ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 sets up the framework of the multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach explaining the new paradigm of Government (G), Financing Institutions (FI), Business (B) and Communities (C) working together. Eight guiding principles of this G-FI-B-C framework are explained highlighting the interconnections and the hierarchy. The Chapter focuses on the response to the sustainability challenge by the national governments.
At the outset, the legal systems and institutional structures set up by national governments are illustrated that address various aspects of resource and residues management. Several illustrations are provided covering diverse countries like India, New Zealand, Sweden, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago. Examples of sub-regional, State level or local bodies are also provided that include Sao Paulo, the State Water Board in California, Counties in the United Kingdom, and Urban Local Bodies in India. Special cases of multi-level institutional mechanisms are also described such as the Manila Bay Oil Spill Contingency Plan in the Philippines.
Many national governments have mainstreamed environmental considerations at the apex level by placing the key principles and concerns in their constitutions. The Chapter presents several illustrations in this perspective from countries such as China, Germany, India and South Africa. At the operational level, most national governments have set out environmental policies that have led to the formulation of relevant planning/zoning guidelines, legislation and standards. The Chapter provides illustrations of select national environmental policies from countries like India, Nigeria, Malaysia, and the Republics of Rwanda and Uganda. Environmental planning and zoning has been a popular and successful strategy. In this regard, guidelines are provided as set out by international agencies such as the International Union on Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Birdlife International to protect the biodiversity. Illustrations are also provided for efforts made by national governments such as those of Australia, India, The Philippines, and the United Kingdom that address issues such as air pollution, coastal erosion, and degradation of wetlands through zoning.
The Chapter describes the emergence of the eco-city concept at the planning level. Case studies such as Tianjin Eco-city in China, the Warna wired village project in India, and the Solar city of Barcelona are presented for discussion. Associated concepts such as Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) and Eco-Towns are also explained with examples. These examples include EIP in Hong Kong and Kitakyushu Eco-Town in Japan. Provision of Common Environmental Infrastructure (CEI) has also been an important environmental planning strategy. The Chapter briefly introduces the concept of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) with resource recovery as an example of CEI for industrial clusters.
Implementation of policies and plans is often done through legislation and standards and by setting up appropriate institutions for enforcement. These legislations and standards evolve over time based on implementation experience. The Chapter illustrates such an evolution through examples of waste related legislation in Japan and sustainable waste management in Bangladesh. Progression of ambient and air emission standards such as the European Emission standards for vehicles, and air quality standards in New Zealand and China are also described. A brief discussion about indoor air quality is also included. Other strategies such as phasing out of harmful substances and technologies, practicing green public procurement and promoting market based instruments are discussed with numerous examples. Information based instruments play a critical role. Illustrations are provided of programs such as PROPER in Indonesia, EU Energy Label, and the Asian Development Bank's Clean Air Scorecard.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been an effective tool for proactive environmental management keeping in view the sustainable development. A detailed description of the EIA process is, therefore, included explaining its evolution with expansion such as Cumulative, Regional and Strategic EIAs. Finally, the Chapter ends with the emergence of environmental courts and judicial activism with an example of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India.
