Uzbekistan commits to develop and adopt a government decision in 2017 on the introduction of an eco-labelling system. The establishment of a national label for environmentally friendly products will allow Uzbekistan to join the Global Ecolabeling network. The commitment aims to stimulate the production of environmentally friendly products and services and increase the share of environmentally friendly goods and services in the internal market. It will also improve the competitiveness of locally produced goods on international export markets.
The commitment falls under focus areas 4, 5, and 6 of the Batumi Initiative to shift consumer behaviours towards sustainable consumption patterns ; develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns; and promote green and fair trade.
Implementing partners will include relevant ministries, enterprises, municipalities and non-governmental organisations.
Uzbekistan commits to reform the existing laws that regulate methods of the use of natural resources. The development and adoption process of the government decision is scheduled in 2018. The commitment aims to improve the system of incentives for pollution reduction, recycling and disposal of waste, and the development of industries using recycled materials.
The commitment falls under focus areas 1 and 2 of the Batumi Initiative to improve the measurement and valuation of natural capital; and promote the internalisation of negative externalities and the sustainable use of natural capital.
Implementing partners will include relevant ministries and NGOs.
The commitment is relevant to SDG 12.
Portugal commits to develop and implement the Single Environmental Permit (SEP) which establishes a set of requirements aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental procedures.The SEP highlights: articulation procedures, allowing them to run simultaneously, based on a single application; information management that benefits transparency and uniformity, in the definition of the requirements, avoiding duplication of the procedures. The SEP includes a solution for the management of procedures using a dynamic simulator and form. The simulator informs the operator of which environmental permits are applied, of the licensing entity, of the deadline for obtaining the license and of the respective fee. The dynamic forms are presented to the operator according to the frameworks applied and contain all the information which is needed by the permitting authority to issue the permit. At the end of the process, a single permit is issued, which contains all the specific decisions (under the several environmental specific regimes) and all the conditions that need to be fulfilled by the installation before its expiry.
Slovenia commits to developing and implementing the Framework Programme for Transition to a Green Economy. The Framework Programme supports numerous activities in greening the economy, sustainable management of resources, green jobs, green products and services, green budget reforms, sustainable urban development, training for a green economy, green farming practice and supporting e-activates, e-Space, e-Waters and e-Environment. With the adoption of the Framework Programme for Transition to a Green Economy in October 2015 and the activities pursued by departments in 2015 and 2016, the Slovenian Government has set a long-term development vision, orientation and strategy, and has started taking the first systematic steps to link together sectoral policies and measures.
The commitment falls under focus areas 4, 7, and 9 of the Batumi Initiative to shift consumer behaviours torwards sustainable consumption patterns; increase green and decent jobs, while developing the necessary human capital; and promote public participation and education for sustainable development.
Sweden commits to developing an action plan to implement the Strategy on New-industrialization with the purpose of reacting to global challenges and at the same time creating opportunities for business development and new jobs. The purpose of the strategy is to strengthen Swedish business on a global market, create new jobs and at the same time reduce the negative impact on the environment and the climate. This will be achieved through cooperation, integration, development of tools, new business models, more efficient use of nature resources, a circular economy where material and products are reused, material flows are toxic free and waste is used as a resource. The Action Plan will allow Swedish businesses to compete with sustainable products and services on a global market and at the same time reduce its internal costs.
The Republic of Moldova commits to implementing the concept of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) to increase resource efficiency and environmental performance of enterprises and organisations in the Republic of Moldova. The commitments will result in the maintenance and the enlargement of the number of RECP Clubs promoting the concept among business leaders. Another outcome of the commitment is the increase in the number of companies and enterprises applying RECP principles.
The commitment falls under focus area 5 of the Batumi Initiative to develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns.
Implementing partners will include the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Institute for Economic Research, private companies, OECD, UNIDO, UNEP, and UNECE.
The commitment is relevant to SDGs 6, 8, 9, 12, and 17.
The Republic of Moldova commits to promote organic agriculture as a way to ensure sustainable development of natural resources. Under the commitment, the government will assist organic farmers in meeting the standards and implementing the procedure required for international markets and organisations. The commitment will increase income and welfare in rural areas and reduce poverty resulting from high prices. It will also reduce soil vulnerability to erosion while increasing the soil’s carbon stocks, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from farming practices, enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, and increase resilience to climate change. Another outcome of the commitment is the preservation of traditional landscapes. These landscapes can be valuable assets in the development of ecotourism.
The commitment falls under focus area 5 of the Batumi Initiative to develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns.
Implementing partners will include Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Academy of Science, civil society organisations, and farmer associations.
The Republic of Moldova commits to implementing national strategies, programmes and actions plans for energy and energy efficiency. The commitment will result in reduction of greenhouse gases emissions by 25% compared to 1990, 17% of gross final energy consumption from renewable energy, and 8.2% improvement in energy efficiency.
The commitment falls under focus area 5 of the Batumi Initiative to develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns.
Implementing partners will include Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Regional Development and Constructions, Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure, Ministry of Finance, Technical University of Moldova, National Institute for Economic Research, and civil society organisations.
This commitment is relevant to SDGs 7, 9, 8, 12, 13 and 17.
The Netherlands commits to implement the Value Chain Agreement on Closing the Phosphorus Loop (VCAP). VCAP is a collaboration between Dutch farmers, water boards, fertiliser and food industry, knowledge institutes and the Dutch Ministry of Environment and Economics affairs focusing on creating a European market for recycled phosphorus. The VCAP is a voluntary agreement with a network of 20 parties and is enlarged with other frontrunners in the value chain (34 parties in 2016). The overall aim is to increase investments in businesses that are starting or scaling up activities in the field of secondary phosphorus and the circular economy. Ultimately, the VCAP will accelerate the transition towards sustainable and green growth.
The commitment falls under focus area 2 of the Batumi Initiative to promote the internalisation of negative externalities and the sustainable use of natural capital.
Implementing partners will include Dutch Nutrient Platform, European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP), and Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM).
This commitment is relevant to SDG 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 17.