The document summarizes information about green economies and e-waste management in the Arab region. It discusses how current consumption rates are unsustainable and will require two planets by 2050. It then provides UNEP's definition of a green economy as an economic system that improves human well-being over the long term without significant environmental risks. The document also notes challenges with e-waste volumes and hazardous materials, and outlines opportunities for job creation through e-waste recycling and reduction of environmental impacts. It concludes that the Arab region needs long-term environmental strategies, strong environmental agencies, clear policies and legislation, and more research and education around environmental issues.

1. GREEN ECONOMY
IN THE ARAB REGION
Fareed Bushehri,
Regional DTIE Officer,
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA)
Greener & Smarter ICT
16-17 MAY 2012
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

2. Current Consumption Rates Patterns
Two planets are needed by 2050
1900 2002 2050 2100

3. UNEP’s Working Definition of a
Green Economy
A system of economic activities related to the
production, distribution and consumption of goods
and services that result in improved human well-
being over the long term, while not exposing future
generations to significant environmental risks and
ecological scarcities
UNEP – GREEN ECONOMY INITIATIVE

4. 4
SOME DEFINITIONS OF GREEN ECONOMY
CONCEPTS
 A low carbon economy: part of a GE measured by the
carbon level of economic activities
 Green growth: GDP growth subject to green
conditions as well as focusing on green sectors as
new growth engines - growth in a GE is green growth
 Green jobs: jobs in green sectors, also known as
green collar jobs

5. 5
WHY A GREEN ECONOMY

6. ON A BUSINESS AS USUAL PATH
By 2030
 Global energy demand up by 45% ENERGY EMISSIONS
Other
 Oil price up to US$180 per barrel (IEA) energy
related
Transport 5%
 GHG emissions up 45% Buildings
14% Power
24%
 Global average temperature up 6°C 8%
Land use Industry
14%
Sustained losses equivalent to 5-10% of
18%

global GDP
Waste
 Poor countries will suffer costs in Agriculture
3%
NON-ENERGY
14%
excess of 10% of their GDP (Stern) Source: Prepared by Stern Review, from data frown from
EMISSIONS
World Resources Institute Climate Analysis Indicators Tool
(CAIT) on-line database version 3,0

7. Shifting to a Green Economy
Why Now?
• Global economic, food, fuel and climate crises provide an
opportunity to reconsider traditional development and business
models
• Significant international momentum for transition to a green
economy
– United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012
(Rio+20) will include theme on “green economy in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication”
– G20 reaffirmed their commitment to “move toward greener, more
sustainable growth” (Sept 2009)
– CSD 18th and 19th sessions will examine priorities and needs for
shifting to sustainable consumption and production
UNEP – GREEN ECONOMY INITIATIVE

8. What does a Green Economy Offer for
Developing Countries?
 Green economy policies can help developing countries attain
economic and social gains on several fronts, e.g. deployment of
cleaner energy technologies and improved access to energy
services; improved resource efficiency through investments in
cleaner production approaches; increased food security through
the use of more sustainable agricultural methods; and access to
emerging new markets for their green goods and services.
 Improvements in resource efficiency and diversifying the energy
matrix can reduce import bills and protect a country from price
volatility in energy markets, while reducing the environmental
footprint and associated health costs of economic activity.
 There are a number of ongoing developing country initiatives
that are demonstrating a positive benefit stream from specific
green investments and policies, and if scaled up and integrated
into a comprehensive strategy, could offer an alternative
sustainable development pathway, one that is pro-growth, pro-
jobs and pro-poor.

9. Action Indicators of a Green Economy
• Number of policies and officially approved plans to
promote green economy
• Green private investment as a % of total private
investment
• Green government expenditure as a % of total
expenditure
• Green stimulus as a % of total stimulus and GDP
• Amount of credit available and utilized for green
sectors as a % of total available and utilized credit.
• Etc.

10. UNEP Green Economy Initiative
(GEI)
10

11. GEI Objective
Advise countries in greening their economies by
working with a wide range of partners to provide
cutting edge economic analysis and research products
UNEP – GREEN ECONOMY INITIATIVE
UNEP – GREEN ECONOMY INITIATIVE

12. 12
WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT THE GEI
 It focuses on the positive links between being
“green” and economic growth/decent job
creation/poverty reduction
 It promotes green sectors as new growth engines
and enables developing countries to leapfrog into
modern economies
 It has the potential to address multiple challenges
facing the humankind

