Do We Need a Green Industrial Policy?

UNIDO with UN ECLAC, WB, GDI, the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade

When and Where: 17 June 2012, 13:30-15:00, Rio Center: T-3

Overview

The side-event will focus on greening industrial policy for industrial growth, that is, how to widen the scope of traditional industrial policy to incorporate environmental objectives. It aims at discussing the fundamental industrial development sustainability choices in terms of industrial growth, employment generation, social inclusiveness and conservation of the environment. It also aims at identifying industrial policies and best practices towards more environmentally friendly paths, including improving industrial resource use efficiency.

Topics will include possible synergies and trade-offs between industrial policy objectives and measures oriented to industrial growth, employment generation and environmental impact. Strategic directions for industrial development, including addressing the sustainability of emerging sectors, will be at the forefront of discussion. What are the emerging green technologies and practices and what needs to be done to facilitate their adoption by developing countries? What role can the private sector play? Which policy approaches and instruments have been more effective in pursuing sustainable industrialization and low carbon growth objectives and for which reasons?

The session will also examine some of the issues raised in UNIDO’s 2011 Industrial Development Report, “Industrial Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Wealth Creation”.

Industrial Energy Efficiency is one of the most promising routes to sustainable industrial development, in particular, in developing countries it is estimated that 30-35% efficiency potential exists in today’s industrial processes. The generalized adoption of best available technologies and related business and engineering practices could contribute up to two-fifths of the manufacturing industry effort required to combat climate change while releasing energy to meet social needs. Above all, it will also help to improve the competitiveness of firms. Governments worldwide have implemented a range of industrial policies and support programmes that have enhanced industrial energy
efficiency and that need to be shared with other countries.

Programme

Moderator:

  • Wilfried Luetkenhorst: Managing Director of UNIDO’s Strategic Research, Quality Assurance and Advocacy Division

Panellists:

  • Tilman Altenburg: Head of Department Competitiveness and Social Development, German Development Institute, Bonn, Germany
  • Alessandro Teixeira: Deputy Minister, Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Brasília, Brazil
  • Alicia Bárcena: Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Santiago de Chile, Chile
  • Andrew Steer: Special Envoy for Climate Change, World Bank, Washington, D.C., USA
  • Kandeh K Yumkella: Director-General of United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Vienna, Austria

Agenda

  • Opening remarks
  • Panel discussion
  • Questions and answers