Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ENVIRONMENT
06 2009
UNEP/GRID-Arendal
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37 03 50 publication
50 by UNEP/GRID-Arendal
Sept 2009
32 pages
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Contents il
az
Br
Page 2–3
Greening the world economy means
turning markets and finance into
partners in sustainable development.
With the world in the grip of an ominous
rica
financial crisis, we are only just realising how me
A
important the way we manage our money can
South
be for the future.
Page 4–7
Economics for the planet goes one th
na ou K
orea*
S
step beyond greening the economy.
i
Ch
Debate on the economics of nature is only now
beginning, but depending on the direction it Compound annual
takes, we may see new models for business and growth rate in Green
government accounting emerge, new currencies Energy investments
expressing natural and social assets. We may (2004-2008)
even see a GDP of the poor. Time will tell. One 100%
thing is certain, we are all part of the puzzle. Middle East
ica
er and Africa
e
rop
m
90%
North A
d
Asia an
green jobs are the life blood of a 80%
more sustainable future.
New opportunities are shaped by drivers such
70%
as changing consumer tastes and preferences,
government regulations and innovation. This
may also lead to more meaningful new jobs for Africa 60%
individuals all over the planet. only dia
In
Page 14–15 50%
Land and sea abound with examples
of change and imminent action for a 40%
green economy.
30%
Page 16–19
Energy for a sustainable future
means fulfilling demand efficiently, 20%
drawing on renewable sources.
It involves providing sustainable energy 10%
services and solutions, sometimes requiring Green energy
off-grid solutions or the development of more investments in 2008. Pacific
effective technologies and infrastructures to Ocean
0%
optimize energy production and consumption. Billion US Dollars
50
Page 20–21 30 Indian
Waste equates to unused resources. Atlantic
Ocean
It calls for new infrastructure and a change in Ocean
20
individual behaviour. In the drive to achieve
resource efficiency, waste is uneconomical as
1 Note: South Korea inestments and variations relative to 2008-2009.
well as raising healthcare and cultural issues.
Above all, it is simply a waste! Source: UNEP - SEFI, Global trends in sustainable energy investment ,2009.
Page 22–23
Page 24–27 By Achim Steiner that indicate a willingness to seize the op- The close to $40 billion green stimulus
Tourism and travel are both a bless- portunity to drive tomorrow’s development is also expected to generate 1 million jobs
ing and a burden for communities If the recent food, fuel, financial and eco- by making the transition towards a Green by 2012 in areas from clean technology to
worldwide. nomic crises have taught us anything it is that Economy – if only we can hold our collective natural resource management.
They raise major challenges, but offer count- narrow definitions and objectives for growth nerve and stick with it.
less opportunities for social, cultural and are unlikely to serve society well in the 21st Meanwhile UNEP launched its annual glob-
economic development. When properly man- century. Indeed, unless we put the green into The multi-trillion dollar stimulus packages al trends report under its Sustainable Energy
aged, environmental stress can be minimized growth we are in danger of repeating the mis- have served as adrenaline shots to save the Finance Initiative (SEFI) in June 2009. This
and action can be taken to adjust behaviour takes of the past which have led in large part to ailing global economy for the time being. report confirmed that investment in renew-
and attitudes to suit a living planet. the current economic crisis and have pushed But some nations and regions, from Japan to ables in 2008 was $155 billion, higher for
millions back into hunger and poverty. China and the United States to Europe and the first time than investment in new fossil
Page 28–29 Mexico are going beyond this – investing sig- fuel generation, at $110 billion. Investment
Framework building prepares the For the crises of the here and now will pale nificant slices to revive economic activity that in renewables was up from only about $35
ground for change, a task in which besides the ones to come if you layer on top are expected to emerge fitter, leaner, healthier billion in 2004. How many economists
governments and international orga- of them, the climate and looming natural re- and with a smaller ecological footprint. in the 1990s would have predicted such a
nizations play a key role. source scarcity crises on a planet of 6 billion, turn-around? And by far the largest growth
The emergence of public-private partnerships expected to rise to over 9 billion by 2050. When In short they are factoring in the broader eco- was not in the developed economies, but in
over the past decade has amply supported the financial crisis occurred, employment was nomic, social and environmental opportuni- China and India.
such efforts. Non-governmental organisations already a global major challenge, with 1.3 billion ties possible via a transition to a low carbon,
and research enhance ongoing processes with people under or un-employed, and another half resource efficient development path. Take Other highlights, showing progress towards
essential intellectual input. a billion young people worldwide poised to join the Republic of South Korea – if you look at a Green Economy future include:
the job market over the next 10 years. the stimulus there, the range of environmen-
Page 32–37
Building resilience by empowering
tal investments and the systematic approach A On World Environment Day 2009,
But though we cannot disregard the crises, involving the public and the private sector, President Calderon announced that Mexico
individuals in communities is a key something quite fundamental has also been then perhaps this is the most comprehensive was taking on voluntary greenhouse gas
process in bottom-up growth. happening in many countries, developed Green Growth package of them all. emission cuts of 50 million tonnes of C02
Capacity development comes in many and developing alike. a year or a reduction of around 8%. He also
shapes and sizes, but a critical factor is
South Korea’s green deals target investment announced that, with the right financing
giving people a sense of personal belonging,
The last 12 months have seen a markedly in renewable energy and transport but also in place, this could rise to a reduction of
ownership and collaboration.
different discourse, and a set of responses ecosystems including freshwater and forests. close to 16%.
(continues next page)
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 Greening the world economy
Greening the world economy means turning markets and finance into partners in sustainable development. With the world in the grip of an ominous financial crisis, we are only just
realising how important the way we manage our money can be for the future.
(continued)
A Brazil, with close to 50% of its energy al- a central message from renewable energy in Copenhagen to raise the price of carbon This deal should also give due consideration
ready coming from renewable sources such developers on behalf of rich and poorer and give certainty to the carbon markets. to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from
as hydro and ethanol, announced a 30,000 to economies involved in the UNEP SEFI the building sector, one of the largest con-
40,000 megawatt wind power programme report mentioned earlier. At its heart the transformation towards a sumers of energy and producers of CO2.
early 2009, which will be backed by incen- Green Economy is about ensuring that the
tives and market mechanisms. A There needs to be a greening of devel- full costs of pollution and environmentally- The world has had a serious wake-up call
opment cooperation – one of the recent sur- damaging activities are internalized rather in terms of the global economy and its cur-
A In July 2009, a consortium of some 20 prises in Kenya was that the government was than externalized – so that real choices can rent trajectory – the vulnerable are being hit
firms started raising money for the African- planning to bridge an energy gap by buying be made. At the same time, establishing a the hardest with an estimated 100 million
European Desertec project – building solar in diesel-generated power from independent Green Economy is about more intelligent people likely to be plunged back into poverty
collectors in an area of desert in the Sahara power producers simply because the higher, management of resources – financial, human and a record 1 billion people expected to be
800 kilometres square that receives enough up front financing of clean energy was not and natural – thus ensuring that economies hungry by the end of 2009.
sunlight to generate the whole world’s available. This is surprising given the fact invest and re-invest in them to maximize
energy needs. that diesel electricity is more expensive per resource efficiency and sustainable economic But governments have re-engaged not as med-
unit than geothermal electricity. benefits, and achieve the best possible return dlers – as some purists might claim – but as
A Kenya has announced plans to double for current and future generations. managers on the global stage. And we are see-
its current installed electricity capacity by A Perverse subsidies, such as the over ing a fresh set of values and a serious discourse
2012 thanks to sources such as geothermal $250 billion-worth of fossil fuel subsidies, The international community is only just re-emerging in terms of what is real wealth for
and wind power, but also drawing in part on need to be reviewed and phased-down scratching the surface in terms of captur- the many, rather than for only a few.
its roughly 10% share of the Clean Develop- – there is little or no evidence they address ing the true value of the Earth’s natural or
ment Mechanism in Africa. poverty. The funds freed-up could be spent nature-based assets which underpin vast Come what may, the international com-
on clean technology and perhaps on climate sectors of the global economy including ag- munity is going to have to embrace a Green
A Also in Kenya, a private sector consor- adaptation investments – various estimates riculture. The Economics of Ecosystems and Economy – the question is whether it does
tium is building sub-Saharan Africa’s largest indicate that adaptation funding of between Biodiversity assessment – of which UNEP is so in a timely, focused and well-directed way.
wind farm, with an initial installed capacity $28 billion to close to $90 billion is needed proud to host the secretariat – estimates that Or whether it will come by default, forced
of some 300 megawatt whereas Tanzania is annually over the coming years. Phasing- in terms of forest ecosystem services alone upon policy-makers by the world rapidly
currently installing wind turbines equal to out such perverse subsidies would also we are losing services at a rate of $2 trillion running out of resources, from fisheries to
10% of its current energy needs. reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an to $5 trillion a year. The global community forests, while struggling under the yoke of
estimated 6% and contribute to global GDP is also increasingly realizing the damages of unchecked climate change.
