Lead Partner: Government of United Arab Emirates - Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Main objectives of AGEDI are:
Ø To achieve more cost-effective and relevant environmental data collection and assessment,
Ø To strengthen and enhance environmental capacity to collect, analyze, use and update multi-sectoral environmental data and information in the decision making process,
Ø To develop and strengthen means of ensuring that planning for sustainable development in all sectors is based on, inter alia, quality, timely, reliable, and usable environmental data and information,
Ø To make relevant environmental data and information accessible to all stakeholders in the form, and at the time, required to facilitate its use,
Ø To strengthen existing national and international mechanisms of information collection, exchange and processing,
Ø To strengthen mechanisms for incorporating environmental information in decision making,
Ø To strengthen national capacities, including capacities within governments, NGOs and private sector, in data/information collection, handling and communication, particularly in developing countries, and
Ø To ensure full participation of developing countries in the collection, analysis, assessment, use and update of environmental data and information.
Lead Partner: City of Ancona
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Europe and North America Summary: The Aap2020 project will support and manage the implementation of Agenda 21, involving all local governments of the two sides of the Adriatic region, through a participative process meant to encourage:
* urban and coastal development in all sustainability fields;
* sustainable approach to environmental resources and ecosystems, i.e. rational energy and water supply consumption, promotion of renewable energy and so on;
* improvement in the transport, information and communication fields;
* cooperation in the juridical and administrative field;
* cooperation among citizens and institutions;
* contribution to the fulfilment of European integration of all countries involved, to support human rights defence and to encourage same opportunities for men and women.
All these themes have been approached involving all regional and local stakeholders in a "shared process" oriented to define scenarios, objectives, indicators and actions for the Adriatic Region. The final step of the process will be given by the implementation of the Adriatic Action Plan 2020.
The Adriatic Action Plan 2020 will pursue the following results:
* Dissemination of sustainable development practices through methods of "shared governance";
* Improvement of integration and exchange among communities, searching for a conscious and sustainable life style, efficacious in satisfying necessity of collective and individual development;
* Intensification of economic and business exchange to increase commercial potential of sustainable products;
* Development of local markets and autochthonous productions with valorisation of typical products and local cultures;
* Improvement of standards of environmental quality for all concerned communities;
* Increase of global efficiency in using resources, particularly in the production of consumer goods, services and commodities,
* Closing of material production and consumption cycles with matter recycling and recovery of energy incorporated in products no more used. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of the Environment
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: The main objectives of APEIS include:
* To develop scientific knowledge-based tools and innovative strategy options to promote informed decision-making for sustainable development, for the use of policy makers in the Asia-Pacific region as a common asset in the region
* To promote regional cooperation and capacity building, so as to enable Asia-Pacific countries to formulate and implement their own policies for environmental management and protection that take into account their national circumstances, making use of the developed scientific tools and options, through participation and collaboration in the Project.
APEIS is a concrete regional initiative to realize the following part of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation:
104. Assist developing countries, through international cooperation, to enhance their capacity in their efforts to address issues pertaining to environmental protection including in their formulation and implementation of policies for environmental management and protection, including through urgent actions at all levels to:
(a) Improve their use of science and technology for environmental monitoring, assessment models, accurate database and integrated information systems;
(b) Promote and, where appropriate, improve their use of satellite technologies for quality data collection, verification and updating and further improvement of aerial and ground-based observations, in support of their efforts to collect quality, accurate, long-term, consistent and reliable data;
Expected results include the development of:
* Monitoring methodologies and networks that cover environmental disasters and degradation, and make full use of satellite technologies
* A set of assessment models to assess and predict the trends of environmental emissions and natural resources, and subsequent impacts
* A strategic database and innovative strategy options for practical use of policy makers enabling informed decision-making [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Capacity 2015 is a new and important initiative. It will build upon experience gained during the ten years since UNCED to help countries to move from strategic planning for sustainable development to effective implementation.
Capacity 2015 is timely and necessary, as it will:
* Help countries to reap the benefits of globalization;
* Ensure that processes of sustainable development put in place during the 1990s are utilized to face the challenges of the 21st century;
* Strengthen the capacities needed to achieve or exceed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs are a set of integrated and inter-related goals that contribute to sustainable development. Capacity 2015 will provide the enabling capacities to help countries progress towards the MDGs. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) - Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - South Pacific Applied Geoscience Comm (SOPAC)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Main objectives:
To provide technical assistance and build the capacities of SIDS to manage vulnerability and build their resilience through integration of a comprehensive hazard and risk management approach into sustainable development planning. This will include development and operationalisation of measures of vulnerability, hazard identification and assessment, disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness as well as strengthen disaster response and recovery actions. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) - International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: In preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), and in the framework of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the partners of this initiative have agreed to jointly develop a capacity building programme on the applications of Information and Communication Technologies for the establishment of Environmental Information Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa.
This partnership aims at initiating a national and sub regional capacity building programme, on the applications of the new information and communication technologies for the establishment of environmental information management and monitoring systems in Africa. It aims at generating adequate conditions for the establishment of a coherent and efficient institutional framework, and the development and appropriation of technological tools for the accessing, exchange and circulation of useful information.
Significant efforts are being made to manage natural resources and the environment, involving scientific and technical research, the implementation of appropriate programmes and projects in the field, and the harnessing of local know-how. The results, in the form of products, information and data, represent a unique scientific, technical and cultural heritage for sustainable development and the fight against poverty in Africa.
However, it has to be recognized that this information heritage is often dispersed on account of sectoral compartmentalization at the inter-institutional level, resulting of an apparent lack of information at the local level which contradicts the existence in reality of an information heritage within national and international institutions or bodies specializing in Africa throughout the world. This loss of "institutional memory" is now recognized as being one of the major obstacles to sustainable development in Africa.
The general objective of this initiative is to provide countries and regional organizations with systems for the validation, circulation and harnessing of relevant environmental information with a view to strengthening the participative approach at the different decision-making and operational levels and thereby promoting enlightened decision-making.
Specific objectives of the partnership are to respond to the needs expressed by a large number of environmental stakeholders in developing countries. As well as being a technological tool, it seeks to encourage the environmental community to share experiences and information heritage, balancing information supply and demand.
