This paper discusses the nature and scope of international trade in environmentally related services, and analyses the implications that services trade restrictions have on the provisions of these services domestically and abroad. Numerous services appear crucial to the delivery and proper functioning of environmental goods and equipment be they a wastewater-treatment facility or a renewable power plant. By helping lower the costs of these services and improving access to world-class suppliers, trade policy can contribute alongside energy and environmental policy to the prevention and abatement of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in all its forms. Besides clarifying the role and scope of services related to the environment, the analysis undertaken in this paper suggests that the restrictions that countries impose on services trade may have a detrimental effect on the provision of environmental activities through the establishment by specialised firms of a commercial presence abroad, i.e. through mode 3 trade in services.
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The National Strategy and Action Plan for Mainstreaming Sustainable Consumption and Production into Agriculture/Food Production, Transport, and Waste Management Sectors in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2016-2025) aims at supporting the implementation of agreed on SCP strategic, operational objectives and actions at the national level. This document has been prepared in line with the regional SCP Action Plan for the Mediterranean, in cooperation with the SWITCH-Med Programme and financed by the European Union to support SCP common objectives in the region. Jordan’s SCP Strategy and National Action Plan (NAP) addresses key human activities, which have a particular impact on the Jordanian environment including marine and coastal areas and related transversal and crosscutting issues. It defines common objectives and identifies actions guiding the implementation of the SCP at the national level.
Developing Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) National Action Plans (NAP) contributes to poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability and the development of a green economy. SCP-NAPs are the first step in a country’s response to 2015 adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in particular Goal 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production patterns.
Between January and November 2015, in a multi-stakeholder and inclusive process, Lebanon developed a national SCP Action Plan for the Industrial Sector to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production patterns, with a special focus on the Litani Basin and Qaraoun Lake. The SCP Action Plan for the Industrial Sector in Lebanon has identified 3 operational objectives: Adopt Best Available Techniques to promote SCP in the industrial sector; Introduce SCP approaches related to the industrial sector in the policy and institutional frameworks; Educate and raise awareness of consumers on SCP in the industrial sector.
Low energy supply, complete with shortages, high costs and poor access, remains major impediments to Africa’s social and economic progress. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 commits to fast-tracking modern, efficient, reliable and cost effective renewable energy for all households, businesses, industries and institutions. To support this, in 2016, the African Development Bank approved its New Deal on Energy for Africa, which aspires to achieving universal access to energy by 2025, using the latest off-grid and technology solutions. This atlas illustrates the incredible transformation ahead.
Universal access requires large financial investments. By some estimates, Africa needs $43-55 billion per year until 2030-2040, compared to current energy investments of about $8-9.2 billion. To achieve closing that gap, an improved understanding of energy availability, distribution and limitations is one of many crucial needs. In response, the African Development Bank, Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa, worked with UN Environment and produced this Atlas of Africa Energy Resources.