Bamboo can make important contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 12: 'responsible production and consumption'.

1. Bamboo for
SDG 12
Hans Friederich, INBAR
18 May 2017

2. INBAR: who we are

3. 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

4. • 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

5. “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

6. “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)

7. “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.

8. “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

9. “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

10. “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

11. 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

12. Thank you!
www.inbar.int