This approach aims to create a synergy of both human and financial resources, establishing environmental information systems within national programmes such as national development plans, national environmental action plans, poverty eradication plans, etc. It will also catalyze the development of National and Regional Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDI and RSDI) for use in planning and decision making for sustainable development [more]
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - U.S. Enivronmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Child survival hinges on having the basic needs to support life; among these, a safe and healthy environment is fundamental.However, children everywhere are negatively affected by adverse environmental conditions. Each year, at least 3 million children under age five die due to environment-related illnesses. Acute respiratory infections annually kill an estimated 2 million children under the age of 15 and as much as 60% of acute respiratory infections worldwide are related to environmental conditions. Diarrheal diseases claim the lives of nearly 2 million children every year; 80 to 90 percent of diarrhea cases are relates to environmental conditions, especially contaminated water and inadequate sanitation.
The United States is committed to improving children's health through increased collaboration among governments, non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and UN agencies to protect children from environmental health threats. These environmental health threats include early childhood exposure to chemicals and toxic substances, unsafe and inadequate quantity of drinking water, lack of sanitation infrastructure and inappropriate hygiene, polluted indoor and outdoor air, and vector-borne diseases.
Such threats may lead to health effects ranging from developmental disorder and perinatal diseases, diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma), insect-borne diseases (e.g. malaria) and unintentional injuries.
The goal of this multi-year initiative is to develop and use children's environmental health indicators to improve children's environmental health at global, regional, national and local levels. These indicators are similar to economic indicators and their development and reporting will help fill gaps between information on environment and information on health, putting into focus the special vulnerabilities of children. Ultimately, these indicators will help guide environment, health and development policy. Global children's environmental health indicators are effective tools to:
- Improve the quality of information available in order to facilitate the ability of policy-makers to improve environmental conditions for all children;
- Assess children's environmental health and monitor the success or failure of interventions to address children's environmental health problems; and
- Measure progress and contribute towards the achievement of the Millennium Development goals.
[more]
Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of the Environment - Conservation International (CI) - The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) - World Bank Group - Global Environment Facility (GEF) - MacArthur Foundation
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Latin America and the Caribbean - Africa - West Asia - Asia and the Pacific Summary: The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) advances the global conservation agenda on several fronts. The objective of the Fund is to serve as a catalyst to create strategic working alliances among diverse groups, combining unique capacities and eliminating duplication of efforts for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to conservation challenges. Investments support such projects as managing of protected areas and coordinating biodiversity corridors; training; transboundary planning; encouraging local dialogue with extractive industries; engaging in conflict resolution; priority setting and consensus building; strengthening indigenous organizations and facilitating partnerships between the private sector and protected areas. [more]
Lead Partner: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The main objective of this partnership is to design and demonstrate the application of a systematic and comprehensive approach for developing Country Profiles on Sustainable Energy Development (CPSEDs). Country leaders, policymakers and energy analysts are faced with the major challenge of assessing their energy systems within a sustainable development framework. Projects, plans, programs and policies need to be developed in a comprehensive manner taking into consideration not only economic issues but also social and environmental impacts as well as institutional and infrastructure requirements. The assessment represents a dynamic exercise in which country experts review past and current energy development and trends while exploring, at the same time, consistent images of future scenarios consonant with their specific sustainable development criteria and goals. This partnership initiative is a first attempt to produce such a comprehensive assessment.
While the CPSED approach could be applied to any country, the initial demonstration phase is being conducted in Brazil, Cuba and South Africa. In Brazil, the IAEA is working with CENBIO from the University of Sao Paulo and COPPE from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. In Cuba, the IAEA is working with CUBAENERGIA and in South Africa with the Energy Research Center of the University of Cape Town. International organizations cooperating in this partnership include UNDESA, OLADE and ECLAC.
At the national level, the partnerships are resulting in an overall assessment of the energy systems of participating countries, a review of potential future energy demand and supply scenarios and the definition of a comprehensive set of sustainable energy strategies specifically designed to help policy makers pursue their sustainable energy development objectives. Indicators for sustainable energy development (ISED) are being used to monitor each country's progress towards meeting national development goals.
Research and governmental organizations will have increased expertise in using energy planning tools and evaluation methodologies for the integrated assessment of energy systems and corresponding strategies and programs. The modelling framework and guidelines developed will permit other countries to construct systematically their country profiles on sustainable energy development.
[more]
Lead Partner: ECOTRANS e. V. - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - Production and Consumption Branch - European Environment Agency (EEA) - World Tourism Organization (WTO) - UN Agency
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Europe Summary: DestiNet http://destinet.ewindows.eu.org - is a portal that provides information on sustainable tourism, and is primarily targeted at tourist destinations. Started in 2002 by the EEA the portal is now expanded to include Partner inputs from a wide range of tourism disciplines, via the ECOTRANS network of European sustainable tourism interests. The information provided on DestiNet includes tips on best practice in resource management, links to relevant websites and uploaded reports and articles.
The Partners intend to enhance the effectiveness of their multilateral efforts to protect the environment by focusing on improving communication and knowledge exchange among themselves and their stakeholders The effort will optimise decision making on issues relevant to developing, enhancing, and evaluating, policy measures, and the success of regulatory and voluntary actions concerning tourism and tourism destinations.
DestiNet website shall represent the leading communication and information dissemination platform for partners and relevant tourism communities to collaborate on information development and publishing Additionally the website will be used to organize events, select indicator methodologies, report on best practices, compare service eco-efficiency statements and labels, post news and announcements, propose models and tools for managing technologies and natural resources. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Finland - Ministry for Foreign Affairs - Sistema de la Integracion Centroamericana (SG-SICA)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Central America Summary: The main objective of the Partnership is to promote the use of renewable energy sources and clean technologies in Central America in a sustainable manner, and to make energy services more accessible to the poor, particularly to those in rural areas.
