Supporting cross-sectoral partnerships on environmentally sound technology

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

The strategic agenda focuses on: (i) leveraging innovations in global knowledge networking, (ii) facilitating access to sustainable products and processes, (iii) defining new ways of reducing barriers to knoweldge access, (iv) engaging both private and public sectors in uses of knowledge networking for sustainability, and (v) improving connections between the demand and the supply sides in emerging markets.

1. International responses to climate change and strategies towards sustainable development are advancing along two tracks that may ultimately converge but that, at this point, remain far apart. The first is shaped by national governments and intergovernmental organizations that formulate response strategies formal commitments. The second track is shaped by the private sector whose innovations in product design and development, and the introduction of new technologies serve collectively as "enabling instruments" undertaken through commercial mechanisms. While these two 'tracks' are expected to intersect, the reality is that the 'private' and 'public' entities proceed independently. There is limited mutual awareness and even less sustained communication.

   The problem is that both the private and the public tracks appear to have ignored potentials for convergence and the opportunity costs of collaboration - or at least of communication. Neither has explored sufficiently potential value afforded by collaboration with the other. In addition, there are "disconnects" in markets for environmentally viable and sustainable products and processes. Such disconnects are between: (a) supply and demand sides, (b) private interests and public priorities; (c) global markets and local needs; (d) financial instruments and institutional mechanisms; (e) existing technologies and those on the market; (f) incentives for requirements and investments in R&D; (g) knowledge resources and mechanisms for diffusion. And the list goes on.

1. Supporting research and development of environmentally sound technology
2. Supporting
3. Increasing cooperation on environmentally sound technology
4. Improving conditions for environmentally sound technology
5. Forming technology development partnerships
6. Forming public - private partnerships