Framing the Environmental Improvement Plan evidence system

The Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP 2023), is the first revision of the 25YEP (2018). It sets 10 goals to improve the environment and interim targets to measure progress. The expected outcomes of the EIP2023 are to restore nature, reduce environmental pollution, and increase the prosperity of the country. Improving the environment ensures that a wide range of ecosystems services that benefit the society are provided. Embedding evidence in the process of decision-making is essential to ensure that the actions implemented are the most effective at contributing to the EIP goals. However, the Office for Environmental Protection, stakeholder feedback, and internal reviews considered the process of embedding evidence in the EIP somehow inefficient. This project aimed at:
1) Contributing to improve the understanding of how evidence has been considered in the development and implementation of the EIP.
2) Providing recommendations on how to better frame the EIP (moving forward) so evidence is effectively considered, including the role of the Natural Capital Approach.