Increased utilisation of renewable energy in the national and local energy mix, introduction of new energy and environmental technologies, utilisation of CDM potential, better energy sector management and increased access to energy services are the expected results of the Partnership. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Australia - Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional South Pacific Summary: This partnership developed from the SPREP Pacific Meteorological Services Needs Analysis Project. project aims to strengthen the capacity of Pacific island countries in climate prediction. It includes Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Solomon Is, Kiribati and Niue. The project aims to upgrade the National Meteorological Services of participating island countries to enable them to provide better climate prediction support to industry government and the people of the Pacific island region. It will provide PC-based stand-alone statistical climate prediction services that are tailored to clients planning needs. [more]
Lead Partner: Global Water Partnership (GWP)- Mediterranean
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Mediterranean Summary: The majority of the population in the Mediterranean countries (particularly in the South and East) lives in rapidly expanding cities, with considerable proportions being at the lowest income brackets. In their everyday life, a large part of the urban population suffers from water quality and quantity inadequacies, serious sanitation problems and their dwellings are frequently endangered by natural disasters (e.g. floods). These problems are in turn responsible for improper livelihood conditions, serious deterioration of their health as well as the social and natural environment.
However, at present, many major water programmes fail to consider the needs of the poor and their contribution to poverty alleviation is by far less than it could be if proper provisions are build in during the design phase.
The Euro-Mediterranean Water and Poverty Facility (WPF) aims to:
- Assist in improving the livelihoods of poor people in urban areas of the Mediterranean, particularly in relation to water and sanitation
- Contribute in designing guidelines on social performance of water pricing
- Develop guidelines and expertise in order to facilitate the integration of poverty reduction components in major water projects of the region
- Develop functional tripartite initiatives to facilitate regional and national investment on water and poverty.
Key dimensions to be addressed by the WPF are: improving livelihoods, improving health, mitigating vulnerability of the poor under extraordinary conditions and events such as disasters related to water (e.g. floods).
The WPF will not handle or manage funding but it will elaborate, in collaboration with both donors and recipient partners and the competent authorities and bodies, common strategies and action plans and will support implementation mechanisms with the participation of a wide range of stakeholders. In addition, it will act as a multiplier for sustainable investment in the water sector securing, in parallel, to the extent possible, the introduction of poverty reduction components in water projects -particularly those financed by European sources. Finally, it may act as a match-maker between the supply and demand side in projects targeting water supply and sanitation for the urban poor. [more]
Lead Partner: Global Alliance - Global Alliance for Building Sustainability
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Global Alliance for Building Sustainability was formed to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development in the land, property, construction and development sectors. The focus of GABS' work is on building and strengthening partnerships between policy makers and practitioners to promote participation and learning amongst the many stakeholders involved in these sectors.
Our shared vision is:
To create an operating environment throughout the four sectors of land, property, construction and development in which practitioners are enabled, and able, to implement partnerships, processes and practices that deliver sustainable development.
Key Objectives
* To bring together a truly global alliance of organisations committed and signed-up to actions for sustainable development. GABS members will sign-up to a Charter document.
* To provide a platform and communications hub for GABS members:
o To enhance their ability to work in partnership and promote their efforts with other stakeholders.
o To facilitate wider access to existing information, research, guidance, tools and best practice publications developed by member organisations and international agencies
o To create a global learning network through building partnerships that contribute to sustainable development across the 4 sectors
* To develop a set of tools and guidance material aimed at policy makers and practitioners to enhance working environments and partnership practices across the 4 sectors
* To develop a compendium of good practice examples of stakeholders working in partnership
* To establish performance benchmarks relating partnership practices and sustainable development to performance indicators for business, environment, government and communities
* To provide a platform for practitioners in land, property, construction and development to contribute to the World Summit for Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 26 August - 4 September 2002)
* To provide a mechanism for ongoing progress to be monitored and reported to international agencies, national, regional and local governments, communities and business
* To develop a business plan for self-reliance in 18 months through a series of activities [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The objective of the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD) is to make it easier for Members to contribute to the provision of environmentally sound energy services underpinning sustainable development. The Network does so by supporting amongst its Members information exchange, learning, analysis and study, policy support, and capacity building.
Results expected include:
1. A network of energy/development/environment institutions in developing, transition, and industrialised countries that increases contact and co-operation between relevant institutions/agencies and financing bodies, and national and regional experts on a range of energy for sustainable development topics.
2. A general strengthening of all Members in their ability to acquire, assimilate, and apply existing knowledge and experiences made available through the Network.
3. Provision of quality advisory services by Network Member institutions to public and private sector decision-makers on a range of energy for sustainable development issues, resulting in better, more informed energy policies and decisions that support the wider goals of sustainable development.
4. Improved understanding of the links between sustainable energy and other development and environment priorities, and technology and policy options, leading to better articulation of practical policies that can be adopted, so as to promote energy for sustainable development, and
5. Changes in policies and programmes of governments and their development co-operation partners, and private sector investments, so that these favour energy for sustainable development approaches. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This partnership addresses the critical development issue of access to technology and knowledge by facilitating information exchange, finance and investment in sustainable products and services in the energy, agriculture, textile, waste, water and forestry sectors.
The partnership builds on the existing efforts and capacities of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)s programs for transfer of environmentally sound technology, and on the knowledge management networks of the UNEP-GEF Technology Transfer Networks (SANet). SANet is a Technology Transfer knowledge management support system, which aims to replicate successful application of technology. SANet cuts across country boundaries, economic sectors, and supports the implementation of international environmental agreements. The partnership builds on established communication channels of more than 150 national and regional member organizations of FIDIC, WFEO, and other international associations.
