Switch-Asia News - UNEP/Wuppertal Institute Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production gGmbH

Sustainable Consumption is on the agenda of the SWITCH-Asia regional Policy Support

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:42:00 +0200

As a platform for dialogue, participants, mainly policy makers and practitioners, will discuss the progress of mainstreaming sustainable consumption policies and tools in economic and development policies and poverty alleviation strategies in their countries. The workshop on Sustainable Consumption in Kathmandu aims to explore current and more progressive options available to steer consumption towards development that enables communities to aspire for a better life with shared social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Read more and view further resources on sustainable consumption

SWITCH-Asia scaling-up strategies showcased at the European Roundtable on SCP

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 05:17:00 +0200

Opening the session, Frans Verspeek, team leader of the Network Facility briefed the participants on the focus of the SWITCH-Asia programme that is moving from demonstration to replication of proven SCP practices. He said that the Network Facility has identified five major leverage points that can fasten the spread of good practices and address main barriers of take-up of these practices by the industry and consumers. The Network Facility publishes analysis of the lessons learnt from the SWITCH-Asia projects regarding their engagement with service providers, value chain actors, policy-makers, consumer groups and financing institutions. Tamal Sarkar from the Foundation for MSME Clusters provided an in depth case example on how they are implementing their activities via service providers to reach large numbers of enterprises. This SWITCH-Asia project Scaling up Sustainable Development of MSME Clusters in India seeks to address the economic, environmental and social issues and ensure sustainability across foundry clusters in India. He said that weakly capacitated Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) couldn’t energize small enterprises in a cluster. Now, the train the trainer workshops are conducted for capacitating BMOs and they are linked to business development service providers, government schemes, technical and financial institutes. Eventually, the project will have in impact on at least 500 foundry MSMEs as they adopt cleaner production methods. He added that one of the major lessons learnt till now was that business case is the root to initiate any activity with MSMEs regardless these are social or environment related activities. Following, Philip Zhang from International Copper Association Ltd. explained how a combination of performance standards, financial incentives, eco-design regulation and procurement guidelines are used to connect and mobilise value chain actors towards the same goal of putting energy efficient transformers in the market. He mentioned that the underlying motivation for the High Efficiency Transformers project in China was large number of old transformers in the grid and lack of awareness of production of higher efficient transformers. Working with three standard committees (CNIS, CEC, CEEIA) and energy consumption policy makers of NDRC and SAC, the project put an effective strategy in place for urging replacement of existing old equipment based on the harmonization of policies (standards, regulations, incentives) and compliance (supervision) in place. Another catalyzer for spreading green transformers was to establish a cost efficiency assessment tool, which can be trusted encourage value chain actors to share benefits in the long term. The approach of linking supply chain actors around policy instruments was found very thought provoking by the participants. One question that came up was about the type of economic instrument to use for driving the industry, so it was discussed whether taxation would have been a more cost efficient choice for policy-makers. The third intervention carried out by Marcel Crul of Delft University representing GetGreen Project in Vietnam looked into effective ways of engaging with consumer groups. He said that their project targets young-fast growing middle class with high consumption aspiration. Lastly, Silvia Sartori from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China emphasized the power of green entrepreneurship in sustaining and growing sustainable production efforts within a sector. She explained that this SWITCH-Asia project Train the Trainers: Train Chinese Construction Sector SMEs in Energy Saving Techniques and Technologies in China demonstrates very well the role of universities in scaling-up sustainable production methods. The project partner undertook awareness raising, education, training among industry and students. Tongji University also had a capacity building and advisory role targeting the policy makers. In this sense, a combination of theoretical and practical approach leads to both an increase in technical capability and regulatory capacity. Now for long-term sustainability of project actions, the university took the initiative of establishing a permanent Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) Centre to be funded via internal resources, fee-based trainings, consultancy and services to the government.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) Study identifies six major initiatives

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:50:00 +0200

Out of 47 projects, 20 work directly to improve their supply chain and nine directly work with international standards, certifications, guidelines, and labelling. The rest attempts to customise, or develop, new standards, certifications, guidelinesand other tools to local contexts. It is worth mentioning as well, that there are more and more SWITCH-Asia projects working on standards and certifications as a way to keep the SCP practices on the ground. Several groupings of standards have been identified among SWITCH-Asia projects that focus on products, environmental protection, waste management, and more efficient technology. Two groupings of guidelines were also found – for technical operations and for procurement. Other projects work to introduce certification schemes and labeling into SMEs to ensure a certain level of product quality. Audits and assessments have also been identified as SSCM initiatives that are crucial to ensure standards, certifications, labelling and/ or guidelines are used by the SMEs. The last SSCM initiative identified is the building-up of platforms to enable companies (SMEs and their corporate buyers) to communicate and share experiences.

