For the promotion of energy conservation and efficiency, the following activities have been executed by ESCAP in recent years in collaboration with various international, regional and national institutions/NGOs working in energy-related areas such as the AIT (Asian Institute of Technology), IIEC (International Institute for Energy, Conservation), CI (Consumers International), ECCT (Energy Conservation Center of Thailand), and EMC (Energy Management Centre, India):

1. National strategies and regional cooperation in energy efficiency promotion (a regional workshop conducted in March 1994);

2. Energy-environment strategies for urban transport (a regional meeting conducted in May 1994);

3. Energy conservation and efficiency centers: building and managing of effective institutions (a regional workshop was conducted in May 1995);

4. Energy efficiency standards and labelling (a regional meeting was held in September 1994);

5. Role of consumer organizations and other NGOs in promoting energy efficiency (a regional workshop was conducted in November 1994);

6. Energy efficiency standards for commercial buildings and related legislation (a regional workshop was held in November 1996);

7. Promotion of investment in domestic manufacturing of energy-efficiency appliances (a regional workshop was conducted in September 1995);

Several other activities in the area of energy efficiency and conservation, and new and renewable sources of energy have also been implemented through the funding support from the Governments of Australia, China and Japan as follows:

1. Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Symposium, APRES'95, with Exhibition, held in July 1995 in Sydney, Australia, followed by a Study Tour in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth

2. Regional Workshop on Wind Energy Development and Utilization held in Beijing, China, in May 1995, and a Regional seminar and Study Tour on Geothermal Development held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, in April 1996.

Additional activities funded by the Government of Japan included:

1. Promotion of commercial energy conservation consulting services in countries of the ESCAP region (workshops were conducted in 1993 and 1994 at 10 locations in the region)

2. Training programme for energy efficiency centre managers from transitional and developing ESCAP countries (regional seminars were held and fellowships were awarded in 1995 and 1996.)

For improving water consumption, a series of projects were implemented on efficient and economic use of water. The main activities undertaken were to promote water conservation through demand management; economic use of water through pricing; and application of technological devices for water saving as well as reduction of losses in water transmissions.

1. Decision-Making Structure: No information

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Policy promotion and human resources development were the main thrust of the activities conducted so far.

3. Major Groups: Involvement of women were promoted on water resources development.

4. Finance: Since UNCED a series of Japanese-funded projects worth about half a million US dollars have been implemented to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency. In addition about US$ 120,000 were utilized under the PACE-E programme being completed in collaboration with UNDP.

About US$ 500,000 were made available by the Government of Japan and the Netherlands on projects related to efficient and economic use of water.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information

Recognizing the importance of the above, ESCAP organized the Expert Group Meeting on Population Environment and Development, as a preparatory meeting for the Fourth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) held in Bali, Indonesia in August 1992. One of the sessions at the Fourth APPC was devoted to a discussion of issues related to population, environment and development. The Conference noted that "understanding the interdependence between the people, their development activities and the environment was of crucial importance". It further noted that "in many countries high population growth and density had caused various environmental problems, such as land degradation, deforestation, air and water pollution, threats to biological diversity from habitat destruction and rising sea-level due to the so-called greenhouse effect". It also "expressed concern about the deterioration of environmental quality resulting from the recent rapid economic development in some countries" (see APPS No. 115). In view of the above, the Conference recommended (see: Bali Declaration on Population and Sustainable Development) that:

(1) More research needs to be undertaken to improve understanding of the complex synergy between population, resources, environment and development. Moreover, this knowledge must be used in formulating policies and strategies for sustainable development. The conceptual framework and appropriate analytical tools and indicators need to be developed further.

(2) A comprehensive data collection and information system on key aspects of population, development and resource linkages that have implications for environmental quality must be developed to support planning, implementation and management, and evaluation of, as well as research on, population and sustainable development programmes.

(4) There is a need for appropriate interdisciplinary programmes to develop information, education and communication (IEC) activities, human resources, and environmental and population-related educational materials for all groups in the community. In this regard, institutions at all levels, governmental and non-governmental, formal and informal, private and public sector, should be involved and supported.

