Asia-Europe Environment Forum Policy Briefs on Sustainable Consumption and Production
The 2020 Asia-Europe Environment Forum Annual Conference titled “Connecting the dots: Creating an enabling environment for SDG12 in ASEM” took place 9-11 November 2020 virtually and brought new perspectives on the topics of antimicrobial resistance (AMR); inclusive food value chains; sustainable garments; and single-use plastics, all with special consideration to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The conference closely aligned itself with the theme of the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13), “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth” which aims to reinforce Asia-Europe partnership to ensure that multilateralism can bring about global growth that is not only “sustainable” but can also be “shared”.
The discussion points and outcomes from the 4 thematic streams were finalised into policy briefs. The following presents the key takeaways from the policy briefs:
- AMR Thematic Stream: Without our joint cross-sectoral effort, the health sector alone cannot combat the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) same as COVID-19 pandemic. For example, there is a need to consider antibiotic quantity reduction used in livestock production, which is part of the food systems for our daily life.
Full policy brief: [Link]
- Inclusive Food Value Chain Thematic Stream: There is a need to shift from the dominant food systems model that relies heavily on chemical input, monoculture, and large industrial systems. Policies that help secure tenure for small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples; and multi stakeholders and multi-rights holder platform are crucial for the shift to a more sustainable and equitable food value chain.
Full policy brief: [Link]
- Garment Thematic Stream: There is a need for Policy regulation of this crucial sector that consumes a lot of natural resources (mostly water) for transitioning towards a cleaner and fairer garments value chains while preserving the economic benefits of the sector.
Full policy brief: [Link]
- Plastic Thematic Stream: There is considerable potential for synergies if single-use plastic waste reduction efforts are coordinated across the supply chains such as green procurements and product design & innovation, among others. The impact of the 3Rs (reduce-reuse-recycle) should be strengthened by focusing on the transition towards the reduction of Single-use plastic production.
Full policy brief: [Link]
About the Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum)
Established in 2003, the Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) is a partnership of Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), Government of Sweden through the Strategic Collaborative Fund Phase 2 administered by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
Acting as both facilitator and bottom-up promoter of wide-ranging initiatives, ENVforum provides an inter-regional platform for knowledge-sharing and capacity building for policymakers, businesses and civil society from Asia and Europe on sustainable development and climate change.
Closely aligning with ASEM’s Economic Pillar, ENVforum aims to contribute to the formulation of sound decisions across all sectors that are mindful of their environmental, social, and economic impacts and ultimately of generations to come.
