Rational environmental management means making the best use of resources to meet basic human needs without destroying the sustaining and regenerative capacity of natural systems. This requires a good understanding of the intersecting elements within the larger frame of development and implies the adoption and use of alternative, environmentally sound development strategies and related technologies.
Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) are technologies that have the potential for significantly improved environmental performance relative to other technologies. ESTs protect the environment, are less polluting, use resources in a sustainable manner, recycle more of their wastes and products, and handle all residual wastes in a more environmentally acceptable way than the technologies for which they are substitutes. ESTs are not just individual technologies. They can also be defined as total systems that include know-how, procedures, goods and services, and equipment, as well as organizational and managerial procedures for promoting environmental sustainability.
Technologies for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Technology plays an important role to improve efficiency of resources (materials and energy), reduce pollution and waste from diferrent sectors, and manage pollution and waste that is generated during extraction of resources and production and consumption of goods and services. The importance of Environmentally Sound Technology was first emphasized during Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and ever since it has become a major component of international environmental cooperation. Access to technology also plays a central role in the groundbreaking agreement, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda – which is an implementing mechanism for the global Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development). The agreement was reached by the 193 UN Member States. Private sector participation, including technology providers and home-grown technology developers, is fundamental to accelerate the pace of access to environmentally sound technology for all sectors.
The main areas for the current work on sustainable cities are:
- Access to information on green technologies
- Partnerships/mechanisms for technology transfer
- Capacity building on innovation, adaptation, and management of technologies
Our global interdependence and vulnerability has never been more pronounced. What happens on one part of the planet will have some kind of effect, at some time, on all other parts. Global change is a dynamic process that can only be understood from a holistic and ecological perspective. In describing the interactions of parts within the global ecosystem, the Brundtland Report refers to “a complex and interlinked ecosystem”, and the need to take into account “the system-wide effects of exploitation”. Emerging from this is the rationale for sustainable development and the importance of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Ecological processes are at the centre of these interactive natural, social, technological and economic forces.
UN Environment is promoting environmentally sound technology in line with international agreements. A strong science-policy interface is established by UN Environment. Under the sub programme on Resource Efficiency, the emphasis on environmentally sound technology is greater to reduce the wastage and increase the efficiency of materials of energy.
Partners
Multi-stakeholder partnerships are supported to accelerate and consolidate the change in consumption and production patterns. In addition to the Governments and not-for-profit organizations, the UN Environment has increased its engagement with private sector being a very important actor in promoting resource efficiency and green economy.