The ESCAP secretariat's programme of work since then has been guided by the above recommendations and by the programme areas identified in Chapter 5 of Agenda 21.

The secretariat's programme on population and development, funded mainly by UNFPA, has addressed the interrelated aspects of research on the interrelationships between population and environmental dynamics, dissemination of these findings to planning and policy makers through national and regional meetings, and the promotion of utilization of these findings in the planning and policy process through technical assistance and capacity building for integrated policy formulation and planning. Some of the activities have also addressed the need to strengthen local-level planning through the development of appropriate data and information systems. In particular, ESCAP has implemented projects on:

(i) Population and Environment Dynamics, Poverty, and the Quality of Life in Asia and the Pacific region: Country Case Studies and Regional Synthesis". Budget US$ 287,013.00 (UNFPA)

(ii) Use of Population Data for Local Area Development Planning in the countries of the ESCAP region. Budget US$698,894.00 (UNFPA).

Both of these projects have been completed and the reports are being finalized for distribution.

In addition, there are other projects that ESCAP has carried out relating to urbanization, and on women and development, which have implications for policies and programmes on sustainable development.

Urban land markets in most countries of the region are increasingly subject to speculative investments, making land too costly for low-income households. ESCAP has found that at least the following five poverty-habitat issues are linked to the problem of access to land in the region: 1. Land occupied by the urban poor is often unsuited for human settlements; 2. Much of the land settled by the poor is often illegally occupied; 3. Since provision of public services may be seen as de facto legitimisation, governments refrain from servicing these sections; 4. Illegality is also closely linked to government unwillingness to recognise community-based organisations seeking to secure basic infrastructure; and 5. The poor often need to be centrally located for access to work, but these are generally locations of greatest insecurity, rapid rise in land prices and intense land use conflicts. ESCAP organized a Workshop on Land Management in Asia, Bangkok, May 1995 and subsequently published "Municipal Land Management in Asia - A Comparative Study".

Human settlements activities in the field of urban environmental management have focused on the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Urbanization. ESCAP continued to strengthen the Regional Network of Local Authorities' (CITYNET) activities in urban environmental management through support to CITYNET seminars, workshops and to TCDC advisory services and exchange programmes in area of solid waste management. Guidelines on participatory approach to urban environmental management, were published as a CITYNET publication, supported by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Urban Management Programme for Asia and the Pacific, October 1996. The publication was based on experiences from China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

In cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and CITYNET, ESCAP implemented a project entitled Promotion of Environmentally Sound and Healthy Cities. Under this project, ESCAP prepared a technical publication on the operationalization of the Healthy Cities Programme and convened a sub-regional seminar on the promotion of environmentally sound and healthy cities in Bangkok, 23-27 October 1995. Participants were trained in applying a diagnostic manual on environmentally sound and healthy cities and encouraged to consider establishing national networks of environmentally sound and healthy cities. In the course of the seminar, draft outlines of healthy city projects were developed by the participating cities. From 15 to 18 January 1996, ESCAP in cooperation with CITYNET, WHO and the United Town Development Agency (UTDA) convened a Regional Seminar and an Euro-Asian Forum, hosted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. This provided an opportunity for further exchange of experiences and discussions of the healthy city concept.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministerial Conference on Urbanization in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok in 1993, resulted in a mandate regarding the work programme for the bienniums 1994-1995 and 1996-1997 focusing on capacity-building activities. The Thematic Committee (please refer to Chapter 8 for details) has reiterated the recommendations from this meeting and has recommended an increased involvement of ESCAP in helping to promote appropriate interdisciplinary programmes addressing sustainable human settlements development.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The human settlements activities of ESCAP are concentrated at the level of urban governments for managing delivery systems for shelter, basic infrastructure and services by developing the human resource capacity within local authorities and NGOs. Special emphasis on issues on how to manage urban poverty, productivity and the environment, support to micro-enterprises, and the production and application of low-cost building materials.

ESCAP is also supporting the capacity-building of the Regional Network of Local Authorities for Management of Human Settlements (CITYNET) which has city authorities as members and NGOs as associate members. Its activities include exchanging experts for advisory services and general experiences, organizing training and study tours, and applying joint research within the region.

