Evaluation of the International Environmental Technology Centre
of the United Nations Environment Programme
Project Design and Evaluation Unit
Corporate Planning and Accountability
Service
Prepared by:
Ferd J.M. Schelleman, M.Sc.
Nairobi, December 1998
K9935037
190899
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY
I.
II.
BACKGROUND OF IETC
12
A.
Objectives
13
B.
IETC activities
14
C.
Organization of IETC
15
D.
Financing of IETC
19
E.
Cooperation with GEC and ILEC
19
F.
The IETC International Advisory Board
21
G.
Main observations
21
EVALUATION ACTIVITIES
A.
22
Adopting/applying and operating environmentally sound
technologies for urban and lake reservoir management
23
Improving access to information on environmentally
sound technologies
25
C.
Quarterly IETC newsletter:
29
D.
IETC support to Habitat II
32
E.
Basic research guidelines to best practices in
implementing urban sewage programmes
34
Environmental technology assessment (Enta) for decision
makers: a leadership training programme
35
IETC assistance to the Sustainable Cities Programme
of UNCHS (Habitat)
37
International Source Book on Environmentally Sound
Technologies for Municipal Solid Waste Management:
follow-up projects
40
Source Book on Alternative Technologies for Freshwater
Augmentation: Follow-up project
42
B.
F.
G.
H.
I.
III.
5
IETC'S Insight
CONCLUSIONS
44
A.
General conclusions
44
B.
Project development
46
C.
SWOT Analysis
47
2
IV.
RECOMMENDATIONS
48
Annexes
I.
List of interviewees and persons contacted
49
II.
List of reviewed documents
50
III.
Terms of reference for the evaluation of the
UNEP/IETC umbrella project (JC/3220-96-07)
52
3
ABBREVIATIONS
ARCT
EnRA
EnTA
ESTs
GEC
GTZ
IAB
ICLEI
ICPIC
IETC
ILEC
INTAN
SCP
START
SWOT
TIPS
TRS
UNCHS
UNEP
UNIDO
African Regional Centre for Technology
environmental risk assessment
environmental technology assessment
environmentally sound technologies
Global Environment Centre
German Agency for Technical Cooperation
International Advisory Board (of IETC)
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
International Cleaner Production Information Clearing-house
International Environmental Technology Centre
International Lake Environment Committee Foundation
National Institute for Public Administration
Sustainable Cities Programme
System for Analysis and Research Training
"strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats"
Technology Information and Promotion Service
CHECK
Nations Centre for Human Settlements
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
4
SUMMARY
A.
Introduction
1.
The International Environmental Technology Centre of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP/IETC) started its activities in 1994 after a
series of earlier discussions and implementation meetings. The IETC
inauguration meeting took place on 30 October 1992. The Government of Japan
then signed an agreement with UNEP to set up the International Environmental
technology Centre. Close collaboration with other UNEP units, such as the
Industry and Environment Centre and the Global Environmental Monitoring
System (GEMS) was also sought. The budget of IETC would come from two
sources:
(a)
The programme budget of the UNEP Environment Fund;
(b)
Voluntary contributions made to a technical cooperation trust
fund.
2.
IETC became operational in April 1994 and operates from two offices,
one in Shiga, housed and supported by the International Lake Environmental
Council (ILEC) and one in Osaka, housed and supported by the Global
Environment Centre (GEC). Through these Japanese supporting organizations,
the prefectures of Shiga and Osaka contribute to and support IETC.
3.
The main objective of the Centre is to contribute to the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to developing countries and countries with
economies in transition. The work of IETC work is organized around three
sub-issues:
(a)
The improvement of access to information on environmentally sound
technologies, through, for example, the maESTro database on such technologies
and the Internet homepage of IETC;
(b)
The fostering of technology cooperation, partnerships and
technology transfer, through, for example, publications, reports, and
maESTro;
(c)
Capacity-building through the organization of workshops and
training courses.
B.
IETC projects
4.
In the IETC project action sheet, 10 activities are mentioned. Eight
of these activities were developed and implemented in the period from 1 April
1996 to December 1997. These activities have been evaluated in the framework
of this study. A summary of the results of these project evaluations is
presented in the following table.
