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

EU Delegation in Jakarta holds Info Session on 4th Call for Proposals

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:18:00 +0100

The Information Session will take place on Wednesday, 15 February 2012 from 13:00 pm to 16:00 pm at the EU Delegation office in Jakarta, located at: Intiland Tower, 16th Floor, Jl. Jend Sudirman 32, Jakarta 10220, Indonesia. The purpose of the information session is to inform potential apllicants about the purpose of the call and the procedure to follow. It does not constitute a guarantee that a contract will be awarded. Prior to the session, it is recommended that all participants familiarise themselves with the programme and the procedure. Pre-registration is mandatory. Considering the limited capacity of the venue, only 1 person per institution can register for the event. Confirmation of attendance should be made with Mrs Reni Yusnita at tel. +62 21 2554 6241 or e-mail to reni.yusnita(at)eeas.europa.eu latest by 08 February 2012. In case you cannot attend please click here to view the presentation from the Info Session held in Brussels.

Info Session on 4th Call in Thailand

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:06:00 +0100

The purpose of this meeting is to provide information about SWITCH Asia programme, guidelines of the current Call for Proposal including application procedures and eligibility of applicants. Provisional Programme: 14:00-14:30    Registration Ms Somporn Na Lampang
14:30-14:40    Welcome and Introduction Mrs Veronique LORENZO, Head of Operations Section
14:40-15:30     The SWITCH-Asia Call for Proposals, Mrs Sutthiya Chantawarangul, Programme Officer
15:30-16:00    Open Discussion, Q-A All
Please confirm your participation by 07 February 2012 by contacting Ms Sompom, tel. 02 3052748, fax 02 255 9110, or Sompom.NA-LAMPANG(at)eeaseuropa.eu. If you cannot attend but want more information please click here to view the presenations of the INFO Sessions in Brussels

Presentations from INFO Session on 4th Call ONLINE

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0100

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 4th Call for proposals. The 4th Call for Proposals will offer grants for the total amount of €30 600 000, with individual grants ranging from €500 000 to € 2 000 000.
The 4th Call for Proposals especially invites project proposals where business intermediaries (such as business associations, industry associations, and service providers) as well as SMEs' business partners (such as retailers or financial institutions) and policy-makers will play an active role in the proposed activities.
Eligible countries are: Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan Cambodia China DPR-Korea India Indonesia Laos Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Philippines Sri Lanka Thailand Vietnam.
Next to grant proposal the SWITCH-Asia programme consist of a Policy Support Component and a Network Facility. Team leader of the Network Facility, CSCP-expert Frans Verspeek informed participants on the functions of the Network Facility and he gave an overview of the current 30 projects that are already implementing SCP practices across Asia.

GPIoS partners with National Eco-labeling Programme Green Choice of the Philippines

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:37:00 +0100

GPIoS and PCEPSDI share a common advocacy for caring to the environment through creating awareness and compliance of Filipino entrepreneurs on local and national policies involving sustainable production and consumption. The experts from Green Philippines Islands of Sustainability project will work together with the National Eco-labeling Program-Green Choice Philippines in the development of environmental standards for products. The two organizations, with their network of companies will present and promote the “GPIoS shining showcases” to attract more pro-environmental actions and to engage in the National Eco-labeling Program “Green Choice” Philippines. Another milestone has been achieved towards the Sustainability of the GPIoS project on the policy level. This is a step in the collaborative work with private institutions, non-government organizations, with the push of government units towards a changed mindset.

Info-Session on 4th Call in Kuala Lumpur

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:15:00 +0100

The aim of SWITCH-Asia is to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Asia. To achieve this objective, the Programme works simultaneously on the ground, with producers and consumers, and at the level of policy-making through supporting for formulation and implementation of SCP-related policies. It started in 2007 with a budget of €152 million for the period 2007-2013.

Details of the Information Session as follows:

Date: 15 February 2012 (Wednesday)
Time: 1430 - 1600
Venue: EU Delegation Office, 21st Floor, Menara Tan & Tan,
207 Jalan Tun Razak, 54000 Kuala Lumpur.

