Publications: Clean Air Asia with Partners Jointly Release Low-Carbon Land Transport Policy Handbook (28 Feb 2013)

Clean Air Asia with Partners Jointly Release Low-Carbon Land Transport Policy Handbook

Practical guide for transport policymakers and planners to achieve low-carbon land transport systems.

Based on wide ranging research, it shows how policies can be bundled successfully and worked into urban transport decision-making and planning strategies.

With case studies from developed and developing countries, it outlines measures for reducing emissions, tailoring these to specific circumstances. It also highlights how greenhouse gas savings are measured, as well as success factors for implementing policies and measures in complex decision-making processes.

For students of sustainable transport, professional planners and decision makers, Low-Carbon Land Transport is an invaluable reference for all those looking to help transport networks flow in a sustainable direction.

The publication is available for download here:http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781849713771/

For more information: http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/node/11689

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Publications: BioTrade: Harnessing the potential for transitioning to a green economy - The Case of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Nepal by UNEP (28 Feb 2013)

Growing Demand for Medicinal Plants Can Create Green Jobs for Nepal's Poor

Nairobi/Geneva, 28 February 2013 - The growing global demand for medicinal and aromatic plants could help drive Nepal's green economy, while improving livelihoods in its poorest communities, according to a new study released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Government of Nepal.

The report, BioTrade: Harnessing the potential for transitioning to a green economy - The Case of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Nepal, analyzes the country's BioTrade sector and, specifically, its trade in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs), which are often grown in the country's poorest regions.

Nepal is home to about 700 species of medicinal plants, about 250 of which are endemic to the country. This vast haven of biodiversity presents opportunities in commodity BioTrade (essential oils and plants extracts, natural ingredients for cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, native fruits for juice, wine and jam), trade in goods (bamboo products, gums and resins, spices and flavours, dyes and tans, natural pesticides, wild mushrooms and health foods), and services (ecotourism).

Today, more than 100 types of MAPs are harvested in Nepal and traded in international markets. In 2008, the recorded value of the exported MAPs was around USD 3 million, and by 2009, it had increased to USD 9.8 million.

"The growing global demand for natural and environmentally-friendly products today, speaks of the vast potential of BioTrade to contribute to the strengthening of the country's economy and rural livelihoods," said Lal Mani Joshi, Secretary of Nepal's Ministry of Commerce and Supplies.

Given Nepal's high degree of biodiversity, the study confirmed the country's significant potential to develop its BioTrade sector. The study focuses on the cultivation, processing and trade of high-value MAPs, which are found in the forests and grasslands of the mountains in the northern part of the country.

"By harvesting these plants sustainably, and improving their value-added activity so collectors receive a fair share of the profits, the trade could contribute to social equity, environmental conservation and economic prosperity," said UNEP Programme Officer Asad Naqvi, who oversaw the study.

However, the report also cites the challenges of developing a sustainable trade in MAPs, including the lack of value-added activity and quality control mechanisms. MAPs are currently sold through long marketing channels with high transaction costs and most of the value-added processes in the production chain occur outside of Nepal.

In addition, inadequate infrastructure, such as limited access to electricity, transportation facilities, water and technology, results in a lack of productive capacity and hampers developing the trade in MAPs.

The report makes several recommendations to assist policymakers, development agencies and entrepreneurs in developing the country's BioTrade in MAPs in a responsible and sustainable manner.

For example, the report cites a need for:

- An inventory system, with regular updating, to provide much needed information on the stock of available resources and how much can be sustainably harvested.

- Appropriate technologies for transforming Nepali raw materials into value-added products.

- Well-equipped laboratories to test plants and products in order to meet sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) requirements and provide easy access to lucrative international markets.

- Implementation of appropriate policies that facilitate adequate incentives for entrepreneurs to promote and encourage formal trade in MAPs.

The study is part of Capacity Building for BioTrade (CBBT) project, which is implemented by UNEP with financial support from GIZ, and has conducted similar studies in Namibia and Peru.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Forestry and Soil Conservation, and National Planning Commission of Nepal also contributed to this study.

