Introduction to the UNU-UNEP Innovative Communities Initiative

							 Introduction to the UNU-UNEP
Innovative Communities Initiative




                       UNEP-IETC
                Innovative Communities
1. Why is it important to work at the
   community level?

2. But what is a ‘community’?

3. So where does innovativeness come in?

4. Introduction of the case study results


        … and together, these questions define
              an innovative community
               Innovative Communities

Why is it important to work at the community level?



   Many of today's environmental problems
       can be traced back, directly or
     indirectly, to the local level – and
    to the lifestyles, choices, values and
        behaviours of individuals and
             local communities ...
                Innovative Communities

Why is it important to work at the community level?



     The long-term success of multilateral
    and global environmental mechanisms
          can be ensured only if it is
        accompanied with strong local
          involvement and action of
             local stakeholders …
                Innovative Communities

Why is it important to work at the community level?



  In recent years, the societal trend has been
     shifting from economic development
    - with focus on large scale projects and
        centralized governance systems
       towards sustainable development
               at the local level…
               Innovative Communities

Why is it important to work at the community level?



  "Rediscovering" of community values and
   knowledge, along with implementation
   of unique local environmental solutions
          in the Asia-Pacific region,
         is an important aspect worth
           a detailed examination.…
             Innovative Communities

     But what is a ‘community’?



Communities can be defined on the basis
    of a number criteria such as:

     Geographic, Economic, Social,
       Political/Administrative,
          or other criteria …
                   Innovative Communities

          But what is a ‘community’?

A 'community' is a group of people who live or work
      together in a geographically local area
 and have formed a social attachment to this area.

   It is small in scale, but may network with other
         entities. It is inclusive of all residents,
   and its members have formed human networks
 inside and outside the community to work towards
          commonly agreed goals and visions.
            Innovative Communities

  So where does innovativeness come in?

            The main foci are …




Communities that have a combination
    of environmental management,
community building, and ownership as
 strong components of their initiatives
           Innovative Communities

So where does innovativeness come in?


       Also includes aspects such as …




 Communities that have attempted
  in implementing community-led
      initiatives focusing on the
local environment and sustainability
             Innovative Communities

   So where does innovativeness come in?

          Also includes aspects such as …




Communities that can respond flexibly to
  societal changes and emerging needs,
  sometimes by bring in new methods,
 ideas, etc. to improve their environment
               Innovative Communities

    So where does innovativeness come in?

            Also includes aspects such as …




    Communities that possess, and has
access to, sufficient (internal and external)
      knowledge resources on their
             local environment
           Innovative Communities

 So where does innovativeness come in?




And many other aspects, both internal
 and external to the community …
 Objective?

• Develop the concept and the framework of
  innovative communities to be applied by
  communities in their environmental management
  (internally), and also by local stakeholders who work
  with communities (externally)

• Disseminate and promote the use of the concept,
  identified tools, methodologies, and processes by
  cities and communities particularly in developing
  countries of the Asia-Pacific region
Achieved through…
1.   Detailed analysis of cases and identification of
     elements of innovativeness that lead to successful
     community-centered local environmental
     management

2.   Identification of tools, methodologies, and processes
     used by innovative communities

3.   Examination of the transferability of tools
     methodologies, and processes
Target?
• Ultimate target is developing countries of the Asia-Pacific
  region

• Project outcomes will be disseminated through UN and
  other international organizations (UNDP, UN-HABITAT,
  UNESCAP, other units of UNU and UNEP, etc.) networks
  of NGOs and local governments (CityNet, ICLEI, etc.), and
  other organizations working directly and indirectly with the
  communities in developing countries of Asia-Pacific region

• Information on possible tools, methodologies and processes
  is also collected from industrialized countries, if they are
  considered to be applicable for the target groups
Project Activities
• Research and case studies
• Meetings and conferences
• Book, concept papers, project website, e-
  learning course
• Seminars and training workshops - later stage

For more information, please visit:
                   http://www.geic.or.jp
Innovative Communities Case Studies
    in Nagoya and Nishinomiya

• Conducted in February 2003
• Nagoya City:
  – City-wide Focused on Solid Waste Reduction
 Nishinomiya City:
  – Community-based Environmental Learning
Waste Management in Nagoya
• Cancellation of the project to reclaim the
  Fujimae tideland
• Waste Emergency Declaration in February
  1999
• Implementation of the “Waste Reduction
  Effort 100” programme
• By 2001, achieved 23 % reduction of
  wastes
           Innovativeness?
• Rethinking of a problem and setting goals
  high
• Leap from past policies and development of
  new attitudes
• New venture with risk
• Mayor’s strong leadership with a clear
  vision
• Others …
Environmental Learning in Nishinomiya

• Need for community-based / holistic
  environmental education after the Great Hanshin
  Earthquake in 1995
• Launched “Eco-card” project in 1997 under the
  leadership of the city government
• Establishment of multi-stakeholder organization
  (LEAF) and its active role
• Increased awareness of citizens on environmental
  education and strong community ties
            Innovativeness?
• City government’s strong leadership with a
  clear “long-term” vision
• Rethinking of conventional approaches for
  environmental education by positioning
  communities as the main actor
• Creativity of the city government to
  establish the multi-stakeholder organization
  (LEAF)
• Others …
Thank you !