GRID-Arendal: Strategic Plan 2018-2021

Our role is to analyse and translate complex, scientific information into understandable, high quality environmental products that are visually appealing to motivate sound decision making and policies. By bridging the gap between science and policy, we will continue to work as a knowledge broker and facilitator, presenting environmental data in the most suitable communication formats to policy- and decision-makers. One of GRID-Arendal’s major strengths, recognised by our clients, is in using a combination of sound scientific methods together with a diplomatic approach for bringing stakeholders together in order to establish consensus on a topic. GRID-Arendal will respond to emerging issues and work globally with a special focus on Africa, Asia and the Arctic. Strategic directions and goals

Our work will support the environmental goals of the United Nations and is aligned with UN Environment’s programme of work. Strategic directions for GRID-Arendal in 2018-21 will also be guided by Norwegian government priorities. GRID-Arendal’s work will encompass our ocean, freshwater, mountain and polar biomes, as well as tackle key challenges such as climate change, nature’s benefits to people, environmental crime and security, sustainable livelihoods, pollution, blue-green economy, gender and environmental justice. Our efforts in this period will include communicating information through our website, reports, graphics, blogs, articles and film; providing assessment of policies; capacity building through training and lectures; and activities

that are more analytical in nature such as workshops, participatory mapping and the development of new assessment methods. We will emphasize innovation and new communication technologies and methods in our work. We will partner with individuals and organisations whose expertise complements our own. We will prioritise working with local communities and regional authorities to motivate decision-makers to action and to maximise the impact of our work.

Our work plans and projects will to follow the “results based management” protocols used by the Norwegian government.

GRID-Arendal’s activities and the Sustainable Development Goals

GRID-Arendal’s activities will be anchored by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While we will refer to the SDGs where relevant, we will focus on the environmental goals of clean water and sanitation (SDG-6), responsible consumption and production (SDG-12), climate action (SDG-13), life below water (SDG-14), life on land (SDG-15) and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG-16). Cross-cutting SDGs of building partnerships for the goals (SDG-17), decent work and economic growth (SDG-8), and gender equality (SGD-5) are also targeted by GRID-Arendal.