There is optimism and there is transforma- to the tune of 0.1%. our unsustainable consumption and produc-
tional change underway, but there is also a tion patterns through the Marrakech Process The current stimulus packages and rising
great deal of uncertainty. If a Green Economy A Opening up, rather than protecting, mar- in active collaboration with all the regions for green investments represent a striking, per-
is to be nurtured and sustained then several kets is likely to accelerate the dispersion of clean defining an adequate enabling policy frame- haps once-in a life time opportunity to achieve
factors need to be continued or put in place. technology and the transfer of climate-friendly work and setting the foundations for a truly that stable and sustainable transition if these
We need to make every dollar and euro, every technology from developed to developing culture of change. This is being further main- investments can be fully realized and backed
rupee and peso work harder and on multiple economies. This was highlighted in a report streamed through the UNEP International by forward-looking policies and measures
fronts – that will really accelerate the transi- on trade and climate change, which UNEP and Panel for Sustainable Resource Management over the medium to long term. The packages
tion towards a Green Economy that is here the World Trade Organization released in June. in demonstrating the necessity to decouple can, and indeed are, driving more sustainable
to stay, through decoupling and resource The report estimates that one-third of Clean throughout a life cycle approach. consumption and production patterns. They
efficiency, getting more with less. Development Mechanism projects involve are also driving to more sustainable markets
technology transfer. It cites a study showing A good deal in Copenhagen is therefore that in turn are triggering demand for more
Let me make a few suggestions: that between 1998 and 2008 some 215,000 also very important as it will likely stimu- sustainable Green Growth technologies,
patents were registered globally for low or zero- late investment in forest ecosystems with goods and services that are giving rise to the
A The green stimulus packages need to carbon technologies such as waste-into-energy, multiple opportunities including reduced kinds of sustainable businesses, industries
be invested now, not in six months’ time biomass, wind, wave and fuel-cell power. greenhouse gas emissions, soil stabiliza- and jobs we need in this new millennium
nor in two years’ time – there is an urgent tion, improved water supplies and reduced
need to overcome the current credit crunch A Above all, perhaps, it is of crucial im- biodiversity loss. This may open the door About the author: Achim Steiner is UN Under-
and the difficulties of raising finance via portance for governments to seal a credible to investing in other ecosystems for their Secretary General and Executive Director, UN
banks or on the stock markets – this was deal at the UN climate convention meeting climate benefits with multiple spin offs. Environment Programme.
Resource Efficiency
We are consuming more than nature can regenerate and we are producing waste faster than the
earth’s systems can process it. A WWF study released in 2008 reinforce the message clearly:
human consumption of the earth’s resources outstrips the planet’s capacity to regenerate by
about 30%. As a result of continuing population growth and increasing demand for resources
in many parts of the world, this ecological deficit is amplified each year.
Resource efficiency is about ensuring that natural resources are produced, processed and
consumed in a more sustainable way, reducing the environmental impact of the consumption
and production of goods and services over their full life cycles. By producing greater wellbeing
with less material consumption, resource efficiency enhances the way in which human needs
are met while respecting the ecological carrying capacity of the earth.
Improved resource efficiency is also essential for achieving the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). MDG 7, for example, defines the four targets for ensuring environmental
sustainability – reversing the loss of environmental resources, reducing biodiversity loss,
increasing access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, and improving the lives of at
least 100 million slum dwellers. If these targets are to be reached, greater resource efficiency
and more sustainable production and consumption patterns will be required. SCP offers
developing countries new opportunities such as the creation of new markets, job generation
(for example, markets for organic food, fair trade, sustainable housing, renewable energy)
and the improved use of natural resources.
Intermediate organizations
In addition to examining the importance of
ownership for successful ecosystem enter-
prises, Roots of Resilience also looks closely
at the increasingly critical role of intermediate
organizations in promoting rural enterprise
development. These organizations, which
may be national, international or regional in
scope, provide critical skills and access to key
resources for rural enterprises.
Networks
The value of networks – such as farming or
fishing cooperatives, microfinance associa-
tions or forums that connect local officials
with members of national governments – is
also highlighted in Roots of Resilience as a key
to the success of rural enterprises. Horizontal coalition of NGOs with connections to the make them more ecologically resilient – more our society faces. Supporting the capacity
networks like producer cooperatives allow national government was ultimately success- productive and stable in the face of environ- of these rural residents to create and scale
communities to learn from one another and ful enough at improving the health of critical mental changes such as climate change. up ecosystem enterprises is one powerful
take advantage of economies of scale, increas- wetlands and at providing sustainable liveli- These three forms of resilience are critical for way of helping to meet these needs while
ing the power of individual producers in the hoods to local populations that the national sustainable development. A community with building resilience within rural communi-
marketplace and improving the quality of government has used the project as a model these qualities will tend to develop stronger ties. Those looking to lead a shift toward a
goods via communication of best practices. for its national forestry law. ecosystem-based enterprises, while such en- truly sustainable global economy can find
terprises will in turn enhance all three types of value in these lessons. Only by ensuring
Vertical networks, which link producers or Resilience for the road ahead resilience. Importantly, a community’s level that the poor have lasting access to both
local organizations to international NGOs The three factors described above all con- of resilience will shape its capacity to deal with natural resources and a vibrant marketplace
or government officials, are also critical for tribute to the scaling up of rural ecosystem systemic shocks such as climate change. can we begin to meaningfully address the
scaling up ecosystem-based enterprises. enterprises, and simultaneously enhance environmental, economic and social chal-
Where these relationships exist, it is not the resilience of rural communities in three The key lesson that emerges from Roots of lenges around us and create an inclusive
uncommon for practices implemented at the ways: they make them more economically Resilience is that focusing on the needs of and green global economy?
local level to be used as models for national resilient – better able to face economic risks; the rural poor – the de facto stewards of nat-
standards. In Bangladesh, for example, a they add to their social resilience – better able ural resources around the world – can help About the author: Lauren Withey works for
wetland management project piloted by a to work together for mutual benefit; and they address the combination of challenges that World Resources Institute.
Forestry in Guatemala – benefits and challenges of ecological enterprises International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management
Guatemala’s northernmost region, El Petén, hosts a unique blend of natural beauty, biological The sustainable management of resources has be-
diversity, and archaeological heritage dating back to ancient Mayan civilization. The Petén’s come a critical objective in the effort to reconcile
33,000 square kilometres of relatively undisturbed lowland tropical forests shelter 95 species socio-economic development and environmental
of mammals, among them spider monkeys and pumas, and 400 species of birds, including preservation. It means we need to reduce over-
the iconic scarlet macaw. The region is also home to an expanding melting pot of Guatemalan all resource requirements and environmental
citizens: indigenous descendants of the Mayans, political refugees who sought refuge during impacts to a level within the natural capacity of
20 years of civil war, and economic migrants from the country’s overpopulated cities and ecosystems, while increasing economic welfare and
degraded highlands. A decade ago, deforestation had diminished biodiversity and threatened social well-being. This is referred to as “decoupling” environmental impacts from economic
forest-based livelihoods in the region. Northern El Petén serves as the setting for one of the growth. It is also associated with increased resource productivity. Increasing resource pro-
three main case studies examined in Roots of Resilience, for it is now home to successful ductivity is indeed a win-win strategy, in particular for developing countries at the early stages
community-run forestry enterprises whose sustainably harvested wood and non-timber forest of development.
products (NTFPs) are attracting the attention of overseas buyers.
International pressure to decouple is mounting in the face of converging priorities to cre-
With the support and supervision of non-government organizations (NGOs), donors and gov- ate wealth, alleviate poverty and protect the environment. Dealing with such a complex
ernment agencies, community-owned forestry enterprises now steward more than 420,000 ha problem requires cross-cutting solutions. Furthermore, a general consensus about the
in the multiple use zone of the renowned Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR). These enterprises are goals and roadmaps for the way forward is needed. However, such consensus does not yet
each in charge of one distinct parcel of land – a concession – that the Guatemalan government exist, as the nature and scale of the problems and the solutions are difficult to estimate.
has leased to them. Forest product sales from these enterprises have brought new employment, Despite the developments in environmental sciences and methodologies, the results are
infrastructure, social cohesion and income. Between October 2006 and September 2007, the still disputed. The technicality of the debates has been an impediment to the integration of
concessions produced some $4.75 million in certified timber sales and close to $150,000 in sales scientific findings into the effective management of natural resources. A solid understand-
of xate (palm leaves used for flower arrangements) and other non-timber forest products. Under ing and consensus on the scientific basis for decoupling is urgently needed to achieve
village management, biodiversity has flourished and forest fires, illegal logging and hunting sustainable development.
have declined dramatically, while continuing unabated in neighbouring national parks. By 2000,
the forest concessions in the reserve managed by these community enterprises had become The International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management (Resource Panel) was
the world’s largest tract of sustainably certified and community-managed forest. Many of the launched in 2007 to help bridge this knowledge gap. The Panel aims at providing deci-
region’s enterprises meet the international certification standard of the Forest Stewardship sion makers and other interested parties with independent and authoritative information
Council (FSC) for sustainably harvested wood, and several sell high-income finished products about sustainable resource management. Brought together by the United National Envi-
such as decking and floor panels in addition to timber. ronment Programme (UNEP), it consists of eminent scientific experts, highly reputed in
the field of resource management. Its role is to provide policy relevant assessments that
This transformation of fragmented communities of farmers and illegal loggers into ecoen- crystallize and evaluate the latest scientific, technical and socio-economic literature on
trepreneurs did not occur in a policy vacuum. Government decentralization policies, which global resource use, and highlights the means on how to move towards more sustainable
awarded communities tenure rights and resource management responsibilities, provided an resource management.
enabling environment and motivation for communities to protect their forests. Substantial
assistance from donors and intermediary support organizations provided the funds and The Resource Panel expects to play a key role in linking the efforts of the business and scientific
the technical expertise to make the concession model work. Progress toward financial and communities with policy makers. The business community, with its first hand knowledge of
organizational independence for the enterprises has been slow, but the more successful ones large scale resource consumption and the benefits of resource efficiency, has made strong
now show signs of increased resilience. The overall results have proved promising enough contributions. In parallel, the scientific initiatives from academia and NGOs have led the
for policymakers to consider scaling up the effort across the region. Already, communities in way in providing a forewarning that humanity is facing severe resource constraints and key
Honduras are replicating the concession model, while government agencies from Nicaragua, knowledge such as life cycle databases and material accounting.
