If you are unable to view this email please visit this link

SWITCH-Asia E-Newsletter

Welcome to the first SWITCH-Asia E-Newsletter. With this e-version we will keep you updated with activities of the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility and news from SWITCH Asia-Project. Bi-monthly we show progress, report from events and inform on SWITCH-Asia. If you wish to contribute please email to susanne.mueller@scp-centre.org.

SWITCH-ASIA PROGRAMME NEWS

How business promotes SCP

What is the role of business in making consumption and production more sustainable in Asia? And how can policy-makers enable and encourage their role? Read the cases of SWITCH-Asia Projects.

High Profile for Business and SCP at UN-Meeting

SWITCH-Asia will contribute to negotiations at the UN Commission on Sustinable Development (CSD). The EU-funded Programme will showcase how business initiatives are playing a key role in scaling-up SCP, and how policy makers can enable these business actions towards SCP. The Network Facility stages a side-event during the session of the UN-CSD. Speakers from all over the world will ensure an inspiring debate. Read More.

Still work to do - SCP in Mongolia

Mongolia's economy has traditionally been dominated by herding and agriculture. The processing of agricultural and livestock products accounts for most of the country’s manufacturing output. Recent driver of industrial production was based on the development of extensive Mongolian mineral deposits. There is still potential for SCP. Read how the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce promotes SCP.

Policy Actions

The SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Components has started to operate. Find out more about their first activities.

NETWORK FACILITY NEWS

- In 2011, the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility plans three Sub-Regional Events instead of one big Networking event for all 30 projects. Where they are staged and why - click for more information on the sub-regional events.

- New Leaflet on Sustainable Consumption online. Please click to view the newest publication of the Network Facility.

SWITCH-ASIA PROJECT NEWS

Magic Bricks

These bricks save money, reduce cost for raw material procurement and they increase market competitiveness of their producer. Learn how this is done and which SWITCH-Asia project helped to create the success of the magic bricks.

Innovative lifecycle approach implemented

The Public Procurement Centre (PPCs) in cities Lanzhou, Qinhuangdao and Tianjin had made significant progress in improving their internal processes to increase the share and quality of green products in their procurement portfolios. Click to read the whole story.

Knowledge only a mouse click away

The SWITCH-Asia project Strengthening Electrical and Electronics Sector (ESEEC) consortium designed and launched a comprehensive e-learning platform. If you want to visit the platform please read more.

Why not invest in bamboo?

Bamboo is a highly sustainable plant. It grows fast, protects the soil from erosion and keeps the watershed balanced. It is a remarkable resource for sustainable development - why not invest in the bamboo industry in Sichuan/China? Join the Bamboo train, organized by the SWITCH-Asia Project Eco-Bamboo in Sichuan. Find out more...

Award schemes - a tool to show project impact

The EU funded project Re-Tie Bangladesh: Reduction of environmental threats and increase of exportability of Bangladeshi leather products launched a competition for best ideas for cleaner production and improved occupational health and safety only two months ago. Several submitted proposals proved the ability of local technicians to solve many problems. Read more about the Best Idea Award.

Forest product festival in Vietnam.

Wood can turn into many products. For the first time Forest Product Producers met to display their products in Vietnam. Visitors were introduced to different kinds of wood used for fine arts, interior decoration, and building. Read more why SWITCH-Asia joins the first forest product festival in Vietnam.

SCP Events around the world

Colombo: Project Progress, Consumption and Finance - hot topics at the Sub-regional Networking Event in June 2011....

Jogyakarta: Present your work at the Asian Pacific Round Table on Sustainable Consumption and Production...

New York: High Profile for SWITCH-ASia, Business and SCP at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.....

Cologne: How does the future of sustainable lifestyles and entrepeneurship look like? Come to Cologne to get a glimpse ...

Nuremberg: The world's water under threat. How to turn challenges into opportunities....

For more events please click.