Nora Brüggemann Action Town Project Manager UNEP / Wuppertal Institute Collaborating

Introduction to the Action Town project and the NFP projects Action Town – SMART CSO conference,March, 15th 2011 – London, UK

Nora BrüggemannAction Town Project Manager UNEP / Wuppertal Institute CollaboratingCentre on Sustainable Consumption and Production

Project funded by:

15 March, LondonAction Town NFP project presentations and discussions 2

Welcome to Action Town

FocusFoster knowledge transfer between CSOs and researchers with a focus on SCP through small-scale exploratory actions.

OverallObjective

To stimulate partnerships between civil society organisations and their stakeholders (especially research community) to increase civil society involvement in SCP (sustainable consumption and production) research..

Partners

AND NEW: Contribute to effective change strategies for the Great Transition.

15 March, LondonAction Town NFP project presentations and discussions

Review of state of the art in SCP research

3

Project activitiesThe overview

SMART CSO Event

National focal points & orientation seminar

Support seminar

Exploratory actions by- ECODES- Green Liberty- MAMA-86- TTGV

Assessment seminar & Feasibility survey

Dissemina-tion at the national and int. level

Nov. 2008 March 2009 Feb. 2010 March March 2010-March 2011 2011

Roadmap development and workshop

Exploratory actions by- ECODES- Green Liberty- MAMA-86- TTGV

SMART CSO Event

Presentation of NFP Exploratory Actions Action Town – SMART CSO conference,March, 15th 2011 – London, UK

Janis Brizga: Chair of Green Liberty and Northern Alliance for Sustainable Development

Anna Golubovska-Onisimova: Co-Founder and President of MAMA-86

Emrah Alkaya: Expert, Environmental Projects Group at Technological Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV)

Charles Castro: Director of Management Systems at ECODES (Spain)


Exploratory actions by 4 CSOs

5


Overview of Presentations of NFP Exploratory Actions

• ECODES (Spain): Indicators for Sustainability in Financial Products

• TTGV (Turkey): Actions towards the encouragement of the development of SCP Policies in Turkey among relevant stakeholders: An LCA approach for sustainable housing

• Green Liberty (Latvia): Participatory SCP policy assessment

• MAMA-86 (Ukraine): Development of an SCP policy in Ukraine


Indicators for Sustainability in Financial Products

7



Country context

8

Country context

SCP regulatory environment

• Sustainable economy law recently passed with highly publicised fanfare but receives poor marks from CSO working in the SCP sphere• Elimination of renewable energy premiums lower growth and future prospects

Drivers and barriers to SCP

• Drivers: 1)Very high unemployment fuels search for “green” employment niches; 2) Very receptive governing party but deeds do not meet ambitious narrative; 3) Large Spanish multinational buy into sustainablity paradigm.• Barriers: 1) High awareness / low action among consumers preventing growth consumption levers; 2) Government austerity plan nixes many needed investments; 3) SMEs fail to grasp the Great Transition

Role of key stakeholders

• Government: Use of more soft and hard power to nudge economic model away from curent unsustainable path.• CSO: Ramp up awareness efforts for consumers but coupled with practical tools. • Enterprises: Make business case for transition to lower impact SCP model


The Project

Objectives

•Develop indicator set for the sustainability assessment of financial entities and products•Develop sustainability recommendations for financial entities•Raise awareness among CSOs and governments about the importance of promoting the sustainability of financial entities and products

Target audiences

•Researchers on sustainability and socially responsible investing•CSOs: Consumers associations, environmental NGOs, development NGOs.•Financial entities•Public administration


Exploratory action overview


The Project

Activities

• Establishent of indicators working group• Drafting of conclusion / recommendations• Awareness campaign: e-mail and other viral channels

Partners

• Observatorio de Finanzas Éticas• ADICAE (association of Banks, Savings Institutions and Insurance products) • University of Zaragoza

Results

• Draft policy briefs: -- CSOs / consumers -- Financial entities




Lessons learnt

Main Barriers

• Level of current turmoil & uncertainty in financial sector in Spain curbs appetite for innovation at major financial entities• Low consumer awareness dampens banks interest in SRI• Weak CS institutional framework for promoting sustainility in financial sector (few orgs focus on the issues and few meaningful collaborative efforts)

Opportunities

• Shakedown in progress in financial sector will force remaining to seek out differentiators. Is sustainability the answer? • Low level of SRI in Spain means large gains are possible in the short term. Opportunities to learn from more mature markets. •Sustainability is sexy issue among government, leading businesses and increasingly consumers.