The partnership's strategic objective is help fully inform the decision making process concerning viable Technology Transfer choices and to build the required knowledge management capacities to facilitate broad project replication. [more]
Lead Partner: International Labour Organization(ILO) Programme on HIV/AIDS
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Caribbean Summary: The aim of this project is the prevention of HIV/AIDS among workers and in the world of work, the enhancement of workplace protection and the reduction of the adverse consequences of the epidemic on social, labour and economic development in the Caribbean. This will be achieved in part by:
* contributing to the overall objective of reducing the rate of spread of HIV in the Caribbean;
* developing a comprehensive, co-ordinated, sustained and strategic response to the impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work in the Caribbean, established through the involvement of the social partners;
* providing a better understanding of the implications of the HIV/AIDS epidemic for the world of work in the Caribbean;
* mobilising and building the capacity of government (with more involvement of Ministries of Labour), employers' and workers' organisations as well as persons living with HIV/AIDS to educate, discuss, raise awareness, develop and implement policies and programmes on HIV/AIDS;
* reducing stigma and discrimination and improving the care and support for those living with HIV/AIDS among job seekers, workers and their families;
* increasing competence to develop proposals concerning the financial costs of the epidemic and to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS for the social security system. [more]
Lead Partner: Healthy Environments for Children Alliance Secretariat- World Health Organisation (WHO) - World Health Organization
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: HECA'S DRAFT MISSION STATEMENT: A world-wide alliance to intensify global action on environmental risks to children's health that arise from the settings where they live, learn, play and sometimes work, by providing knowledge, increasing political will, mobilizing resources, and catalysing intense and urgent action.
The aim of HECA is to build a global alliance to tackle key environment and poverty-related risks to children's health that are responsible for the loss of millions of healthy years of life each year. The Alliance will focus on, and catalyse action within the environments where children spend their time (i.e., the home, the school, and the community). Particular attention will be given to improving the home environment - traditionally neglected - but where children spend a major part of their young lives, and where the most significant health threats converge. In each setting, the alliance will focus on health risks associated with lack of access to clean water, to sanitation and to clean indoor air and outdoor air. It will also act to reduce risks associated with disease vectors, hazardous chemicals, and non-intentional injuries. Addressing the multiple risks in each setting will necessitate taking a holistic, integrated approach, as health risks are complex, and often interconnected. This approach also provides a framework to highlight the links between issues, and to facilitate action, in an integrated fashion, on the range of health risks in a given setting.
The Alliance will catalyze action that is both participatory and effective, stimulating a world-wide movement. It will concentrate initially on areas where it can add the most value - broadening in scope as it develops.
The Alliances core functions include:
* Ensuring advocacy and awareness raising;
* Providing knowledge, information exchange and expertise for decision-making;
* Promoting effective policies and action, at all levels, in all sectors;
* Supporting countries and communities in creating and maintaining healthy environments for children;
* Monitoring and evaluating progress. [more]
Lead Partner: National Disaster Management Institute (INGC)
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The overall goal is to strengthen the institutional capacities in Mozambique in the field of Disaster Preparedness and management. The country's weak economic infrastructure is aggrevated by the frequent natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, bush fires, and various epidemics etc. and Mozambique has to deal with complex emergency situations.
The primary aim of this partnership is a capacity-building program for prevention and management of natural disasters with the aim to strengthen the institutional capacity of INGC and its cooperating authorities by identifying the training needs of the different target groups and develop awareness-raising programs, knowledge transfer, and training skills for multiplicators. This regional pilot project is based on three pillars: strengthening the coordination and management capacities in terms of awareness, knowledge and skills of national institution; enhancing the existing cross-border cooperation and in the long-run reduce the obstacles and difficulties imposed by different political and administrative cultures ; lead to closer cooperation within the region and contribute to disaster management and prevention; support and strengthen regional assistance such as, information and communications systems with respect to early warning and alert; and mapping risk areas, raising awareness and organizing population, training multi-disciplinary rescue teams, technical assistance and logistical resources for preventing and fighting disaster as well as good network of database centres to analyse pertinent information and act as the source for disseminating information related to impending disasters. [more]
Lead Partner: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The project on Indicators for Sustainable Energy Development (ISED) has three major objectives: (1) to fill the need for a comprehensive and consistent set of energy indicators that can be used in an effective manner to assess progress towards a sustainable energy future, (2) to assist countries in energy and statistical capacity building necessary to induce energy sustainability and (3) to supplement the general indicators effort being undertaken by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
The project consists of two phases. The major objective of the First Phase was to identify and define a set of indicators for sustainable energy development applicable worldwide.
The Second Phase of the project aimed to demonstrate the practical applicability and utility of the ISED set as a policy tool in a variety of analytical cases. The objectives of this phase include: (1) to test the original set of energy indicators in a number of countries; (2) to provide assistance to countries in the implementation and use of the ISED for the formulation of their energy strategies in conformity with their sustainable development criteria; and (3) to incorporate the ISED into the relevant databases and analytical tools so that energy indicators can be used in on-going statistical analyses (capacity building). [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The main objective of the programme will be to provide significant opportunities and scope for the deployment of energy efficiency technologies in developing countries.
Expected results include:
That developing countries and economies in transition integrate energy efficiency strategies for can GHG emissions reduction and control in a way it enables their participation in CDM and JI. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Malta - Malta Environment and Planning Authority - Government of Malta - Malta Environment and Planning Authority
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The aim of this partnership is to undertake international research to develop an integrated framework for assessing and selecting policy tools and technological options necessary to implement sustainable development in small islands. A secondary objective of this proposal is to ensure the involvement of stakeholders in the research process and to transfer this framework to policy-makers in government, in order to ensure the quality and implementation of the research carried out.
It is increasingly recognized that islands and island regions exhibit ecological, geographical, social and economic constraints that demand particular attention. At the same time, while it is generally recognized that a coordinated, integrated and ecosystem approach is needed to address sustainability issues in islands, there is a lack of well-developed policy tools to facilitate this. This project aims to fill this gap by providing integrated tools and policy approaches for implementing sustainability in island regions. [more]
Lead Partner: International Coastal and Ocean Organization (ICO) - International Coastal and Ocean Organization (ICO) - Coastal States Organization (CSO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: There is a need to:
Provide a technical support network for ICM, by identifying best practices, model program efforts, by encouraging "lesson-drawing" and interaction between practitioners and academics
Identify areas of mutual cooperation among academic institutions for research, exchange of faculty and students, "lesson-drawing" of successful ICM experiences, and organization of cooperative initiatives with governmental partners at both national and local levels to assist in the implementation of local coastal plans and in the formulation and implementation of national ocean/coastal policies in Exclusive Economic Zones.
Organize and carry out a program of exchange among subnational authorities in ICM to improve local practice
Monitor international treaty/agreement negotiations and other international fora relevant to ICM and identify issues impacting subnational ICM programs.
