Regions - Europe



:: Implementation Milestones

EU SCP Strategy and Action Plan

SCP is a priority for the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. The EU Natural Resource Strategy (December 2005) focuses on decoupling material use from economic growth.

In June 2008, the European Commission will present Action Plans on Sustainable Consumption and Production. A background document describes the options which could be considered at EU level in order to achieve economic growth, whilst respecting environmental carrying capacity, find ways to minimise environmental damage and make a sustainable use of the earth's resources.

Regional Meetings

Two regional expert meetings were held: Ostend, Belgium (Nov. 2004), Berlin, Germany (Dec.2005) One sub-regional meeting of Baltic States: Vilnius, Lithuania (Jun.2004). [Meeting reports]

Marrakech Task Forces

European countries are leading the seven Marrakech Task Forces, which are building North-South cooperation and supporting the implementation of SCP projects.

SCP National Programmes

To date, the following countries have been developing SCP programmes at national (& local) levels: Austria, Belgium (under development), Czech Republic, Denmark (under development), Finland, France, Germany, Hungary (under development), Italy (under development), Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania (under development), Sweden, United Kingdom

Regional and International Cooperation

Various organisations are currently working on SCP as focus areas, e.g., European Environment Agency, OECD, UNEP/Wuppertal Collaborating Centre on SCP, and the Sustainable Consumption Research Exchange (SCORE!) network. OECD has provided an “input report” to the Marrakech Process (October 2007). The European Commission is supporting the organisation of national roundtables on SCP in countries with emerging economies.

National Cleaner Production Centers (NCPCs)

National Cleaner Production Centers (NCPCs) have been established in Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. NCPCs are taking a multi-stakeholders approach and get involved in different levels of industry, government, academia and the financial sector. Through their cooperation with these important sectors the NCPCs foster the establishment of a national cleaner production network that promotes the concept in the respective countries and enhances investments in the transfer and development of environmentally sound technologies.

:: Key Projects and Initiatives

  • Launch and coordinate Marrakech Task Forces: Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, UK
  • SCP Projects coordinated by EC and UNEP
    • Roundtables with BRIC countries (India, China, Brazil and South Africa)
    • Eco-labelling in developing countries (involving 6 countries)
    • Marketing Assistance in Sustainable Tourism in Nepal (MAST NEPAL Project)
  • Support to development of Guidelines on National Programmes for SCP, by UK – DEFRA with UNEP
  • SCORE! Network (Sustainable Consumption Research Exchanges), a project of the European Commission
  • Belgrade Report on SCP, ‘Sustainable consumption and production in South East Europe and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia’ (2007), implemented by UNEP, EEA, Swedish Government.
  • Demo project in Croatia: Development of sustainable tourism activities in coastal areas - the Integrated Coastal Area Management approach, coordinated by Marrakech Task Force on Sustainable Tourism
  • Climate Change & Tourism Report (Responding to global challenges), implemented by Marrakech Task Force on Sustainable Tourism, UNWTO, WMO

:: Regional priorities on SCP

Needs and priorities related to SCP in Europe have been identified in the meeting reports of regional consultative meetings organized under the Marrakech Process.