28 experts from 17 countries and 7 organizations. The workshop investigated the essential components of the Network taking into account the situation of the countries in the region, and finalized the "Guidelines for the Configuration of ECO ASIA NET" as described below.

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2. OBJECTIVES

4. The objectives of the Network should be:

i) to support sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region by information sharing and dissemination; and,

ii) to support realization of the four concepts proposed at ECO ASIA (Eco-Consciousness, Eco-Partnership, Eco-Technology and Eco-Investment, and Eco-Policy Linkage) by utilizing Internet technology and infrastructure.

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3. FUNCTIONS

5. To achieve the objectives mentioned above, the Network mandate should include, but not be limited to, the following functions:

i) providing an electronic forum where policy makers or administrative officials can discuss, ask questions, and provide answers;

ii) providing a forum on information sharing on the environment among policy makers, private companies, NGOs, and so on;

iii) enhancing the retrieval, organization, and management of environmental information by utilizing the Internet in a form that is easy to use, relevant, and updated regularly for users;

iv) linking existing databases such as those developed by UNEP, relevant to the Asia-Pacific Region, and making them available to the Network users; and,

v) collecting constructive opinions and proposals from various kinds of people and organizations.

6. Furthermore, improvements in the technology of information gathering and sharing including innovations in Internet technology and developments in each country's accumulation of environment-related information, should be reflected in the Network hardware and presentation.

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4. COMPONENTS OF THE NETWORK

7. The Network should be composed of:

i) main home page presented in English on the Internet, managed by the Secretariat, the contents of which are described below; and,

ii) individual home pages, managed by each participating country in the Asia-Pacific region, where applicable and/or appropriate, based on these guidelines, and linked to the main home page.

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5. MAIN HOME PAGE

8. The main home page on the Internet begins with a table of contents consisting initially of the items below. In the event that the desired functions of the Network should change, then it has to be dealt with in a flexible manner, allowing for necessary content adjustments. Initially, the items and contents on the home page should be as follows:

5.1 What's New

9. This item provides links from the main home page to new announcements, and other new information on the individual home pages of each country.

5.2 Environmental Event Calendar

10. This item lists, in chronological order, planned national and international events concerning the environment and related to the Asia-Pacific region, and provides links to Internet home pages on which the content of each is described.

5.3 ECO-LINK on the Net

11. This item lists links to individual home pages provided by each country and related international organizations. In order to facilitate efficient search of the contents, the following four search methods will be available: "by country" , "by subject" , "by any word" , and "by (each Chapter of ) Agenda 21" .

12. In addition, the gateway links to the web sites relevant to sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region and the concepts proposed at ECO ASIA, which are Eco-consciousness, Eco-partnership, Eco-technology and Eco-investment, and Eco-policy linkage. In particular, the contents for supporting realization of Eco-Technology and Eco-Investment depend upon other information systems such as the home page of United Nations Environment Programme's International Environmental Technology Centre (maESTro).

5.4 Report on ECO ASIA

13. This content includes information and materials of ECO ASIA, such as chair's summary, the agenda, lists of participants, and the contents of the reports of ECO ASIA and related meetings.

5.5 Electronic Forum

14. This has the function of electronic conferencing, over the Internet, to facilitate various discussions, questions and answer sessions, etc., concerning sustainable growth, including those involved in the policy-making process in the governments, as well as by the members of specified research organizations and/or local governments.

5.6 Contact Us

15. In the event that the users of the Network wish to send various opinions to the Secretariat of the Network, electronic mail must be provided.

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6. HOME PAGES OF INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES

16. In order to use the Network to make an integrated comparison of environment-related information by country and by item, each country is encouraged to include in its home page the information described in the Annex, and if possible promote ECO ASIA NET by affixing the ECO ASIA NET logo in its opening home page. Sources for information can include the home pages of international organizations such as the United Nations' Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development. Such information should be updated on a regularly and as needed.

17. In the event that a participating country intends to alter the site on which its own home page is listed, alter the URL, or significantly alter the contents, it is encouraged to notify the Secretariat in advance.

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7. USERS OF THE NETWORK

18. The Network's target audience is assumed to be those involved in the policy-making process in the governments, as well as to the members of specified research organizations and/or local governments. However, users should not be limited. Any individual in principle may make use of it.

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8. REVIEW PROCESS

19. Development of the Network is to fully allow for monitoring, evaluation and review, and revision as appropriate, in order to make possible its continual evolution. These Guidelines are also subject to review and revision, as appropriate.

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9. SECRETARIAT

19. For the effective management of the Network, a Secretariat having the functions described below should be established or designated.

20. The Secretariat should be responsible for the overall management of the Network's web site, including periodical update of the main home page, review of linkages to the Network, facilitation of smooth discussion over the Electronic Forum, distribution of comments and opinions sent to the Secretariat, and dealing with the Network's technical problems.

22. It should be noted that Secretariat is not responsible for the content of each home page itself. The management of the homepages of participating countries is up to the efforts of countries themselves.

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-ANNEX-

1. Government Organizations

The objectives, nature, functions, and activities of governmental body(ies) (ministry, agency, department or other governmental body) responsible for the environment (environmental authority) should be included. To be more specific, the following contents are recommended for inclusion on the home page:

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2. Policies and Regulations

Policies, laws and rules concerning sustainable development adopted by each country should be introduced for supporting realization of Eco-Policy Linkage. To be more specific, the recommended contents are as follows:

2.1 Policies and Programs
A section describing the content of policies concerning sustainable development, including comprehensive systems, important programs and current priorities areas. This includes policies and programs aiming to protect resources for development such as the atmosphere, rivers and streams, lakes and wetlands, and oceans. It also includes the development of resources to do away with toxic waste. Finally it should describe comprehensive policies concerning urban environmental management, traffic policies, and initiatives to combat global warming.