Lessons learnt


Development of the SCP policy in Ukraine

12



Country context Ukraine

13

Country context


•Recent adoption: Law on Green tariff for renewable energy •Recent adoption: Law on access to public information, 2011•Law on Basics of State Environmental Policy (Strategy) adopted by the Parliament end 2010: SCP 10-years policy framework is in it (lobbied by MAMA-86)•NEAP to Strategy (till 2015) tp be adopted till 31.03.2011

Drivers and barriers to SCP:

Drivers

•Association Agreement preparation Ukraine-EU, Strategy of Environmental Policy – priority of the Association Agenda for 2010 and precondition for the EU Budget Support•Ukraine joined European Energy Community•Crisis: rising prices for gaz and political tensions with Russia pushed for reconsideration of Energy Strategy of Ukraine till 2030: going closer to sustainable energy points•Urgent need to repair and upgrade whole infrastructure including urban areas (electircity, heating, water supply and sewage, etc.) and to increase tariffs in Housing sector



Country context Ukraine

14

Country context (continued)


Barriers

•Institutional instability•Law income: people concentrate on survival•High level of corruption: barrier to innovation•No leading institution on integrating social, economic and environmental goals and objectives •Lack of academic research on the issue•5-7% of population including academics and government speaks English, even less works in it•Lack of knowledge and practical experience in application of assessment, accounting and integration SCP policy tools


•Ministry of Environmental Protection – current leader of environmental integration policy reform•NGOs – pushing for change, conducting public lobbying, involving different stakeholders into the dialogue on policy•Academic institutions – proposing substantiation to actions•Citizens – potential driving forces


The Project

Objectives

Survey the integrated environmental considerations in currentUkrainian sectoral policies against the EU building blocks for 10years SCP Framework Strategy and the EU SCP Action Plan Lobby for SCP policy basic elements adoption through current relevant policy preparation and adoption cycle in Ukraine

Raise the awareness of NGOs and other stakeholders on SCP complexity using Story of Staff by Annie Leonard and Action Town Project outputs.Participate in and promote of active engagement of UkrainianGovernment into UN CSD and preparation to Rio+20.

Target audiencesEnvironmental NGOs, environment senior officials, the Parliament (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine) Committee on Environmental Policy (and its MP members), the Cabinet of Ministers Secretariat and relevant scientist, students, journalists


Country context


The Project (continued)

Activities

•Analysis of sectoral policies and NGO Policy paper preparation•Translation pf Story of Staff by Annie Leonard and presentation of UA version at special lecture for journalists •Number of meetings, press-releases, workshops and Public Hearings on lobbying SCP elements for Strategy and NEAP content•Translation of 3 Action Town Guidelines into RU and its presentation at Green Economy Int. conference in Kyiv opened by UNEP RoE Director •Maintain MAMA-86 web-site with Action Town project updates•Dedicated workshop with multistakeholder participattion•Presentation of results at CSD-19

Partners

=> Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) => Public Council within MEP => NGO Working Groups: Ecopolicy; Envint Europe => National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Institute of market Problems and economic & ecological research


Country context


The Project

Results

Main result - lobbied content of Strategy of National Environemntal Policy (already adopted by the Parliament on 21 December 2011) and draft NEAP to be adopted end March 2011, e.g.Principals includes the requirements for balanced environmental, economic and social pillars, as well as environemtnal pillar integration into national, sectoral, regional and local development policiesAim 4 is dedicated to Environmental Policy Integration and the improvement of Integrated Environmental Governance system. Objectives include: legal improvement for obligatory environmental policy integration, inclusion of environemntal pillar into sectoral and other policies (specific wording for transport, energy, agriculture, housing, military), multistakeholder cooperation, eco-innovation in production sector.Aim 6 - ‘Environemntally Balanced Pattern of Natural Resources Use’Includes inter alia, the preparation in 2012 of the CSP 10-years policy Concept and, the Strategy and National Action Plan on SCP till 2015.


