Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
4091906 
Technical Report 
Benefits of Integrated Assessment: Information for Decision Makers, Project Leaders and Scientists 
Dinse, K 
2010 
NTIS/13120132 
GRA and I 
GRA and I 
Integrated Assessment (IA) brings together natural, social, and economic information to assist analysis of policy options for decision makers. The IA process also brings together scientists, policy makers, citizens, NGO, and industry representatives to evaluate options for particularly challenging or wicked problems. Since IA builds partnerships and a framework to share knowledge, problems that have both arguable definitions and solutions are best suited to this process. IAs vary widely depending on the geographic scope, budget, type of issue, and range of decision makers. The following are useful IA steps that ensure the process is both relevant to participants and factually credible: (1) define the policy-relevant question, (2) document status and trends, (3) describe the causes and consequences of those trends, (4) identify desired outcomes and policy options, (5) evaluate the likely environmental, social, and economic outcomes of each option, (6) provide technical guidance for implementation, and (7) assess uncertainty. These elements are best seen as a flexible framework different stages might be emphasized depending on the policy context and the scientific and public understanding of the issue. Integrated Assessment can appear to be overly complex with vague outcomes. However, because sustainability problems often lack a clear cause or solution, the IA process offers an innovative way to build consensus and guide decisions for these pressing and unique challenges. It is also important to acknowledge that there are both tangible and intangible benefits associated with IA. The goal of this study is to communicate both sets of benefits.