Panama and Peru have hired members of Petén’s community-owned enterprises as consultants
in sustainable forest management. For more information on the resource panel: www.unep.fr/scp/rpanel
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 Business opportunities and green jobs
momentum in Africa, More fundamentally, there are conflicts Very few of the PES schemes inventoried Furthermore, governments should set up
but government over delivery of ecosystem services as pri-
vate goods as opposed to public goods, over
by the Katoomba Group in 2005 and 2008
are driven by government and, moreover,
clear rules and guidelines for PES: what the
services are, what buyers should pay for, at
support is vital for existing rights to ecosystem services and the very few legal or policy changes have been what price, and so on. This would reduce
scaling up. flow of benefits from their sale, and over eq-
uity issues for low-income buyers or sellers
made by governments to accommodate PES.
Conversations with policy makers during
risks and assure interested buyers (particu-
larly the private sector) that they are indeed
of ecosystem services. Policy confusion also Katoomba meetings in Uganda (2005), getting what they are paying for.
PES assessments carried out by the East and exists. Misunderstandings are also related South Africa (2006) and Tanzania (2008)
Southern Africa Katoomba Group find the to whether ecosystem service payments revealed a great interest in PES, but also a Last but not least, Government can put in
following challenges to markets and pay- should be bundled so as to ensure that the lingering scepticism – particularly around place an enabling legal and policy framework
ments for ecosystem services in the region, full set of ecosystem objectives are met, or whether PES schemes are compatible with that links communities to ecosystem service
which can be divided into whether payment or market systems should or can support poverty reduction, which is markets and facilitates the flow of conserva-
• Information barriers focus on particular ecosystem services val- the overriding objective of governments. The tion finance from private and public sectors
• Technical barriers ued by interested buyers. The lack of policy concerns continuously raised by government to communities.
• Policy and regulatory barriers support is felt more at the expansion stage, officials are the low price of carbon credits,
• Institutional barriers and, in some cases, it reduces the price high transaction costs and the prohibitive About the author: Alice Ruhweza is a private
buyers are willing to pay. Thus, without opportunity cost for many farmers engaging consultant with expertise spanning the areas of
Information barriers: Most sellers of ecosys- clear policy and regulatory arrangements, in carbon projects. trade, telecommunications, health, and the en-
vironment with a special emphasis on payments
tem services do not understand the market. potential PES buyers hesitate, since the
for ecosystems services (PES). She coordinates
For example, they do not understand the legal standing regarding purchases and The Katoomba Group believes that govern- the East and Southern Africa Katoomba Group
Kyoto Protocol’s CDM guidelines or even the enforceability of contracts is uncertain. ment can and should play a key role in facili- (www.katoombagroup.org), a regional working
the voluntary market and how it works, and Private sector buyers may also be unsure tating PES by investing in the development group of individuals interested in advancing
whether or not they would qualify. Potential about the political and public acceptability of designated institutions that can serve environmental markets.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 UNEP/GRID-Arendal 10 11
and infrastructure, which will provide a much greater efficiency and carbon-free To date, however, the To realize the full potential, sustained public
major stimulus for much-needed new em-
ployment and an opportunity for retaining
propulsion systems is needed. Likewise, ret-
rofitting highly polluting two-stroke engines
green jobs rhetoric and private investments are required, and
governments need to establish a firm and
and transforming existing jobs. that are ubiquitous, especially in Asia, to cut still outweighs predictable policy framework for greening
A member of one such cooperative, Alphonsine Mukansanga, explains: “I was only a farmer
before joining the Tuberwe cooperative. After joining the cooperative I could afford to buy clothes,
food and medical insurance and help my family when needed and when they are ill. I am now
even able to save some money for cases of emergency.”
In Rwanda poverty affects a larger number of women than men, and its impact is more severe too.
Furthermore 86% of the women work in agriculture and only 33% of them are engaged in some kind
of wage-earning employment in the non-agricultural sector. But women also take charge of collecting
water, food and cooking energy for the household. Women are consequently extremely vulnerable to
environmental stress. To improve women’s livelihoods it is crucial to diversify their sources of income.
With women much more likely than men to invest in their families and their children’s education,
efforts to target women are also key to achieving the goal of poverty reduction in Rwanda.
Recycling paper has not only become an income-generating activity for poor women, it also con-
tributes to the Rwandan government’s objective of keeping Kigali clean. Glossy papers, magazines
and old calendars are now turned into the most beautiful and colourful necklaces. Not only are the
women using old paper, but baskets and bags are being made out of organic waste materials, such
as banana and palm leaves and sisal. After plastic bags were banned in the country in 2005, a whole
new market for alternatives to plastic bags developed and the Tuberwe cooperative is now selling an
increasing number of baskets to meet growing demand. The women in Rwanda have really proved
that a more sustainable and resource efficient economy can indeed provide green jobs!
Sulabh’s coin‐operated toilet facilities provide low‐cost sanitation to poor consumers. Sulabh. “Central Forest”, one of Huatai’s fast‐growing trees model districts, covering about 60 hectares. Huatai.
energy generation, agriculture, recycling, tional (EQI), a Cairo-based consultancy, has rine for bleaching. The key was mobilizing products such as coco pots, pot liners, grow
or tourism (see examples below). They show implemented the Siwa Sustainable Devel- local farmers to plant fast-growing trees. poles, brushes and rope, while producing a
that commercial success, environmental opment Initiative, with a portfolio of enter- Farmers get support through technology, strong social impact on the local community
sustainability and poverty alleviation can go prises and projects that include eco-lodges, education and irrigation from Huatai and which processes them. CocoTech grew from
hand-in-hand, although many constraints women’s artisanship, organic farming and the local government, convinced by the a small community-based project with an
specific to the markets of the poor stand in community art, all of which contribute to company about the potential win-win nature initial capitalization of about US$7,000 and
the way. Innovative strategies are therefore revitalizing cultural heritage and nourishing of this initiative. About 6,000 households five employees in 1993 into a medium-sized
needed to overcome these market constraints ecologically-friendly tourism. EQI is also have taken part, planting 40,000 hectares enterprise of 25 employees with revenues
and develop successful models. implementing a renewable energy initiative of fast-growing trees and generating a sig- exceeding US$300,000 in 2006 and more
that uses biogas digesters to produce biofuel nificant new source of income. The triploid than 6,000 families involved in the manu-
Technology, for instance, can help companies for lighting and cooking, as well as organic white poplar trees grow on formerly unused facture of CocoTech products.
to do business under difficult conditions and fertilizers. It also contributes to prevention salty land. Meanwhile, Huatai has grown its
more sustainably. For example renewable en- of water depletion and further deterioration newsprint business and is minimizing the Evidence from the field reveals that there is
ergy sources can generate electricity for the 1.6 of soil resources, and raises staff aware- risk from volatile import prices for pulp. a lot of untapped potential for companies
billion people who still lack access to it without ness of environmental conservation. These willing to develop business models that
exerting further stress on the world’s climate. initiatives have created 75 direct jobs and Investing in the recycling industry have positive impacts on the bottom line,
Clean sanitation technology is a sustainable income-generating opportunities for over Together with water and sanitation sys- the lives of the poor and the environment
and cost-effective alternative for low-income 300 members of the local community, while tems, or electricity grids, waste collection simultaneously. However, grasping this
population. Biodigesters can transform waste generating a profit, partly used to support is often part of the missing infrastructure opportunity is difficult due to numerous
from pig farming into energy, food for fish local entrepreneurship and enhance living that characterizes the markets of the poor. market constraints, such as limited market
breeding and biofertilizers. Business models standards for the poor through the provision With about 85,000 tonnes of waste gener- information, inadequate infrastructure,
adaptations, such as sourcing from local of financial services, as well as the construc- ated every day, Mexico is the tenth largest ineffective regulatory frameworks, missing
communities or deploying recycling, are ad- tion of a cinema and library. garbage producer in the world. At the same knowledge and skills, or restricted access to
ditional ways for businesses to contribute to time, tens of thousands of people, including financial services. And yet, as the case stud-
environmental sustainability. Improving Sanitation Systems children, are making a living by scavenging ies show, entrepreneurs have found success-
It is estimated that 2.6 billion people lack saleable items from open-air dumps in very ful strategies to overcome these constraints,
Providing cleaner energy adequate sanitation around the world. In tough, informal conditions. The founders from adapting their products (Sulabh), to
In Mali, where only 10% of the population India, Sulabh International, a local NGO, has of the Petstar company saw an opportunity investing in infrastructure and education
has access to electricity, the rural energy developed a commercially viable business in this challenging situation. They realised (PETSTAR), leveraging the strengths of the
service companies set up by Electricité de model, training 60,000 poor people, mostly value could be added to the plastic collected, poor (EQI), combining resources and capa-
France and its partners are providing elec- women. Sulabh employed low-cost sanitation by closing the recycling value chain, linking bilities with others (CocoTech), or engaging
tricity to underserved rural areas through so- technology using locally available materials the scavengers to the bottling industry. They with governments (Huatai).
