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UNEP/IETC EST InitiativeProposed Cooperation Framework

4 December 2003Otsu, Japan

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Needs… To increase the sustainability of (urban) systems

Enhance understanding and motivation Enhance the capacity to act in a sustainable manner (environmental,

social, economic) Enhance access to and uptake of the critical resources (with emphasis

on technology) To demonstrate success using relevant indicators

A consensus based set of performance indicators for ESTs is needed These indicators should provide guidance in addressing the

environmental performance of technologies (and should be linked to sustainable development)

Performance indicators are needed for the Initiative itself in order to measure overall effectiveness

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UNEP/IETC EST Initiative -Key Sectors

Energy

Technology Development & Demonstration

Technology Transfer &

Capacity Building

EST Initiative

Technology Assessment &

Evaluation

Technical Assistance &

Decision Support &

Waste

Construction

Water

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Proposed Initial Approach

Demonstrate ways and means to enhance sustainability of urban systems

Context: A component of IETC’s Cities as Sustainable

Ecosystems (CASE) initiative, but not exclusively

Also links to other initiatives of UNEP and partners

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Scope

Objective: Providing reliable information about ESTs, including examples of applications

Definition of ESTs: Includes technology-based concepts and systems and tools for application

Focus: Water and Sanitation, but not excluding other areas Targets: Technology users in developing countries and

countries in transition (with both developed and developing countries as sources of information and examples); other stakeholders including government agencies, financial institutions, technology developers, vendors and supply side infrastructure

Related Issues: Dealing with the contextual factors that impact on the ability to transfer and use ESTs

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Outputs to Address the Needs (1)

A platform for assessing, verifying and certifying the environmental performance of technologies

An internationally acceptable system/process for this

Mobilising available resources Introductory guidance papers for local decision-makers

(including co-branded publications) Fact sheets and templates on potential technologies Simplified, pragmatic guidance on decision-making for

technology investments Targeted and focused training courses Templates and examples for tenders, partnership

agreements, procurement, etc.

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Outputs to Address the Needs (2)

An effective system for accessing EST information Linked to National systems, etc Reviewed, validated, certified information

on ESTs Knowledge centres Good practice examples Training programmes and materials

Implementation of Partnership Agreements to strengthen cooperation

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IETC EST Initiative: Key Partners and Roles (1)

Coordination, facilitation and implementation (IETC) Organisations representing providers of ESTs

(Associations) information on potential ESTs sources of technology

Organisations covering a specific focus area (e.g. water, waste, construction) or target groups (e.g. local government, engineers, architects, planners, etc.) Expertise, information and experience –

innovation, application (IWA, ISTT, CIB, ISWA, FIDIC, etc.)

Practitioners - for delivery/implementation (ICLEI, FIDIC, others)

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IETC EST Initiative: Key Partners and Roles (2)

Organisations dealing with contextual issues (ICLEI, GPA, Government agencies)

Validation/Verification/Certification organisations (Government agencies and institutions)

Financing and investment aspects (Investment funds, government agencies and institutions)

Promotion and Marketing (GLOBE Foundation, ICLEI)

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Implementation (1)

Case studies on the process of EST identification, selection and performance assessment

Where Partners have significant presence Where environmental indicators suggest relevant needs and probability

of project having maximum relevance Focus

ESTs for water, sanitation, construction Developing countries as targets Developed and developing countries as sources of information and

innovation Parallel (multi-institution) rather than sequential approach

Establish partnership agreements Re-focus (“re-package”) existing products

Environmental outcomes Use accepted environmental (sustainability) indicators to identify entry

points and assess progress

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Implementation (2)

Initial Plan of Action, including: Partnership Agreements for the EST Initiative Products/Events/Activities

Strengthen the technology “system” (includes transfer, procurement, tendering, uptake, integrity)

Examine innovative financing Outline methods and tools for assessment, evaluation and

verification Develop criteria, guidelines and best practices, Identify case

studies both from and relevant to developing countries Development of performance indicators for the Initiative

itself Dissemination of experience gained in

demonstration projects Strengthening institutional arrangements Funding (EU, World Bank, GEF, others)

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Next Steps (1)

• Establish an agreement amongst the participating organizations on how to assess technologies in a transparent manner.

• Agree on an action plan and process that could lead to the establishment of a standard for assessing ESTs. This could involve positioning the initiative to eventually go forward as an ISO standard.

• Work together and with other organizations to define a meaningful set of environmental indicators and performance criteria relevant to the adoption and use of ESTs.

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Next Steps (2)

Continue to augment mechanisms and approaches for the provision, acquisition and dissemination of information on ESTs.

Identify and compile case studies to more clearly communicate the importance of ESTs.

Prepare a series of co-branded products and fact sheets on selected topics.

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Next Steps (3)

• Target decision-makers within local authorities, as well as banks, insurers and other financial institutions.

• Link to key events and promote the EST Initiative in a strategic manner.    

• Measure success by establishing an appropriate mechanism for monitoring and evaluating progress.

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Next Steps (3)

Discussion and Actions!