New Study ONLINE: Greening SME via enabling access to finance

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:07:00 +0200

This report presents insights based on the efforts of projects towards enabling access to (green) finance schemes for SME s. By mid-2013, an increasing number of SWITCH -Asia projects had recognised the importance of providing access to finance and are using it to leverage a shift in production practices. Most projects focus on raising the capacity for cleaner production but when it comes to implementation, access to finance has been found to be key. Some projects, therefore, regard finance as a supporting instrument. This report assumes that even supporting activities can enable learning in how to plan, promote and process ‘access to finance’. The specific objectives of this thematic study are:
• To gather an overview of financing needs of SME s – especially those targeted by the SWITCH-Asia programme;
• To provide an overview of financial solutions for SME s;
• To analyse the gap between financial needs and financial solutions; and
• To collect and compile initial lessons learnt and solutions to financial challenges as implemented by SWITCH -Asia projects. The study is divided into five chapters. The first chapter highlights the relevance of green finance for sustainable development. The second chapter looks at A2F from the perspectives of SME s on one hand, and from banks on the other. It explains the areas where SME s’ access to green finance brings about positive economic, environmental and social impact and why it is important to join hands in order to enable it. This chapter also provides an overview regarding the financial needs of SME s and the financial solutions available to them. Based on the overview, the chapter characterises a mismatch between demand and supply. The third chapter of the study deals with the strategies that the SWITCH-Asia projects are employing to address A2F. It hints at approaches and methods used by selected projects to engage with financial institutions and policy-makers from the financial sector. In the final chapter, initial lessons are presented and opportunities identified for the SWITCH -Asia programme in the area of enabling access to finance.

First time: SWITCH-Asia and SWITCH-Med meet in Istanbul

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:31:00 +0200

Panelists also reflected upon their added value to the SCP community and possible synergies between them. Ms. Liazzat Rabbiosi from UNEP DTIE mentioned the activities of the SCP Unit for the implementation of the 10YFPs, which is a platform of sustainable consumption and production efforts. Mr. Arnold Tukker announced the birth of the ERSCP society, which is a network of academics and practitioners working on sustainable consumption and production themes. He added in a few months time they hope to have the website running and will invite the participants for memberships. Mr. Pavel Ruzikca introduced the PREPARE network, which is a network of experts in sustainable consumption and production. He said prepare has been always active at the ERSCP conferences. Ms. Slyvia Lorek talked on behalf of the SCORAI-Europe. She said that SCORAI really tries to tackle topics that are too hot to handle. For example, at their last workshop, they asked the question what good life might mean from researchers’ perspective. Mr. Frans Verspeek introduced the SWITCH-Asia Programme, which is a development programme on supporting SMEs’ shift to sustainable production and consumers’ behavior shift to sustainable consumption. Then, Mr. Enrique Villamore elaborated on the SWITCH-Med Programme’s vision to contribute to the development of a Mediterranean Circular Economy. Manufacturing sector, civil society sector and policy-makers will be addressed. He explained the structure of SWITCH-Med: Regional policy component is managed by UNEP/MAP and works with 9 Mediterranean countries. The demonstration component deals with pilot activities to implement SCP National Action Plans (DTIE & CP/RAC), green entrepreneurship and civil society support in 5 Mediterranean countries (CP/RAC), MEDTEST (UNIDO) and the Networking Facility (CP/RAC). The audience inquired about the opportunities for researchers to get engaged with SWITCH programmes. Mr. Villamore said that university students would be able to benefit from the green entrepreneurship capacity building activities as target groups. Mr. Verspeek said that the last call for proposals leading to projects, where universities can participate as partners, was closed. However, project data could be interesting for studying change processes. Mr. Verspeek said that SWITCH-Asia Network always tries to build upon the existing tools and try to avoid reinventing the wheel. Mr. Enrique Villamore directed a provocative question to the audience: “How many people have easy access to sustainable products and services in their everyday?” About 20% of the participants said they had access. He asked secondly whether they have been buying these ‘sustainable products’ and only 10% confirmed. Mr. Villamore invited the networks from different angles but towards common goals. He said: “Can we say that we are contributing to mainstreaming sustainable products and services? We are creating knowledge but do we really contribute to mainstreaming ‘sustainable products and services’? “ Mr. Pavel added that we should definitely try to learn from each other and not duplicate things which is valid for our own networks.