13. 13
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
 Government official: Share with UNEP thoughts on how
the GEI can help your country in both development and
environmental terms. Adopt green procurement policies
to encourage the growth of green sectors
 Business: Operate and share your experience in
practicing green investments and green businesses
 Researcher: Contribute your analytical inputs, including
data and information on economic, social, and
environmental contributions from investing in green
economies and from implementing the enabling policy
reforms

14. 14
WHAT YOU CAN DO? (CONT’D)
 Civil society: communicate the GEI to your
constituencies, get feedbacks, and help UNEP ensure
that the GEI adequately captures the particular concerns
of your constituencies
 Media: Publicise the GEI and encourage debates on the
various streams of the GEI
 Educator or student:
a) promote and take green economy related courses and training;
b) advocate green economic practices in your campuses; and
c) influence those around you to prepare them mentally for a shift
towards a green economy

15. 15
WHAT YOU CAN DO? (CONT’D)
• Shareholder: Demand environmental information
disclosure from the companies you invest in and
adjust your portfolio towards green assets that
are likely to provide a steady stream of income.
• Consumer/Producer: adopt green consumption
and production behaviours and life styles.
a) Use environmental as well as health labels for
consumer products;
b) Give preference to products and services provided in
an environmentally friendly manner; and
c) Minimise and recycle waste.

16. E-WASTE

17. Challenges
• Volumes
– Increasing sales of EEE, decreasing lifetimes
– ~40M tons e-waste generated worldwide
– EU in 2007: ~2.5M tones recycled, 8.3 - 9.1M tons
generated (EMPA)
• Material Content
– Valuable and energy-intensive precious metals
– Toxic materials

18. Material Occurrence in E-waste Health and Environmental Impact
Beryllium copper-beryllium alloys, springs,  beryllium sensitization/chronic beryllium
(OECD 2003, Taylor et relays and connections; disease
al. 2003)  human carcinogens
 released as beryllium oxide dust or fume
during high temperature metal processing
Cadmium Contacts, switches, nickel-  persistent and mobile in aquatic
cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, environments (ATSDR 2000)
printer inks and toners  damage to the kidneys and bone toxicity,
released if plastic is burned or during high
temperature metal processing
Lead Circuit boards/ cathode ray tubes  Risk for small children and fetuses
CTR (1 – 3 kg per CRT);  Damage to the nervous system, red
blood cells, kidneys and potential
increases in high blood pressure;
 Incineration can result in release to the air
Mercury Lighting devices that illuminate  Impacts the central nervous system
flat screen displays, switches and  Land filling and incineration of flat panel
relays displays results in the release to the
environment
PCBs (polychlorinated Insulating fluids for transformers  Suppression of the immune system, liver
biphenyls) and capacitors, flame-retardant damage, cancer promotion, damage to
plasticizers the nervous system
 Damage to reproductive systems

19. Some Facts
• One ton of recycled cell phones can generate
up to 230 grams of gold
• More than 70% of a mobile phone can be
recycled.
• Current mass of phones being recycled is only
about 0.001-0.003% of the total weight of
waste electronic equipment each year.

20. Desk Study on
E-Waste Management
in the Arab Region
Commissioned by:
UNEP & CEDARE
(Centre for environment & Development in Arab Region & Europe)
5/23/2012 20

21. Aim and Scope of the Study
• The aim of this mapping study was to identify all actors and
activities in the ICT E-waste field in the Arab region.
• The main actors were the governmental organizations, the
companies producing or selling ICT devices or deliver ICT
services and the non-governmental organizations addressing
different issues in the E-waste field.
• The study aimed at giving an overview of all available
information and the current situation and practices in the
target region.
• Outline the available legislation and regulations, the state of E-
waste Management, and detail profile of the key stakeholders.
5/23/2012 21

22. E-Waste Challenges
• The growing quantity
• Hazardous substances in electronic
products
• The need of E-waste Technology, Inventory
and Knowledge
• The need for E-waste policies and
regulations
• E-waste Export from Arab States
5/23/2012 22

23. E-waste Opportunities
• Refurbishment and Material Recovery
• Creating Jobs and Improving Job Quality
• Reduction of the Environmental Impact
• Recycling Friendly Design
5/23/2012 23

24. What is needed in the Arab Region?
• Long-term environmental management
strategies
• Powerful and effective environmental
agencies
• Clear political and legislative mandates
• Environmental research, education and media

25. Thank You
Fareed Bushehri,
Regional DTIE Officer,
UNEP/ROWA,
P.O. Box 10880,
Manama, Bahrain.
Tel: +973-17812777
E-Mail: fareed.bushehri@unep.org
Web: www.unep.org.bh
5/23/2012 25