"The terms of reference (ToR) for the project requested a flexible approach to the work. Our proposal was based on the potential scope outlined in the ToR but made it clear that we were willing to adapt to meet the Commission's needs. The potential scope included supporting the Commission in a number of activities typical for an Impact Assessment (of a proposed 8th Environmental Action Programme (EAP)), such as preparing a public consultation and analysing the responses to it, stakeholder interviews and in person workshops. The ToR, and our proposal, also included an approach and estimated resource allocation, to prepare a number of issue papers considering topics of relevance to any future EAP. As a result of the Covid-19 situation some of the expected outputs were not possible, e.g. the workshops foreseen in 2020. The decision was also taken by the Commission not to pursue a public consultation for the proposed 8th EAP, with the consultation work on the evaluation of the 7th EAP, and other consultations deemed sufficient. As a result the staff resource and budget allocated to these aspects of the assignment was redirected towards the issue papers. We have produced the following three issue papers under this contract: Indicators – Requirements, options and demonstration of a functional and useful monitoring approach for the proposed 8th EAP. Digitalisation - Impacts of the digital transformation on the environment and sustainability. Just transition- Measuring a Just Transition in the EU in the context of the 8th EAP. The papers are available as separate annexes. The preparation of these papers required desk research, interviews, workshops with Commission staff and others (some in person workshops and some online), plus drafting and refining of written reports. The scope of the Indicators and Digitalisation papers expanded during the project, resulting in several versions of the work."

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