Webinar hosted to introduce the SWITCH-Asia programme

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:12:00 +0200

Frans Verspeek, team leader of the Network Facility explained: the whole SWITCH-Asia has a pyramid structure. The base currently comprises grant-funded, partnership projects encompassing small businesses and business intermediary organisations. The middle of the pyramid is the Network Facility. This facility maximises the impact of the projects. He continued: On the top of the pyramid sits the Policy Support Component (PSC), strategically placed to reflect its role in creating an enabling and incentive - giving environment for both public and private players working towards SCP. Further Mr. Verspeek explained the objectives of the Network Facility are contribution to the effectiveness of the SWITCH-Asia programme. The Network Facility assists by connecting the projects through events and synergy exercises to enable them to share what they are learning. It ‘distils’ by interviewing projects and target groups to understand how they scale-up their activities and repackage the knowledge and lessons. By attending events and presenting studies it ‘facilitates” uptake (by policy makers, other donors and other practitioners) to maximize the impact of the programme. In the programme, the Network Facility provides services to projects and the EC. It provides information on the SWITCH-Asia programme and its projects, and on complementary sustainable consumption and production (SCP). It provides knowledge on SCP and the strategies and tools used for implementation, particularly in an Asian context. It organizes Networking events to share experiences and learn from others active in the field at a practical level, as well as to develop new connections with other experts and networks. It advices and supports to SWITCH-Asia projects on how best to maximise their impact and communicate their achievements. It strengthens existing networks and induces further partnership opportunities to leverage SCP-uptake. Mr. Verspeek gave also short introduction into the SWITCH-Asia Website. He pointed out that the SWITCH-project section contains a project page for each of the 64 grant projects. The project pages contains possibilities for downloads of documents. The project pages can be found in various way- Of course the pages has a search engine, but also the webportal also includes a map, you can click on the country and search for a project in this way. The Network Facility works with projects to distill result. Information on results is gathered ands and written in impact stories in so-called impact sheets. The European Commission’s regional environmental profile for Asia recommends SCP as one of the key pathways towards development. Therefore the Network Facility shares information by producing thematic booklets. A key challenge for any development programme is to scale-up successful approaches and methodologies to speed up the path to sustainable development. In the last decade, a vast array of good practices on sustainable production and consumption have been developed and demonstrated. The SWITCH -Asia programme aims to take this one step further. The projects funded under the programme should employ ‘scaling up mechanisms’ to multiply, enlarge and spread existing good practices. To maximise the impact of its development programme, the EU is interested in learning how these scaling up mechanisms work. Therefore the programme developers have charged the Network Facility with the task to collect information on the scaling up mechanisms and compile the information into studies. So far the Network Facility has identified 5 leverage points to upscale SCP: Ø Engaging service providers Ø Engaging with supply chain actors Ø Linkage to policy processes Ø Finance as a lever for scaling-up Ø Mechanisms to encourage market pull and shift in purchasing behaviour Further the webinar informed on visibility guidelines and pointed to the existing EC rules for visibility.At the end of the webinar, a number of logistic question were addressed concerning the up-coming Networking Event in Kathmandu.

New directory of the SWITCH-Asia programme is online

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:42:00 +0200

The Fact Sheet Broschure 2013 is online. The up-dated version now includes contacts and emails of 70 projects in the SWITCH-Asia programme. The fact sheets of all projects include an overview of challenges the projects address. The sheets state the objectives of the projects and sum up project's actions. With the 2013 version, also the contacts of project that started in 2012 are included. DOWNLOAD the FACT SHEET Broschure.

