Bamboo for SDG 12

Hans Friederich, INBAR

18 May 2017

INBAR: who we are

INBAR and the SDGs

Creating sustainable value chains using bamboo. Employs almost 10 million in China

Bamboo as - renewable, clean

burning charcoal (cookstoves)

- Biomass (electricity)

Bamboo for resilient, cheap, modern housing

Bamboo as the ‘green alternative’ to carbon-intensive, non-renewable materials

Bamboo acts as a carbon sink and helps farmers adapt to climate change impacts

Key plant for restoring degraded land, shoring up water banks, supporting animals

• What is SDG12? Minimising the natural resources and toxic materials used, and the waste and pollutants generated, throughout the entire production and consumption process.

• What is required? Waste reduction, efficient use of natural resources, sustainable consumption

• Tools: Supportive policies and markets; new materials; international effort

“By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources…”

Why bamboo?

– Bamboos are fast-growing grasses, and include some of the fastest growing plants in the world. Essentially renewable resource!

– Flexible, resilient, easy to chop ->10,000 uses.

– Since 1990s, development of engineered bamboo materials which can act as a replacement for wood-, concrete- and polymer-based products.

– 100% used; no waste

“By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse…”

Why bamboo?

– Renewable energy

– Recyclable products

– Low-carbon alternative

“Industrial bamboo products can have a negative carbon footprint over their full life cycle (from cradle till grave), i.e. the credits [gained] through carbon sequestration and energy production … outweigh the emissions caused by production and transport.”

- The Environmental Impact of Industrial Bamboo Products (INBAR, 2014)

“Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and

priorities…”

Why bamboo?

– Great potential for public infrastructure – pipes, housing, storage facilities

– School furniture. South Gujarat, India – furniture sourced from local furniture makers. Ghana – bamboo is a primary choice of school desks. Philippines – 25% bamboo furniture.

“By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development

and lifestyles in harmony with nature…”

Why bamboo?

- Used for thousands of years

- Occurs naturally throughout the tropics

- Planted around homes and villages in rural areas, as well as along river banks and roads

- Key part of culture and heritage in many countries

“Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates

jobs and promotes local culture and products…”

Why bamboo?

– Case study: Chishui national park creates jobs and preserves >11,000 hectares bamboo forest

– Bamboo supports the Giant Panda, the Mountain Gorilla, the Bale Monkey, and the Greater Bamboo Lemur – beautiful creatures and a real draw for tourists

“Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more

sustainable patterns of consumption and production…”

Why bamboo?

- Ideal tool for South-South Cooperation – much to share and common needs.

- INBAR has worked with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and other partners to train thousands of people – in product development, new technologies, marketing

In conclusion

Bamboo: a strategic resource for SDG12

– Renewable

– Low- or negative carbon lifecycle

– Recyclable

– 10,000+ uses, including infrastructure

– Historic example of living “in harmony with nature”

– Supports sustainable tourism

– Perfect resource for knowledge-sharing

Thank you!

www.inbar.int