3. Major Groups: The urban poor have a prominent position in the programme of work for this sector.

4. Finance: No information

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Please refer to #2.

Integrating sustainable development in decision-making is an important feature in the work of ESCAP which has been carried out at Ministerial level meetings prior and after the Rio Conference. The Commitments stemming from this engagement resulted in the first meeting of the Committee on Environmental and Sustainable Development in Bangkok in April 1993 where a Regional Strategy Plan was endorsed for action. The following 9 programme areas formed the plan: 1. Assessment and monitoring of environment and sustainable development trends; 2. Ecosystem management and rehabilitation; 3. Development of policy-making capacities and policies, including guidelines and management tools; 4. Strengthening institutional, legislative and human resources development; 5. Promotion of environmentally sound technologies; 6. Promotion of regional and sub-regional cooperation; 7. Promotion of environmental awareness, communication and public participation on sustainable development activities; 8. Regional dimensions of global environmental issues; and 9. Financial mechanisms. Complementary to the Framework of the Regional Strategy Plan a matching Work Programme for the biennium 1994-1995 was implemented, including activities for integrating sustainable development in decision-making. The work programme also addressed many other aspects of Agenda 21 and in most cases involved an integration of environmental issues into the decision-making process (please refer to individual chapters).

Regional Action Programme for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development, 1996-2000, was formulated in the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific held in Bangkok 22-28 November 1995. Various aspects emphasized in the Chapter 8 are reflected in the programme areas of the Regional Action Programme, for instance, 13: Institutions and legislation, 16: Use of economic instruments, 17: Mutually supportive trade and environment policies, and 18: Natural resource accounting.

Work programme for biennium 1996-97 includes various activities with special attention on integration of environmental considerations into economic policy making, reflecting the recognition in the ESCAP Commission resolution (52/8) in April 1996 on "--- the need for an integrated, multi-sectoral approach through comprehensive policies and programmes and adequate resources to address the environment and development issues confronting the policy planners and decision-makers in the Asian and Pacific region".

The activities directly related to this chapter are being implemented for the period 1996-97 under the project title: "Integrating environmental considerations into economic decision making processes". A series of sub-regional and regional expert group meetings will be held to view and exchange experiences on (i) institutional prerequisites at national, provincial/local and sector level for integrated policy-making, and on (ii) modalities of environmental assessment as tools for integrated decision-making processes, and to draw best practices from them.

1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact sheet): ESCAP has adopted the resolution 49/7 on integrating environment and development. The Regional Strategy Plan constituted the overall decision-making process within the realms of ESCAP. ESCAP has a Division for the Environment and Natural Resources Management to implement the plan liaised with other ESCAP Divisions and Member States regarding the proposed projects.

The Thematic Committee on Environmental and Sustainable Development of the Commission was adopted at the first meeting on the Environment and Sustainable Development held in Bangkok in April 1993 with the task of formulating recommendations and proposing projects to fill the gap within the system as a follow-up to UNCED. The Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development has undertaken annual reviews on the state of the sectors that comply with the programme set out by CSD (please also refer chapter 40).

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Please refer to the Status Report.

3. Major Groups: Policy makers at national, state or local and sectoral levels (especially those who are involved in the areas of economic and environment policy-making) would be the major groups playing a role in the implementation of this programme.

4. Finance: The activities of the project: "Integrating environmental considerations into economic planning" is estimated to cost US$ 665,000. It has been financed by extra-budgetary funding from the Government of Japan.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Please refer to #1.

The Montreal Protocol and its Amendments

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNFCCC was signed in 1992.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The optimal range of power system transmission and distribution (T&D) is 5-10%. However, in Asia and the Pacific, many countries have T&D losses of 15% or more. In order to counter this unsustainable use of energy ESCAP proposed two projects for the biennium 1994-1995. One called "Reduction of transmission and distribution losses in power systems" was proposed under the programme of work for 1994-1995 to limit the losses in power system transmission and distribution through human resource development at seminars and training courses based on the experience gained from the successful implementation of energy conserving measures by the Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

The second project called "Utilization of agricultural biomass for sustainable rural development", entailing the establishment of a regional network for disseminating the results of the UNDP-funded Regional Energy Development Programme; preparing and distributing audio-visual materials and initiating a Sub-regional training programmes on the utilization of biomass energy conversion technologies; and establishing a think-tank on the subject.

