ELSEVIER Journal of Cleaner Production 6 (1998) 143-145

CONFERENCE REPORT

Report on a UNEP expert meeting in Paris related to environmentally sound

Laura Williamson United Nations Environment Programme, industry and Environment Centre, Quai Andre

Cedex 15, France

on information systems technologies

Citroen, Tour Mirabeau, 39-43, 75739 Paris

1. Background for the meeting

Lack of access to scientific and technological infor- mation on environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) was identified by Agenda 21 as an important barrier to technology transfers. Conversely, improved access to information on ESTs facilitates the transfer of techno- logies, and strengthens the recipient country’s techno- logical capabilities. Chapter 34 of Agenda 21 states that ‘the availability, access and transfer of scientific and technological information concerning environmentally sound technology is an essential requirement for sus- tainable development’.

Transfer of ESTs has been an ongoing theme in the work of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and related intersessional meetings. The 1994 Workshop on the Promotion of Access to and Dissemination of Information on Environmentally Sound Technologies in Seoul, Korea, recommended that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under- take a survey to identify sources of information on ESTs. This was further endorsed at the 1995 United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Round Table on Technology Transfer, Cooperation and Capacity Building for Sustainable Development in Vienna. In response, the interim report, Survey of Infor- mation Systems Related to Environmentally Sound Technologies, was submitted in 1995 to the third session of CSD. This initial work was welcomed by CSD and UNEP was asked to continue the study and design a ‘consultative mechanism’ to improve communication between information providers and users.

Following the CSD recommendations, UNEP organized an expert meeting on information systems related to ESTs, in Paris, October 1995. This addressed issues of information coverage of current information systems, needs of users, and the possible design of an ongoing consultative mechanism. Results from this expert meeting were presented to the fourth session of CSD, which in turn invited UNEP to continue its work

0959-6526/98/$19.00 0 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: SO959-6526(97)00065-6

on developing an EST information network. The finalized publication UNEP Survey of Information Sys- tems Related to Environmentally Sound Technologies was presented at the fifth session of CSD in April 1997. At the same time, UNEP launched its new PC software tool, maESTro. This software manages a searchable environmental sound technology directory allowing information on ESTs and associated institutions to be exchanged via a range of electronic formats.

As the next step in improving information dissemi- nation on ESTs, UNEP conducted a preliminary survey on feedback mechanisms (March 1997) to ascertain how information providers select their user group(s) and what methods are used to respond to user needs. The results from this current survey served as a basis for the second expert meeting on EST information systems, held 26- 28 May 1997 in Paris, France.

2. Results of the meeting

Participants from a variety of international and government agencies, universities, industry and UNEP Convention Secretariats and Action Programmes partici- pated in a two-and-a-half-day meeting in Paris, 26-28 May 1997, to discuss how to improve the flow of infor- mation on ESTs between providers and suppliers.

2.1. Targeting of sector-spec@c users

Presentations by sector-specific specialists demon- strated that there is still a persistent gap in the infor- mation exchange of ESTs. Sectorial end users are not aware of the wealth of existing information on ESTs. Their lack of awareness of how broad environmental issues interlink with their sector creates another barrier.

144 L. Williamson/Joumul of Cleaner Production 6 (1998) 143-145

2.2. Target audiences and delivery mechanisms for technology information systems

How information is delivered depends on the target audience. General users require information on broad characteristics or trends. Specialized users want greater detail, quantitative information and costs. The demand for more specific and detailed information appears to be increasing.

2.3. Feedback mechanisms and evaluations criteria

Few information providers have implemented effec- tive feedback mechanisms. Such mechanisms should be created in an iterative fashion to allow for continuous improvement. It is also important to evaluate systems for their ability to successfully transmit information. An important criterion is the extent to which the information initiates investments in ESTs and ‘action’ towards sus- tainable development. This, however, is difficult to assess and measure.

2.4. Information needs of UNEP Convention Secretariats and Action Programmes

There is still a noticeable gap between the information available on ESTs and the Secretariats’ knowledge and use of it. This gap exists, in part, because many infor- mation providers have not promoted their systems beyond their clearly defined small user group(s). More- over, the descriptions of technologies listed in many information systems often do not refer to their relevance in aiding the implementation of conventions. A ‘check- list’ of environmental criteria for technology profiles would help guide information providers in describing available technologies.

2.5. Communication forum for information providers

Reducing the communication gap between providers, intermediaries and users can be facilitated by using an electronic communication ‘board’ called Zistserv. The use of a Zistserv would allow information systems to work more closely with appropriate Secretariats without exceeding their mandates. A network among information systems is also an effective way for information systems to share experiences of success and failure on infor- mation delivery.

2.6. Influence of the World Wide Web on information systems

The large distribution of users and the rapidity with which information can be disseminated on the WWW

make it a prime information exchange system. However, with the explosion of information on the Web and the hyperlinking between systems, more precise search engines that can accurately locate appropriate ESTs are needed. An environmental criteria checklist for tech- nology profiles is needed to address the issue of ‘quality assurance’ and harmonize information.

3. Key recommendations

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The dissemination of technology-specific information to intermediaries and sector-specific users should be improved. Standardized technology descriptors should be developed to help users compare technologies and associated environmental implications. Improvements should be based (in the first instance) on augmenting existing structures. A network should be created to improve contacts between ‘providers’. Existing information systems should be ‘marketed’ more intensively to secondary providers such as the Convention Secretariats and Action Programmes. Both the information content and the delivery mech- anism should be better adapted to key user groups. Information flow between providers and Convention Secretariats could be improved by use of a Zistserv.

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Future actions

UNEP Industry and Environment Centre, Paris (IE) will prepare and disseminate a meeting report to all participants. Participants agreed to take follow-up action to further develop the consultative mechanism. This will include a dedicated e-mail Zistserv forum for the man- agers of environmental information systems which should improve coordination and cooperation between information systems worldwide. UNEP IE will continue to develop the EST Yellow Pages. This Yellow Pages directory provides detailed information on directories and trade fairs describing available ESTs. The feasibility of designing a checklist of environ- mental criteria for technology profiles will be dis- cussed on the Zistserv. UNEP International Environmental Technology Center, Osaka (IETC) will further develop its search-

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able EST directory to provide a suitable framework for the exchange of information on currently available technologies as well as on EST related information systems and institutions. The directory will provide for direct, online linkages to other EST information providers worldwide.

6. UNEP IE will prepare a draft report detailing the

initiatives arising from the 1997 consultative meeting, and the results of those initiatives, This report will be sent for comments to all participants in January 1998 and will be presented in final form at the sixth session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Devel- opment (CSD), April 1998.