Country context


Lessons learnt

Main Barriers

Classic science has law-level of capacity to study SCP Government officials don’t understand and don’t interested in complex issues of sustainable development and relevant policyNo funds for conducting regular work on the issue in all sectors – Ministry, NGOs, academic scienceInstability of Government induces the need of flexible planning of actions – you should be ready always but ever

Opportunities

When you put SCP into prioritised adopted policies, you make further steps possible to plan and thus make activities efficientJust to write NGO SCP Concept, Strategy and NP – next 3 years!Different stakeholders wants to cooperate with MAMA-86More translations are needed – great hunger for literature on SCPTo work far more on consumption sideContinue Action Town cooperation


Country context


Actions towards the encouragement of the development of SCP Policies in Turkey among relevant stakeholders: An LCA approach for sustainable housing

19


SCPTurKEY

Country context

20

Country context


• EU accession process and harmonization of the env. legislation• SCP aspects in environmental and energy related legislation• Focus on production more than consumption• Eco-design directive recently adopted• Recent Industrial Strategy compatible with SCP aspects• Lack of specific strategy/ action plan for SCP oriented activites


• Economy in Transition Low levels of Consumption and ecological footprint• Competitive industrial sector seeking sustainable solutions• Young population Potential “changemakers”• Lack of awareness of consumers• Lack of coherent governmental strategies• Lack of communication between key stakeholders


Country context


• Government: develop vision, strategies, action plans and implement programs, financial support• NGO’s: Raise awareness, make publications, cooperate with government• Universities: Research and publications• Private sector: Improve production process and products

(no clearly defined roles specific to SCP)

What should be done?

• Create/use effective means of communication• Learn from other country experiences• Promote bottom-up movements Focus on strengths

SCPTurKEY

Country context


The Project

Objectives

• Raise awareness and build a capacity of stakeholders on SCP and SCP policies• Formulate recommendations for the use of LCA as a tool • Disseminate the results and lessons among relevant stakeholders

Target audiences

Governmental Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Research Institutions, International Organizations, Private Sector, Consumers

Activities

• Policy Instruments Review• LCA Study • Evaluation of the Results, Development of Recommendations with Stakeholders (Workshop)• Networking and dissemination

Partners

• UPAV (National Policy Research Foundation), • UTES (United Kingdom – Turkey Environment Society),• TTMD (Turkish Society of HVAC & Sanitary Engineers),• MATPUM (Middle East Technical University - Research and Implementation Centre for Built Environment and Design) • METU-ENVE (Middle East Technical University - Environmental Engineering Dept).

SCPTurKEY



The Project

Results

• An evaluation was made on the existing and potential Turkish legislation and policies in terms of SCP and a document was prepared.• Life Cycle Perpective and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was studied and introduced to the stakeholders.• A review LCA study on heat insulation materials was documented to be shared with stakeholders and published in various events/journals and the project web page. •All relevant stakeholders including CSOs had the opportunity to learn about the project outputs and developments in EU.• CSOs and other stakeholders shared their related ideas and ongoing activities to be used as a base for further cooperation.•A collaboration agreement is made between a CSO (TTGV) and a research organization (METU-DoEE).