5
Table 1
Evaluation and scoring of IETC projects
Criteria:
a/
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 b/
2
2
1
2
2
2. Improving access to information on
environmentally sound technologies
1
2
2
3
2
2
3. Quarterly IETC newsletter:
2
2
2
3
2
2
4. IETC support to Habitat II
2
2
2
1
2
N/A
5. Environmental Technology Assessment for
decision-makers: a leadership training
programme
2
3
2
2
3
2
6. IETC assistance to the Sustainable
Cities Programme (SCP) of UNCHS (Habitat)
3
2
3
3
2
3
7. International source-book on
environmentally sound technologies for
municipal solid waste management
2
2
2
3
3
2
8. Source-book on alternative technologies
for freshwater augmentation
3
2
2
2
2
2
Project:
1. Pilot Training programme/workshop on
adopting, applying and operating
environmentally sound technologies for
urban and lake/reservoir management
Insight
a/
Criteria applied: 1 - timeliness; 2 - attainment; 3 - completion; 4 budget; 5 - impact; 6 - sustainability.
b/
Explanation of scores: 1 - excellent; 2 - very good; 3 - good; 4 satisfactory; 5 - unsatisfactory.
5.
In general, IETC performed very well in developing and implementing its
projects. Almost all projects resulted in good final products and outputs
that can be used for follow-up activities. The review of IETC activities
resulted in the following conclusions:
(a)
Between 1 April 1996 and December 1997, IETC has developed and
implemented eight internal projects. Taking the restricted number of
personnel into account this is considered to be a successful accomplishment.
IETC has thus certainly been effective;
(b)
IETC successfully developed and implemented a series of projects.
These activities have resulted in products and tools that deserve maintenance
and updating and that will support future activities of the Centre. These
products and tools include:
6
(i) An internet homepage with access to the maESTro database, which
is of good quality already serving an increasing number of users;
(ii) The IETC Insight newsletter published on a regular (two to three
times a year) basis with a professional outlook and providing
adequate information;
(iii) A number of information materials (sourcebooks, workbooks,
manuals etc.) that will support the development of future IETC
projects;
(c)
IETC is too small an office. Although the total number of staff
is approximately 20, IETC currently only has two programme officers
responsible for project development and implementation (not counting the
Director, responsible for overall management, the Liaison Officer and the
Administration/Fund Management Officer), two consultants and four support
staff provided by the GEC and ILEC. Despite the small size, IETC has two
offices, one in Osaka and one in Shiga. Although the housing of one branch
of IETC at the premises of ILEC is logical because of IETC freshwater
activities and the support provided by ILEC in this field, this split hampers
effective communication between IETC staff;
(d)
IETC is almost fully (90 per cent) financed by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Japan. A major contribution from that source is logical
because it was the Government of Japan that initiated IETC. Nevertheless,
this dependence on one source of funding poses financial risks to IETC. Most
other UNEP offices receive support (financial or in-kind in the form of
seconded staff) from other countries. The funding of IETC for the coming
year is again secured, but the Centre should develop activities with support
from other sources and increase networking activities to ensure future
financial support from other Governments and organizations to broaden its
financial base;
(e)
The number of Professional staff responsible for the development
and implementation of projects and network maintenance at IETC is almost
critical. The current vacancy level at the Centre means that the number of
programme officers has been reduced to an absolute minimum. This already
leads to insufficient networking and has led to the abandonment of one
project (annex 6 of the IETC project action sheet: Basic research to best
practices in implementing urban sewage programmes). The number of
Professional staff should be increased on short notice by filling the
vacancies;
(f)
The IETC mission is to strengthen the capabilities of developing
countries and countries with economies in transition, to manage large cities
(urban environmental management) and freshwater lake/reservoir basins by
promoting international transfer of environmentally sound technologies. The
current image of IETC however focuses on the collection and dissemination of
information on environmentally sound technologies (ESTs). A more central
focus on urban and freshwater environmental management could be more
attractive for most Governments and funding organizations. Technology
information dissemination would then play an important but secondary role;
(g)
A clear vision of the IETC position and central focus is missing.
7
IETC has successfully developed and implemented a number of activities but
these seem to be stand-alone projects with limited or no feedback or
cross-fertilization;
(h)
Networking is a very important activity for a centre like IETC.
In particular, the Director (with regard to international contacts, the
United Nations, UNEP, etc.) and the Senior Liaison Officer (with regard to
Japan) have to develop and maintain effective relationships with
collaborating and supporting agencies and organizations. The current
networking activities of IETC are at a relatively low level because of
insufficient quality and quantity of personnel;
(i)
GEC and ILEC provide Professional staff to IETC in both offices.