During 1993-97, the ESCAP secretariat has been assigned the role of an executive agency for the UNDP-funded "Programme for Asian Cooperation on Energy and Environment" (PACE-E) together with the Asian and Pacific Development Centre (APDC). The PACE-E programme includes training and advisory services in six main programme areas, namely Energy and Environment Planning (EEP), Coal Development and Utilization (CDU), Natural Gas and Petroleum Development (NG & PD), Electric Power System Management (EPSM), Rural Energy Environment Development (REED) and Energy Conservation and Efficiency (C & E).

1. Decision-Making Structure: The activities in this sector are following the Framework for Regional Strategy Plan.

The PACE-E programme implementation is guided by the Energy-Environment Advisory Group (EEAG) and implemented through a regional network of focal points nominated by participating governments.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: ESCAP is collaborating within the UNDP-financed Programme for Asian Cooperation on Energy and the Environment (PACE-E) which extends from 1993 to 1997 concentraing primarily on capacity-building within the region. Please also refer to the Status Report.

3. Major Groups: The PACE-E programme seeks to involve the relevant government authorities and policy decision makers.

4. Finance: The magnitude of financial resources made available for the PACE-E (1993-97) is: US$ 3,260,952 (UNDP), $3,734,660 (Australia), $257,738 (France). In addition, in-kind contributions were made by E-7 Group, France, Malaysia, Republic of Korea and Thailand.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Please refer to #2.

As a part of the Framework of Regional Strategy, activities to combat land degradation and promote environmentally sound management of national parks and nature reserves have been made priorities for ESCAP. The Work Programme for 1994-1995 applied to this sector and contained three additional projects to the overall programme. These were proposals from the Thematic Committee on Environmental and Sustainable Development, one called "Integrating geoscience into land use planning" involving the formation of a regional Forum of experts and land use planners to discuss geoscience data and prepare pilot studies on integrating geoscience in land use planning. The second project, titled "Monitoring of land-use changes for appropriate planning", was primarily concerned with the promotion of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing data by holding one Expert Working Group Meeting on standardization of GIS, and one Working Group Meeting on regional information exchange (please also refer to chapter 40 for more information concerning GIS). The third project titled "Sustainable development of coastal ecotourism", comprised case studies on the effect ecotourism has on fragile ecosystems, a regional workshop to discuss environmentally sound ecotourism, and disseminate the experiences gained from these activities through reports, training materials, resource papers and country reports.

1. Decision-Making Structure: Please refer to the Status Report

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Please refer to the Status Report

3. Major Groups: No information

4. Finance: The total amount for the three proposed projects was estimated to be US $ 395,000, with US $ 150,000 spent on the "Integrating geoscience into land use planning" (US $ 20,000 in 1994 and 130,000 in 1995); US $ 120,000 for the "Monitoring of land-use changes for appropriate planning" (US $ 60,000 in 1994 and US $ 60,000 in 1995); and for the "Sustainable development of coastal ecotourism" was estimated to cost US $ 125,000 (US $50,000 in 1994, and US $ 75,000 in 1995).

5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information

1. Decision-Making Structure: International Convention on Biological Diversity

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Focus was on capacity and institution building toward effective protected area management.

3. Major Groups: No information

4. Finance: Activities for this section have been supported by the World Bank and UNEP.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Close cooperations have been provided by countries and international organizations in Asia and the Pacific region. World Bank, UNEP, IUCN, WWF, Smithonian Institution and related UN organizations and various Forest Departments of the Governments in the region have worked closely in this area.

International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The problems and issues of desertification and land degradation are being addressed in the ESCAP region through the Regional Network of Research and Training Centres on Desertification Control in Asia and the Pacific (DESCONAP), which has been operational since 1988, and which brought together countries of the region to design and draft the Asian Annex to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It has also provided, among others, technical and financial support toward the preparation of National Action Programmes to combat desertification in China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan and Tukmenistan. ESCAP's role is seen as a major regional partner, together with UNEP, UNDP and the Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) and other concerned international organizations and agencies in the region in promoting the regional implementation of the Asian Annex to the Convention.

