The Councillor as Guardian of the Environment


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United Nations Environment Programme
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics

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<The Councillor as Guardian of the Environment>

An Essay and Workshop for Local Elected Leaders on Environmental Governance
with Emphasis on Adopting Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs)
- Training for Elected Leadership -

Part II - Workshop on the Councillor as Guardian of the Environment
- WORKSHOP -

WORKSHOP COMPONENTS

13.14 Exercise: THINKING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Time Required: 2 hours

Objective:

To familiarize participants with the information councillors need to have to act appropri- ately and responsibly relative to environmentally sound technologies or technologies that might be incompatible with sustainable development.

Process:

Distribute the attached worksheet that contains questions to be answered by participants of small groups in relation to technology options. Ask participants to complete the worksheet in their small groups relative to the environmental problem identified by their respective groups in Exercise 13.4 on problem formulation. Tell participants that the questions are meant to provoke thought about factors that must be taken into account by government decision makers when faced with the need to consider and act on new and emerging technologies. Explain further that the exercise is not intended to produce a specific technology as the solution to the small group's environmental problem. Rather, the intended learning value of the exercise for each small group is how to develop a strategy for compiling information needed to deter-mine the nature and appropriateness of technologies under consideration.

Trainers' note: This exercise is intended to focus the attention of participants on the questions councillors should be asking about the environment and technology options. The assumption we are making is that the complexity of choosing technologies is beyond the scope of most councils. Answers to the questions on the worksheet are meant to help councillors confronted with an issue involving technology to assemble enough information to act respon-sibly and consistent with sustainable development. In times like these, a thoughtful question can be a councillor's best friend.

Ask small groups to assemble to discuss the questions on the worksheet and to compile their answers. Give them one hour to complete this task. At the end of the time, ask the small groups to reconvene. Ask each group to describe how it answered each of the questions and ask about the rationale used by the group in developing its answer to the final question.

After all groups have reported, encourage a general discussion of local governmentfs role and responsibility relative to technology, the environment and sustainable development.

Exhibit
QUESTIONS FOR COUNCILLORS VIS-A-
VIS THE ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

When considering the environmental consequences of new technological develop-ments, the goal may not be just to take a particular proposed technology and improve it. It may include consideration of the technology in relation to a range of options, many of which may have previously been unexplored. Local government has a special responsibility for managing technology, whether the technology is being imported into the community or exported from it. This responsibility focuses on existing tech-nologies that are being proposed or are under consideration but may extend beyond that to emerging or potentially emerging technologies.

Questions

1. In the situation facing your small group, would you define the role of the local government in relation to the type of technology under consideration primarily as:

Advice giver. A source of information on government policies, regulations and incentives relative to the development and use of technology.

Consent giver. A source of necessary approvals (i.e., permits, licenses, etc.) for the development and use of technology.

Funder. A possible financial underwriter of development or other costs related to new or emerging technology.

Operator. The actual user of a technology developed inside local government or imported from elsewhere.

Monitor: An instrument for the review and analysis of new or existing tech-nology for compatibility with criteria of environmental soundness and sustain-able development.

2. Would you characterize the action(s) to be taken by the council in this situa-tion as:

Tactical and relatively short-range in nature and aimed at dealing only with a specific environmental problem.

Strategic and relatively long-range in nature with a focus on establishing a policy framework for local governmentfs role and responsibility relative to technology, the environment and sustainable development.

Both (please explain)

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3. As a stakeholder in finding a solution to the environmental problem selected for action by your group, would you see local government's principal concern as (check all items that apply):

The type and cost of infrastructure necessary to support a new or emerging technology.

The possible undesirable consequences of local technology development and what to do about it.

Other (please explain)

4. By what means might a council confronted with the situation identified by your group obtain the information it needs to take action to deal with it?

Assign responsibility for conducting a study to policy or technical analysts within the organization for conducting a study.

Contract with one or more technical service providers to study technology options and make recommendations..

Organize a stakeholders' committee assisted by a panel of appropriate technol-ogy experts to make recommendations.

Transfer responsibility for the decision to an appropriate public or private organization or coalition of organizations and agree to be bound by their decisions.

Other (please explain)

5. In view of your answers to these questions, what tactic, strategy or approach would be most appropriate for a council faced with the situation under study by your group? Consider political, socio-economical and cultural aspects as well as technological solutions. Write your groupfs conclusions in the space below.

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