Asian and Pacific Regional Implementation Meeting (RIM) on Rio+20 Outcomes took place in Bangkok

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:07:00 +0200

The Asian and Pacific Regional Implementation Meeting(RIM) on Rio+20 Outcomes took place from 22-24 April 2013in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was convened by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The RIM is one in a series of meetings organized by the UN Regional Commissions to discuss follow up on the outcomes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSDor Rio+20) outcomes and the post-2015 development agenda. Approximately 180 representatives of governments, civil society, business and international organizations participated in the meeting LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE CSD, STATUS OF GLOBAL PROCESSES AND THE WAY FORWARD Nikhil Seth, Director, Division for Sustainable Development, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), presented lessons learned from the CSD. He concluded enthusiasm began to wane in later years after the Earth Summit due to: setting the agenda too far in advance, leading to a lack of flexibility; insufficient focus on implementation; focusing mainly on the environmental perspective; and lack of an outcome at some meetings. He highlighted the need for: fully engaging with the policy-making communities and the Regional Commissions; and strengthening the science-policy interface. UNEP, presented on progress made on the 10-YEAR FRAMEWORK OF PROGRAMMES ON SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION reminding countries to nominate national focal points. UNEP reported that trust funds have been established for five programmes under the 10YFP on: consumer information; sustainable lifestyles and education; sustainable public procurement; sustainable buildings and construction; and sustainable tourism, including ecotourism. A sustainable development financing strategy and technology development and transfer was discussed as a means of implementation. During the whole meeting participants highlighted the need for: poverty reduction based on a sustainable and equitable development agenda; strengthened global and regional partnerships; recognition of the right to development, and the principles of sovereignty and CBDR; and a flexible and adaptable framework. The summary includes the following:

the relationships between the post-2015 development agenda and the Sustainabe Development Goals (SDGs), including that the SDGS should be an integral part of the development agenda and that there should be one universal framework;
guiding principles and the basis for the SDGs, including that the SDGs be simple, practicable, measurable and coherently integrate and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development so as to address the gaps between the MDG agenda and sustainable development;
broad strategies, including one that emphasizes growth and prioritizing the right to development for developing countries, inclusive development, and integrating and balancing the three pillars;
approaches to developing the SDGs, including support for the OWG’s work, and an open, participatory, transparent and intergovernmental process based on consensus;
priorities in relation to the SDGs and the post-2015 development agenda, including human-centered/social development issues,economy-related issues, ecosystems management/environmental sustainability issues, cross-cutting issues, and transformative issues, such as the need for a new development paradigm;
implementation approaches, such as capacity building, support for reporting and building on data management, and stakeholder participation in data collection; and
ESCAP’s role, including facilitating the establishment of national, subregional and regional platforms on SDG development.

FAQ document on the 5th Call for proposals is now online

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:05:00 +0200

Is it mandatory that those Partnership Statements are original or is it enough high quality scanned copy? What does it exactly mean, when no indirect costs may be claimed within the proposed budget for the action? The answers to the question are relevant for all who submit full proposals under the latest SWITCH-Asia Call. The Europe-Aid Office has now published answers to the questions that they received during the last weeks. The Frequently Asked Question document can be downloaded here.

European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ERSCP) meets in Istanbul

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:21:00 +0100

The joint conference of the European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ERSCP) and the Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities (EMSU) focuses on the integration of research efforts in addressing the challenge of sustainable development applications in higher educational institutions and in production and consumption with a special focus on bridging continents, societies, and people to co-work for sustainable societies. The conference offers unique collaboration and exchange of experience opportunities and will be one of the largest gatherings of EMSU and ERSCP groups, providing a broader vision for interdisciplinary research and extended partnership. The presentations are expected to attract representatives of researchers and academicians from many disciplines, policy makers, production and service sector representatives, NGOs, agencies, media who will be the main actors for bridging action plans for a sustainable future. The conference takes place from 4-7 June at BOGAZICI UNIVERSITY in Istanbul. For more information, please visit: http://www.erscp-emsu2013.org/ In addition, SCORAI Europe has issued a Call for Papers and Participation for an exciting workshop titled "Bridging Across Communities and Cultures Towards Sustainable Consumption", taking place directly before the 2013 ESRCP in Istanbul. The small format of these workshops is ideal for in-depth discussions, with papers not only presented by authors but also debated by assigned discussants. Founded in May 2012 at the last ERSCP in Bregenz, the goal of SCORAI Europe is to support a community that contributes forward-thinking, innovative research in the area of sustainable consumption, while also bridging academic research with mainstream thinking and policy-making. To learn more about SCORAI, please visit www.scorai.org, where you will find a dedicated web page for SCORAI Europe activities. To receive the Call and Participation Form, in order to then submit your abstract and/or expression of interest (deadline: February 15), please email scoraieurope@gmail.com