1. Decision-Making Structure: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (Asian Annex). The ESCAP resolution 51/11 on strengthening the Regional Network of Research and Training Centres on Desertification Control in Asia and the Pacific (DESCONAP) provided guidelines for cooperation among the concerned countries and develop a programme of work.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The prime objective of the regional network is toward capacity and institutional building.

3. Major Groups: The major groups are invited to the meetings to report on their activities and provide views.

4. Finance: The regional network has been supported by UNDP and UNEP since 1988.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: ESCAP serves as the secretariat of DESCONAP and the activities of this regional network are undertaken in close cooperation and collaboration with UNDP, UNEP, FAO, WMO, UNESCO, and non-governmental organizations.

This sector was included in the Work Programme for the biennium 1994-1995. Two additional projects to the programme was proposed. The first project titled "Utilization of agricultural biomass for sustainable rural development" (please also refer to chapter 9 and 21) which focuses on capacity-building, entailed establishing a regional network for dissemination of information on the results of the UNDP-funded Regional Energy Development Programme; preparing and distributing audio visual materials and initiating Sub-regional training programmes on the utilization of biomass energy conversion technologies; and establishing a think-tank on the subject.

The second project:"Income generation for disadvantaged rural groups on marginal lands", which also has implications for combatting poverty and strengthening the role of the farmer (chapter 3 and 32), through setting up revolving credit funds using locally trained personnel and relying on selected national government-owned financial institutions.

1. Decision-Making Structure: ESCAP coordinates the Inter-agency Committee on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific to promote cooperation and joint activities on sustainable rural development.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Please refer to the Status Report

3. Major Groups: Please refer to the Status Report

4. Finance: "Utilization of agricultural biomass for sustainable rural development" activity was estimated to cost US $ 150,000 (US $ 50,000 in 1994 and US $ 100,000 in 1995).

For the project:"Income generation for disadvantaged rural groups on marginal lands" ESCAP provided 20 per cent of the funds for the revolving funds as a security, plus the cost of training of the extension officers and evaluation meetings. With 6 participating countries, an average number of beneficiary of 250 per country and the loan individual seize not exceeding US $ 1,000, the ESCAP guarantee will be approximately US $ 300,000, spending 30% in 1994 and 70% in 1995.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Please refer to the Status Report

Convention on Biological Diversity

No information

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

Through the adaption of mechanisms to implement Agenda 21 activities, ESCAP has been promoting coastal and marine environmental protection. These mechanisms include the work programme for 1994-1995, the formulation of various guidelines based on surveys, the development of a methodology for integrated assessment of industrial and urban development in coastal areas, and the initiation of a regional working group on marine environment and oceanographic studies to share information and experiences. The cooperation between ESCAP and the Asian Development Bank led to a study promoting investment in the coastal areas in the People's Republic of China, Viet Nam and Cambodia to enhance environmental resources.

Coastal environmental management plans have been developed for Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tonga. The present plan is to follow-up on these through national workshops for capacity building and identification of investment projects. Together with UNEP, ESCAP has also developed the South Asian Seas Regional Action Plan the implementation of which is promoted through the SACEP Secretariat.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Regional Action Plan for Asian Seas, originally adopted in 1981, was revised at the Bangkok meeting in 1993, and the Co-ordinating Body on the Sea of East Asia (COBSEA) was established with the mandate of coordinating, initiating, reviewing and approving activities related to this sector. ESCAP has also cooperated with UNEP in setting up the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The main thrust of ESCAP's capacity-building activity related to this sector is the assistance given to promote a wide range of objectives from institutional and legislative strengthening to the support of micro-enterprises in coastal areas. ESCAP has also been collaborating with UNDP and SACEP on surveys for capacity-building of coastal environmental management in South Asia. A planning guideline for coastal environmental management plan was prepared by ESCAP to promote national capacity in this area.

3. Major Groups: No information

4. Finance: ADB funded the project on coastal environmental management for South China Seas for US$ 100,000.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Please refer to the Status Report and #2.