Those interested, please RSVP to Norfaizah.Ismail@eeas.europa.eu by Wednesday, 8 February 2012.
The call has been published on 21 December 2011 with deadline for submission of concept notes on 23 March 2012. The deadline for submission of full applications will be in June 2012.
•   Overall EU-contribution: €30 600 000
•   Co-financing: 80 % of the total estimated total accepted costs (90% for
    least developed countries) 20% of balance financed from the applicant's or
partners' own resources
•   Duration of the projects: 24 – 48 months
•   Grant amounts: min. €500 000 - max. € 2 000 000

The above information is a summary only. For full information and conditions please consult the Guidelines for Grant Applicants as they are the legally binding document.
In view of limited seating, participants shall be registered on a first come first served basis. The EU Delegation reserves the right to limit participation to just one representative per organisation.

Zero Carbon Resort Beneficiary wins ASEAN Green Hotel Recognition Award 2012

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:33:00 +0100

To win the award hotels and resorts much implement environmentally friendly practices as stipulated in the document that notions the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard. It includes the following criteria:

•   Environmental policy and activities for hotel operation
•   Use of green products
•   Collaboration with the communities and local organizations
•   Human resources development
•   Solid waste management
•   Energy efficiency
•   Water efficiency
•   Air quality management (indoor and outdoor)
•   Noise pollution control
•   Waste water treatment and management
•   Toxic and chemical substance disposal management Besides the Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort on the island of Palawan 71 other resorts across South-East Asia were awarded.

Leather project extended by 9 months

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:57:00 +0100

The additional implementation period will be mainly used in two ways. On the one hand to further disseminate the achieved results on cleaner production in order to deepen the impact and on the other hand to support all stakeholders with regard to the upcoming relocation of the tanneries to the new Tannery Estate Dhaka in Savar. After many years, the move to Savar will take place. The Ministry of Industries (MoI) signed a contract with a company to build the Central Effluent Treatment Plant, an important pre-requisite for the relocation. The MoI further requested the support of Re-Tie project and it was agreed that MoI will organize a mandatory seminar for tanneries that are to be relocated to Savar. During the seminar recommended technologies with benefits and technical requirements will be presented by Re-Tie project staff. Tentatively it was agreed organising the seminar at end of the 1st or beginning of 2nd quarter in 2012, meaning after the actual implementation period. Since the Ministry will be the inviting entity and the technical input will be delivered by the project, the whole sector will participate and therefore gain from the knowhow transfer.

Info Session for 4th Call for Proposals

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:42:00 +0100

European Commission representatives will explain in detail the objectives of the SWITCH-Asia Programme and the application procedures for the 4th Call of Proposals. The 4th Call for Proposals will offer grants for the total amount of €30 600 000, with individual grants ranging from €500 000 to € 2 000 000. The Info Session is scheduled for: Thurday, 26 January 2012 (09h30 – 13h00). It takes the place at Albert Borschette, Room tbc, Rue Froissart 36, Brussels. The 4th Call for Proposals especialliy invites project proposals where business intermediaries (such as business associations, industry associations, service providers) as well as SMEs' business partners (such as retailers or financial institutions) and policy-makers will play an active role in the proposed activities. Eligibe countries are: Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan Cambodia China DPR-Korea India Indonesia Laos Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Philippines Sri Lanka Thailand Vietnam. The entrance is free but registration is required. Please confirm participation latest by 18 January 2012 under europeaid-switch-asia@ec.europa.eu

Report on Regional Networking Event Southeast Asia online

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:05:00 +0100

Project experts and SCP practitioners met from 25-27 th of Cotober in the Indonesian Capital Jakarta. The objective of the Sub-regional Networking Meeting was to strengthen the synergies and knowledge sharing between projects at sub-regional level. The event provided a platform where the project partners could present their current progress to important stakeholders, such as local policy-makers. The meeting also followed-up to discussion on replication mechanisms investigated during 2010 (engaging service providers, supply chain and policy makers). The sub-regional event also addressed two new potential change mechanisms for strengthening implementation of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in Asia; e.g. the attention to market development for SCP-services and SCP-products and how to assist SMEs to connect with sustainable financing opportunities. To read the full report please click here.

