Initial situation

In the 20th century, global raw material consumption rose almost twice as fast as the population and reached 84 bn. tons in 2015 according to the International Resource Panel (IRP): biomass, fossil fuels, ores, and non-metallic raw materials. It might rise to 183 bn. tons in 2050 if these trends continue. Due to close correlation of greenhouse gas emissions with energy and material flows, this scenario would also jeopardize international climate goals. A growing share of global resource consumption corresponds to that often display high economic growth rates while resource efficiency remains low. The reasons are outdated, inefficient production technologies and the shift of resource- and carbon-intense industries to low labor cost countries. This leads to growing GHG emissions, enormous pressure on natural resources, and reduced competitiveness. Core problems in emerging economies are the lack of awareness and insufficient personal and institutional capacities.

Brief description

The project addresses emerging economies, especially from G20, that display strong industrial growth and, closely linked with it, marked increases in resource consumption and corresponding GHG emissions. It aims to strengthen capacities of key actors that shall be enabled to push forward measures and strategies for increasing resource efficiency and improving climate protection (Outcome). In close coordination with the BMU, it supports the inclusion of resource efficiency and climate protection into international dialogues, particularly in the G20 context. It promotes knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences with and among G20 emerging countries and strengthens capacities of key players. On this basis, it provides demand-oriented consultancy for the identification of potentials for enhanced resource efficiency and climate protection as well as measures and strategies for tapping them while taking into account nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

Argentina:

Together with the Ministry of the Environment (SAyDS) and selected business associations (currently: Federation of the Food Industry (COPAL), Argentinian WBCSD chapter (CEADS)), awareness-raising events and expert discussions are being organised for key players from politics, business and science. Pilot training courses for the public sector (with SAyDS) and SMEs from the food industry (with COPAL) are designed and carried out with the help of international experts. Experiences already made and successful practical examples for the introduction of resource efficiency measures in companies will be prepared and their contribution to the achievement of climate protection goals and the goals of Agenda 2030 analysed (with SAyDS and CEADS). Within the framework of an international study on the contribution of resource efficiency measures in industrial value chains to climate protection, value chains of the Argentinian food industry are analysed.

Indonesia:

With the help of international experts, pilot training courses for the public sector (with the Ministry of Industry (MoI)) and SMEs from the textile industry (with the Indonesian Centre for Clean Production (ICPC)) will be developed and implemented. The Ministry of Industry (MoI) is supported in the development of a Green Industry Standard for Resource Efficiency by a pilot analysis to be carried out by an international expert. Within the framework of an international study on the contribution of resource efficiency measures in industrial value chains to climate protection, value chains of the Indonesian textile industry are analysed.

Mexico:

Partly jointly with the Ministry of the Environment (SEMARNAT), partly also with private sector associations and chambers (Initiative for Environmental Management (Iniciativa GEMI), Mexican chapter of the WBCSD (CESPEDES), Entrepreneur Coordination Council (CCE) or jointly with both, awareness-raising events and expert discussions are organised for key players from politics, business and science. Pilot training courses for SMEs are being developed and implemented together with the private sector associations and chambers mentioned above and with the support of international experts. Together with CESPEDES, pilot examples of good practice for resource efficiency measures in Mexican companies are prepared and their contribution to climate protection is analysed. Together with the environment and economics ministries of the state of Guanajuato and four trade associations, a short study will analyse resource efficiency and climate protection potentials in selected economic sectors.

Multiplier effect

The project concept is based on cooperation with relevant international networks, stakeholders and processes, e.g. in the context of G7 and G20, that also serve as fora for multiplication. It will create or strengthen formats and a web-based platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences as well as joint learning. In addition to best practices and learning experiences from emerging economies, especially from G20, instruments and examples from Germany on resource efficiency and climate protection that have at least partially been supported by the national climate initiative will be shared und thus replicated. This type of already existing know-how as well as methods and approaches developed by international organizations like UNEP and UNIDO will also be used and disseminated in the framework of capacity building, training courses and demand-oriented country support, while experiences generated in countries will be fed back in the international fora.