(2) Improving information and knowledge resource system : 335. It is carried out mainly as a collaborative effort between the Ministry, research centres and Specialized Survey Offices with the aim of enhancing the knowledge base on environmental issues and monitoring trends of the variables concerned. Within this framework, capacity building was enhanced for the Ecological Monitoring Centre (CES) in the area of collection, processing, storage and dissemination of information, monitoring of natural resources and environmental developments. For example, since 2010, newsletters on analyses of the quality of air and water have been disseminated through the media, in particular through national television broadcasts. (b) Establishment of institutional and legal mechanism for effective protection of the environment (1) Institutional and legal framework : 336. The following have been established under the Ministry of Environment: -Planning and Monitoring Studies Unit (CEPS) to assess in advance State programmes and projects yet to be implemented and also coordinate cooperation and management of external assistance ; -Higher Council on Natural Resources and the Environment (CONSERE) whose mandate is to coordinate and harmonize environmental policy in Senegal by ensuring the inclusion of environmental factors into national programmes ; -Regional Environmental Offices whose core mandate is to assist in reviewing the legal and regulatory instruments of all sectors to ensure their compliance and consistency with the Environmental Code by incorporating provisions on sustainability and environmental protection in sectoral and inter-sectoral strategies of the State. (2) Strong environmental partnership : 337. A strong environmental partnership has been developed around the improvement of relations between the Ministry and its partners (local governments, NGOs, CBO’s and private promoters) on environmental management. This is a consultative, planning and joint management approach on environmental and participatory problems. 338. For example, at the local government level, there will be the need, in line with the decentralization Act, to enhance their skills and competence in environmental management whereas with the private sector, the emphasis will be on sensitization towards compliance with the regulation in force and participation in the decision-making process concerning the issues at stake. In this context, the Government of Senegal put in place incentives to facilitate their access to clean technologies and/or knowledge pertaining to the 77