Booklet 'Mainstreaming Sustainable Consumption In Asia' published

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0100

By 2030, Asia is expected to represent the biggest group of consumers in the world with consumer spending predicted to reach US$32 trillion. Asia already accounts for over 60% of the world population and this group of consumers is increasing at a rate of 1.2% yearly. The booklet 'Mainstreaming Sustainable Consumption In Asia' looks at solutions to these challenges. In early 2011, Consumers International carried out a joint collaboration exercise with SWITCH-Asia Network Facility, funded by the European Union, to collect data and produce publications on the status of sustainable consumption in Asia. The main objective was to document major challenges and opportunities for sustainable consumption in Asia. This lead to the creation of the booklet, 'Mainstreaming Sustainable Consumption In Asia.' As the European Commission – EuropeAid Development and Cooperation Directorate General, Asia and Central Asia director Dirk Meganck states: “... without the demand for green and fair products, SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) will not be convinced that they should deliver environment-friendly practices and products. The lack of awareness amongst relevant stakeholders and empowerment of consumers through consumer groups still need to be tackled.” Meganck added all major groups from governments to non-governmental organisations and educators, need to act as Europe and Asia collaborate for sustainable consumption. “Europe has learned that no one of these actors can lead alone,” says Meganck. Consumers International’s Head of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, Dato' Indrani Thuraisingham, says that the number of consumers in the region who will opt to buy environment-friendly and ethical products over unsustainable choices is increasing. “In fact, their willingness to do so is as high, if not higher than their counterparts elsewhere in the world. “However their access to sustainably produced products has been limited - such items are not found in the supermarkets. And even if they were, additional factors are also limiting access such as having to demystify on-pack product labels,” says Ms. Indrani Thuraisingham. Sustainable consumption for Asia requires a balance between meeting the needs of consumers from these two extreme realities; the increasing middle class and the poor, and at the same time the unique predisposition of Asian culture and tradition in shaping Asian consumer behavior and habits. For Asia, sustainable consumption, generally, means making a ‘green leap’ from the unsustainable to the sustainable development path. It means switching to greener products and services, and it means encouraging less polluting and resource-intense patterns of industrial development.

For more information please refer to the consumption section of the website.here

Making Destinations More Sustainable

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:34:00 +0100

The Greening Sri Lanka Hotels project, implemented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, started in 2009 and has since then worked with than 150 hotels in Sri Lanka to work towards energy and environmental conservation. The project opened its own booth at WTM, where the team and three selected hotels showcase their efforts to visitors at the tourism fair. With their presence at the exhibition, the project gives publicity to the fact that Sri Lanka is progressing towards a more sustainable tourist destination.

SWITCH-Asia in focus at APRSCP

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:52:00 +0100

Three workshops are organized by the SWITCH-Asia Programme. In these sessions the audience will get a good understanding of SWITCH-Asia perspectives and projects. Workshops 1a + b cover sustainable consumption. The workshops aim to sketch motivators and barriers for mainstreaming sustainable products. The events are hosted in collaboration with IGES and Consumers International. Workshop 2 addresses enabling access to finance for SMEs.The workshop will discuss the challenges to help SMEs greening their operations. Further the workshop will look into the measures and steps to develop a set of financial products and services for sustainable consumption and production in Asia. Learn more on the workshope programmes. To know venues and times download our flyer

SMART CEBU impresses with project presentation

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:44:00 +0200

Tom (Thomas Ritter) and Gerry (Gerry Constantino), both project manager of the SMART Cebu project, cast a speel on the audience with their project presentation. Thomas Ritter and Gerry Constantino presented their project in a dialogue form personating the famous comic strip figures Tom and jerry. Whereasthe comic figures usual race each other, the presenters showed strong collaboration to switch SMEs in the fashion, accessoires and furnitures sector in the Philippine island of Cebu. Next to facts, Tom and Gerry presented in a funny and entertaining way. Their effort earned them the SWITCH-Asia Project Award Southeast Asia. The project award was introduced by the Network Facility to encourage innovative presentations, the collections of data and personal stories how the projects influence lives of the beneficiaries. Each participants of the Award dinner had five votes. The selection was to be based on the actual presentation during the meeting day and the impact presented. Three questions were drafted to facilitate the voting process.

New call for proposal upcoming

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:19:00 +0200

The funding will include at least one more call for proposal. The call, according to Thomas Wiley, will probably by launched by the end of November or the beginning of December 2011. He also pointed out that for 2012 the section is still working on a new commitment. Mr. Wiley is as head of section is responsible for the overall SWITCH-Asia programme. In his presentation at the event he took stocks of the current actions of the programme. He informed the audience that the EC is just completing the contracting for another 17 projects which will start operating in 2012.
Read more.... For more information on the event please click here.

Report on Regional Networking Event East Asia online

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:39:00 +0200

The objective of the Sub-regional Networking Meeting East Asia was to strengthen the synergies and knowledge sharing between projects at sub-regional level. The event in Beijing provided a platform where the project partners could present their current progress to important stakeholders, such as local policy-makers. The meeting also followed-up to discussion on replication mechanisms investigated during 2010 (engaging service providers, supply chain and policy makers). The sub-regional event also addressed two new potential change mechanisms for strengthening implementation of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in Asia; e.g. the attention to market development for SCP-services and SCP-products and how to assist SMEs to connect with sustainable financing opportunities. To follow the whole discussion download the report.