Further Resources

Download full report

More UNEP Green Economy research products

For more information: 

http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=2704&ArticleID=9428&l=en&t=long

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Publications: Sustainable Communication: How communication technology and the internet create both opportunities for and threats to sustainable development (1 Mar 2013)

IISD Publications Centre

Sustainable Communication: How communication technology and the internet create both opportunities for and threats to sustainable development

» Don MacLean, Opencanada.org, 2013.Commentary, copyright: The Global Connectivity Group for Sustainable Development

Do we need to rethink Sustainable Development Goals? The internet and ICTs are changing the parameters of sustainability by creating opportunities and threats that simply did not exist when the 1987 Brundtland Report and the 1992 Earth Summit put sustainable development on the international agenda.

The views expressed are his own views and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD.

PDF

• Download from Opencanada.org

• Hard copy not available.

• If you are having difficulty viewing a PDF or Flash Flip-page, please click here

For more information: http://www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?id=1755

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Indian Updates: RAILWAY MINISTER ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL CHAIR AT TERI UNIVERSITY TO PROMOTE RAILWAY RELATED RESEARCH (26 Feb 2013)

RAILWAY MINISTER ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL CHAIR AT TERI UNIVERSITY TO PROMOTE RAILWAY RELATED RESEARCH

PRESS RELEASE
The academic chair announced at the Rail Budget today would focus on research in aspects of sustainability which would be relevant to the Indian Railways, as well as to programmes at the University, which aim at creating a cadre of professionals who could look at problems of development in the railways with a multi-dimensional perspective.


New Delhi, 26 th Feb, 2013: In a major announcement, the Hon’ble Railway Minister declared setting up an academic chair at TERI University while presenting the Railway Budget at the Parliament today. Expressing gratitude to the Hon’ble Railway Minister, Dr. R.K.Pachauri, Chancellor TERI University and Director General, TERI said “We greatly value the commitment of the Indian Railways to reducing their carbon footprint as also their commitment to building capacity in the country for undertaking research in this critical area of economic growth. We believe that the example the Railways, with their economic impact and huge employee base, set in striving to become a role model for sustainable development will be an inspiration for millions in the country”. Highlighting the importance of Indian Railways in promoting sustainable development, Dr. Leena Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, TERI University and Executive Director, TERI said “The Indian Railways have the potential to significantly alter the transportation choices of India's increasingly mobile population and growing markets. We look forward to working with the Railways in defining and influencing such choices and enhancing exponentially the resource efficiency of the transportation sector in the country”


Expressing joy over the announcement, Mr. Shri Prakash, Distinguished Fellow, TERI asserted “For sustainable development and the view of reducing carbon footprint, the role of railways as mode primary transport has been universally recognized. This is the first time that a chair for research in rail transport is been instituted by Indian Railways in any university” Through this unique initiative, The Indian Railways and TERI University will engage youth through research and an exposure to higher education in areas related to the railways. It would help unleash the potential of hundreds of researchers and drive solutions for ensuring a sustainable future. The Academic Chair on Rail Transport would be occupied by a renowned academician / professional of repute, and lend strength to the ongoing research and teaching at the University opening new vistas of research in the field of Rail Transport. It would also serve as an unique opportunity to bring the most competent academics / professionals from the field of Rail Infrastructure to contribute to the research and teaching strengthening it significantly. The Chair will be expected to involve itself into issues of sustainable development, especially relevant to the Rail infrastructure and greening of the railways, and to research into finding innovative solutions to these.

In the past, TERI has been involved very intensely with research in transport, urban transport and rail transport for many years. Over the last two years, TERI in collaboration with ITPS, Japan is engaged in research in High speed Rail systems and has developed a conceptual plan for high speed rail network in the country based on economic criterion. The findings of these studies have been shared with the Indian Railways. The on-going research is now looking into economic, energy efficiency and other social impacts of two specific corridors. The other part of the study will look into institutional, organisational, regulatory and financial arrangements for development of high speed rail. Another research project for NTDPC studied life cycle analysis of different transport modes including rail, road, metro rail, and BRT for passenger transport. The study, first of its kind in India has been widely appreciated.

