 |
Table of Contents |
 |
|
|
Asian Environment Outlook 2001 : V. Call to Action : Sector-specific Actions
Industry Sector
Prevent pollution transfer by transnational corporations, such as the movement of highly polluting
technologies, into DMCs. Encourage industries to become certified under ISO 14000 or other forms of certification.
Develop ecolabeling, ISO 14000, and environmental management system certification regimes and incorporate
requirements of these certification practices into DMC procurement guidelines. Widen industrial efforts
through approaches such as “greening the supply chain” under which local suppliers are also required to integrate
cleaner production principles in their operations. Other approaches may be used to demonstrate that they are
environmentally responsible.
SMEs, which produce the most pollution but have the least capacity for shifting to clean production, must be
reached, motivated, and assisted differently than large enterprises. There is a particular need for governments
to enable SMEs to engage in the policy making process and to demonstrate how environmental protection
contributes to the “bottom line.” Governments can facilitate this process by coordinating information
exchange among firms and industry sectors at the local, national, and international levels.
Strengthen public and private sector collaboration in enforcement, pollution control inspection services, and
monitoring (with community-based monitoring). Place inspection and monitoring under different service
contracts. Designate private sector providers of such services that are accountable to NGOs, concerned
citizens, and government auditing offices.
Encourage relocation and co-location of industries that can use each others wastes as inputs. Use new
investments as an opportunity to influence the spatial distribution of economic activity in ways that reduce
environmental impact. On a “micro” scale, this can involve ensuring that industrial activity takes place at
locations that provide requisite waste disposal and treatment systems, energy-efficient fuel supplies, and
other environmental infrastructure requirements and that do not endanger residential areas. More generally, this
involves spatial planning at a regional scale to direct industry away from critical environmental zones and to
take full advantage of the dilution capacities of natural ecosystems.
Integrate environmentally sound practices (such as the use of best available technologies, cleaner
production techniques, and demand-side management) into industrial development policy. A ministry of industry
or board of investment can take the lead, with a ministry of finance monitoring competitiveness of the industrial policy
and the ministry of environment monitoring pollution and environmental quality improvement.
|
Publications 
Top of page
Back