Feedback Sought on INSPIRE Standards

Views are now being sought on the suitability of the proposed standards under Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE, see link below). Data specifications covering 25 themes including land cover, buildings, soil, land-use, energy, health and safety are open for public consultation until 21st October 2011. These standards will harmonise the EU-wide approach to data about natural risk zones, atmospheric conditions, meteorological geographical features, oceanographic geographical features, sea regions, habitats and biotopes, species distribution, and energy and mineral resources.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, and thus responsible for the Joint Research Centre (JRC) which does the technical coordination of INSPIRE, said: "With material and expertise made available by over 650 public and private organisations and coordinated by the JRC, INSPIRE is a knowledge-base of tremendous potential. Common environmental data standards are crucial not only for policymaking but also for underpinning scientific research and ultimately the deployment of innovative and sustainable technologies"
Once adopted, the standards will facilitate cross-border integration and analysis of environmental data, modelling, and forecasting activities in many policy areas.

Studies have shown that the benefits of INSPIRE are both economic and social: while allowing faster and less expensive environmental impact assessment, INSPIRE brings improved business opportunities and creates synergies between public administrations.