Centre for Environment and Development: Application of a Framework for Integrated Systems Thinking Approach for Implementation of Water-related SDGs and Targets in Sri Lanka

Saturday, 14 January 2017

Application of a Framework for Integrated Systems Thinking Approach for Implementation of Water-related SDGs and Targets in Sri Lanka

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the important role of water in sustainable development: Sustainable Development Goal 6 and its 8 targets focus on ensuring “availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. At the same time, implementation of this new global development agenda, and water and sanitation related goal and targets in particular will require action that embraces interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral approaches to development, an integrated analysis and effective implementation strategies.

To address this need, ESCAP has developed a tool for analysis of the interdependencies and interlinkages between SDG 6 and other SDGs, applying the systems thinking approach and framework. The study identifies a set of high impact leverage points to support water-related SDG goal and targets to achieve sustainable development. Given the macro level perspective of the assessment conducted, ESCAP also initiated implementation of pilot applications of the systems thinking framework for water related SDG in selected Asia-Pacific countries based on national circumstances.

In this regards, ESCAP in partnership with Centre for Environment and Development (CED) will collaborate with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife of Sri Lanka (MoSDW), Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply (MoCPWS) and other organizations to implement the pilot application of the analytical framework of systems thinking and its supporting quantitative model to national circumstances of Sri Lanka. The pilot application in Sri Lanka will be a groundbreaking pilot, which will set the agenda for further pilot applications in the Asia-Pacific region, and in particular in Central Asia and the Pacific. It is expected that the results from the Sri Lanka pilot application of the framework and modelling will be shared a regional consultation to be held second half of 2016 and will guide the lessons learned will serve as guidance to the other pilot projects.

The National Workshop in Sri Lanka has the objective to review the application of the analytical framework for integration of SDG 6 targets and indicators, as well as the related modelling and analysis, and of the ESCAP team is to support the national partners in developing a good understanding of opportunities systems thinking mapping and analysis provide for addressing the priorities in water and sanitation sectors in Sri Lanka. The national team will get familiarized with the analytical framework tools for integration of SDG 6 and its targets with the other SDGs using systems thinking approach, and will further work on quantitative modeling to define the most effective interventions in the critical leverage points with most impact. The systems thinking tools will be complimented and synergized with the IWRM principles and tools.

CED Programmes & Activities

Some recent activities of CED have been to improve national and international policy and establish institutional mechanisms and social/political processes that can help create a better and sustainable world.

NCSD: In late 90’s CED successfully lobbied for the creation a National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD). During the year 2002 CED hosted a series of preliminary stakeholder meetings with participation of the Ministry of Environment & Natural Resource Management. This provided the background for the cabinet approval of the setting-up of the NCSD and for the formulation of the NSDS.
WSSD & National Report: CED was invited by the Ministry of Environment & Natural Resource Management to write the chapter on Civil Society Participation for the National Report to WSSD. CED also hosted the National Report consultation meeting for Civil Society on the invitation of the Ministry of Environment in Sri Lanka.
SC.Asia: CED teamed up with UNEP & Consumers International as the Asian partner for a project SC.Asia: Capacity Building for Implementation of UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection (Sustainable Consumption) in Asia. CED conducted reviews in 12 Asian countries and held meetings with over 100 government and NGO authorities working on Sustainable Consumption & Production. The Asian Review on Sustainable Consumption produced by CED has been recognized by world authorities as one of the best in the subject matter, specially with its uniquely Asian approach that challenges the conventional Northern thinking framework. CED also was a co-author of the UNEP published “Advancing Sustainable Consumption in Asia: A Guidance Manual” the first of its kind in the world.
Asian Expert Resource Center for SCP: CED has launched an Asian Expert Resource Centre for Sustainable Consumption & Production. The centre will establish a network of organizations workig on SCP issues in Asia and will jointly implement project with organizations in Europe and other parts of the world.
From Poverty to Sustainability: CED has initiated a project to eliminate poverty using sustainable consumption and production tools. The first project is a Community based Sustainable Coir Project conducted in partnership has already expanded into different areas such as micro credit fund, entrepreneurship programme and ICT skill development and will seek national & international partners for its implementation.
Better World Childrens’ Club: A club constituting chidren in the view of creating a better understanding and caring society. The club wuill be launched during the December 2005 school holidays. The project will aim at establishing chapters around the country and different parts of the world. A club twining progamme will then be facilitated. Programmes will include eco-camps, learning courses on sustianble living, no more waste campaigns, and many more. Already another chapter has been formed in Malaysia in partnership with ERA & FOMCA.
Consumer Protection Unit: CED has set-up a consumer protection unit and will execute the consumer redress centre, consumer legal assistance programme, comparative product testing programme and a consumer alert communications campaign. CED will find appropriate international and local partners to set-up the capacity on areas such as bio technology and testing etc.
CSR Parnerships: CED with will forge Public-pRivate Partnerships to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. This will include offering training and capacity buildinh to organizations in the Asian Region.
Research, Communications, Training & Publications Division: The main activities include “The Sustainer” e-magazine, publication of Asian Review on Sustainable Consumption, CED Website, CSR Training Module etc.

