Conference Summary Report

The Second Global Network Conference on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP-2011) was held on the 17th and 18th October 2011 at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the conference was ‘Green manufacturing driving low carbon, resource efficient and clean industrialization in developing and transition economies’. The objective was to enhance the promotion of green manufacturing in developing and transition economies and to introduce key findings from UNEP’s Green Economy Report and the strategic elements of UNIDO’s Green Industry Strategy. The conference was designed to draw from lessons learned and the outcomes of efforts undertaken in the last 20 years towards cleaner production and green industrialization; additionally to ensure that service providers and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) attain access to appropriate and affordable technology and financing. The conference provided an opportunity for the RECPnet to identify actions on how to work together to achieve green manufacturing.

Ninety participants from NCPCs and international RECP support-providing institutions coming from more than 40 developing, transition and developed economies attended the conference. It was opened by UNEP Deputy Executive Director Ms Amina Mohamed; UNIDO Managing Director of its Division of Programme Development and Technical Cooperation Mr Dimitri Piskounov; and the President of RECPnet Mr César Barahona. Presentations were given by NCPC members as well as the Institute for Communication and Analysis of Science and Technology, International Standards Organisation, International Finance Corporation, Africert, Agventure Group, Wuppertal Institute, UNDP, Godrey Green Business Centre, European Commission, Centre for Industrial Sustainable Development, Eco – design Centre (EDC), Pôle Eco-conception et Management du Cycle de Vie, GIZ and the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH.

The global network was recognised as key to supporting the shift in business behaviour and policy creation. It has also been noted that, statistically, countries with NCPCs have better governance for sustainable industrial development and resource efficiency. The business case for RECP becomes stronger with the increase in the use of resources which leads to the need for improving the skills and know-how of the business and the public sector.

Materials