-
PIAS to coordinate Public-Private Partnership
There is a need for building partnership between government
civil society and business to ensure all development is
environmentally sustainable. It was recommended that WEF
will establish local fora on the
model of Palampur Environment Forum in each district as
part of PIAS (Partnership In Action for Sustainability),
which will coordinate with local businesses, government
agencies & NGOs for environmental action.
-
Himachal Sustainability Project
The congress was particularly concerned with the environmental
degradation and loss of biodiversity in the Dhauladhar
range of Himachal Pradesh. It was decided that WEF will
work closely with the State Government and initiate a
consultation process between the government, business
& NGOs to reduce the environmental damage. WEF will
also endeavor to scout for funding for environment protection
and development of eco-tourism in Himachal Pradesh.
-
Environmental Concerns of the Food Processing Industries
As solution to various environmental concerns of the Food
Processing Industries, the congress recommended for development
and adoption of the following:-
(a)
Process measurement and control practices Use of eco-friendly
technique for processing food and vegetable products having
local, national and international Markets. Energy efficient
tools/products/processes.
(b)
Ensure improvements in the standard processes to help
water conservation, dry-cleaning, recycling of waste and
cutting down usage of hazardous chemicals.
-
Pricing Natural Capital
The conference felt that an overriding reason why sustainable
development has not captured the imagination of people
and business is that there is little action on pricing
the natural capital. Claims of saving environment sound
hollow, if no economic value is accorded to natural capital.
It was decided to synergise with like minded organisations
worldwide, to develop realistic costs for the use of biological
flows and natural capital.
-
Radical increase in Resource Productivity
The industry needs to change its paradigm from increasing
labour productivity to radically increasing resource productivity.
All effort needs to be directed in this area and special
incentives provided to innovators.
-
Fostering Innovation and Creativity
The Congress came to the conclusion that the only way
environment can be saved is by nurturing creativity and
fostering innovation. This means people need to be given
ownership of jobs they are doing and encouraged to make
mistakes. The companies should not only recognise success
but develop reward system that recognise "good tries".
-
Governance Structure
The Congress participants concluded that poor record of
'action on sustainability' was the outcome of misgovernance
and lack of transparency. We, therefore need to create
more transparency, accountability, integrity and equity
in our governance structures. Though legislation and enforcement
measures are required to combat corruption, wrong subsidies
cause great havoc. On the contrary these industries helping
to save environment should be encouraged through incentives.
We should also enforce the "Pollution pay Principle".
-
From
Cradle to Grave
All production processes need to be re-organised to pattern
themselves on biological model, which has no waste. We
need to change our paradigm from minimizing waste, recycling
to eliminating waste, by closed loop systems.
-
Practice TEEM (Total Eco-Effective Management)
Everyone in the organization needs to practice total Eco-
Effective Management, which calls for 9-fold action:
i) Reduce material intensity.
ii) Reduce energy
iii) Eliminate toxicity
iv) Recycle
v) Reuse
vi) Revalourise
vii) Minimise use of scarce natural resources
viii) Use renewables
ix) Provide extension of service wherever possible.
-
Shift economy from acquisition to flow mode.
We must change to life styles that promote flow of goods
and services instead of owning them. Car hire, laundromats
and leasing of services are some of the examples. The
producer is to be responsible for the entire life-cycle
of the product.
-
Fiscal Policies
We must change to fiscal and financial policies and reward
those who save environment and punish those who damage.
The government must withdraw forth with all subsidies
on processes and activities that damage environment. Taxation
policy be changed to tax environmental impact instead
of labour. Special incentives such as credits be given
to those installing renewables.
-
Poor Inclusive Market Frameworks
Poverty is the single largest barrier to sustainability.
We need to develop and implement market frameworks that
subsidize business to seek untapped markets in poor areas
and develop viable income - generating activities for
the poor.
-
Extensive use of Computers and Internet
Extensive
use of computers can have a significant effect on the
environment. Emission problem
can be solved to a significant extent by allowing more
and more people to work from home.
-
Funding
of Environmental Projects:
World
Environment Foundation (WEF) would work out detailed environmental
projects, in conjunction with the HP state government
and approach national and international aid agencies through
them for financially supporting such environmental projects
for this hill region.
-
Population and poverty:
Excess
population is leading to poverty and poverty breeds pollution.
There is a need for government, local community and media
to launch a campaign for spreading education specifically
among women and bringing population under control.
-
Environmental management system
Greater encouragement and incentives could be provided
to involve all of the major polluting industries for their
speedy adoption of EMS and certification to ISO 14001.
-
Good Governance:
Good
governance to ensure transparency in Public & Corporate
Governance is the key.
-
Create
Competitiveness to improve
The Congress applauded the role played by Golden Peacock
Awards in spreading competitive culture, awareness and
mutual exchange of environmental initiatives through their
"environmental management system" and eco-innovation
awards.
