Assessing Environmental Sound Technologies

UNEP

Assessing and Evaluating Environmentally Sound

Technologies

Dr. Hari SrinivasChief, Urban Environmental Management UnitInternational Environmental Technology Centre

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-IETC)

UNEPInternational Environmental Technology Centre

Environmentally Sound Technologies111


IETC and Agenda 21

The mandate of IETC is based on Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

The main function of IETC is to promote the application of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs)


Chapter 34 of Agenda 21 defines ESTs as technologies which:

“protect the environment, are less polluting, use all resources in a more sustainable manner, recycle more of their wastes and products, and handle residual wastes in a more acceptable manner than the technologies for which they are substitutes”


Agenda 21 also states that:

“new and efficient technologies will be essential to increase the capabilities (in particular of developing countries) to achieve sustainable development, sustain the world’s economy, protect the environment, and alleviate poverty and human suffering.

Inherent in these activities is the need to address the improvement of technology currently used and its replacement, when appropriate, with more accessible and more environmentally sound technology”.


As stated in Agenda 21,

ESTs in the context of pollution are“process and product technologies that generate low or no waste, for the prevention of pollution”. They also cover “end of the pipe technologies for treatment of pollution after it has been generated”. Furthermore, ESTs are not just individual technologies, but total systems that include “know-how, procedures, goods and services, and equipment as well as organizational and managerial procedures”.


Thus the definition of ESTs:applies to all technology and the transition of all technology to more “environmentally sound”technology. captures the full life cycle flow of the material, energy and water in the production and consumption system;covers the full spectrum from basic technologies that are adjunct to the production system, to fully integrated technologies where the environmental technology is the production technology itself;includes closed system technologies (where the goal is zero waste and/or significant reductions in resource use), as well as environmental technologies that may result in emissions and high levels of resource use; considers technology development within both the ecological and social context.


Taxonomy of Sustainable Technologies

Technologies

EnvironmentallySound

Technologies

Non- Environmentally Sound Technologies

Environmental Technologies

Non-Environmental Technologies

Sustainable Technologies

Transitionary Technologies

Un-sustainable Technologies


Environmental Sustainability

Protection of watersheds, aquifers and freshwater ecosystems and resources.Protection and enhancement of air quality.Sustainable use and conservation of land, forests, wildlife, fisheries and water resources.Protection of biological resources, ecosystems and life support systems.Sustainable or optimum use of land, forest, energy and mineral resources.Reduced local, regional and global environmental impacts of fossil fuels and increased development and use of renewable alternatives.Integration of environmental principles in public information and education programs.Sustainable use of natural resources.


ESTs and Sustainable Development

IntegratedEcosystems

Management

Prevention

Monitoring&

Assessment

Control

ESTs

Remediation&

Restoration


Definition of ESTs under Agenda 21

… is broader and includes technologies:

with the potential for significantly improved environmental performance relative to other technologies, and that use resources in a sustainable manner


Framework for the Identification and Selection of ESTs

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION(How to collect and analyze…)

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS(How to define and apply…)

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE CRITERIA(How to define and apply…)

GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING AND EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

(How to define and apply…)

IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION OF ESTs

ADOPTION AND USE OF ESTs


EST Criteria222


Generic EST Criteria

Protection of air, water, land and biodiversityEnvironmentally sound technologies and management practicesSustainable resource management


Technical Suitability

Addresses fundamental scientific and engineering principles (i.e., laws of thermodynamics and reactivity)Production or process yieldContaminant removal rates or treatment efficiencyPotential for generation of secondary pollutants/byproducts NoiseThermal losses and radiation emissions


Technical Suitability (cont’d)

Performance at different settings and different locationsSensitivity to specific operating conditionsReliabilityReplicabilityPotential for system failureProfiling of risks and uncertainties


Compliance with Regulations and Standards

Quantity of waste generated (water, air and solids)Quantity of waste controlled by environmental permitsCompliance with local and regional standardsCompliance with MEAs (i.e., POPs, Biosafety, etc.) and other internationally recognised standards (i.e., ISO, etc.)Availability of reliable dataPart of a 3rd party assessment programme (i.e.,Ecolabelling, ETV, etc.)


Eco-Efficiency and Biodiversity

Useful life (in accordance with optimal performance specifications)Efficiency of energy, water and materials use relative to the service providedLifecycle performance (i.e., overall GHG emissions throughout lifecycle)Use of renewable resources


Protection of Water Resources

Water useConservation of water % use of recycled water Wastewater treatment requirementsLevel of treatment (primary, secondary, tertiary)Overall water efficiency


Optimisation of Materials and Energy Use

Use of fuels and energy resources Quantity of renewable resourcesQuantity of non-renewable resources% of recyclable and reused materials in the production processUse of environmentally friendly materials


Minimisation of Toxic Materials and Waste

Quantity of waste (air, water and solids)Quantity of toxic and hazardous waste used and generated% of waste materials used as raw materials for other industries (i.e., based on industrial ecology and CASE principles) Quantity of byproduct recovered


Protection of Land Resources

Space required for constructionCompatibility with immediate or adjoining facilities and systemsTransportation and materials flow requirements Potential for soil contaminationPotential for geomorphology, landscape and eco-hydrological impacts


Protection of the Atmosphere

Air emissionsPotential for long range transport of atmospheric pollutantsPotential for climate change impacts


Requirements for Assessing and Evaluating ESTs

Defining the context in relation to sustainabilityStakeholder involvement and collaborationDefining the boundaries (or scope) of the assessmentMonitoring and reporting


Stakeholder Involvementand collaboration

Determining expectationsDefining policies and strategiesBuilding local capacity


Applying Various Assessment Tools

Technology AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentRisk AssessmentLife Cycle AssessmentEcosystems Valuation


ESTs and Forest Governance333


ESTs play a critical, but one part of, a

comprehensive approach to forest management and

governance.

ESTs and Forest Governance


In addition to everything we have seen

so far …

ESTs have more roles to play!




ESTs

Community-driven planning and actions

Job creation and income generation

Help reduce disaster risk

Manage forest waste and non-

timber debris


Thank you!

Please keep yourself informed through

the IETC Website:

www.unep.or.jp

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Assessing Environmental Sound Technologies