"Frequently Asked Question" on the Call for Proposals 2012 published today

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:46:00 +0100

Is it a compulsory for an associate to provide a document to prove its status? How many proposals can be sent? How many grants can be awarded? These questions were part of the document "Frequently Asked Question" related to the Call for Proposals 2012 that the EC published today. Proposals which specifically focus on the consumption-side under priority area b) are not requested to tackle the issue of access to finance. At the same time, be aware that proposals forwarded under priority are a) are requested to also tackle issue of access to finance. Proposals that fail to do so will not meet the objectives and priorities defined for the Call. This was the answer to the question: What do you mean by "projects have to focus on one of the two priority areas". Download the whole set of questions and answers.

"Future we want " - Conference materials now available for download

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:51:00 +0100

The international conference "the post Rio Future we want in Asia: the SCP Engine" attracted numerous policy makers and SCP practioners to Bangkok. From 12 to 13 November they discussed how Asia could take a leading role in the international framework for SCP. The conference was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme organized in the context of and in association with the EU funded SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component (SWITCH-PSC) as well as in partnership with the Asia Pacific Roundtable on SCP (APRSCP), a regional conference on the future of SCP in Asia. The main objectives of the conference were to:

Review and better define the challenges and opportunities for SCP in Asia in light of the Rio+20 Outcomes and especially after the adoption of the 10YFP.
Assess how SCP, Resource Efficiency and Green Economy could be best integrated into national planning and in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the regional and national level.
Determine respective roles of governments, the private sector and the civil society as well as relevant partnerships in scaling up and replicating SCP policies, management practices and consumers’ awareness and action
Identify practical measures and actions that concerned Asian actors and stakeholders could take in the context of the 10 YFP, to both benefit from and help strengthen this global cooperative framework that would support a transformative change towards SCP, to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication

Click here to browse presentations and materials discussed at the conference.

EuropeAid Cooperation Office hosted Info Session on 5th Call

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:36:00 +0100

On 27 November, the EuropeAid Cooperation Office hosted the Info Session for the 5th Call of the SWITCH-Asia Programme. About 70 participants attended the session representing many European countries including the UK, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, and Latvia. This year many representatives came from Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and China.

Stakeholders as varied as NGOs, consultancies, chambers of commerce, industry association or Universities joined EC officials to discuss the SWITCH-Asia programme. Thomas Wiley, Head of Sector, EuropeAid Development and Cooperation, and Christian Tetzel, Programme Manager SWITCH-Asia, EuropeAid Development and Cooperation answered questions on the 5th Call for proposals.

Ms Shana Impens from European Commission DG DEVCO - EuropeAid Cooperation Office provided input into the legal aspects of the call for proposals. She informed the audience on the steps of the Call. It starts with the evaluation of the concept notes. In a second step full application are evaluated and in the third step the EC will verify the eligibility. The 5th Call for Proposals will offer grants for the total amount of €19 600 000, with individual grants ranging from €500 000 to € 2 000.000. Project proposals where business intermediaries (such as business associatons, industry associatons, service providers) as well as SMEs' business partners (such as retailers or financial institution) and policy‐makers will play an role in the proposed activities are especially welcome.

Under the new call projects have to focus on one of the following two priority areas:

Support SMEs in the uptake of sustainable consumption and production practices and the access to finance; or
Support the switch to sustainable consumption patterns and behaviour amongst consumer groups, civil society stakeholders and the public and private sector.

At the Info session Mr. Frans Verspeek, team leader of the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility provided input on current projects working on enabling access to finance to green SMEs and projects focusing on working with consumer groups. For the Frequently Ask Questions please click here.