2.2 Laws
A section describing comprehensive systems and the content of laws and regulations concerning sustainable development. As with section 2.1, this section should include information on the following areas of laws and regulations: protection of resources for development such as the atmosphere, rivers and streams, lakes and wetlands, and oceans; the development of resources to do away with toxic waste; and, comprehensive concerns such as urban environmental management, traffic policies, and initiatives to combat global warming.

2.3 Environmental and Emission Standards
A section describing, in detail, environmental and emission control standards for atmospheric pollutants, water quality contaminants, and environmental contaminants pollution such as noise and vibration. As for emission control standards, it is desirable to describe them according to the generation sources (factories and automobiles) and locations (cities and regions).

2.4 International Cooperation
A section describing international treaties or cooperation agreements concluded with the objective of sustainable development.

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3. State of the Environment

The environmental situation and the status of pollution generation in each country should be included. Also, the areas containing valuable natural assets such as the national parks and sanctuaries plus the historical and cultural assets for each country will be included. To be more specific, the recommended contents are as follows:

3.1 General Data
A section describing, in general, various environmental situations or a page specifically describing the status of each resource for development (for example, the atmosphere, water quality, means of dealing with toxic waste).

3.2 Air
A section describing the status of the atmosphere in one's own country. The content should include greenhouse gases such as CO2, atmospheric contaminants such as SOx and NOx, the status of acid deposition, the status of substances destructive to the ozone layer such as CFC, and the concentration levels of such in the atmosphere. It is desirable to describe such data in terms of a plural number of locations and by the year in which an event occurred.

3.3 Water
A section describing the water quality in one's own country. The content should include water quality (for example COD, BOD, etc.) in the interior, such as rivers and streams, lakes and wetlands, groundwater, etc. including the water volume. Figures on ocean water quality should also be included. It is desirable to describe such data in terms of a plural number of locations and by the year in which an event occurred.

3.4 Noise and Vibration
A section describing situations involving pollution such as noise and vibration which occur in one's own country. It is desirable to describe each situation in terms of the generation sources (factories and automobiles, etc.) or in terms of location (cities and regions) and by the year in which an event occurred.

3.5 Waste
A section describing the emission of waste materials, along with the status of processing, recycling and disposal in one's own country. It is desirable to describe such in terms of types (solid waste, toxic materials, industrial waste, household waste) and by the year in which an event occurred.

3.6 Forests
A section describing the extent of the forest areas and the deforestation rate in one's own country.

3.7 Biodiversity
A section describing the diversity of species and the habitat situation for wild animals in one's own country. The content is assumed to include the number of species (plants and animals), the number of endangered species, and the classification of habitats.

3.8 National Parks
A page describing the national parks in one's own country, including their locations and an overview for each. It is desirable to include photographs.

3.9 Cultural and Historical Heritage
A page describing the cultural and historical assets in one's own country, including their locations. It is desirable to include photographs.

3.10 Others
A page describing other valuable natural and other assets which contribute to the environment. In addition, A section including data/statistics concerning other environment-related issues. The content is assumed to include offensive odors, land degradation, land desertification, land subsidence, soil pollution, depletion of coastal and marine resources, and depletion of energy resources.

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4. Eco Consciousness

In order to make a contribution toward sustainable development, an environment-friendly lifestyle for individuals the following should be included: corporate production and sales activities (including cleaner production) having less impact on the environment; hints and wisdom regarding environment-friendly activities; and traditional customs. It is desirable to include specific case studies.

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5. Agenda 21

A section describing implementation of Agenda 21. The contents should focus on a review of progress made since the United Nations Conference On Environment And Development, 1992. To be more specific, the content should be Country Profiles, submitted to the United Nations' Division for Sustainable Development.

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6. Calendar of Events

A section describing the schedules for environment-related events, seminars, meetings, and international conferences, including links to home pages that describe relevant details.

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7. Capacity Building

A section listing scheduled international environmental education and training opportunities open to regional experts.

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8. Major Related Groups

The various groups and individuals involved in activities related to sustainable development are described for supporting realization of Eco-Partnership. To be more specific, the recommended contents are as follows:

8.1 Public Bodies
A section describing the activities of various environment-related public groups, organizations, committees, councils, etc., and their members.

8.2 Research Institutes
A section listing the names of public institutions involved in various research and development efforts concerning the environment, their activities, points of contact, and home pages.

8.3 Local Authorities
A section describing the approaches taken by municipalities, in each country, toward sustainable development.

8.4 NGOs/Voluntary Bodies
A section listing the environment-related NGOs/voluntary bodies in each country, their activities, points of contact, and home pages.

8.5 Business and Industry
A section describing companies, in each country, which possess technologies which can contribute to sustainable development as well as companies engaged in environment-related businesses.

8.6 Individuals
A section listing the names of individuals engaged in activities related to sustainable development, the organizations to which they belong, points of contact, and fields of specialty.

8.7 Others
In addition to the above, a page describing any other environment-related groups and linkage to their home pages.

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9. Special Topics

A section describing policies, laws, activities, state of environment and other relevant issues of concern at global, regional, global and/or national level, such as climate change, acid deposition, environmental education, eco-tourism, ISO14000, environmental economics, and success stories.

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