lar home systems and diesel generators. The to design environmentally-friendly toilets built the first bottle-to-bottle recycling facil-
elimination of kerosene lamps has improved that require little water for flushing. By 2006 ity with high-tech automated machinery in However, further research is needed to get
indoor air quality. In addition solar systems Sulabh had installed 1.4 million household Latin America. This innovative project will a better understanding of how economic,
and generators – which might be replaced toilets and maintained 6,500 public pay- improve the scavengers’ working conditions social and environmental value is created and
by biofuels in the future – save respectively to-use toilets, with an estimated 10 million by creating separation centres and offering distributed, and what results can inclusive
around 95% and 85% of CO2 emissions people using the facilities across the country. formal contracts. It will also reduce child business models generate. This will therefore
compared to traditional energy sources. Most of the public toilets run by Sulabh break labour through specially created community be one of the focuses of the second phase
The companies are already breaking even even in eight to nine months, and some are education centres, and increase social aware- of the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative
and profits are expected to reach 12 to 15%. highly profitable. In 2005 Sulabh’s revenues ness of the importance of recycling through and its next set of case studies currently be-
At the same time the service will generate a reached $32 million, with a 15% surplus organized visits to the recycling plant. Last but ing commissioned with a view to highlight
significant human development impact for reinvested in social programmes. not least it will yield returns for the company good practices, share lessons learnt, and thus
the 40,000 people currently being served, through the sale of the recycled material. encourage the private sector to action.
improving their ability to pump water for Using forest biodiversity sustainably
livestock and electrifying healthcare centres, In 2000 the Huatai Paper Company Ltd, the In Philippines, CocoTech, thanks to a fruitful About the author: Sahba Sobhani is a Pro-
gramme Manager, and Austine Gasnier is a
schools and small businesses, with over 50 largest newsprint manufacturer in China, collaboration with a government research
Research Associate at Growing Inclusive Markets
new local jobs and economic spin-offs. launched a new strategy to substitute wood institute, managed to turn the challenge Initiative, UNDP. The views expressed in this
pulp for straw pulp. Paper production from of waste into a real business opportunity paper are the authors’ and do not necessarily
Promoting ecologically-friendly tourism wood pulp reduces the amount of pollutants by converting unused coconut husks into represent those of the United Nations Develop-
In Egypt, Environmental Quality Interna- six to seven-fold and does not require chlo- a whole range of environmentally-friendly ment Programme.
Towards triple impact. Toolbox for analysing sustainable ventures Green Jobs: Towards decent work in a sustainable, low-carbon
world, by the Worldwatch Institute (2008)
Sustainable ventures can make a significant contribution to poverty alleviation and environ-
mental sustainability. These business initiatives and activities improve human well-being This report by the Worldwatch Institute has been commissioned and funded by UNEP, as
and the environment on a profitable basis (people, planet, profit), contributing to decoupling part of the joint UNEP, ILO, IOE, ITUC Green Jobs Initiative. The report is the first compre-
economic growth and improvements in well-being from natural resource use. hensive study on the emergence of a “green economy” and its impact on the world of work.
It includes new data that shows a changing pattern of employment in which green jobs are
Developing and managing sustainable ventures is a challenge. Key questions related to the being generated in many sectors and economies around the world as a result of measures to
identification of opportunities, the understanding of the determinants of success and the tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This has also led to changing
assessment of costs and benefits appear repeatedly. patterns of investment flows into areas such as renewable energy and energy efficiency at
the household and industrial level. Within current policy frameworks, only a fraction of the
The UNEP publication, Towards triple impact. Toolbox for analysing sustainable ventures in potential benefits for jobs and development is forthcoming.
developing countries, introduces a toolbox that helps to answer such questions. It addresses
initiatives that support sustainable ventures including donor programmes, award schemes, The Report is available for download (English & Chinese) at www.unep.org/civil_society/Publi-
private and public investors, professional education programmes and policy makers. They can cations/index.asp and www.unep.org/labour_environment/features/greenjobs.asp. Publisher:
use the tools to systematically identify, evaluate, advice, and promote sustainable ventures. UNEP EP 8-08 #200763569
The toolbox can be downloaded in English, Spanish and French from www.unep.fr/scp/pov-
erty/publications. Publisher: UNEP
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 From field and sea
Land and sea abound with examples of change and imminent action for a green economy.
Rael Cheket Limo plucks leaves on the Unilever Tea Kenya Kericho Estate, a job she has held since 2004. A Unilever Tea Kenya Kericho Estate employee holds a handful of plucked tea leaves. Caroline Irby.
Caroline Irby.
Through its innovative microcredit scheme, Grameen Shakti has embarked on an ambitious Grameen Shakti is an example of a decentralized solution to clean energy for the poor, which is
programme to provide a range of affordable renewable energy technologies to rural households. especially powerful as it is commercial in operation and microfinance-driven, and as it substitutes
Already, more than 205,000 homes across Bangladesh have installed PV solar systems capable kerosene (the usual lighting fuel, held responsible for respiratory diseases) with photovoltaic
of powering lights and small-scale electronic appliances. Over 8,000 PV solar systems are be- electricity, biogas and improved stoves. Thus it addresses health, environment and poverty at
ing installed per month, and demand for the systems is increasing exponentially. The goal is the same time, aiming at a future where rural households of Bangladesh would have access to
to install two million PV solar systems in homes by 2011 and seven and a half million by 2015, environment friendly and non-fossil energy at affordable costs.
which would reach half of the rural population of Bangladesh.
Sources: UNEP (2009): Global Green New Deal: Policy Brief. (Original source: Barua, Dipal: “Bringing Green
Energy, Health, Income and Green Jobs to Bangladesh.” Presentation at the Preparatory Meeting, Interna-
In addition, Grameen Shakti has installed 6,000 biogas plants, which convert animal dung and tional Advisory Board to the International Climate Protection Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for
organic litter into biogas and slurry. The biogas can be used to cook food, for lighting and to the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Poznan, Poland, December 7, 2008).
produce electricity. The slurry is used as organic fertilizer and as fish feed. Grameen Shakti has Grameen Shakti website: www.gshakti.org.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 Energy for a sustainable future
Burning bananas
You’ve heard of green fuel. Now get ready for yellow as scientists have found a way to turn banana
waste into a sustainable fuel source that could be relevant to many countries across Africa.
The simple, low-tech idea was developed by researchers at Nottingham University. They used
banana skins to create briquettes that can be burned for cooking, lighting and heating. It could
alleviate the burden of gathering firewood, the dominant energy source in many parts of the
continent. This would help reduce deforestation, which makes a significant contribution to
global climate change.
In some African countries, like Rwanda, bananas are an important and versatile crop, used
for food, wine and beer. But experts estimate that the edible fruit makes up just a small part
of what the plant produces. According to scientists, for every one tonne of bananas, there are
an estimated 10 tonnes of waste, made up of skins, leaves and stems.
It was on a visit to Rwanda that Joel Chaney, a PhD student from the University of Nottingham
came up with the idea of developing a low-tech approach to turn this banana waste into an
efficient fuel source.
The scientists believe that banana fuel might help reduce dependence on wood as an energy
source across Africa. In some of the continent’s biggest banana-producing countries like
Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi, more than 80% of current energy needs are met from burning
wood. This has a very damaging impact on the environment leading to deforestation which
contributes to climate change. Gathering wood for fuel is also a time consuming job, mainly
done by women. “In some areas wood fuel is getting depleted and you are getting deforestation.
Women sometimes have to walk over six hours a day to get firewood,” says Joel Chaney.
“This is a way to use waste from crops like bananas, to make them burn in a better way be-
cause loose residue most often just burns too rapidly. Imagine just putting some straw onto
your fire at home. It just goes up in flames; you can’t cook food over it, while the briquettes
provide a way to cook food in a much better way.”
The Nottingham researchers say their low-tech approach is a small step towards meeting the
millennium goals and helping people out of poverty. They would be happy to give the idea
away for free and are encouraging people who want to use the idea to get in touch.
