ENB:05:14
[
Next] .
[
Previous] .
[
Contents]
ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES (ESTS):
Many participants asked how ESTs can be defined. There
was division among the participants on whether or not the Working
Group could proceed without a definition. Some believed the quest
for a workable definition to be beyond the mandate of the Working
Group. Others noted that the workshop in Oslo had defined ESTs not
in an absolute sense, but in a relative sense by defining what it
is not. This led to an emerging consensus that definitions of ESTs
will vary from sector to sector. The discussion focused on how to
gain and extend access to information on ESTs as well as the
methods used to gather and disseminate that information. There was
discussion of developing new databases, networking existing
sources, the barriers to developing country access and the
preferred nature of the information systems. A number of
participants stressed that information on ESTs should be as
interactive as possible, for example, using the Internet rather
than the distribution of CD ROMs. Chile called for the World Bank
and regional development banks to be included in information
systems on ESTs so that they would apply the same standards and
integrate ESTs into all their projects. India and China raised the
issue of the imposition of technologies owned and managed by donors
as part of bilateral aid packages. Malaysia brought the Working
Group's attention to the ongoing work of the Commonwealth Committee
on Technology Management. Canada proposed that existing information
systems be studied, allowing gaps in information to be identified
and strategies developed to fill those gaps. This inventory could
be complemented by an examination of which transfers are successful
and why. In order for such a study to be objective it should be
carried out by an independent body. Canada offered to help in
designing the study. A small informal group was convened to begin
discussing the terms of reference for such a study which could then
be presented to the CSD. Finland called for the establishment of a
databank of experts, rather than a databank of information systems.
The OECD noted that among its members there is a 5% annual growth
in environmental industries. NGOs took the floor twice during this
debate. The International Chamber of Commerce listed its ongoing
work and initiatives in the field of technology transfer. It
stressed that bottom-up approaches worked best and highlighted
voluntary peer group initiatives such as the Business Charter on
Sustainable Development. The International Synergy Institute
stressed that optimal use should be made of existing information
resources and called for all documents relating to this and other
similar meetings to be uploaded onto the electronic networks.
[
Return to start of article]