Assessing and Evaluating Environmentally Sound Technologies Dr. Hari Srinivas Chief, Urban Environmental Management Unit International Environmental Technology Centre United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-IETC)

Environmentally Sound Technologies 1

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)

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”

“ 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”.

“ 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” .

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.

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 Environmentally Sound 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.

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 Integrated Ecosystems 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

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 Criteria 2

Generic EST Criteria Protection of air, water, land and biodiversity Environmentally sound technologies and management practices Sustainable resource management

Protection of air, water, land and biodiversity

Environmentally sound technologies and management practices

Sustainable resource management

Technical Suitability Addresses fundamental scientific and engineering principles (i.e., laws of thermodynamics and reactivity) Production or process yield Contaminant removal rates or treatment efficiency Potential for generation of secondary pollutants/byproducts Noise Thermal losses and radiation emissions

Addresses fundamental scientific and engineering principles (i.e., laws of thermodynamics and reactivity)

Production or process yield

Contaminant removal rates or treatment efficiency

Potential for generation of secondary pollutants/byproducts

Noise

Thermal losses and radiation emissions

Technical Suitability (cont’d) Performance at different settings and different locations Sensitivity to specific operating conditions Reliability Replicability Potential for system failure Profiling of risks and uncertainties

Performance at different settings and different locations

Sensitivity to specific operating conditions

Reliability

Replicability

Potential for system failure

Profiling of risks and uncertainties

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

Quantity of waste generated (water, air and solids)

Quantity of waste controlled by environmental permits

Compliance with local and regional standards

Compliance with MEAs (i.e., POPs, Biosafety, etc.) and other internationally recognised standards (i.e., ISO, etc.)

Availability of reliable data

Part of a 3 rd 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 provided Lifecycle performance (i.e., overall GHG emissions throughout lifecycle) Use of renewable resources

Useful life (in accordance with optimal performance specifications)

Efficiency of energy, water and materials use relative to the service provided

Lifecycle performance (i.e., overall GHG emissions throughout lifecycle)

Use of renewable resources

Protection of Water Resources Water use Conservation of water % use of recycled water Wastewater treatment requirements Level of treatment (primary, secondary, tertiary) Overall water efficiency

Water use

Conservation of water

% use of recycled water

Wastewater treatment requirements

Level of treatment (primary, secondary, tertiary)

Overall water efficiency

Optimisation of Materials and Energy Use Use of fuels and energy resources Quantity of renewable resources Quantity of non-renewable resources % of recyclable and reused materials in the production process Use of environmentally friendly materials

Use of fuels and energy resources

Quantity of renewable resources

Quantity of non-renewable resources

% of recyclable and reused materials in the production process

Use 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

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 construction Compatibility with immediate or adjoining facilities and systems Transportation and materials flow requirements Potential for soil contamination Potential for geomorphology, landscape and eco-hydrological impacts

Space required for construction

Compatibility with immediate or adjoining facilities and systems

Transportation and materials flow requirements

Potential for soil contamination

Potential for geomorphology, landscape and eco-hydrological impacts

Protection of the Atmosphere Air emissions Potential for long range transport of atmospheric pollutants Potential for climate change impacts

Air emissions

Potential for long range transport of atmospheric pollutants

Potential for climate change impacts

Requirements for Assessing and Evaluating ESTs Defining the context in relation to sustainability Stakeholder involvement and collaboration Defining the boundaries (or scope) of the assessment Monitoring and reporting

Defining the context in relation to sustainability

Stakeholder involvement and collaboration

Defining the boundaries (or scope) of the assessment

Monitoring and reporting

Stakeholder Involvement and collaboration Determining expectations Defining policies and strategies Building local capacity

Determining expectations

Defining policies and strategies

Building local capacity

Applying Various Assessment Tools Technology Assessment Environmental Impact Assessment Risk Assessment Life Cycle Assessment Ecosystems Valuation

Technology Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Risk Assessment

Life Cycle Assessment

Ecosystems Valuation

ESTs and Forest Governance 3

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 and Forest Governance

ESTs and Forest Governance ESTs Community-driven planning and actions Job creation and income generation Help reduce disaster risk Manage forest waste and non-timber debris

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