In addition, in the programme of work for 1994-1995, ESCAP suggested a project designated "Protection and recharge of groundwater resources", comprising state-of-the-art reporting on groundwater recharge methods applicable under the climatic conditions of region, and mathematical models on the contamination of groundwater caused by surface pollutants. It also included setting up of a workshop to explain the implications of the above mentioned reports, and to select possible sites for pilot projects concerning groundwater recharge in consultation with the countries in the region.

1. Decision-Making Structure: ESCAP coordinates the activities of the Interagency Task Force on Water for Asia and the Pacific which is comprised of agencies involved in the work on water resources. The Task Force meets semi-annually to exchange information and to identify activities for joint implementation and projects of common interest.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Please refer to the Status Report

3. Major Groups: No information

4. Finance: The estimated cost for the "Protection and recharge of groundwater resources" activity was US$150,000 (US$50,000 in 1994, and US$100,000 in 1995).

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Please refer to #1.

ESCAP and UNEP have continuously made efforts for the development of regional or subregional arrangement for the monitoring and management of illegal traffic of toxic and dangerous products and wastes through its further collaboration.

1. Decision-Making Structure: Please refer to the Status Report

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: ESCAP has launched a study to compile information on the state of application of technologies for the control and prevention of pollution, especially industrial pollution.

The ESCAP/FAO/UNIDO Fertilizer Advisory, Development and Information Network for Asia and the Pacific has been advocating balanced and environmentally sound fertilization, and integrated pest management in its programme of training, advisory service and publications.

The major capacity building issue was the legislative and institutional arrangement which is presently too weak to deal with this issue.

3. Major Groups: Representatives of major groups were invited to the expert-level workshop in Tokyo in March 1994.

4. Finance: Establishing laboratories for testing of toxic chemical and products in some of the countries and upgrading of laboratories in a number of them, would be required are this involves provisions of financial support.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Regional cooperation would be an effective means for capacity building. The project-provided opportunities for exchange of information among the various countries who were represented by participants from the Customs Department, Environment Department, Shipping Department, etc.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

ESCAP has reviewed the state of hazardous waste management and held a Workshop on Hazardous Waste Management in Bangkok, August 1993. As an outcome of the Workshop, the related guidelines were published as "Guidelines on Monitoring Methodologies for Water, Air, and Toxic Chemicals/Hazardous Wastes" (ST/ESCAP/1354), December 1994, which consists of guidelines for: (a) air quality monitoring; (b) monitoring of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes; (d) the country case studies for environmental monitoring in selected ESCAP countries.

Moreover, ESCAP has also published a reference text of hazardous waste minimisation, entitled, "Manual for Hazardous Waste Management" (1994, ST/ESCAP/1419) in order to enhance waste minimisation/waste prevention in view of (a) the experiences in the developed countries; (b) the need of waste minimisation; (c) treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes; (d) programme implementation, monitoring, and enforcement; (e) review on hazardous wastes in the ESCAP countries; (f) the prevention of illegal international traffic in hazardous wastes; and (g) human resources, training, and public education in hazardous wastes.

As part of the follow-up actions, a Training Workshop on Industrial Audit for Waste Minimisation was held in Bangkok in December 1996 as the follow up action and further elaboration for minimisation of hazardous wastes in the ESCAP region.

1. Decision-Making Structure: No information

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Major capacity building issues are elaboration of policies, strengthening of institutions and human resources development.

3. Major Groups: No information

4. Finance: A project was implemented with financing by the Netherlands for US$ 500,000. The project on Industrial Audit for Waste Minimization financed by the Government of Japan was US$ 140,978.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Regional cooperation could be an effective means for capacity-building.

ESCAP has held a Regional meeting on Financing of Environmentally Sound Development where funding mechanisms and efforts to obtain additional funds was addressed. In addition to the meeting, ESCAP and the Asian Development Bank have conducted a study on how to finance Environmentally Sound Development (please refer to Chapter 38).

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS:

The Framework of Action for Sustainable Development of policy-making capacities includes the application of natural resource accounting, market-based instruments, the cost and benefits of the utilization of resources, and the advancement of appropriate models for sustainable development. These were discussed in ESCAP forums and expert level meetings.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No information

The programme of work for the biennium 1994-1995 addresses technology transfer.

