All of the Bridging the Gap conferences have emerged very informally from people working with the Eionet and EEA at the science-policy interface of environment and sustainability concerns. The conferences have arisen from an enthusiastic engagement with the issues by people who recognise the importance of joining forces with various actors and thinking innovatively to resolve these types of problems. While the conferences are strongly led by countries, the EEA has acted as an initiator and main player in all events so far. Countries have hosted, organised and financed the conferences with support from the EEA, DG Research, DG Environment and the Joint Research Centre. Other organisations, such as the WHO, have also been involved.

After three Bridging the Gap conferences (London 1998, Stockholm 2001 and Dublin 2004) and a 10-year period, Bridging the Gap has become a brand recognised and embraced by a wide network of people beyond the Eionet and EEA working in research, assessment, monitoring and reporting.

The intention of these conferences – and hence the brand which has emerged – has been to address different gaps in the chain from science to policy, or more broadly from knowledge to action, including the integrated assessment, decision-making and implementation of policies. The aim has been to provide information and insights for closing these gaps. The London conference focused on gaps in reporting on the environment; Stockholm on research within sectors; and Dublin on communication.

Bridging the Gap – New Needs and Perspectives for Environmental Information: London 1998

This conference addressed the environmental demand and supply cycle by concentrating on four key questions:

• What are the current and prospective priorities for environmental information to meet policy and management needs?
• To what extent are the existing information needs being met and where are the perceived gaps?
• How can these information needs be met most efficiently and what kind of frameworks are needed to optimise environmental monitoring and modelling?
• How can the information be most effectively put to use to meet the demands placed upon it by both policy-makers and the public?

The conference concluded that there was a pressing need to update and rationalise the systems for monitoring and gathering information about the environment throughout Europe.  It called for a concerted pan-European movement to streamline monitoring requirements and practices and to focus information-gathering on key issues.  It recognised the vital role of indicators in focusing and illuminating the significance of environmental change and progress in sustainability. The conference asked the European Environment Agency, acting in co-operation with all European states, and with the European Commission and Eurostat, to co-ordinate a review of the possibilities for improving existing monitoring and reporting systems and for bridging significant gaps.  This review was brought to the attention of the pan-European Conference of Ministers of the Environment which met in Aarhus in June 1998.

Bridging the Gap – Sustainability Research and Sectoral Integration: Stockholm 2001

The conclusions addressed:

• the development of a European research area (ERA) where the scientific community can integrate its research into the sustainable development concept;
• implementation of the 6th environmental action programme allowing the stakeholders to use research in the policy making process; and
• EU policy on sustainable development, preparatory work and the meeting of the European Council in Gothenburg in June 2001, and the implementation of EU policy.

http://www.naturvardsverket.se/

Bridging the Gap – Information for Action: Dublin 2004

Successful environmental policies need to be underpinned by relevant and reliable information. There is often a gap, however, between the information available and that needed for sound policy-making. Bridging the Gap: Information for Action aimed to close the gap between sustainable development policy and practice. The conference supported the effective implementation of new policies such as the Environmental Technologies Action Plan and the Environment and Health Action Plan, and considered new directions for research.
 

http://www.bridgingthegap.ie/