UNEP
together with the European Commission are organizing National
Roundtables on Sustainable Consumption and Production in countries
with emerging economies: Brazil,
China, South
Africa, Mexico and in India.
These roundtables are organised in cooperation with the respective
governments. The main objectives are:
- Raise awareness on SCP
- Identify country-specific SCP priority areas
- Define policies and means to promote its effective
implementation
These roundtables are organised in the framework of the
Marrakech Process. Regional consultations have so far been
useful for identifying regional SCP priorities and needs.
The process has been increasingly focusing on the implementation
of concrete projects developed by expert groups on different
SCP issues, on the development of SCP strategies and action
plans at international, regional levels.
More concrete action is still needed at country level to
find and implement specific solutions that will improve
the quality of life of all the citizens while improving
the sustainability of the countries' production.
Main objectives
The ultimate objective of the roundtables is to support
the development and implementation of SCP action plans and/or
initiatives. In fact, the National Roundtables on SCP provide
an excellent opportunity for:
- Strengthening multi-stakeholders cooperation between
experts from the UN, Europe and concerned countries to
mutually benefit from the exchange of expertise in dealing
with the unsustainable consumption and production patterns
- Find and implement specific solutions relevant to the
regional and national priorities that will improve the
quality of life of the citizens while contributing to
the global process of developing a 10-Year Framework of
Programmes on sustainable consumption and production
To learn more on the National Roundtables on SCP, click
here:
- Brazil (Sao
Paulo, 2007)
- India (Mumbai
2006, New Delhi 2007, New Delhi 2010)
- China (Beijing,
2006, 2008 and 2009)
- South Africa
(Boksburg, 2008)
- Mexico (Mexico
City, 2010)
National
SCP Programmes and Indicators
One of the key recommendations coming out of the regional
and international meetings of the Marrakech Process is the
need to develop non-prescriptive guidelines to support the
implementation of national SCP programmes and action plans.
As a response, UNEP together with the United Kingdom (DEFRA)
have developed a Guidance
Manual for National SCP Programmes "Planning for
Change" which provides practical steps for the development,
implementation and monitoring of national programmes on
SCP.
The Key Activities under the Marrakech process at the National
level are:
| SCP is focused and thus relatively easy
to communicate and implement |
| SCP is one of the main pillars of
sustainable development |
| Integrates supply (production) and demand
(consumption) - side activities in coherent market strategy |
| Uses life cycle thinking to ensure
that problems are not pushed into other phases of the
life cycle |
| Seeks to achieve 'win-win' outcomes
through a multi-stakeholder setting |
| Can help to attract funds from donors
for projects (e.g. development organisations) |
| SCP targets business and industry -
key players in achieving sustainable development |
| SCP initiatives can create jobs and
investment and encourage social and business innovation |
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