UNEP /InWEnt Training Programme SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION MAKING THE CONNECTION

Transcription

1 UNEP /InWEnt Training Programme Document for working groups exercises Roles and Opportunities for CPCs SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION MAKING THE CONNECTION

2 Table of Contents Background... 4 Working group exercise: Washing clothes... 4 Small group activity: Country-Specific Exploration and Action Planning... 5 Potential Expanded Roles and Opportunities for CPCsError! Bookmark not defined. Annexes Annex 1: Life Cycle Diagram of Washing Machine... 6 Annex 2: Life Cycle Diagram of Detergents... 7

3 Acknowledgement This document for working groups exercises is based on a training manual for trainers prepared by Anne Berlin Blackman (Toxics Use Reduction Centre) and Jack Luskin (Lowell Center for Sustainable Production) as well as a group exercise elaborated by Adriana Zacarias (UNEP DTIE).

4 Section V. Sustainable Production and Consumption: Group exercises- Roles and Opportunities for NCPCs Background In 1994, UNIDO and UNEP joined forces to help introduce Cleaner Production in developing countries and economies in transition. The UNIDO/UNEP Programme for National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs) is a unique program of capacity development to help achieve adoption and further development of the Cleaner Production concept at the national level. The program is aimed at fostering a dialogue between industry and government and enhancing investments for transfer and development of environmentally sound technologies. Recognizing the interconnectedness of sustainable consumption and production, UNEP has recently called upon NCPCs to expand their scope of activity to include sustainable consumption. In its Cleaner Production Global Status Report 2002, UNEP urged CPCs to focus now on the expanded vision of CP that links explicitly with sustainable consumption. Group exercise: Washing clothes Imagine this situation: A country is facing serious environmental problems related to industrial pollution. One significant polluter is the washing of clothes. Aspects of sustainability with regard to washing have not been seriously incorporated into the production processes and consumption patterns of that country. On the one hand, the washing machine industry is a key actor for influencing the washing of clothes. On the other hand, recent research on risk assessment and life cycle analysis reveals that most of the environmental impacts of washing are generated at home (during the use phase). See annex 1 for the life cycle of a washing machine. There are also some studies from the National Environmental Institute that give evidence of eutrophication in many rivers and lakes in the country. The eutrophication is caused to a large extent by the phosphates in detergents. As a result there are some NGOs and consumers organisations in the country protesting against water pollution, and planning some boycotts against the detergents industries. They are raising awareness on the need to protect the environment. ). See annex 2 for the life cycle of detergents. As a result, the government has decided to have a multi-stakeholder dialogue to assess this situation; and develop a strategy to make the function of washing clothes sustainable (including both production and consumption sides). The tasks for the groups are the following: 1. Identify the key actors/partners that need to be involved in the multi-stakeholder dialogue?

5 2. Revise and complete (if necessary) the lifecycle analysis diagram! Identify the sources of waste generation! 3. What are the consumption patterns of the industry? 4. Analyse the product. How could the product be more environmentally friendly (think about Eco-design)! How would you inform consumers about the green qualities of the product? 5. Analyse the current washing behavior of individuals that might have an impact on the environment and society (consumption patterns)? Suggest sustainable washing actions (sustainable washing behavior)! 6. Develop new ideas for more sustainable ways to provide the function of washing cloths. What is the solution strategy? And what would be the role of each actor in the strategy to make washing cloth more sustainable? (Which kind of regulations, economic instruments, information, tools and methodologies are needed; who should deliver them?) 7. What are your indicators of sustainability? 8. What are the potential economic, environmental and social benefits? 9. What are the first steps to start the implementation of this strategy? The power point presentation for this section contains the necessary information for the example of washing clothes. This example can also be changed to other examples, however an example should prepare a common ground within the participants. Small group activity: Country-Specific Exploration and Action Planning There has been a lot of information presented and discussed in this course on sustainable production and consumption. Most of it has been generic and could be used in many situations. The small group activity on Country-Specific Exploration and Action Planning will provide an opportunity for participants to apply all that has been learned to their own CPCs. Participants will work both individually and within groups in this activity so that they can be independently creative and also benefit from the availability of colleagues to help shape their ideas. The individual and group activity can be supported with examples out of the participants environment. By inviting the participants to bring along examples from home the processes of preparation is furthered at an early stage and ensure good motivation. Examples from home should be typical products from the respective country like coffee from Costa Rica and copper wires from Chile.

6 Annex 1: Life Cycle Diagram of Washing Machine Revise and complete (if necessary) the Life Cycle diagram of the washing machine above.

7 Annex 2: Life Cycle Diagram of Detergents Revise and complete (if necessary) the Life Cycle diagram of detergents above.