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INSIGHT, Spring '95 Edition
Training Needs on Management of ESTs Identified A working group at IETC's Osaka office currently conducts a survey on training needs of government officials and other decision-makers in developing countries and countries with economies in transition to strengthen their capabilities in managing environmentally sound technologies (ESTs). Particularly identified will be training needs for utilising the tool of environmental technology assessment for informed decision-making on transfer of ESTs. More than 1,500 questionnaires had been forwarded to individuals and institutions with expertise in this field, and about 480 responses were received. Based on the survey results, a pilot training programme on utilisation of environmental technology assessment will be developed by IETC. Both the training needs survey and the pilot training programme are scheduled to be critically reviewed during an Expert Group Meeting on 5 and 6 June 1995 in Osaka. The final documents will be ready for dissemination by mid-July 1995. Survey of Information Systems Related to ESTs The Seoul Workshop on the Promotion of Access to and Dissemination of Information on ESTs (December 1994) had requested UNEP to undertake a survey on information systems and sources on ESTs, and present the findings to the UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) in April 1995. During the months January through March 1995, UNEP-IETC, in cooperation with other UNEP Programmes such as INFOTERRA and IE/PAC conducted a respective survey (see also IETC's INSIGHT Winter '95 edition). An Interim Report has been prepared, which will be presented to the Third Session of the CSD in April 1995. UNEP surveyed 240 UN agencies, other international and national agencies, industrial and research organisations, and other groups considered likely to possess relevant information. Approximately 100 responses were received and fifty-one actual information systems were identified as targeted to the requirements and included in the Interim Report. To review the findings of the final report (to be completed by June 1995), and to discuss modalities for improved exchange of information related to ESTs, UNEP intends to convene a meeting of information suppliers and users in late June 1995. Source Books for Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augmentation Globally, freshwater resources are abundant. However, these resources are unevenly distributed geographically and seasonally and many countries around the globe are facing serious water shortages. The water shortage is likely to continue due to population growth, pollution of existing water resources and increased water consumption. UNEP IETC, in cooperation with the UNEP Freshwater Unit, is commencing five projects to survey technologies used for freshwater augmentation. The projects will cover four regions, namely, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe and also Small Island States. In Africa the survey will be implemented by the Institute of Water & Sanitation Development, Department of Civil Engineering of Zimbabwe; in Latin America by the Organisation of American States. For Asia the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, India; and for Central and Eastern Europe the Institute for Environmental Protection in Katowice, Poland, will implement the survey. The five reports are planned to be completed in the first half of 1998. Advisory Services to Lake Erhai, China Lake Erhai is a freshwater lake located in the western part of Yunnan Province of China. 117 rivers flow into this lake but only one river flows out of the lake, Xier River, which is connected with the upper Mekong system. A number of environmental problems have been identified in the Lake Erhai region which need to be addressed. During the period 1981-1990, through China's 6th and 7th five-year plans for national development, Lake Erhai area experienced a period of rapid economic growth. Moreover, for the coming decade a significant economic expansion is expected to take place in that area. IETC and the Freshwater Unit of UNEP are initiating a technical advisory services project to assist the local government in establishing an environmentally friendly tourism development plan for the area and preparing a technology needs assessment. The project is expected to commence in May 1995. International Source Book on ESTs for Municipal Solid Waste Management The lack of sound waste management in cities of developing countries pose potential environmental and health risks to people. Uncontrolled incineration, leachates into ground water and problems arising from scavenging are examples of risks in waste management. IETC and the Human Health, Welfare and Settlement Unit of UNEP in association with INFOTERRA and UNCHS (Habitat) are commencing a project with the aim of preparing a thorough inventory of available information sources relating to ESTs for municipal solid waste management. The Source Book will also include a number of in-depth and regionally based case studies of innovative and cost-effective technologies for the environmentally sound management of municipal solid wastes. UNEP is in the process of identifying regional organisations with known expertise in this area to assist in the implementation of the survey. The aim is to complete the International Source Book by the end of 1995.
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