In promoting and supporting the development of eco-industrial parks (EIPs), UNIDO aims to mainstream and upscale the application of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) by businesses and government and contribute to sustainable consumption and production. Eco-industrial parks can serve as a catalyst to all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to various extents, but most explicitly to SDG 9 on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and fostering innovation.
The rationale for this handbook is to bring together the technical experience of UNIDO in developing and implementing EIP projects as well as to provide demonstrated guidance in this area. Its overall aim is to assist private and public sector stakeholders with the practical implementation of eco-industrial park concepts into existing industrial parks (brownfields) and new industrial parks (greenfields), including:
- Assisting practitioners with the implementation of EIPs, covering scoping EIP interventions, awareness raising, policy support, park management models, upscaling resource efficiency and industrial synergies/ symbiosis, performance monitoring and benchmarking, and contribution to sustainable cities.
- Summarising the success factors that are important to consider when implementing EIP approaches.
- Outlining the implementation steps of EIP development.
- Introducing practical tools available to support the implementation of EIPs.
- Presenting practical examples to illustrate lessons learned and benefits from international experiences.
- Raising awareness of the benefits and added value of EIPs, including alignment with international priorities such as the SDGs, climate change mitigation, and sustainable and inclusive industrial development.