Up-scaling via Service Providers - thematic study updated

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 04:55:00 +0100

Thematic study "Engaging Service Providers for Sustainable Consumption and Production" is online. The SWITCH-Asia Network Facility conducted extensive desk research and interviews with the projects, beneficiaries,business intermediaries, and sector association in order to draw out the lessons how to engage service providers to up-scale SCP practises. This report is following-up the analysis of SCP scaling-up mechanisms and identifies interesting areas that can make a difference. The study aims to answer the following questions: What is the definition of a service provider? What type of service providers are involved in SWITCH-Asia projects and what are their role in promoting SCP? How are they engaged and what role do they play in the project? How can services service providers effectively contribute to dissemination in knowledge on SCP practices? The study identified that ongoing SWITCH-Asia projects deal with a variety of services providers. Service providers can be found at all levels of the business world but with varying degrees of interest in developing a business case for SCPre SMEs - though this may be at the sacrifice of individual business impact. A variety of service providers are necessary to promote SCP to Asian SMEs. They promote, communicate and implement SCP methods and tools and by doing so are becoming the mainstay for its spread, albeit in still small steps, across Asia. DOWNLOAD the complete study in Service Provider to up-scale SCP Get information different types of Service Providers in the SWTICH-Asia programme Read more how service providers up-scale SCP DOWNLOAD the summary of Key Findings of the Service Providers Studies

5th Call Info Session scheduled

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 04:05:00 +0100

The European Commission launched the 5th Call for Proposal for the SWITCH-Asia Programme. An Info Session for applicants is planned on 27, November from 14:00-17:00 h. At the session European Commission representatives will explain in detail the objectives of the Programme and the application procedures. The entrance is free but registration is required (providing your full name, nationality and date of birth)! Please confirm partiipation latest by 20 November 2012 under europeaid-switch-asia@ec.europa.eu. How to get there? Map Albert Borschette, Room 0.D, Rue Froissart 36, Brussels, Belgium From the Train Station (Central Station - Gare Centrale) By metro to Schuman: take the underground (Metro) in the direction of Stokkel or Herrmann-Debroux; 5 stops on, leave the metro at Schuman.

New video focuses on SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:49:00 +0100

Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s population – and by extension 60 per cent of world’s consumers. The SWITCH-Asia Network Facility has proudly released a new video that focuses on sustainable consumption. It contains interesting facts and figures and comments from many Asian partners that aim to encourage people in Asia to consume more sustainably.

The video tells the stories of major Asian household consumer segments and elaborates on their motives and barriers that limit ethical consumption. The video begins with a number of consumption facts and continues with an introduction to personas/interviewees from different income groups to explore their personal barriers and motives for ethical consumption. The video closes with a list of suggestions for change by different actors. In Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and China the partners collected sound bites and interviews were conducted by local country teams.

The video production was a joint effort between the SWITCH-Asia PRO-Sustain and SPIN-VCL projects, together with Consumers International, Ogilvy Earth and the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility hosted by the CSCP. In Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and China the partners collected sound bites and interviews were conducted by local country teams.

Click on the SWITCH-Asia You-Tube channel or click on vimeo to watch the video.

5th Call for proposals launched

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:49:00 +0100

The European Commission launched the 5th Call for Proposal. The 5th Call for Proposals will offer grants for the total amount of €19 600 000, with Individual grants ranging from €500 000 to € 2 000. Project proposals where business intermediaries (such as business associatons, Industry associatons, Service providers) as well as SMEs' business partners (such as retailers or financial institution) and policy‐makers will play an role in the proposed activities are especially welcome. Under the new call projects have to focus on one of the following two priority areas:

Support SMEs in the uptake of sustainable consumption and production practices and the access to finance; or
Support the switch to sustainable consumption patterns and behaviour amongst consumer groups, civil society stakeholders and the public and private sector.

Applicants have to ensure that the selected priority area is clearly mentioned in the application form. Deadline for submission of concept notes: 2nd January 2013. Click here for all relevant documents.