Original document: http://www.teriin.org/files/railway_20130301112041.pdf

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HK's Updates: Funds earmarked for green initiatives (27 Feb 2013)

Funds earmarked for green initiatives

February 27, 2013

Financial Secretary John Tsang today announced funding plans for water improvement, recycling and waste treatment facilities, and other measures to improve environmental infrastructure.
 
In his Budget speech today, Mr Tsang said the second stage of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme will cost $17.6 billion, and improve water quality in Victoria Harbour.
 
He also said the Government is pressing ahead with the first phase of an organic waste treatment facility in Siu Ho Wan, Lantau, which will convert food waste into energy and compost products starting in 2016.
 
Other green investments include $500 million earmarked for waste electrical and electronic equipment processing facilities, and five community green stations to encourage public participation in waste reduction and recycling.
 
“Improving the environment is vital to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, for which we need the shared commitment of both the community and the Government,” he said, noting the next priority is improving roadside air quality.
 
Mr Tsang has also earmarked funds for proposals made in last month’s Policy Address, such as $10 billion for phasing out heavily polluting vehicles, and $5 billion for the Environment & Conservation Fund for community-initiated green projects. He has also made provisions for the fund to enhance environmental awareness, conduct scientific research, and encourage public participation.

For more information: 

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/categories/environment/html/2013/02/20130227_093823.shtml

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Events: Roving exhibition on glass bottle recycling opens organized by The Environmental Protection Department in March 2013

Roving exhibition on glass bottle recycling opens


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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is organising a series of roving exhibitions on glass bottle recycling, with the first exhibition being held at Maritime Square from today (March 1) to March 4. Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibition.

An EPD spokesman said today, "The Government has launched a three-month public consultation on the mandatory producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on glass beverage bottles. We hope the roving exhibition can raise public awareness on glass bottle recycling and enhance public understanding of the PRS on Glass Beverage Bottles through panel displays, exhibits, game booths and video screenings."

Some 150 tonnes of glass beverage bottles are generated in Hong Kong each day, placing significant pressure on Hong Kong's limited landfill capacity. In this regard, the Government has proposed to implement a mandatory PRS on glass beverage bottles so that the relevant stakeholders along the supply chain can jointly share the environmental responsibilities for proper disposal of glass beverage bottles. The scheme can also help turn waste into a resource for production of different construction materials. All this would help establish a circular economy for waste glass under which glass beverage bottles would no longer need to be dumped at landfills.

The spokesman added, "To encourage members of the public to actively participate in glass bottle recycling and put green living into practice, there will be a glass recycling counter set up in the exhibition, at which the public can redeem souvenirs when they hand in rinsed glass beverage bottles."

The schedule of the roving exhibition in March is as follows. The exhibition will then be moved to other venues. Please visit the EPD website at www.epd.gov.hk for the latest schedule of the exhibition.

Date            Time         Venue
March 1 to 4    10am to 9pm  Level 1
                             "Fantasy Island-Venue A"
                             Maritime Square,
                             Tsing Yi
March 7 to 10   10am to 9pm  Main Atrium, 1/F,
                             Tuen Mun Town Plaza
March 14 to 17  10am to 9pm  Covered Piazza,
                             Times Square,
                             Causeway Bay
March 29 to 31  10am to 9pm  Atrium Zone B, UG 2/F,
                             Lok Fu Plaza, Kowloon

Leaflets on the Public Consultation on a New PRS on Glass Beverage Bottles are obtainable at the exhibition venues. The consultation document is also available at the EPD website. The public are welcome to offer their views and comments to the EPD by post (EPD Waste Management Policy Group, Room 4522, 45/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong), email (glass_prs@epd.gov.hk) or facsimile (2318 1877) on or before May 6.

Ends/Friday, March 1, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:51

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Source: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201303/01/P201303010362.htm
Chinese version: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201303/01/P201303010360.htm

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