| The International
Declaration on Cleaner Production
Background
This International Declaration is a voluntary
but public commitment to the strategy and practice of Cleaner
Production. The Declaration outlines a set of principles, which
when implemented will lead to increased awareness, understanding
and ultimately, greater demand for Cleaner Production. For Cleaner
Production advocates, the Declaration is a tool to encourage governments,
companies and organisations to adopt and promote the strategy.
The Declaration was developed with a role for each sector (public,
private, non-governmental, academic, etc.). As a framework for
action, it has six principles that provide a general overview
of activities for each sector to move towards the adoption of
the Cleaner Production strategy.
Launched in 1998 at Phoenix Park, South Korea,
with 67 inaugural signatories, many signing ceremonies have been
hosted since at other national and international venues since
then. UNEP encourages government, company, and NGO leaders as
well as Cleaner Production Centre directors, business association
presidents and other community leaders to publicly affirm their
commitment and exercise leadership in Cleaner Production, by signing
and implementing the Declaration. UNEP offers the Declaration
and experience on how to host a signing ceremony and integrate
it into CP promotion activities. UNEP prepared guidelines
to assist those interested in using the Declaration and it has
been translated into many languages
and an information note on how
to host a ceremony (PDF - 61 KB) provides more information.
As part of their implementation activities,
all signatories can promote the Declaration and encourage others
to sign. After signing the Declaration, those hosting signing
ceremonies can use the information as a CP network and work with
them to monitor CP implementation.
What are the goals of the declaration?
- To encourage support for the adoption of
Cleaner Production activities;
- To renew and intensify the commitment to
Cleaner Production by industrial and governmental leaders to
promote "ownership";
- To promote further international cooperation
and technology transfer to maximise sustainable production initiatives
worldwide; and
- To diversify and broaden the awareness beyond
the typical users of CP thereby increasing demand.
Who can sign?
- Governments:
Ministerial or departmental heads, regional, provincial or local
administrators. Governments can establish appropriate regulatory
frameworks and incentives to promote the adoption of CP internally
and by business. For example, the Polish government revised
their Environmental Law (1997) recommending CP as the strategy
for the development of industrial activities.
- Companies:
President, Chairperson, Executive Director/Secretary General
or a similar status. Companies can identify and implement CP
options in the production process, and encourage their stakeholders
to do the same. For example, Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan
translated the Declaration into Japanese so that CP could be
promoted more easily.
- Business associations:
President or Vice President. Business Associations can
present the Declaration to members, using it as a tool to promote
the CP strategy and increase awareness. For example, the International
Fertiliser Association (IFA) promoted the Declaration to its
members at annual meetings and through internal publications.
- Academia: President
or Dean of Faculty. Business and engineering schools or universities
can develop CP curricula and share ideas on how it can be better
integrated. For example, Lund University hosted an 'Educate
the Educators' programme.
- Non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) and national associations: Executive
Directors, Board Chairmen. NGOs can continue to play their roles
as advocates of environmental protection, with a focus on the
CP strategy. For example, the Philippines Business for the Environment
promoted the Declaration and hosted a signing ceremony attaining
over 170 signatories.
- International agencies
and organisations: Executive Directors, Secretary Generals
or Presidents. International agencies and organisations can
promote CP to their stakeholders. For example, the World Federation
of Engineering Organisations promoted the Declaration to its
members by including the text of the Declaration in their newsletter
and its web site.
Documents
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