SCPTurKEY



Lessons learnt

Main Barriers

• Lack of awareness of consumers• Lack of coherent governmental strategies• Lack of communication between key stakeholders• Lack of national funds and programmes

Opportunities

• Different groups (Gov. Inst., CSOs, Companies etc.) are eager to cooperate on SCP.• Stakeholders develop and propose concrete actions (e.g. LCA studies, a SCP web portal, etc.)• A well-educated young generation is ready for concrete action.• Various international funds and programmes (EU, UN, GEF, etc.) are suitable for project based activities

SCPTurKEY

Lessons learnt


National Workshop

25

Number of Participants: 68

SCPTurKEY

National Workshop


SCPTurKEY

Impressions


Green Liberty - Participatory SCP policy assessment

27


Participatory SCP policy assessment

Country context

28

Brief country context


The Project

Objectives

Project aims to identify main driving forces behind our consumption patterns and propose policy instruments and recommendations to enable sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in Latvia.

Target audiences

This is being done by bringing together environmental NGOs and scientific community from Latvia

Activities

and running series of participatory co-creation workshops to discuss the methodology, assessment tools and recommendations for SCP policy development.




Driving Forces

30

Unsustainable consumption Sustainable consumption

Prices & Taxes Available funding

Individual values & Unsustainable Habits Information and knowledge Family values

Comfort & Wellbeing Availability & Confort

Infrastructure Stricter standards, Urban planning & Infrastructure

Social pressure (speed of life, neighbor example etc)

Systems of provision


Driving forces



Strategies


Planning & Regulation

• Regional development

• Effective data collection;

• Higher standards and control;

• Regulation for heating season

• Better public participation

• Regulated beginning of heating season

Economic instruments

• Subsidies for fuel shift;

• Higher energy costs, excise tax on fossil fuels;

• Real estate tax reductions for efficient

housing

Communication tools

• Sharing good practice;

• Public discussions on values and comfort

(good life);

• Better cooperation, involvement and other partnership with local

community.

• Trainings

Technologies

• Availability of equipment;

• Better infrastructure

Energy efficiency, planning, Renewable resources and Behavior


Policy instruments: housing sector


Lifestyle change

Systems of provision

Agricultural production

Subsidies for organic farmers

Education and information to farmers

Short supply chains

Self provision

Higher taxes on agricultural chemicals (integrating external

costs)

Support for cooperation

Building trust between farmers and consumers Stricter regulation

Subsidies for organic food producers and

distributers

Choose local! Choose seasonal!Environmentally

friendly fast food

Information about environmentally

friendly food

Rights to know; information for

consumers

Ilgtspējīgas transporta loģistika

kā tikt līdz veikaliem


Policy instruments: food sector


Information campaigns to support public

transport

Attractivness of public transport

Public transport

All transport

Sustainable trasport

Information campaigns to

support sustainable

transport

Everyone a byce

Watchdog implementation

Free public transport for certine social

groops

Increase parcing price

Education and communication

Practical projects at schools to deal with

public vs private dillemma

Stakeholder cooperation

Funding infrastructure development

Planning

Safe velo infrastructure

(lanes, parking)

Public transport lainsTerritorial planning

Subsidies to public transport

Subsidies to sustainable transport

Accessibility of public transport

Acsize tax on fossile fuels


Policy instruments: transport sector


• Need to change not only individual, but also collective behavior (behavior is determined

not only by external, but also by internal factors);• Apply combination of strategies –

efficiency strategy is not enough. We have to change markets, systems of provision, social structures and culture;

• There is a need for multistakholder cooperation (pyramid of change).


Conclusions

Discussion on Learnings in the Pilot Projects and

Ways Forward for CSO-Research PartnershipsAction Town – SMART CSO conference,March, 15th 2011 – London, UK

Janis Brizga: Chair of Green Liberty and Northern Alliance for Sustainable Development

Ferda Ulutas: Coordinator of Environmental Projects Group at Technological Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV)

Emrah Alkaya: Expert, Environmental Projects Group at Technological Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV)

Charles Castro: Director of Management Systems at ECODES (Spain)


Thank you for your participation!

For further questions, please contact:Nora Brüggemann

[email protected]

Action Town NFP project presentations and discussions

Nora Brüggemann Action Town Project Manager UNEP / Wuppertal Institute Collaborating

Documents

Transcript of Nora Brüggemann Action Town Project Manager UNEP / Wuppertal Institute Collaborating