UNEP/IETC EST Initiative Proposed Cooperation Framework

1. UNEP/IETC EST InitiativeProposed Cooperation Framework 4 December 2003 Otsu, Japan

2. Needs… • To increase the sustainability of (urban) systems • Enhance understanding and motivation • Enhance the capacity to act in a sustainable manner (environmental, social, economic) • Enhance access to and uptake of the critical resources (with emphasis on technology) • To demonstrate success using relevant indicators • A consensus based set of performance indicators for ESTs is needed • These indicators should provide guidance in addressing the environmental performance of technologies (and should be linked to sustainable development) • Performance indicators are needed for the Initiative itself in order to measure overall effectiveness

3. UNEP/IETC EST Initiative -Key Sectors

4. Proposed Initial Approach • Demonstrate ways and means to enhance sustainability of urban systems • Context: • A component of IETC’s Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems (CASE) initiative, but not exclusively • Also links to other initiatives of UNEP and partners

5. Scope • Objective: Providing reliable information about ESTs, including examples of applications • Definition of ESTs: Includes technology-based concepts and systems and tools for application • Focus: Water and Sanitation, but not excluding other areas • Targets: Technology users in developing countries and countries in transition (with both developed and developing countries as sources of information and examples); other stakeholders including government agencies, financial institutions, technology developers, vendors and supply side infrastructure • Related Issues: Dealing with the contextual factors that impact on the ability to transfer and use ESTs

6. Outputs to Address the Needs (1) • A platform for assessing, verifying and certifying the environmental performance of technologies • An internationally acceptable system/process for this • Mobilising available resources • Introductory guidance papers for local decision-makers (including co-branded publications) • Fact sheets and templates on potential technologies • Simplified, pragmatic guidance on decision-making for technology investments • Targeted and focused training courses • Templates and examples for tenders, partnership agreements, procurement, etc.

7. Outputs to Address the Needs (2) • An effective system for accessing EST information • Linked to National systems, etc • Reviewed, validated, certified information on ESTs • Knowledge centres • Good practice examples • Training programmes and materials • Implementation of Partnership Agreements to strengthen cooperation

8. IETC EST Initiative: Key Partners and Roles (1) • Coordination, facilitation and implementation (IETC) • Organisations representing providers of ESTs (Associations) • information on potential ESTs • sources of technology • Organisations covering a specific focus area (e.g. water, waste, construction) or target groups (e.g. local government, engineers, architects, planners, etc.) • Expertise, information and experience – innovation, application (IWA, ISTT, CIB, ISWA, FIDIC, etc.) • Practitioners - for delivery/implementation (ICLEI, FIDIC, others)

9. IETC EST Initiative: Key Partners and Roles (2) • Organisations dealing with contextual issues (ICLEI, GPA, Government agencies) • Validation/Verification/Certification organisations (Government agencies and institutions) • Financing and investment aspects (Investment funds, government agencies and institutions) • Promotion and Marketing (GLOBE Foundation, ICLEI)

10. Implementation (1) • Case studies on the process of EST identification, selection and performance assessment • Where Partners have significant presence • Where environmental indicators suggest relevant needs and probability of project having maximum relevance • Focus • ESTs for water, sanitation, construction • Developing countries as targets • Developed and developing countries as sources of information and innovation • Parallel (multi-institution) rather than sequential approach • Establish partnership agreements • Re-focus (“re-package”) existing products • Environmental outcomes • Use accepted environmental (sustainability) indicators to identify entry points and assess progress

11. Implementation (2) • Initial Plan of Action, including: • Partnership Agreements for the EST Initiative • Products/Events/Activities • Strengthen the technology “system” (includes transfer, procurement, tendering, uptake, integrity) • Examine innovative financing • Outline methods and tools for assessment, evaluation and verification • Develop criteria, guidelines and best practices, Identify case studies both from and relevant to developing countries • Development of performance indicators for the Initiative itself • Dissemination of experience gained in demonstration projects • Strengthening institutional arrangements • Funding (EU, World Bank, GEF, others)

12. Next Steps (1) • Establish an agreement amongst the participating organizations on how to assess technologies in a transparent manner. • Agree on an action plan and process that could lead to the establishment of a standard for assessing ESTs. This could involve positioning the initiative to eventually go forward as an ISO standard. • Work together and with other organizations to define a meaningful set of environmental indicators and performance criteria relevant to the adoption and use of ESTs.

13. Next Steps (2) • Continue to augment mechanisms and approaches for the provision, acquisition and dissemination of information on ESTs. • Identify and compile case studies to more clearly communicate the importance of ESTs. • Prepare a series of co-branded products and fact sheets on selected topics.

14. Next Steps (3) • Target decision-makers within local authorities, as well as banks, insurers and other financial institutions. • Link to key events and promote the EST Initiative in a strategic manner. • Measure success by establishing an appropriate mechanism for monitoring and evaluating progress.

15. Next Steps (3) Discussion and Actions!