Influence key international treaty/agreement negotiations and other international fora through development of joint recommendations on the part of subnational ICM authorities [more]
Lead Partner: International Center of Resources and Innovation for the Sustainable Development-CIRIDD (former Association Agora 21) - Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (IEPF - Institut de la Francophonie Numérique - Unité Jeunesse)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The aim of the project is to create an information and discussion platform for sustainable development that is accessible to the various groups concerned (States and public administrations, local governments and international bodies, associations, the economic sector, scientists and the academic community, and ordinary citizens) by facilitating exchanges and integration of the available data on a network of Internet sites distributed throughout the French-speaking world.
The second objective is to develop the use of French regarding these topics for the sake of linguistic plurality at the international level, thereby helping to reinforce the capacities of French-speaking participants, especially in the organization of preliminary debates for major conferences. This platform is also an experimental ground for research and development into new tools and approaches that will be transferred to the partners. It will be an extension of various projects and actions. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry for the Environment and Territory - Italian Agency for the Protection of the Environment and for Technical Services (APAT)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Mediterranean Summary: The availability of more reliable information concerning GHG emissions will enable countries with economies in transition and developing countries to comply with their obligations under the UNFCCC, namely the preparation and submission of GHG inventories and national communications, and to actively participate in Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanism activities.
This partnership aims therefore at supporting the preparation of consistent and reliable GHG inventories in Mediterranean countries, through exchange of information on activity indicators and emission factors, identification of QA/QC procedures and development of common methodologies.
It builds on the work of the MeditAIRaneo project, currently financed by APAT, which involves government agencies responsible for the preparation of air emission inventories in the northern shore of the Mediterranean. The expertise and the tools developed in the frame of this project (experts' network, web-site, know-how concerning Mediterranean specificities about atmospheric emissions) will be used for the development of this partnership. [more]
Lead Partner: Academy for Educational Development (AED)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: Building on the partnership efforts at the WSSD, the United States expanded its existing NetMark Program, making it an expansive and cutting edge model for achieving public health objectives through joint investment with the commercial sector. What was originally a 5 year, $15.4 million program designed to create sustainable commercial markets for insecticide-treated mosquito nets in four countries, became an eight year, $65.4 million program with a much broader goals. NetMark Plus is USAID's primary mechanism to support the Roll Back Malaria Partnership in achieving its goals of making high quality, and affordable ITNs available across the continent of Africa. Now looking to build commercial markets for ITNs in at least 10 countries, NetMark is expanding its partnerships, playing a critical role in defining best practices for delivering targeted subsidies, advocating a positive policy environment, creating integrated approaches through partnerships with NGOs that link commercial and subsidized product delivery, and helping to introduce state-of-the-art products (some of which will be manufactured in Africa).
NetMark Plus expects to create fully sustainable markets for ITNs across sub-Saharan Africa that can provide a sustainable source of quality products for a large percentage of at-risk populations. NetMark Plus will also link these markets with targeted subsidies being provided through other donor-funded activities, helping both the public and commercial sectors to create a model for sustainable development through mutually beneficial collaboration and investment on a large scale. This will result in a reduction of malaria morbidity and mortality, a positive effect on the African economy, and reduction of the burden on the international community and ministries of health in procuring and distributing ITNs. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of France - Ensemble Solidarité Thérapeutique Hosp. Réseau
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: To improve access to quality treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS in developing countries, by increasing the means of access to care and treatment and a complete health care offer combining social and community aspects over a three-year cycle.
The aim is to identify the health care facilities in developing countries, which, with the help of twinning with a European hospital facility, can reinforce their expertise and equipment. These facilities are becoming the focal points for networks including medical and biological monitoring services, associations and NGOs, representing the civil partnership and other organizations involved in the field.
More specifically, ESTHER should enable:
- Strengthening of health care services (hospital and out-patient facilities) geared towards combating AIDS;
- Establishment of a suitable technical platform with good maintenance;
- Participation by users of the health care system and by associations of those affected;
- Implementation and/or consolidation of networks between partners - NGOs, associations and representatives of the civil partnership - in order to provide psychosocial support in a multidisciplinary and community approach.
This balanced partnership will be built around existing structures, with commitments in the form of decentralized cooperation and active pursuit of ways to prolong these strategies beyond the three years of the partnership. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Spain - Government of the Basque Country - Nrg4SD Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Nrg4SD Network was formed by the "regional governments" -understood as the largest and first level of political subdivision within an individual state represented at the UN but which is above de municipal level- that attended the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, to share information and experience about sustainable development policy-making at the regional level of governance. They agreed the `Gauteng Declaration' which is the founding document of the Network. Nrg4SD promotes understanding, collaboration and partnerships in sustainable development and seeks greater international recognition of the importance of the contribution which regions make to sustainable development. Nrg4SD aims to be a voice for, and to represent, regional governments at the global level, promoting sustainable development at regional level around the world. Nrg4SD has members from the five United Nations (UN) regions of the globe and focal points in each of them. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Canada - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Geographical Scope: National Summary: To transfer and adapt modern technologies that will improve the way the groundwater resources of the crystalline terranes of the semi-arid northeast of Brazil are developed and managed, which in turn will translate into more abundant and better quality water for the population. To enhance awareness in the population in regards to environmental protection and water conservation issues by providing appropriate education programs. Improve the plight of women in the community through gender equity programs aimed at enhancing their role in the decision-making process regarding management of the water resources. [more]
Lead Partner: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) - University of South Pacific (USP)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Pacific Island Countries Summary: Main objective: Provide long-term community based capacity-building activities to fully integrate environmental and development needs, using people and customs as the central parameters for decision-making, management, fostering social cohesion and the promotion of sustainable community livelihoods.
Principles:
- People are at the core of the pursuit of sustainable development;
- Sustainable community lifestyles for Pacific Island communities and nations are dependent on the sustainable use of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity and the protection and application of traditional knowledge of this biodiversity.
- Traditional and local knowledge enhances scientific knowledge and can guide future directions to ensure pragmatic and mutually beneficial efforts;
- Environmental and sustainable development are for the people and communities and therefore their aspirations and needs should dominate policies, plans, decision making, management and practice;
- Sustainable development requires Environmental justice, and preservation of human rights.
