Sustainable Consumption and Production: Policy Support Component (EU Project)

The European Union (EU) SWITCH-Asia Programme promotes sustainable consumption and production in Asia, i.e. to develop less polluting and more resource-efficient products, processes and services, and to promote sustainable consumption patterns and behaviour.

The Programme initially consisted of individual projects (launched via a Call for Proposal mechanism) – at present 30 are projects ongoing – and an overarching Networking Facility. In 2010 the Policy Support Component was added, which aims to promote SCP at policy level and, together with the network of projects, to put in place structures for a systematic change towards environment – and climate-friendly consumption and production.

Bearing in mind that well-designed SCP policies create a positive impact on overall development outcomes, the Policy Support Component will allow the governments of participating countries to strengthen their efforts towards poverty alleviation by strengthening the potential to develop national Green Economies and generating green jobs based on green investments at local and national level

The project is a Service Contract commissioned and fully financed by the EU. Responsible for the project implementation are: German International Cooperation (GIZ), Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) and the Center for Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP).

Objectives and Approaches

The overall objective of the Project is to support the Thai government in selecting, adapting and implementing suitable economic and regulatory policy instruments to promote SCP, hereby enhancing the long-term sustainability of Thai consumption and production patterns. The purpose is to strengthen the institutional policy framework ensuring a joint and effective SCP effort in Thailand.

The Project is divided into four components with the following objectives:

• Component 1: To strengthen the institutional framework for SCP in Thailand.
• Component 2: To update the Green Procurement Policy and develop a Green Procurement (GP) action plan as well as build capacity for implementing the Green Procurement Policy and action plan.
• Component 3: To conduct a number of pilot projects in order to demonstrate sustainable production principles and approaches in selected sector(s).
• Component 4: To introduce the issues and concepts of sustainable consumption and production, lifestyle and sustainable entrepreneurship into the Thai society and educational system through delivery of awareness raising concepts and training.

Contact

Mr. Niels Bush
E-mail: niels.bush@giz.de.