Eco-friendly Bamboo for Reconstruction earns East-Asia Project AWARD

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 06:47:00 +0200

Ten projects from China and Mongolia competed for the award. The best project was chosen in a peer review process – the jury was made up of all participants present at the award dinner. At the end, most participants voted for the Eco-friendly Bamboo for Reconstruction project. Bamboo Project manager Dr. Lou Yping was excited with the award as the trophy comes with the opportunity to present the project at an international event- possibly at the RIO +20 conference. Who came second? Please click her to know more!

Regional Event for East Asia started

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:21:00 +0200

The speech of Mr. Ioannis Kavvadas marked the kick-off of the Sub-regional Event for SWITCH-Asia projects in East Asia. Nine projects from China and one from Mongolia presented their activities and progress. The event in Beijing is also attended by representatives of the EU Delegation, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) and other partner organizations of the EU SWITCH-Asia programme. Frans Verspeek, team leader of the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility also welcomed the participants and gave an introduction to the programme of the Networking Event. Besides project progress, the event covers topics such Sustainable Consumption, Assess to Finance and the role of policy in mainstreaming SCP. For the impressions of the event please click here,

Replication Studies in full swing

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:23:00 +0200

A series of interview is already underway. In India, Burcu Tuncer already conducted interviews in Dehli, Mumbai and Jaipur. She visited the projects Sustainable Textiles, Pro-Sustain and WEEE-Recycle. Frans Verspeek visited all three projects in Sri Lanka and talked to various stakeholder and policy-makers about mainstreaming SCP in Sri Lanka. Susanne Müller interviewed project stakeholders in Bangladesh. Further interviews are planned around the upcoming regional events in Cnina and Indonesia. The replication studies are addressing key challenge for the SWITCH -Asia Programme. The studies seek to identify mechanisms which can speed up the implementation of Sustainable Consumption and Production, and the road to sustainable development. By exploring and testing the best ways to interact with SMEs, consumers, and policy makers in large scale SWITCH-Asia aims to support policy-makers and business entrepreneurs with information of how to make the right choices for a sustainable Asia.

Study "Linking with Policy-Makers" online

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:58:00 +0200

This thematic study examines the link between SWITCH-Asia projects and the work of policy-makers. The focus is on the contribution SWITCH-Asia funded projects are expected to make to an enabling policy environment of sustainable consumption and production (SCP). Whereas best practices on SCP and enabling measures for SCP ideally are the focal theme for the policy dialogue, projects seek various ways to address policy-makers. The study suggests the following action for policy related work by SWITCH -Asia projects:

Capacity building and technical support to formulate enabling regulatory frameworks for SCP at the appropriate government levels;
Capacity building and technical support to define appropriate economic instruments that favour SCP;
Enhance capacity of government to reinforcement environmental legislation;
Improve product information (on labels) and install capacity for independent product testing (in combination with bureaux of standard);
Capacity building and technical support to development of indicators and databases for monitoring consumption and production for selected sectors (benchmarking);
Initiate and/or contribute to policy dialogue at national or local level to promote/enforce adoption of SCP methodologies in e.g. industrial productions, including capacity building at policy level (national, regional, local authorities);
Increasing Asian policy-makers’ awareness in the field of SCP and opportunities for cooperation.

This paper only provides a first analysis of how SWITCH-Asia projects and similar SCP projects can support an enabling policy environment for SCP. Field visits were made to five projects in China (March 2010), India and Sri Lanka (April 2010), and one project (Pakistan) was assessed through an intensive exchange with the European partner in charge of the policy part of the project. Download the study Linking to Policy Makers.

Sri Lankan Minister of Environment Yapa attends Networking Event

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:54:00 +0200

Minister of Environment Yapa called for fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume. He highlighted that Sri Lanka has a long tradition of caring for the environment but with the increasing population the Government has a challenge to ensure economic prosperity within the framework of sustainable development. He continued that Sri Lanka at present has policies to promote sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in place. However implementation of these policies requires technical and financial resources. The participation of Minister Yapa drew large interest of local media. Several TV stations and print journalists attended the final session - hopefully spreading knowledge on SCP with their reporting – just as the lighting of the lamp implied.