As the director of UNIDO’s Environmental Management Branch (EMB), Dr. Heinz Leuenberger will be coming to Brussels, on the occasion of the European Commission’s organized event: Green Week taking place from Tuesday 24th to Friday 27th of May. This year’s edition entitled “Resource Efficiency – Using less, living better” will address the problem of resource depletion and scarcity, and the challenges and opportunities presented by constraints on resources. The conference will also showcase public and private strategies that are promoting a shift towards lower carbon use and a more efficient use of resources.
The EMB is responsible for activities related to resource efficient cleaner production, waste, chemicals and water management and reduction of mercury use in artisanal gold mining. The Branch has activities in the area of sustainable management of large marine eco-systems, the implementation of measures related to the Stockholm Convention and is assisting municipalities and cities in methodologies and tools to improve environmental performance of its industries.
Dr. H. Leuenberger coordinated the redesign and strengthening of the “Global joint UNIDO-UNEP Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production” program and he is also currently involved in the design, formulation and implementation of the “Green industry Initiative” of UNIDO.
Dr. H. Leuenberger will be intervening at several sessions of Green Week, notably:
• Tuesday 24th of May from 16:30 to 18:00: “Resource efficiency: the agenda for economic transformation” in partnership with UNEP.
European Commission, GASP Room, Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170
This session will analyse the current and future resource use patterns, and consider options to improve resource efficiency.
• Wednesday 25th of May from 14:30 to 16:00: “Speeding up the revolution in how business thinks of resource efficiency” in partnership with Friends of Europe.
European Commission, GASP Room, Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170
This session will discuss new instruments and best practices to help business integrate natural resource efficiency into their long-term strategies. EU-level incentive possibilities will also be explored.
• Thursday 26th of May from 16:30 to 18:00: “The United Nations conference on sustainable development in 2012: can it deliver on resource efficiency?”
European Commission, GASP Room, Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170
This session will discuss how UNCSD can help to move the resource efficiency agenda forward at global level, covering policy-instruments as well as specific issues (e.g. water, food, energy) and policies (e.g. development cooperation, trade).