World Resources Forums offers stage to SWITCH-Asia projects

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 03:40:00 +0200

We have to manage our resources more efficiently this was a key message at the World Resource forum in Beijing from October 21-23. According to the Chairmen of the Forum, there was a consensus that the topic of resources and environment is a common problem facing all countries in the world. with serious consequences for economic development, consumption, and production pattern, and poverty eradication. As earth offers only finite land, water, and air resourcex, experts and practitioners in the Chinese capital highlighted techniques and methods for more efficient resource management. A number of key note speakers from various backgrounds shared their vision for a more efficient future. Professor Amory B. Lovins urged for more efficient products. EU parliamentarian Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy highlighted that resource management is exercised by everyone of us – in households or industry. The Australian authour James Bradfield Moody analyzed innovation waves. From steam engine, mass production and communication technology, Bradfield Moody stressed, resource efficiency is the next innovation wave ahead that can help us deal with upcoming resource shortages. Edward Clarence-Smith from UNIDO called for seeling services rather than products. He stated that most people wanted to buy a serves rather than a product. Would we sell servcies products would last much longer bringing advantages for enviroment and economy. In this context, the concept of up-scaling successful practises is just another perspective of managing resources efficiently. Individual or pilot approaches are not enough to face the current environmental challenges. Up-scaling of successful or efficient practises helps to do more with less. Scaling-up should lead to achieving a comparable output with a significantly low per unit input. It should lead to and using smarter, more efficient methods and tools to achieve the desired outcome. So four SWITCH-Asia projects had lessons to offer to researchers and students at the World Resources Forum. Get more information and browse their input on up-scaling SCP practises.

First ever SCP handbook for policy makers by SWITCH-Asia PSC

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 03:34:00 +0200

Sustainable Consumption and Production: A Handbook for Policy Makers, developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the SWITCH-Asia PSC with the financial support of the European Commission, provides a comprehensive introduction to developing policy for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP), designed specifically for the Asia-Pacific region. Part A of the manual provides an introduction to SCP and the policy cycle, reviewing various policy tools and instruments available to policy makers. The rapidly growing consumption and production trends in Asia and the Pacific are examined, highlighting the urgent need for a transition towards SCP. Part B focuses on specific policy opportunities for cleaner and safer production, sustainable lifestyles, sustainable cities, sustainable public procurement and sustainable tourism, showcasing a number of inspiring and successful SCP policies and initiatives from across the region. This manual highlights opportunities in Asia and the Pacific for the transition towards SCP, a key element for achieving sustainable development.

This edition of the Manual will be used and tested in a series of capacity building events across Asia. After these events the final version will be edited, printed and also translated into a number of local Asian languages.

To download the "Sustainable Consumption and Production: A Handbook for Policy Makers" please click here.

Exchange established - results of Mini Networking Event in Dehli

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:44:00 +0200

On 11 September 2012, a Mini Networking Event in India brought all SWITCH-Asia projects together that are managed by the EU Delegation in India. Tge group included on-going projects and the new 3^rd Batch projects that have recently started their activities. The SWITCH-Asia Network Facility teamed up with the EU Delegation in India to co-host this event. Mr. Arno Schaefer, Head of Operations, Delegation of the European Union to India welcomed all 50 participants of the Mini Networking Event, who came from partner organizations of 10 different projects operating in India, Nepal and Bhutan. He said, “SWITCH-Asia is one of the most successful development cooperation programmes of the EC”. He mentioned that environmental pollution doesn’t know borders and in order to efficiently tackle those impacts international cooperation is essential. Ms. Sarojini Kaul, the project manager at the Economic Cooperation of Delegation of the European Union to India and the project officer for the SWITCH-Asia projects in India and Bhutan also gave a warm welcome to the event participants. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of understanding the project management guidelines and said that the guidelines sit at the core of good project management. She also pointed that the projects should pay dear attention to the visibility rules of the EU. Finally, she encouraged the projects to send updates of their activities (such as workshops, special events, issue of reports) every 3 months so that she can further communicate these in the EU internal systems, to the visiting diplomats as well as on the Facebook webpage of the EU Delegation. Following, Mr. Frans Verspeek, the team leader of the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility, introduced the role and responsibilities of the Network Facility component of the SWITCH-Asia Programme. “There is no blue print for up-scaling”. This is how Mr. Frans Verspeek started the presentation on the on the topic UP-SCALING. Project already in operation for two years or more shares their lessions learnt. Download their lessons learnt. WEEE Recycle, Eco Jute, PRO SUSTAIN, SUSTEX Projects that just started opertaion in 2012 shared their strategies how to promote SCP. View their presentations: ACIDLOOP MSME Clusters SEID Tourism in Bhutan Vertical Shaft Brick Kilns