Contributions to Global SCP Efforts

1. Advisory Board Member & Head of Asian Review - SC.Asia: Capacity Building for Implementation of UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection (Sustainable Consumption) in Asia”, a project coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (2004/5).
2. Principle Researcher & Author of the “Asian Review on Sustainable Consumption”. Over 100 organizations from government, civil society, industry and universities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam were interviewed, a matching desk research conducted and over 50 case studies were compiled as part of the review.
3. Editorial member of the “Advancing Sustainable Consumption in Asia: A Guidence Manual” published by UNEP, 2005.
4. International Working Group - Sustainable Production and Consumption Systems (SPACES) appointed by the Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI) and Chiang Mai University, Thailand (since 2005)
5. Scientific Advisory Board Sustainable Consumption Research Network (SCORE) convened by TNO, (since 2006)
6. Maintaining a SC Help Desk to assist primarily NGOs and select government institutions and industries in Asia and to provide insight to other regions that network with CED and partners (since 2005).
7. Conducted a two day SC training workshop for Consumer Organizations in Malaysia (July 2006)
8. Helped develop a project for FOMCA in Malaysia for "Research on SC for Youth Behaviour" (2006)
9. Common NGO Speaker at the Stakeholder Forum at the 3rd International Expert Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and Production, Stockholm, Sweden.
10. Speaker at the Asia Pacific Expert Meetings on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, Yogyakartha, Indonesia (May 2003) & Seoul, Korea (November 2003)
11. A Keynote speaker, Session Chair and co-organizer of the “Regional Cross-Learning Seminar on Sustainable Consumption” organized by UNEP - Manila, Philippines (March 2005)
12. NGO Representative speaker on the Global Stakeholder Panel at the 3rd UN International Expert Meeting on SCP in Stockholm, Sweden. (May 2007)
13. Co-initiator of the Marrakech NGO Forum on SCP and co-author of the NGO Recommendations to the Marrakech-3 Meeting in Stockholm.
14. Presentations on the Asian Review on SC was made in numerous forums organised in Asia and Europe such as the ISO COPOLCO Meeting, ANPED AGM, NUTU Meeting on SC, SPACES International Dialogue, THT Pakistan's Regional Consumer Protection Conference, etc.
15. Initiating local community projects on SC called "From Poverty to Sustainability”
16. Initiating local community projects on SC called "Ensuring Wellbeing of Diary Farmers for Sustainability" in Sri Lanka.
17. Co-Author of the Oslo Declaration on Sustainable Consumption (2004)

Centre for Environment and Development

Saturday, 14 January 2017

Application of a Framework for Integrated Systems Thinking Approach for Implementation of Water-related SDGs and Targets in Sri Lanka

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Centre for Environment and Development

Saturday, 14 January 2017

Application of a Framework for Integrated Systems Thinking Approach for Implementation of Water-related SDGs and Targets in Sri Lanka

Contact Details:

My Blog List

CED Profile:

CED Programmes & Activities

Contributions to Global SCP Efforts

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Links