The issues were raised at the Second and Third Sessions of the ESCAP Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and at the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development held in November 1995.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: No information

No information

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:

No information

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development: The work in environmental education that is taking place in the ESCAP is directed at different groups, for example, schoolchildren, teachers, university students and lecturers, organizers of non-formal environmental education activities, various government officials, government planners, engineers, industrial managers and the general public. region. Numerous reference and resource materials, curriculum structures, learning sequences and corresponding training outlines are available.

b) Increasing public awareness: The Regional Action Programme for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development, 1996-2000 (RAP), (adopted at the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok, November 1995): under the programme area concerned with Environmental education, public awareness and training stresses the integration of environment and development concerns in order to achieve sustainability. The RAP identifies that a critical issue in this regard is how to communicate information and knowledge and the adoption of appropriate actions to achieve the desired goals. It calls for refined, re-oriented, integrated, action-oriented, context-specific, culturally acceptable education, training and information programmes and materials, including environmental education plans and improved curriculum for school and out-of-school programmes at primary, secondary and tertiary, levels.

At the NGO/Media Symposium on Environment and Development, held in association with the Ministerial Conference in November 1995, the need for access to information was stressed together with regional networking.

A project is ongoing on promotion of environmental awareness in rural communities with collection of community-level reports on the environment from 15 selected countries in the region; involving local NGOs and media for development of information material and training material for community leaders. A regional meeting is to be held 4-6 June 1997.

Publications issued - include, Report on State of the Environment in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); Citizens reports on state of the environment in Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia (prepared by AFEJ); Reporting on the Environment: A Handbook for Journalists (AFEJ); quarterly newsletter - ESCAP/UNEP Asia-Pacific Environment; bi-monthly ESCAP News Briefing : selection from regional newspapers.

c) Promoting training

The implementation of sustainable development in the region is constrained by the paucity of trained personnel, low level of literacy, especially among women, and the low level of public awareness and citizens participation with regards to sustainable development and the environment.

ESCAP - The Regional Information Service and Education Network (under the Regional Remote Sensing Programme (RRSP)) - information exchange on education and training in remote sensing and sharing of the facilities in the region for this purpose. Human Resources Development has an ongoing project on training for trainers for youth participation in development with environmental education elements. Training workshops for environmental journalists are regularly organized by the Asia-Pacific Forum of Environmental Journalists . UNEP/ROAP operates the Network for Environmental Training at Tertiary Level in Asia and the Pacific (NETTLAP).

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:

Non-governmental organizations : awareness raising through formal and non-formal educational methods, including inter-personal communication, campaigns, mass media and use of traditional forms and music, organization of nature camps of the RAP.

Media personnel : instrumental in conveying information on the environment to the public at large. In 1988, ESCAP established the Asia-Pacific Forum of Environmental Journalists (AFEJ); it has chapters in 15 countries of the region, each with their own work programme. Through AFEJ, contacts are maintained with the International Forum of Environmental Journalists, Inter-Press Service and other regional media organizations.

Private Sector : environmental impact assessments and publicity of industrial standards; pollution prevention methods; enforcement, awareness, information and education to ensure compliance with environmental regulations (recommendation by the Private Sector Forum held in association with the Ministerial Conference held in Bangkok in 1995).

Women : grassroots communities and informal education; environmental protection campaigns (e.g.Chipko); programmes to promote environmental education in schools (Women in Environment, Nepal); ESCAP water and sanitation project.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES: No information

Moreover, ESCAP is also planning to organize case studies for selected small economies on exploring the potential use of a modelling framework for sustainable economic development and methodology for integrating environmental considerations into economic planning. These projects are expected to provide some options and solutions for conflicts in priorities between promoting economic growth and exports and protecting the fragile environment and making development sustainable. Although policies have to date being biased in favor of economic growth in the hope that growth itself will provide a solution, policy makers are more and more frequently being called upon to devise new ways and means of promoting growth as well as sustainable development so that the depletion of natural resources can be arrested and living conditions improved. The provision for these tasks are set at US$16,000 to cover two countries.