- Early community involvement and partnering with government in the development and project pipeline presents the best means to suit people¿s aspirations, values, issues and priorities to socio-economic progress.
- Integrating environment and socio-economics in the development process provides the means for better decision making for sustainable development;
- Ensuring equity in development processes and environmental management, with social justice and empowerment through community development frameworks - will assist poverty eradication and improve people¿s quality of life.
Purpose: To develop local and national capacity to institute community development frameworks to assist with partnering, prudent anticipation and decisions regarding the planning for environmental change, as well as the pursuit of sustainable development to enhance the quality of life for all communities. [more]
Lead Partner: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The Belgian partnership with the CGIAR includes an important part devoted to the education and training of young scientist of the South in highly specialised laboratories for agricultural research in Belgium and in other developed countries.
The main objectives of the agricultural research activities for development, in the frame of this partnership and of the CGIAR in general, are to contribute to food security and poverty eradication in developing countries through research partnerships, capacity building, and policy support, promoting sustainable agricultural development based on the environmentally sound management of natural resources.
Expected results:
* contribute to the promotion of sustainable agriculture and rural development through an increase of the food production and a better organisation of local and regional markets
* contribute to the well being of poor farmers in the South so that they take part, effectively and in a socially acceptable way, in the economic development of their countries while conserving biodiversity and the environment
* strengthening the involvement of all the partners in international agricultural research for development especially those of the Southern countries
* capacity building and participatory approaches to sustainable development [more]
Lead Partner: World Resources Institute (WRI)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Partnership for Principle 10 seeks to improve national public participation systems to ensure access to information, public participation, and justice in decision-making that affects the environment. Improved public access to information, participation, and justice in decision-making makes decisions more fair, legitimate, and sustainable. At the national level, a working public participation system enables individuals and groups to make informed choices and integrate social and environmental objectives in decisions on economic policies and specific development activities. As such, a public participation system is an essential mechanism for sustainable development.
National systems for public participation have many common elements, including policies, supporting legislation, institutional infrastructure, methods of dissemination, and timing of participation. Diverse national systems of public participation share areas of achievement as well as weaknesses and gaps. Recent assessments conducted by The Access Initiative of national public participation systems in nine countries, including Chile, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, and the United States, provide a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of the strengths in these countries as well as specific needs for improvement in both policy and practice.
The Partnership for Principle 10 will work to address these implementation gaps and strengthen public access in areas identified as weaknesses. Based on independent assessments of national public participation systems, the Partnership will provide a vehicle for stakeholders to work together to strengthen areas of weakness.
The Partnership for Principle 10 is built around a set of common commitments, to which all partners agree. These common commitments serve as a statement of the Partnership's values and principles. The common commitments set the parameters for the scope of work of the Partnership. All partners, by joining the Partnership for Principle 10, commit to support the accelerated implementation of Principle 10 in their country and in their own practices. They also:
* Recognize that national public participation systems have common elements, and should be regularly and independently assessed by civil society organizations using a common framework of indicators-such as those developed by The Access Initiative-to identify strengths and weaknesses in implementation.
* Commit to collaborate across sectoral boundaries to identify implementation gaps, prioritize needed actions, and implement programs to strengthen capacity and improve performance.
* Commit to promote implementation of Principle 10 internationally through engagement with regional and international organizations, international trade agreements, and financial institutions, as appropriate. [more]
Lead Partner: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Asian Development Bank
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Transport in developing countries is the one of the largest, and fastest growing, source of GHG emissions. Transport related CO2 emissions are expected to increase 57% worldwide in the period 2005 – 2030, and it is estimated that transport (passenger and freight) in developing countries will contribute about 80 percent of this increase. At the same time transport is largely missing in climate change mitigation policies and actions worldwide and in particular those aimed at the developing countries. Growing GHG emissions from the transport sector in developing countries are inextricably linked to an overall lack of sustainability expressed by poor urban planning, increased motorization, increased air pollution and noise, growing congestion and decreasing road safety.
Technological improvements by themselves will not be enough for the transport sector to make a significant contribution to mitigation of GHG; a sector wide re-orientation to low carbon sustainable transport is required which combines policies and measures to (a) avoid/reduce the need for travel, (b) shifts to, or keeps transport at the most efficient mode, and (c) improves efficiency of motorized modes of transport.
Developing countries should seize the opportunity to make their transport systems and infrastructure low carbon and more sustainable through a combination of: increased public awareness, low-carbon, sustainable transport policies, supportive policy instruments, institutional capacity development, appropriate pricing mechanisms and mobilization of financial resources.
The Partnership has as its overarching goal to mobilize global support to reduce the growth of GHG emissions generated by land transport in developing countries by promoting more sustainable, low carbon transport. The partnership has four specific objectives:
a. The integration of sustainable, low carbon transport in climate negotiations, as well as national and local climate policies and programs,
b. The integration of climate considerations in regional, national and local transport policies,
c. Mainstream Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport in strategies and operations of international development organizations,
d. Contribute to sustainable development and the millennium development goals especially providing access to or for goods and services by lower income groups.
The thematic scope of the Partnership is on land transport in developing countries and includes freight and passenger transport. Both motorized and non-motorized transport is included. The geographical scope of the Partnership is developing countries. The Partnership will initially focus on Asia, Latin America and Africa.
The Partnership builds on previous work on sustainable transport by UN-DESA within their mandate as defined by Agenda 21 and the CSD and a large series of events on sustainable transport and climate change by the members of this Partnership in both Asia and Latin America.
[more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGCS) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Goal: improve living standards among islands¿ residents while sustaining conservation of unique biodiversity.
Main challenge: foster the role of residents in setting planning agendas and participating fully in their islands' development.
Objective 1: provide opportunities for horizontal know-how transfer among relevant professional staff from both archipelagos, and to promote the involvement of the islands' residents in planning processes together with their participation in the sustainable development of the islands.
Low levels of awareness on the relationships linking the conservation of ecosystems, natural resources and biological diversity and the generation of concrete and sustainable development opportunities, is an issue to be addressed, at different levels, in both archipelagos. This extends to officials, community leaders as well as the local business community. There is an urgent need to strengthen the capacities of relevant institutions and society to work in a systemic and cross-sectoral fashion to improve the overall management of the island's resources.
