The GEO Year Book is UNEPs response to this GC/GMEF decision. It is based on comprehensive tracking at global and regional level of issues and developments as they unfolded during the year, and collaboration between UNEP and many partners at both levels. The Year Book also becomes the latest addition to the set of products developed within UNEPs GEO process for integrated environmental assessment. Like them, it aims to bridge the gap between science and policy, and make environmental information easily accessible to policy-makers and other readers.