UNEP - Resource Efficiency & Water

Environment for Development

Sabin Basnyat Regional Coordinator Resource Efficiency

UNEP-ROAP Bangkok

Asia Pacific – Growth in a Region of Diversity

Home to

4.4 billion people

700 million lifted out of

poverty

Home to

15 of 28 megacities

Accounted to 48% of global

urban population

(2014 )

UNEP’s presence in the region

Bangkok

Beijing

Apia

Hanoi

Osaka

New Delhi

Supporting 41 member states

Asia Pacific Vulnerabilities

Environmental degradation

Resource inefficiency

Climate Change

Air, water and soil pollution

Environmental consequences of traditional models of development are undermining development

itself.

Responding to the region’s needs

Climate Change

Environmental Governance

Environment Under Review

Chemicals and Waste

Ecosystem Management

Disasters and Conflict

Resource Efficiency

Water is the

common theme across all Sub-programmes

Water use efficiency

Year 2015

UNEP and The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) introduced the Tourism InSPIRE

Awards for Sustainability in the Asia Pacific Region

Tourism InSPIRE Awards were presented in the following categories to honor and

Inspire other to follow suit

1 Best Branded Accommodation

2 Best Independent Accommodation

3 Best Marine and Wildlife Tourism Provider

4 Best Culture and Heritage Tourism Provider

5 Best Responsible Tourism Destination

6 Best Community Based Tourism Initiative

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka

Cinnamon’s water policy - conserve and optimize the use of water obtained from

surface and ground water sources and re-using waste water after treatment to reduce

the intake of fresh water

WATER RECYCLING- All properties engage in recycling water which is used mainly for

gardening and washing purposes. THE AMOUNT OF RECYLCED WATER INCREASED BY

7% AND 32% OF TOTAL WATER WITHDRAWAL WAS RECYCLED DURING THE PERIOD

MINIMIZE WATER WASTAGE -installed control system developed in-house to prevent

wastage of water and installed a variable frequency drive water distribution system

RESULTS: ANNUAL WATER SAVING OF 816 cubic meter

REDUCTION OF WATER WITHDRAWAL -initiatives to reduce water withdrawal

through rainwater harvesting. RESULTS: ANNUAL WATER SAVING OF 2055 CUBIC

METERS

Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association, Philippines Water management is at the heart of Bojo sustainability Goal with -

Education: Comprehensive training to staff and guest on water management

Reuse: Rain water harvesting for Kitchen use

Recycle: most of the resorts water is reused for secondary purposes

Regenerate: Bojo is a river based tourism entity so they have established a River to

River closed loop water ecosystem – which keeps the water supply clean and available

through good practices

UNEP’s Work – Tourism and Water

Green Hotel Guideline for Bhutan

Harmonization of Sustainable Hotel Performance Standard for South Asia, following

the ASEAN- SHINE methodology for Energy Performance Harmonization

Global Tourism Program – Looking enhance uptake of sustainable tourism

Climate Change Technology Network – leading the way to developing and promoting

new and innovative technologies for Climate Change Mitigation – Water efficiency is

also an area

In Thailand

Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Consumption and Production Policy – water

management a key area

Sustainable Rice Platform – with the Rice Dept. rolling out

and adopting the SRP standards and indicator to THAI

GAP+.

Providing the data and indicators needed for regional implementation of the SCP related SDGs

Thank you! Contact – sabin.basnyat@unep.org

Environment for Development