INSPIRE and the Digital Agenda for Europe

There are similarities and synergies to be exploited related to the implementation of INSPIRE and some actions envisaged in the Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE). The DAE is Europe S strategy for a flourishing digital economy by 2020. Among others it outlines policies and actions to maximize the benefit of the Digital Revolution for e Environment services. eEnvironment can be described as the use and promotion of ICT for the purposes of environmental assessment and protection, spatial planning, and the sustainable use of natural resources, and it includes public participation. eEnvironment services are closely connected with building SEIS, GMES and INSPIRE. The DAE also covers open access to data (including the review of the Public Sector Information (PSI)). PSI is the single largest source of information in Europe, produced and collected by public bodies and includes digital maps, meteorological, legal, traffic, financial, economic and other data. Most of these data could be re-used or integrated into new products and cross-border services related the Environment such as weather forecasts, insurance services, ... and Open Government is transforming the way organizations across the world handle data and make it available to citizens and communities. Better access to PSI can improve people s quality of life and make how they interface with government much easier in environmental protection and sustainable development. This paper shortly introduces the INSPIRE Directive and the DAE and analyses possible synergies.