Workers at Recycla Chile’s plant are dissembling computer monitors for recycling. Recycla Chile. Recycla Chile.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 Construction and city planning
Urban planning and construction are cornerstones for human habitat. Both hold enormous potential for resource efficiency, with construction currently generating a substantial share
of our waste burden. To house growing urban populations the need for more sustainable cities is increasingly urgent.
Reconstruction fables
By Pablo Allard The Chilean Government responded rapidly, sionals that could rapidly analyse strategic territorial equality, sustainability, innovation
putting the Minister of Defence in charge of scenarios and recommendations for recon- and country branding.
On 3 May 2008 the 5,000 people living coordinating crisis management until a special struction or relocation of the town.
in the small but thriving town of Chaitén, authority, the Presidential Delegate on Chaitén This new vision could be materialized in a
Chile, were awakened by the fierce erup- was appointed in June, with a mandate to help Turning a catastrophe into an opportunity sustainable low-impact development that
tion of the neighbouring volcano of the displaced families with temporary accommo- The eventual reconstruction or relocation makes efficient use of economic and natural
same name. Neglected by geologists and dation and give each family a displacement of Chaitén poses a great challenge. But it is resources a priority. This issue is particularly
dormant for more than 250 years, the bond worth about $1,000. The temporary also an opportunity for a country like Chile important in the Palena Region, where most
small volcano sits just 3 miles north of loss of Chaitén meant that many small com- to develop a response policy for its many human settlements still depend on Chile’s
the capital of Palena Province, a centre for munities and a complete region would have natural disasters. Instead of treating the mainland for the majority of its services
connectivity and services for the isolated to depend on Argentina to maintain commu- short-term emergency response as a cost, and provisions.
communities of the Chilean Patagonia. nications and connectivity, access to hospitals the idea was to consider its planning as an
The danger of massive pyroclastic flows and services, literally splitting Chile in two and investment. The continuous volcanic activ- On the other hand, the small size of
or the collapse of the dome forced the posing a complex geopolitical dilemma. ity gave time to evaluate and consider mid Chaitén allows for innovation in terms of
authorities to evacuate more than 7,000 and long-term scenarios while responding sustainable urban planning and design.
people from the town and surrounding The volcanic eruption deteriorated and it be- to disaster relief. This simultaneous vision A small town of 5,000 has the right scale
area in less than 48 hours. Despite the came clear it would last longer than expected. is key if we consider Patagonia as one of the and components for self-sufficiency and
difficulties accessing the disaster zone, By late July the river had destroyed most of most sensitive and isolated areas in Chile low dependency on external services such
there were no fatalities. town, small groups of Chaiteninos were and a world biosphere reserve. as energy, water, waste management and
allowed to return to town simply to recover goods. Its potential for replication is high,
During the early days of eruption the col- whatever was left. A few decided to stay defy- Considering the geopolitical importance of not only as a sustainable urban model, but
umn of incandescent ashes reached more ing the volcano and the Government’s call the city within the region, and the visibility also because it opens the way for new tools
than 12 kilometres high, covering the town for complete evacuation. The Government of its natural features, the future of Chaitén and capabilities that could allow developing
and its surrounding hills with more than responded very well in terms of evacuation and Chilean Patagonia depends largely countries to elaborate appropriate policies
60 centimetres of ash. But the disaster was and support for displaced persons, but on the development of an eco-tourism and contemporary approaches to planning
not caused directly by the volcano, but by made no plans for reconstruction or reloca- industry, conservation, high-quality end- small, remote towns.
the river Blanco. Heavy rain washed most tion, since most of the Chaitén urban area user services and sustainable production.
of the ash out after a few days clogging the was still subject to a high volcanic risk. In Uncertainty over the future of the volcano By the time the Cities Observatory (OCUC)
river and forcing it to find a way through response to the call, the Cities Observatory provided a window of opportunity to define set up the task force, preliminary informa-
the city. The floods destroyed more than (OCUC) – an urban and territorial intel- an adequate strategy, aligned with a clear tion showed that the level of destruction was
two-thirds of all properties and most of ligence unit at the Catholic University in development vision. Chaitén was also an so high that any potential scenario meant
the infrastructure, including the regional Santiago – offered regional and national opportunity to align four key issues defined starting from zero, in terms of urbaniza-
airfield, while severely limiting operations authorities its services for the creation of a by the Chilean Government as priorities tion, infrastructure, energy provision and
in the port. special task force of more than 30 profes- for the future development of the country: services. Starting from scratch lifted many
restrictions and enabled thinking to focus hensive GIS database, in order to analyse were higher than for other comparable Urbanism, and the Regional Government,
on a settlement for the future. The potential the situation and elaborate a development locations. Following the recommendation took over the planning and construction
for exploring new infrastructure paradigms vision. Chaitén must be rebuilt or relocated for relocation, the specialists from the process, developing a series of studies and
was supported by the fact that Chaitén is as a city of the future, planned for the next engineering firm Arup, which had joined actions to secure the rebirth of Chaitén as
located next to the six priority hotspots for 50 years and not simply as a replica of the the task force, carried out their Sustainable a competitive, sustainable and thriving
geothermal generation in Chile, allowing existing town. It should be a thriving town, Projects Appraisal Routine (SPeAR®), and gateway to Patagonia. Studies for a new
the new town to reduce its current depen- with new economic activities that could developed a new methodology (MeAL®) port and construction of a new airfield
dence on a 60-mile high-voltage line and a add value to the region, starting with the enabling the group objectively to assess in Santa Barbara are underway. Last June
diesel plant. reconstruction process as the main driving and compare five different relocation sce- the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet,
force. It should also be exemplary for its narios from a cost-benefit standpoint. The visited Santa Barbara and officially opened
The task force considered three key factors to environmental, carbon-neutral develop- scenarios were presented to a special minis- Chaitén’s new temporary municipal and
direct its work. The first goal was to preserve ment, with a reduced ecological footprint, terial committee that reduced the potential police facilities. It is expected that at least
the community and relief workers from self-sufficiency and lower dependence on scenarios to two alternatives. a third of the original Chaiteninos will
natural risks (volcanic eruption, flooding, mainland Chile. It could become a prime have returned to their homeland by 2011.
earthquakes), urban (fires, short-circuits international tourist destination, thanks to The third phase continued with advanced There is still uncertainty on how much of
and structural collapse) and health hazards its landscape, white-water rivers, fly fishing, evaluation of the two alternative sites for the vision and opportunities detected by
(plague, infectious diseases and respiratory rich culture and the volcano itself. In short relocation, development of a design master the task force can be implemented, but
problems associated with exposure to silica it had the potential to become a model of plan and recommendations for implementa- the groundwork has been done for the
from ashes). Secondly it sought to preserve, community participation and cohesion, tion. Following the results of this analysis, development of a national strategy for
wherever possible, public and private pro- working and enduring the disaster to ar- and other studies by governmental agencies, post-disaster planning. An evaluation of
priety, particularly that of displaced families, ticulate the Chaiteninos’ own vision and the Minister of the Interior announced in the socio-economic losses and damages,
taking into consideration tangible and intan- history of colonization and dialogue with February 2009 the relocation of Chaitén to could allow not only Chaitén but also many
gible values such as their history, culture and natural forces, rooted in an understanding Santa Barbara, 10 kilometres north of Chai- other cities confronted with a disaster to
traditions. Finally, it aimed to lay the basis of the restrictions and opportunities inher- tén at a site protected from the volcano. rise from the ashes.
for the sustainable future development of ent in the events that drew attention to this
the town and the region, by maintaining remote land. The fourth and final phase involved pre-
a simultaneous vision of emergency and senting the work to the general public, with About the author: Pablo Allard (PhD) is an
long-term planning, understanding the The second phase assessed the viability of several meetings with the displaced commu- Architect and Urban Designer focused on integra-
process as the transition from catastrophe reconstruction on the original site and car- nities, giving the Chaiteninos an opportunity tive design of urban infrastructure in sustainable
communities, with emphasis on housing, sprawl
to opportunity. ried out preliminary analysis of potential to understand and take part in the decision
and urban renovation. Since 2005 he holds the
sites for relocation. Social and economic making process. position as Executive Director of the “Cities
Four phases of the Chaitén task force cost-benefit analysis of the potential for Observatory” www.ocuc.cl at the Universidad
The first phase involved collecting all avail- reconstruction at the original location dem- When the task force completed its work in Católica de Chile Faculty of Architecture, Design
able social and territorial data for a compre- onstrated that the risks and costs involved April 2009, the Ministry of Housing and and Urban Studies.
Community guide shows off her mussels on the Ta Din Daeng community based tour. Nipon Riabriang/Kenan Guests create batik designs with some help from local villagers on the community based tour through the
Institute Asia. Muslim village of Tah Dindaeng. Nipon Riabriang/Kenan Institute Asia.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 UNEP/GRID-Arendal 24 25
Children from the Reed Valley School taking part in the 3C progamme by planting trees. Amakhala Game Children who either live at or participate in the Isipho Aids Centre’s afternoon programmes showcasing
Reserve. the vegetables from the Centre’s veggie garden, established in part through the Amakhala Foundation.
Amakhala Game Reserve.