Objective 2: contribute to the consolidation of relevant institutional capacities in the systemic planning and management of sustainable development, by promoting inter-linkage and information exchange between relevant institutions and administrations, as well as boosting their capacity to dialogue with local communities, NGOs and the general public. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Conservation Monitoring Centre
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Proteus is a public-private partnership established in the spirit of the Johannesburg summit ¿ business, multilateral organizations, governments and NGOs working together to achieve more. Proteus aims to gather and analyze the best available data on the world¿s living resources, such as species and ecosystems, and make it available globally as usable and accessible information suitable for decision-making. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Sweden - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) - East African Community (EAC) Secretariat - East African Community (EAC) Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Lake Victoria Basin Summary: In the Partnership Agreement between EAC and the Development Partners the following objectives are set out:
* To exploit the opportunities for development in the Lake Victoria Basin in a sustainable manner and address the present problems relating to economic and social development, poverty and environment
* To identify and investigate specific aspects of threats and obstacles to sustainable, economic, social and environmental development, and their underlying causes and propose relevant interventions
* To assist in the formulation of policies to guide the various actors involved with activities relevant to sustainable development in the region
* To build capacity through the development and strengthening of local institutions and organizations concerned with these issues
* To promote co-ordination of the development efforts undertaken by various authorities, institutions and bodies established within EAC with an interest in supporting the developments in the Lake Victoria Basin
* To provide consultative fora and focal points for various actors with an interest in the developments in the Basin
* To broaden the co-operation between EAC, the EAC member states and donor agencies
* To identify investment opportunities and work to create a climate conducive to investments
* To mobilize resources for the implementation of identified Programmes
* To promote the involvement of a broad spectrum of actors in the development process [more]
Lead Partner: COREN asbl
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Europe Summary: This project aims at :
1. Enhancing and spreading knowledge of Eco-Management Systems (EMS) in schools,
2. Building capacity for management of schools, for both theirs environmental and pedagogical effects,
3. Developing a short- and middle term strategy for implementing Sustainable Development Management Systems (SDMS) in schools
4. Creating a school network including multiple stakeholders (ong's, governments, intergovernmental organizations, business) for sustainable development education
The objectives in detail are:
Inquiring into the progress and the innovations dealing with EMS in schools
Comparing the existing tools and experiments aiming at the implementation of EMS in schools
Revealing the interest of EMS on both pedagogical and environmental level
Making recommendations to public authorities (education, environment) to support schools in their efforts
Establishing a common framework for the implementation of EMS in all types of schools
Setting up a training and guidance program and materials to support the implementation of EMS in all types of schools
Developing a common framework for the implementation of SDMS in all types of schools, including the challenges of the Agenda 21 and Millenium Declaration (Climate change, Natural ressources, Health, Citizenship, N/S solidarity,...)
Setting up a training and guidance program and materials to support the implementation of SDMS in all types of schools [more]
Lead Partner: Rainforest Alliance - Sustainable Food Lab
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: 1. To develop a set of business models that support sustainable smallholder and rural laborer inclusion in high-value, formal export and domestic markets in four distinct product clusters (dried beans, fresh vegetables, bananas, cocoa).
2. To apply these new business models (through value chain analysis and upgrading) in sub-Saharan Africa.
3. To expand these validated business models through existing and new supply chain partnerships that provide direct benefits to 158,000 smallholders and 301,000 laborers while using project results to influence existing standards.
[more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) - Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The main objective of the partnership is to provide technical assistance and build the capacities of SIDS for the integration of comprehensive risk management including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness into sustainable development planning and help relieve the consequences of disasters, extreme weather events and other emergencies.
Expected results include:
Sustainable Development Plans prepared and implemented to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters generally and in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism and fisheries.
Greater use of financial instruments and incentives for risk reduction.
Necessary legislation, planning, building and development standards and codes established and systematically enforced.
Public education and awareness improved, including the development of participatory approaches to disaster reduction planning and activities.
Regional networks strengthened including sharing data, best practice examples, early warning, coordinated emergency response systems and other co-operation mechanisms.
Enhanced inter-regional co-operation and information and technical expertise exchange.
SIDS vulnerability to hazards fully incorporated into environmental, social and economic vulnerability indexes and indicators.
A special SIDS fund established to support incorporating disaster mitigation, preparedness into sustainable development planning and to ensure better emergency response and co-ordination of donor support to activities. [more]
Lead Partner: Leeds City Council
Geographical Scope: Local Summary: The SORM Partnership was established as an innovative partnership-based method of urban river management on the River Aire to fulfil the following strategic objectives:-
- To improve the environment and amenity of the River Aire;
- To support existing groups and organisations already working on the River Aire;
- To improve public perception of the River Aire;
- To increase stakeholder involvement in the management of the River Aire;
- To exchange information on issues affecting the River Aire;
- To develop opportunities for joint working for the benefit of the environment and amenity of the River Aire.
In fulfilling these objectives, the Partnership has a general interest in all water bodies within the metropolitan district of Leeds. For the purposes of this Partnership the River Aire is defined as the 21 miles of the River Aire (and its tributaries, including becks and streams) which flows through the metropolitan district of Leeds. [more]
Lead Partner: International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) - Kenyan National Research Institute
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: Overall goal: Increased household food security in arid and semi-arid areas
1.To promote the development of affordable and low-cost irrigation technologies to ensure the efficient water resource utilisation in agriculture
2.To ensure low-cost irrigation technologies meet the needs of small-scale farmers, by developing research agendas through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
3.To strengthen farmer-to-farmer and farmer-to-researcher information exchange on appropriate, low cost irrigation technologies
Background: Sustainable agriculture and rural development are essential to the implementation of an integrated approach to increasing food production and enhancing food security. Therefore it is vital to encourage and support programmes that enhance, in a sustainable manner, land productivity and the efficient use of water resources in agriculture.
Low-pressure drip irrigation and treadle pumps have presented ways for smallholder farmers to produce high value crops. The technologies are affordable and easy to understand after initial training.
