UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre in Bangkok hosted a lively debate among prominent business leaders, government officials and community organizations on the challenges the private sector faces in bringing environmental sustainability into their corporate social responsibility. Participants showcased some of their 'green' designs and business approaches, while also discussing constraints they have to making long-term and broad reaching environmental change.
The UNDP dialogue with the private sector on urban sustainable development and climate change was part of the Fifth Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF) that was held last week in Bangkok. It was organized in collaboration with UNESCAP, Citynet and the Embassy of France in Thailand. The proceedings will help to inform the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Human Development Report on Climate Change and support sharing of good practice on Public-Private Partnerships for Service Delivery.
Many of the 50 participants agreed that the private sector can bring entrepreneurship, financial support and innovation to climate friendly business practices, but cited incoherent or contradictory regulations as one of the hindrances they have. One such example is the desire of some companies to move towards renewable energy use, while certain governments continue to subsidize the use of fossil fuel. Others pointed to a difficulty in accessing funds for renewable energy use and the challenge in trying to take advantage of carbon credits.
The discussion was particularly relevant in Asia which is now home to more than half of the world top 20 megacities with populations of 10 million or more. Cities in particular suffer from the effects of environmental degradation and climate change, which threaten housing and basic social services such as power, water and sanitation.
“In adapting to climate change as part of the business of inclusive development, governments along with the private sector, civil society, communities, media and consumers will need to take steps for changing how they produce – manufacture goods, grow crops, generate and use energy — adopting more sustainable ways that minimize the production of greenhouse gases.” said Anuradha Rajivan, Team Leader for the Asia-Pacific Human Development Report series.
Landscape architect, Swati Khimsera, presented ways that her company is working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority in helping to use ‘green design’ in downtown Bangkok. They make use of run-off water along highways and buildings, for hydrating entire walls that they construct with attractive plants that are especially effective in absorbing carbon dioxide.
A representative from the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Om Rajbhandary, discussed ways that his community is using partnerships between the public and private sectors to improve service delivery, water conservation and waste management that reduce costs and is environmentally sustainable.
Some participants argued that good environmental practices cannot be left up to volunteerism. They discussed the need for businesses to pay taxes, have proper zoning and urban planning, and an understanding of clear environmental regulations that they can follow. “The market is not always the friend of the environment or the poor,” said Kirtee Shaw, an architect from India.