Sustainable consumption:
a fairer deal for poor consumers
By Sonja Vermeulen has been increasingly active since 2003. Na- possible, but have not yet proved feasible in to understand or influence. Finally, at least
A version of this article appeared as an IIED briefing tional governments are turning rhetoric into terms of policy. a quarter of global consumption cannot be
in January 2009 legislation. China, for example, introduced attributed to household end-users, which
the Circular Economy Law in 2008; its Consumption, trade and development reveals the importance of government pro-
On our finite planet, the dictates of ecology ambitious goal is to increase resource-use It is often argued that low-income countries curement and public policy.
and technology limit economic growth. Yet efficiency tenfold. benefit greatly from trade with high-value
a key element of this issue – consumption markets such as the European Union and the In seeking solutions to overconsumption,
– has until recently hardly figured on policy But amid the renewed attention to solv- United States. But how accurate is this view? we need to concentrate on societies and
agendas. Now there is growing recognition ing problems of over-consumption and If wealthy nations reduce their consumption structures as a whole, rather than their
that transformation towards a low-carbon, “mis-consumption” (consumption of – and by implication, their trade – will this individual actions. Shorter-term solutions
resource-efficient economy means tackling environmentally damaging products) is have a significant negative impact on the may rely on improving efficiencies within
consumption as well as production. Gov- a worrying reticence regarding equity is- world’s poorest? existing modes of production and consump-
ernments and businesses are beginning to sues. Around 80% of the world lives in tion (reformist changes). In the longer term,
make concerted, if uncoordinated, efforts to poverty, surviving on less than $10 a day. A look at the pros and cons of trade shows however, what is needed is a re-think of
reduce energy and resource use. Rethinking For them, the need is to consume more, that this is a complex area. Trade does bring how and what we consume (transformist
consumption could, however, drive an even not less. So is it possible to reduce global benefits. It stimulates changes to national, changes). Either way, real shifts in patterns
bigger wedge between rich and poor. Any overconsumption – to transform to a low- regional and local economies. Prices shift of consumption will challenge ideals of
new agenda for consumption needs to factor carbon, low-material, low-water economy for local goods that can be produced more maximum individual choice. Instead, we
in equity as well as environmental benefit. – in ways that do not penalize poor people, cheaply elsewhere and the values associ- will need collective “choice editing”, and to
but create opportunities for them to raise ated with skilled labour often increase. consider seriously emerging recommenda-
Summary their standards of living? Opportunities arise to upgrade skills and tions of per capita quotas for carbon, water,
• World consumption is highly skewed, with technology, with spill-over benefits for the meat or ecological footprints.
the poorest people consuming the least Consumption, well-being and broader economy.
and the richest as much as ten times more sustainability Critical too is providing a fair deal for poorer
food and energy per capita. Our current global economic model is There are, however, also risks. One is that consumers. The 1998 Human Development
• There is huge scope to manage global predicated on the assumption that higher industries in some exporter countries will Report suggested overarching principles
consumption. Evidence shows that well- consumption, driven by economic growth, be outcompeted by more efficient busi- to guarantee a basic level of consumption
being can be delinked from consumption, begets greater well-being. Supplies of natural nesses elsewhere. Supply chains within for everyone while reducing the negative
economic growth delinked from rising resources drive any rise in consumption, liberalized economies become increasingly impacts of global overconsumption. While
resource use, and local development but increasingly also limit it. With climate buyer-driven. In the agrifood sector, for ex- many governments have subsequently acted
delinked from international trade. change threatening to dampen economic ample, retailers demand that suppliers meet to reduce overconsumption at the national
• Initiatives to tackle overconsumption also growth and the UN predicting a global popu- requirements of scale, quality, safety and level, there are far fewer examples of initia-
need to deliver a fair deal to poorer people lation of 9 billion by 2050, policymakers packaging, which can exclude the smallest tives that explicitly link the overconsumption
who consume little, guaranteeing a decent must question whether consumption and and poorest producers. of the wealthy to the underconsumption of
basic level to all. well-being can rise indefinitely. the poor, to provide incentives for redistribu-
• Consumption needs to be understood as a Leading thinkers now challenge the as- tion of consumption patterns.
social issue, not just an environmental is- Evidence shows that poorer people do indeed sumption that trade will bring automatic
sue, with renewed emphasis on inclusion of benefit from higher incomes and associated trickle-down benefits for development. It The opportunities, however, are tremendous.
the world’s poor majority, and collective de- boosts in consumption, but that at higher is an open question whether trade with the Governments and businesses have yet to take
cisions over individual consumer choices. income levels, the connection between richest benefits the poorest. A sharper focus advantage of the bounty of easy wins where
greater consumption and greater well-being on regional trade and value-addition, backed environmental gains and long-term savings
Fair share: the overlooked challenge in dwindles. The links between consumption of by strong development strategy, may help in cost converge. Delivering a fair deal to
consumption different resources and their environmental poor people secure their livelihoods while poorer consumers requires careful use of
Just over a decade ago, inequity in global impacts, such as pollution and depletion, are decreasing their reliance on consumption pricing mechanisms as a means to reduce
consumption was the focus of the UN De- difficult to quantify. As a result, consumer in rich nations. consumption, so as not to exclude them
velopment Programme’s 1998 Human De- campaigns often target high-visibility rather from access to goods and services. Pro-poor
velopment Report, Consumption for Human than high-impact areas of consumption A new politics of consumption enterprises also need support to cover the
Development. It showed that the world’s (such as air-freighted vegetables and low- International discussion round consumption initially capital-intensive and carbon-intensive
richest fifth consume 45% of all meat and energy light bulbs, rather than road transport continues to emphasize voluntary, individual investments that will allow them longer-term
fish, and the poorest fifth 5%; that the richest and household insulation). consumption choices. To date, a variety of resource efficiency, such as construction of
fifth use 58% of all energy, and the poorest public and private policy initiatives have major new mass-transit infrastructure.
fifth less than 4%; and that the richest fifth A key question for national policymakers aimed to change the consumption patterns of
own 87% of the world’s vehicles, while the is whether and how economic growth can individuals by encouraging domestic energy A global agenda for tackling consumption
poorest fifth own less than 1%. be decoupled from material consumption efficiency, locally grown food and bicycle must incorporate the ideas and agency of
and its environmental impacts. Examples of transport, for example. But there are three the world’s poor majority. We need to move
These contrasts apply as much within as “relative decoupling” – reducing increases in important limits to the possible impacts of beyond Northern agendas to recognize in-
between countries. In Brazil, for example, environmental impacts relative to economic individual lifestyle-based solutions. equalities among people and not just among
the wealthiest use 18 times more energy than growth – can be identified. For example, in countries – and to return the emphasis
the poorest in a year. 2006-7 India delivered a GDP growth of 8% First, consumers’ individual choices are firmly to collective decisions rather than
with only 3.7% growth in its total primary limited by infrastructure, such as urban individual consumer choices.
Today, consumption is firmly back on the energy consumption. On the other hand, design centred on car use, or by policy trade-
agenda. The UN-coordinated Marrakech “absolute decoupling” – increases in eco- offs such as the need to balance food safety About the author: Sonja Vermeulen is Pro-
Process, which supports sustainable con- nomic growth alongside actual reductions against food waste. Secondly, we buy not raw gramme Director for Business and Sustainable
sumption and production through targeted in material consumption and environmental materials but goods and services, derived Development, International Institute for Environ-
advice, technical assistance and other means, impacts – are technically and economically from complex value chains that are difficult ment and Development (IIED).
The Happy Planet Index 2.0: Why good lives don’t have to cost the Earth (2009), by Abdallah, S et al
“Economists like the concept of efficiency, This report presents results from the second ing natural resources and unpredictable
and the Happy Planet Index is the ultimate global HPI. It shows that we are still far from climate change. We need to see this current
efficiency ratio – the final valuable output di- achieving sustainable well-being, and puts crisis as an opportunity. Now is the time for
vided by the original scarce input,” Professor forward a vision of what we need to do to societies around the world to speak out for
Herman Daly, University of Maryland. get there. a happier planet, to identify a new vision
of progress, and to demand new tools to
In an age of uncertainty, society globally needs The current economic and ecological crises help us work towards it. The HPI is one of
a new compass to set it on a path of real prog- have discredited the dogmas of the last 30 these tools.
ress. The Happy Planet Index (HPI) provides years. The unwavering pursuit of economic
that compass by measuring what truly matters growth – embodied in the overwhelming focus
to us – our well-being in terms of long, happy on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – has left
and meaningful lives – and what matters to over a billion people in poverty, and has not Publisher: New Economics Foundation
the planet – our rate of resource consumption. notably improved the well-being of those who ISBN: 978 1 904882 55 8
The HPI brings them together in a unique were already rich, nor even provided us with The publication is available at www.hap-
form which captures the ecological efficiency economic stability. Instead it has brought us pyplanetindex.org/public-data/files/happy-
The young generation and gross national happiness, with which we are achieving good lives. straight to the cliff edge of rapidly diminish- planet-index-2-0.pdf
Bhutan. Pandida Charotok, PEI.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 Enabling frameworks
Wood carving for monastery renovation, Bhutan. Pandida Charotok, PEI. An Intha fisherman, Inle Lake, Northern Shan State, Myanmar. Pandida Charotok, PEI.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 UNEP/GRID-Arendal 30 31
Snowmobile crossing over melting sea ice.
