The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) commits to supporting the reform of water policies in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) countries. Sound water management is fundamental for the provision of safe water, livelihoods and sustainable energy sources. This commitment will contribute to achieving broader development goals, including water-related post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs prominently feature issues of water resources management, trans-boundary water cooperation and policy integration. The OECD will support economically, financially and environmentally sound management of water resources. This includes water management policies that support the adaptation to climate change. The COP21 climate conference stressed the importance of wise water management strategies, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
UN Environment commits to supporting the transition to a green economy in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, the Russian Federation. In order to support to transition towards the green economy with sustainable consumption and production patterns and inclusive outcomes, UN Environment will provide methodologies and tools to regional, national and sub-national policy makers and stakeholders on all areas of green economy. These measures will also contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN Environment also commits to provide countries with technical assistance and capacity building on strategic policy development. The commitments will result in science-based approaches that support the transition to sustainable development through multiple pathways including inclusive green economy and sustainable trade, and the adoption of sustainable consumption and production patterns at all levels. As a result of the commitment, public, private and finance sectors will increasingly adopt and implement sustainable management frameworks and practices.
UN Environment commits to support countries in the implementation of sustainable public procurement (SPP). Specifically, UN Environment will support countries to promote and implement sustainable public procurement through Ten Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP) on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (SCP), Programme on Sustainable Public Procurement. The 10 Year Framework Programmes (10YFP) is led by UNEP and co-led by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI). UN Environment commits to support the Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) implementation on the ground by developing and sharing SPP tools, advocating good policies and raising awareness. UN Environment will also provide technical support for countries and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, information and experience.
UN Environment commits to supporting the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in Europe. Specifically, UN Environment will support countries to transition towards an inclusive green economy through PAGE activities including economic assessment, strategic planning, and capacity building. UN Environment has been actively engaging a vast range of research institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society, business and UN partners to support its research base and skill- set in supporting the Inclusive Green Economy. PAGE is a joint initiative among five UN agencies, namely UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO and UNITAR. PAGE combines these organisations’ expertise and resources to support 20 countries in building green economy strategies. These strategies will generate new jobs and skills, promote clean technologies, and reduce environmental risks and poverty.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) commits to promoting education for sustainable development in technical and vocational education and training. Additional education and training in support of sustainable development will strengthen momentum for the transition to a green economy in UNECE member states. The UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is outlined in the Framework document. The Framework notes that one of the priority action areas is ‘Strengthening technical and vocational education and training in support of sustainable development and the transition to a green economy’. UNECE is committed to continuing to support its member States; and in particular the countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia; in their efforts to strengthening technical and vocational education and training in support of sustainable development and transition to a green economy. Integrating issues of sustainable development into national technical and vocational education and training policy will strengthen these efforts.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) commits to promote strategic environmental assessments in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. UNECE will continue supporting Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in their efforts to effectively implement their new legislation on the Strategic environmental assessments. UNECE assisted the development of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) legislation over the past four years under an EU-funded project. The UNECE will also continue assisting the Central Asian countries in the implementation of transboundary environmental impact assessments and in the development of SEA systems. These efforts build on UNECE’s ongoing and past support and development. The support is furthered by an update of the Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context for Central Asian Countries.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) commits to promoting inclusive public participation for the transition to a green economy. Under the frameworks of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the Aarhus Convention) and its Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (the Protocol on PRTRs), and within the available resources, UNECE is committed to provide advice on legal issues and practices with regard to access to information and public participation in decision-making on different plans, policies, projects and programmes related to the greening of economy. It will also facilitate consensus building among countries and a wide range of stakeholders and will continue providing advisory services to Governments and international organisations on these issues.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) commits to increasing access to water and sanitation services for low-income and vulnerable groups in the pan-European region. UNECE will undertake this work by supporting assessments of water access equity and by supporting the development of national action plans. To begin this work, the UNECE will publish a framework document “UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health.” In the framework, the UNECE will give priority attention to equity aspects in policymaking processes related to the provision of water and sanitation services. The framework will contribute to the development of baseline studies on the situation of equitable access to water and sanitation. It will inform the development of national water policies and actions for improvement. The framework will also strengthen country capacities in addressing challenges and adopting possible solutions to ensure equitable access in the pan-European region. The commitment will help reduce social and economic inequalities, create positive health impacts and educational outcomes and contribute to poverty reduction.
Sweden commits to make visible the values of ecosystem services. The Swedish government in 2014 adopted a national milestone target on the importance of biodiversity and the value of ecosystem services. The target stipulates that, by 2018, the importance of biodiversity and the value of ecosystem services are to be generally known and integrated into economic positions, political considerations and other decisions in a society where it is relevant and reasonable to do so. This target is part of the updated national strategy and action plan on biological diversity, which is embedded in the system of Environmental Quality Objectives adopted by Parliament. The target contributes to the global Strategic Plan for Biological Diversity 2011-2020 targets that were adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010. The expected long-term effect of the milestone target is the creation of mechanisms that secure the capacity of ecosystems and provides incentives for a sustainable management of biological diversity.
Switzerland commits to supporting a National Resource Efficiency Network for small- and medium-sized enterprises. The national resource efficiency network (Reffnet.ch) was established by the Swiss government, private companies, and the scientific community. Reffnet.ch provides analytical tools to assess resource efficiency – especially material efficiency - and to realise the recognised potentials. The website provides practical measures for companies to make a positive impact on environment and resource protection. Furthermore, the network initiates innovation projects to increase resource efficiency. The commitment will result in the improvement of companies’ resource-efficiency, reduction of material use, energy and costs. It will also result in social benefits through improvements in occupational health and safety.
The commitment falls under focus area 1 and 5 of the Batumi Initiative to develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns; and improve the measurement and valuation of natural capital.