Drip irrigation reduces water use, increases crop yield and gives good quality produce within less time and money as compared to traditional ways of cultivating and irrigating commercial crops.
However the majority of small holders within developing countries are deprived of this technology due to its high initial cost and problems of appropriately adapting it to the specific needs of small holdings. Until recently it has been too expensive to be affordable for poor families and too large for tiny plots of land.
Since 1996, The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) has worked with low head drip irrigation kits that include a range of small and easy to use, affordable micro irrigation kits to produce high value crops. In addition, a local NGO - Approtec has been promoting treadle pump technology in Kenya since 1998 with good rate of success.
The development of supply chain for affordable drip irrigation kits and treadle pumps through manufacturers, assemblers, dealers, nursery growers and farmers will help in creating small enterprises in particular areas and make the technologies available to smallholder farmers in the arid and semi arid areas.
The main aim of the project is to build upon this initial success in small -scale irrigation within Kenya by initiating a process to up-scale current rates of uptake within pilot areas.
The partnership will employ a multi-stakeholder approach to aaddress the problems faced by farmers in their efforts to use irrigation for food production.
The partnership will enable farmers¿ organisations and research the opportunity to learn, and thus build upon the strengths of this multi-stakeholder approach.
The partnership will also offer the opportunity to transfer knowledge and affordable technology.
Lead Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This is a civil society led, government supported, FAO facilitated undertaking.The preliminary focus of the SARD Initiative has currently been focusing on three themes, which were discussed in the International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountain Regions (Adelboden, Switzerland, 6/2002), in the SARD Electronic Forum (6/2002-present) and in a number of local consultations in different regions of the developing world and among some of the NGOs/CSOs attending the World Food Summit: five years later (6/2002). Sub-Initiatives can be organized around the following or other thematic areas of action, based on the interests, priorities, commitment and resources of specific partners involved:
* Access to resources
* Fair conditions of employment
* Good Agricultural Practices for SARD
Given the critical mass of Mountain Governments supporting the SARD Initiative in the Adelboden Declaration, the relevant sub-Initiatives outlined in the Adelboden Plan of Action, and that 2002 is the International Year of the Mountains, it has been proposed that the Initiative should begin with a mountain focus, subject to the interest and resources of concerned stakeholders. The Initiative may capitalize on other key conferences and International Years, for instance, 2003 is the International Year of Fresh Water. [more]
Lead Partner: International Institute for Sustainable Future and Global Future Net
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Sustainable Rural Development and Ecovillage Training Program (SRDETP) will be based on an integrated and holistic approach to sustainable rural (and impoverished urban) development, particularly in the 3rd world. It will include a primary component focusing on the ecovillage model of development.
The Program would include an easily accessible information database containing descriptions of the primary programs, exemplary projects, and best practices that are being carried out around the world. It would also provide the means to widely disseminate and share such information. A number of programs have been developed that could be expanded and scaled up to spread such knowledge and resources throughout the developing world and support would be given to field training and implementation projects that can be replicated in other regions throughout the world. [more]
Lead Partner: Steering Committee on Transport, Environment and Health
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Europe and North America Summary: Transport, Health and Environment Pan European Programme (THE PEP) aims at making progress towards the achievement of transport patterns that are sustainable for health and the environment by focusing work at the Pan-European level on those priorities where further work of the international community is most needed and could make the biggest impact: integration of environmental and health aspects into transport policies and decisions; shift of the demand for transport towards more sustainable mobility; urban transport issues. In addition, special attention will be given to the needs of the Newly Independent States and South-Eastern European countries as well as to areas, which are particularly sensitive from an environmental point of view.
THE PEP streamlines and consolidates the WHO and UNECE activities on transport, environment and health with a view to a more effective use of resources and better co-ordination of efforts at the international as well at the national level. [more]
Lead Partner: Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Summary: The limited fresh water resources and high dependence on rainfall make water resource management a growing priority for Caribbean SIDS.
Specific objectives of the partnership are to:
* Assist in strengthening regional training capacity to provide the professional skills and the institutional capacity for more efficient management of water resources.
* Establishment of a regional network of persons and organisations whose responsibilities either interact with water resources supply or demand in a way that influences fresh water quality of quantity. The actors are often unrelated, where they should be integrated. Through the partnership, stakeholders that are important players, who, however, are not actively involved in water management, can effectively participate in improving management efficiency by exchanging views and experiences and helping lay the foundation for the full integration of the management of water resources.
* Improve access to safe water by poor communities.
* Increase availability and efficient utilization of water to the agricultural sector.
* Minimize pollution of water resources through capacity building and transfer of technology.
* Enhancing public awareness emphasising the need for better watershed area, water and wastewater management. [more]
Lead Partner: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: The development objective of the Water for Asian Cities Programme is to support the implementation of the Millennium Declaration Goals related to cities, specifically promoting integrated urban water resource management, including participatory governance, community-based approaches, demand management, and increased attention to environmental sanitation. The programme will seek to achieve this by raising awareness through advocacy, information and education; training and capacity building; and pilot demonstrations.
The overriding thrust of the Water for Asian Cities Programme is to build capacity of city managers and water utilities in integrated urban water management and to anchor the enhanced capacity within the region for achieving sustainability objectives.
The Programme will focus on the following immediate objectives:
(i) Mobilization of political will through advocacy and exchange of information. Mobilizing political commitment will call for engaging policy level functionaries in the programme in a continuous manner. Information exchange will be facilitated through internet
(interactive network and website), newsletters, study visits, staff exchange etc.
(ii) Strengthening regional, country and city level capacities for integrated urban water management. This will require human resource development in a focused manner, strengthening the capacity of existing institutions and establishing a regional network of experts and institutions. Gender mainstreaming will be an important cross-cutting theme of capacity-building at all levels.
(iii) Creating a new ethic amongst children and communities through Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education. Interventions will include: introducing water education in schools; establishing water education classrooms in pilot cities; community education,
training of trainers etc. Twinning of cities and schools will be part of this initiative.
(iv) Promoting integrated urban water management, through demonstration projects focusing on: income generation for the urban poor, demand management and environmental sanitation. [more]
to collapse the Summary of Partnerships.