Uummannaq Greenland, May 2009.
Lawrence Hislop.
Transition towns
By Tomas Marques and Anne Solgaard James Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Transition Town Network in brief
Institute for Space Studies, has warned that Its mission is to inspire, encourage, support,
Poor communities are particularly vulner- global warming will reach an irreversible network and train communities as they consider,
able to climate change risks and to the global tipping point around 2016, if current adopt and implement a Transition Initiative
impacts of rising energy costs. Climate levels of greenhouse gas emissions continue
change is already posing threats to commu- unabated. In the short term, runaway cli- The four recognitions:
nities in the poorest regions of the world. mate change will cause serious disruption 1. Life with dramatically lower energy consump-
tion is inevitable and it is better to plan for it
As oil prices will increase in the future due to communities worldwide, followed by
than be taken by surprise.
to the peaking of global oil production, mid-term chaos and potential long-term 2. Our communities presently lack the resilience
poorer countries will suffer more because societal collapse. to withstand the severe energy shocks that will
they have lower resilience to change and accompany peak oil.
fewer resources to cope with rising energy Developing countries, and especially the 3. We must act collectively and must act now.
costs. Arguably the ability of communities poor in these countries, will be the first 4. By unleashing the collective genius of those
to respond to these threats will depend on and most affected by peak oil and climate around us to proactively design our own energy
descent, we can build ways of living that are
how resourceful and cohesive they are in change. For example, well before oil hit
more connected and enriching, and recognize
adapting to a changing climate, and reduc- $147 a barrel in July 2008, several hospi- the biological limits of our planet.
ing their carbon emissions and dependency tals in developing countries were forced For more information: transitionnetwork.org
on fossil fuels. to switch off their generators. In some
developing countries the spike in oil prices
The combined threats of peak oil and climate also resulted in food crises as money and was launched in autumn 2006. Soon after, to establish a pool of transition trainers to
change have spurred the emergence of the land were poured into large-scale initiatives Rob Hopkins and Ben Brangwyn started disseminate the approach further and sup-
Transition Towns network that addresses for the production of agrofuels. To prevent talking about the potential surge of de- port local initiatives.
fossil fuel dependency and aims to reduce these impacts, decentralized and local mand for an organized support facility for
communities’ carbon emissions by moving solutions – such as local production and transiting initiatives around the country In addition to background information on
towards decentralized low-energy systems, distribution networks for fuel and food – are and beyond, and the idea of the transition the need for transition, and training on
localization, and increased community starting to be acknowledged as important network was born. the Transition Model, the train-the-trainers
resilience. The Environment and Poverty elements for cutting fossil fuel dependency workshops address inner transition and
Times (EPT) interviewed Mr Ben Brangwyn, and tackling poverty, while building com- Transition towns north and south psychology of change. According to transi-
co-founder of the Transition Town Network munities resilience to rising fuel prices and Asked if the Transition Town model can tion trainer Sophy Banks, “Our outer world
based in Totnes in the UK. This article is climate change risks. be applied to communities in developing is created by our inner world. These are re-
based on the interview. countries, Ben Brangwyn replied that the lated and completely interlinked. Our beliefs
According to the Transition Network, if approach has not yet been tested there. Ac- shape our behaviour, priorities, and what
Peak Oil and Climate Change communities collectively plan and act early cording to Brangwyn, “The focus of the ap- institutions and organizations we support.
The 2008 edition of the World Energy Out- enough, they may create a way of living that proach is on cutting dependency from high- These in turn shape the world around us.”
look published by the International Energy is significantly more socially connected, carbon lifestyles, which is more a problem of One key point promoted by the Transition
Agency (IEA) stated that it is becoming more fulfilling, more equitable, and more developed nations. Still, there is certainly a Model is that fostering the transition to a
increasingly apparent that the era of cheap in harmony with the environment. This rationale for considering the key principles low-carbon world will also require a personal
oil is over1, and that the world is rapidly ap- vision of sustainability is to be achieved of Transition in developing nations, instead transition to a less materialistic and less
proaching a peak in global oil production. by applying the Transition Model, which of replicating the unsustainable patterns of energy-intensive lifestyle. This in turn has
Peak oil refers to the point in time when follows 12 steps for moving communities developed nations. It would be interesting the capacity to foster increased psychological
the maximum rate of global oil extraction towards re-localization3 and non-fossil fuel to look at possible twinning initiatives to well-being, or happiness.
is reached, after which the rate of produc- energy self-reliance. support north-south cooperation, joining
tion will enter a plateau before entering a communities in developed and developing This seems to be the case in all countries.
sustained and terminal decline. The birth of the Transition Network nations that are facing the same type of The New Economics Foundation’s Human
The Transition Model came out of Rob problems, due to geographical, climatic, or Happiness Index (HPI) shows that high lev-
As transportation, manufacturing, and food Hopkins’ experience with implementing other conditions.” els of resource consumption do not reliably
production directly and/or indirectly rely Kinsale’s Energy Descent Action Plan. The produce high levels of well-being around
on oil, peak oil will pose serious energy, plan sought to determine how the Irish town Nonetheless, the Transition Network website the world. At a time of global economic and
economic and food security problems for of Kinsale could shift from being a high to a is getting hits from internet users from all environmental crises, it is important that at-
communities in both the developed and the low-energy consumption town in response parts of the world, including developing tempts at jump-starting the global economy
developing world. Energy security problems to the challenge of the impending peak in nations and fast growing economies such take full account of the need to limit resource
will be further aggravated by the fact that world oil output. as China, Pakistan, Kenya and Senegal. In consumption, and seriously question the
alternative energy systems are not yet avail- 2009 the Transition Network counted 186 paradigm of endless economic growth.
able or deployed on a scale required by the Building on the same principles, the Transi- “official” transition initiatives, with well
current economic model. tion Town Totnes in the United Kingdom over 1,000 communities all over the world Going for the real green new deal
now in the early stages of setting up their Asked if the Transition Model could be a
own initiatives. These include communi- vehicle for a new green deal, Brangwyn
ties from developing countries, from small emphasized that insisting on the paradigm
Cuba’s shift to a low-carbon society
towns to cities. of economic growth without acknowledg-
As the world rethinks a new and more sustainable model for agriculture and food security, it ing physical limits is not a good idea. “Ap-
can draw crucial lessons from Cuba’s past. In the wake of the break-up of the Soviet Union EPT asked Brangwyn about the difficulties of proaches to a new green deal should aim at
in 1991, Cuba made a radical departure from large-scale conventional monoculture systems implementing the Transition Model at city- promoting conditions for moving towards a
to the wholesale de-industrialization of food and farming systems. Previously, the nation’s scale. In his opinion, some key differences steady state economy. Globalized economies
agricultural production was largely dependent on imported and heavily subsidized inputs of of city-scale initiatives relate to the need to do not allow for people to fully see where the
petrochemical fertilizer, pesticides, fuel and advanced machinery. In the year preceding the reach out to diverse social groups, and to limits are. On the other hand, as we move
Soviet Union’s final break-up, Cuba suffered an 80% loss in trade and the sudden disappear- greater challenges for local food production. forward with this re-localization project, we
ance of nearly 1.3 million tonnes of fertilizer, causing agricultural production to drop by half. “In a scenario with no or very little fossil will be more able to see the limits to growth
The collapse catalyzed an important paradigm shift away from heavily subsidized agricultural fuels, people living in cities will have to de- because we’ll be using resources that are
production systems towards integrated pest management and organic, low-capital, small- vote time and effort to local food production, much closer to home. That way we’ll be
scale farming systems. which must be localized due to the impossi- moving towards true sustainability, as op-
bility of transport over long distances for lack posed to sustainable development, under
A study from 20081 confirms that Cuba, against all odds, managed to avoid its own food of fuel. Availability of space for urban food which endless economic growth continues
crisis by launching a semi-organic urban agricultural revolution. The study provided a production, particularly in the inner city, can to be promoted.”
valuable insight into the institutional structures and widespread changeover in manage- pose a significant problem. Nonetheless,
ment dynamics that were required. Today Cuba enjoys a thriving and virtually self-reliant and particularly on the issue of urban food Brangwyn would like the Global Green New
system of agricultural production. As a side benefit the study confirmed that Cubans have security, very successful case studies such as Deal and the forthcoming Green Economy
also become leaders in soil conservation, organic farming methods, biopesticides, and
the one in Havana6 point to the feasibility Report to recognize ecological limits to
worm composting. Even if it was from circumstantial necessity rather than choice, Cuba
of such approaches at city level.” growth, and to mention social resilience and
has effectively broken the policy barriers that seem to inhibit the adoption of a sustainable
sustainable ways of living. This would also
eco-agriculture system.
Training for change include emphasizing the need to secure lo-
Source: UNEP Yearbook 2009, chapter Resource Efficiency, pp 47-48. With the swift spread of the Transition calized food sources. In addition, debt relief
1. Wright, J (2008), Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in an Era of Oil Scarcity: Lessons from Model, several train-the-trainers workshops and waiving developing countries’ debts to
Cuba, Earthscan Publications have been held in the UK, United States, richer countries should definitely be includ-
Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan, ed in the report as a recommendation.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 UNEP/GRID-Arendal 32 33
Mike Grenville.
