Green industry confab opens today

The International Conference on Green Industry opens today up to September 11, 2009 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the government hosting of the conference by virtue of Administrative Order No. 256, and designated the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the lead agency, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP).

Anchored on the theme, “Managing the Transition to Resource-efficient and Low-carbon Industries,” the conference serves as a platform for industry leaders, economics experts, ecologists, and governments to exchange information and experiences on how Asian countries can achieve a smooth transition to resource-efficient and low-carbon economy.

Reports indicate that the rapid growth in Asia has lifted millions of people out of poverty. But, at the same time, it has led to steep increased in the region’s consumption of energy, water and other raw materials. This in turn, contributed to the continued depletion of natural resources in various parts of Asia, environmental degradation and increased emission of greenhouse gases, thereby, putting at risk the region’s social and economic gains.

In light of the global concerns for climate change and natural resources depletion, the demand for countries to shift to more resource-efficient and low-carbon production processes become eve more urgent. Thus, UNEP launched its “green economy” initiative while the UNESCAP called for a “green growth” strategy. To complement these approaches, UNIDO launched its “GReen Industry” intiative to promote patterns of industrial development that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

Discussions during the three-day event will center on policies and low-carbon industries, regulatory and institutional framework, as well as support services required by industry to shift to more sustainable patterns of production, and new opportunities created by the shift and how countries in the region can best benefit from such opportunities.

Among the conference highlights is the adoption of the Manila Declaration on Green Industry and Plan of Action that will feature a mechanism for the regular review of progress towards a resource-efficient and low-carbon industries in the region. The signed Manila Declaration will be presented to President Arroyo by DENR Secretary Lito Atienza when the President graces the occasion on September 11, 2009 to deliver the keynote address.

Other activities include high level interactive sessions, technical sessions, as well as four side-events dealing on Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, Environment and Poverty Times, Greening the Tourism Industry, the Next Generation, Biofuels and the Greening of the Industry under the Montreal Protocol. –Philippine Star