During the dialogue with the EPT, Brangwyn for transition and support for initiatives with
was clearly critical of the current global those who want it.
economic model: “Selling developing coun-
tries models of consumerism disguised as A significant indicator of the rapid growth
development as a way towards a happier life of the transition movement was the number
is just not the way towards sustainability. of participants at the Transition Conference
What communities need is assistance for 2009. More than 350 transitioners repre-
securing their food and energy systems, and senting several communities and countries
their community life.” gathered on 22–24 May 2009 in London to
network and share experiences.
Developing countries
He noted that efforts towards re-localiza- The main part of the conference included
tion in developed countries (such as the not only planned but also spontaneous
Transition approach), can have important workshop sessions where delegates initi-
indirect effects in developing countries. ated conversations on topics of interest. The
By reducing levels of demand through thematic workshops allowed for discussion
re-localization efforts, developed nations on diverse topics as “engaging with local au-
would diminish their pressure on energy thorities”, “urban food production”, “Transi-
and material resources that are currently tion Universities”, and “cities in transition”.
being imported from developing nations, Furthermore the UK Secretary of State for
Mike Grenville.
and would cease exporting wastes and Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband,
pollution to these countries. “It is perhaps asked to attend the conference. The Transi-
through this change of paradigm – re-local- tion Network agreed, on the condition that
ization in developed nations – that Transi- he came as a keynote listener – to which he The Transition Handbook: From Oil Dependency to Local
tion approaches can best help developing agreed – making no speeches but instead Resilience, A guide to preparing for a post-peak oil society,
nations.” It will also be a key step towards attending several open-space meetings and
by Rob Hopkins (2008)
addressing inequality in global energy and engaging in small-scale discussions. “If your town is not yet a Transition Town, here is guidance for making it one. We have little time, and
material use, and a move towards a system much to accomplish.”
of fair shares. The main ambitions of the Transition Net- Richard Heinberg, Post Carbon Institute, Santa Rosa, California, author of Power Down and Peak
work for next year include further engaging Everything.
Networks and knowledge sharing with government in the UK at the local, We live in an oil-dependent world, and have got to this level of dependency in a very short space of time,
In just three years, the Transition Network municipal and national level, but as Brang- using vast reserves of oil in the process – without planning for when the supply is not so plentiful. Most
has evolved into an international grass- wyn explained, “without handing over any of us avoid thinking about what happens when oil runs out (or becomes prohibitively expensive), but
roots movement with enormous visibility. power, so that Transition continues to be The Transition Handbook shows how the inevitable and profound changes ahead can have a positive
The network is currently very active in the an initiative led by the communities for the outcome. These changes can lead to the rebirth of local communities, which will grow more of their own
food, generate their own power, and build their own houses using local materials. They can also encourage
development of international knowledge communities”. the development of local currencies, to keep money in the local area.
sharing and networking platforms. The
Transition Web project will link transitioners About the authors: Tomas Marques works There are now over 180 Transition Initiatives in 18 countries, with more joining as the idea takes off.
everywhere and allow users to have better ac- as Associate Programme Officer at the United With little proactivity at government level, communities are taking matters into their own hands and
cess to information on transition initiatives Nations Environment Programme in Paris and acting locally. If your town is not a Transition Town, this upbeat guide offers you the tools for starting
Anne Solgaard is a Capacity Development Of- the process.
worldwide. Another project – Transition ficer for UNEP/GRID-Arendal in Norway. The
Learning Connections – is already being authors wrote this article in personal capacity. For more information on the transition town phenomenon, see www.transitionculture.org.
piloted on the School of Everything web plat- Both find great inspiration in the work of the Publisher: Green Books. ISBN: 978-1900322188.
form8, to connect people who offer training Transition Network.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 Building resilience
A typical day at the solar workshop.
Stewart Allen.
Stewart Allen. An installation practice session for one of the BSEs. Stewart Allen.
Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 UNEP/GRID-Arendal 34 35
ents of aid into active users, helping them by the poor for the pipes and filtered into an underground water The initiative, still at an early stage of the
to make major decisions and eventually
providing them with the skills to take full
poor, and is also tank. This tank, depending on its usage, can
then provide clean drinking water via a hand-
implementing phase, will be rolled out
over a period of three years. As of June
responsibility. the only fully solar- pump for three to four months. Moreover, 2009, four communities in India, one in
Power to change
How using information and statistics can contribute to sustainable development
By Rune Riktor and Dag Roll-Hansen Statistics are a basis for governments to
monitor and manage the economy. It is an
Change often comes from the outside, imperative for efficient resource allocation
sometimes as a slight wind that pushes us and decision-making in both the private
in directions we do not necessarily want to and public sectors. Statistics also indicate
move. Or change might come as a furious differences and changes in living condi-
hurricane, causing pain and disaster. The tions, revealing what leads to poverty and
most beautiful change, though, is often what should be done to eradicate its causes.
that which comes from within. The will Statistics are important for the formulation
and ability to execute change can make the of evidence-based and transparent policy-
difference for individuals, families and making. It is a factual basis for open public
societies. debate, in media and in national decision-
making bodies.
When history is a blur, the future is un-
certain and each day has enough trouble In short, statistics tell us how success-
of its own, there are specific steps we can ful policies are: whether investments in
take, especially if the challenge is to find health-care reduces maternal mortality;
the path to a better future for a community whether more children attend school when
or a country. Leadership means getting an the number of trained teachers increases;
overview of the situation, learning from and whether implementing agricultural
the past if possible, and finding the road projects means that fewer people starve.
map to achieve continuous and sustainable Statistics show whether our goals are
improvements. achievable and whether our strategies are Hawa Khamis Aganas from Southern Sudan Centre for Census, Statistics and Evaluation, one of the par-
on the right track. ticipants in a Human Resource Development workshop.
HEALTH1 ENVIRONMENT
MDG4: Reduce child mortality MDG7: Ensure environmental sustainability
MDG5: Improve maternal health
MDG6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Improved resource efficiency helps to achieve the objective of decoupling economic
Water and sanitation-related diseases and acute respiratory infections (primarily growth from environmental degradation, thereby slowing biodiversity loss.
from indoor air pollution) are two of the leading causes of under-five child mortality.
Promoting the efficient use of limited water resources through techniques such as
Providing cleaner and more resource-efficient energy and water services will help to
drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting helps to reduce stress on water resources
reduce the prevalence of these diseases.
and improve access to water supplies.
Damage to women’s health from indoor air pollution or from carrying heavy loads
Integrated waste management, including through the three Rs approach of reduce,
of water and fuel wood can make women less fit for childbirth and at greater risk
re-use and recycle, can help to improve the lives of people living in slums, as can
of complications during pregnancy. Providing cleaner and more resource-efficient
the adoption of sustainable urban transport solutions such as integrated rapid
energy and water services will help to reduce these risks.
transport systems.
Malaria, killer of an estimated 1 million children under age five every year, may
be exacerbated as a result of deforestation, loss of biodiversity and poor water
management. Improved resource efficiency would help to reduce these pressures.
DEVELOPMENT / PARTNERSHIP
MDG8: Global partnership for development
Technology transfer through development assistance can allow developing countries to “leapfrog” to a sustainable development path, bypassing inefficient, polluting and
ultimately costly phases of development.
International coordination and cooperation efforts to promote resource efficiency such as those based on the Marrakech Process on Sustainable Consumption and Production
help to promote international partnerships, efforts and initiatives to stimulate resource efficiency.
The Green Economy Initiative endeavours to mobilize and refocus the global economy on investments in clean industries and technologies and natural infrastructure such as forests
and soils, this being seen as the best bet for real growth, reducing ecological scarcity, combating climate change and triggering an employment boom in the 21st century. In doing so,
it aims to contribute to the crafting of a global set of actions that are more conducive to sustainable wealth creation and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
1. Adapted from UNDP-UNEP (2009) Mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into development planning. A handbook for practitioners
possible solution. the many different approaches that can lead to The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the improved livelihood of the poor whilst also the views of UNEP, UNEP/GRID-Arendal or any co-operating agency. The designations employed
and the presentation of material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on
This issue of Environment and Poverty Times often addressing the value of the natural capital the part of UNEP, UNEP/GRID-Arendal or co-operating agencies concerning the legal status
will point to a few examples of shifts in that society all too often takes for granted. of any country, territory or city or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers
or boundaries. Mention of a commercial company or product in this paper does not imply
thinking about economics that may lead to a endorsement by UNEP or UNEP/GRID-Arendal. The use of information from this publication
more sustainable future. Practical examples of If you want to read this or previous issues of concerning priority products for publicity or advertising is not permitted. UNEP/GRID-Arendal
resource efficiency that contribute to a greening the Environment and Poverty Times on the net, would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source.
of the economy are emphasized. You will get please stop by at www.environmenttimes.net Printed at Agderposten Trykk, Norway
snapshots of inspiring cases from around the – and tell your friends. September 2009. 10,000 copies
world highlighting themes such as sustainable
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