Staff provided by GEC and ILEC do not have sufficient experience in the
environmental field, in the development and implementation of international
projects and in the English language. The selection of GEC and ILEC staff
provided to IETC should be done by the Director of IETC and be based on the
aforementioned criteria;
(j)
The products and materials developed in IETC now need to be
developed and incorporated into an integrated urban-environmental-management
methodology and/or training programme;
(k)
All projects have been developed with relevant and adequate
international co-operation as well with other UNEP units, such as the former
UNEP Industry and Environment Centre, other United Nations organizations,
such as UNCHS (Habitat) and the Sustainable Cities Programme, as well as with
international expert organizations.
8
6.
The above conclusions have been summarized in a "strength, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats" (SWOT) analysis:
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Good and effective cooperation
with the United Nations, UNEP
and other international
organizations
Insufficient Professional staff
for the development and
implementation of projects
Excessive orientation on
environmental technologies
which is receiving less
attention as a primary topic
Number of effective tools
available: Internet site with
maESTro and EST database,
newsletter and manuals and
sourcebooks
IETC is considered as a
"Japanese" organization, which
makes it difficult to receive
support from other countries
Cooperation with and continuous
support from Japanese
organisations GEC and ILEC
No established network with
major countries and agencies
having a direct interest in
IETC activities
Continuous financial support
from the Japanese Government
providing a baseline for
project development
Insufficient follow-up on
projects because of personnel
shortages leading to
underdeveloped networking
GEC and ILEC support in
providing staff does not match
the requirements of the Centre
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
Urban environmental management
and freshwater management are
increasingly important
Risk of reduction of the
contribution from the Japanese
Government due to budgetary
problems on the Japanese
overall budget
Other organizations developing
international activities in the
field of urban and freshwater
environmental management
9
C.
7.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are put forward:
Recommendation 1: The IETC mission should be redirected towards urban
and freshwater environmental management. Without paying less attention to
collection and dissemination of information on environmentally sound
technologies, IETC should reorient its primary objectives towards urban and
freshwater environmental management. The main reasons for this reorientation
are:
(a)
Increased interest in the activities of the Centre in countries,
with Governments and agencies potentially interested in supporting the
Centre's activities;
(b)
Such a reorientation would provide better opportunities to
develop strategic partnerships with other organizations and programmes (the
Sustainable Cities Programme (SCP), the International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), etc.);
(c)
It would provide a clear image for other organizations. The
primary task of the Centre would be to provide support (information supply
and dissemination, training and capacity-building) to activities of other
United Nations and international programmes and organizations (SCP, ICLEI,
etc.);
Recommendation 2: The IETC strategy should focus on the development
and implementation of one general urban and freshwater environmental
management training course. This training course can be developed on the
basis of available materials and experiences at IETC (workshops and training
courses on environmental technology assessment, municipal solid wastes and
environmentally sound technologies), with additional inputs from other UNEP
and United Nations divisions, for example, in the fields of environmentally
sound urban transport and environmental monitoring and organization in urban
environments. The development of this training course should be initiated
after consultations with and in close collaboration with UNCHS (Habitat), the
Sustainable Cities Programme, the UNEP Industry and Environment Centre, and a
number of other United Nations and international organizations.
Recommendation 3: The IETC activities should be focused on developing
the above-mentioned training course. This requires the establishment of a
closer network of UNEP, United Nations and other international organizations,
and finding support (financial, in kind) from relevant Governments and
international organizations in the field of environment and/or development
cooperation;
Recommendation 4: The IETC financial basis should be broadened. IETC
should intensively seek for additional funding opportunities in view of the
current dependence of one major funding source and the current critical
number of Professional staff. This is closely linked to the above
recommendations;
Recommendation 5: The IETC organization will be strengthened through
the reorganization of UNEP and increased cooperation with other UNEP offices.
10
The new UNEP Division of Trade, Industry and Economics brings together a
number of UNEP offices, dealing with industry and environment and
ozone/energy (Paris), trade and environment (Geneva), chemicals (Geneva) and
IETC. This reorganization will facilitate networking and cooperation with,
for example, the industry and environment, chemicals and ozone/energy
programmes, and thus contribute to the search for additional sources of
funding for IETC activities, as these programmes have been more effective in
this respect;
Recommendation 6: The IETC staff complement should be strengthened and
enhanced. The current vacancies in the Centre should be filled on as short a
notice as possible. The number of Professional staff currently is at a
minimum level. The staffing problem could also be considerably alleviated if
the personnel provided by GEC and ILEC had the required experience in the
environmental field, in the development and implementation of international
projects and in the English language. The Senior Liaison Officer should also
be required to have a wide international and environmental experience in
order to contribute directly to the Centre's objectives and activities.
The success of networking activities and development of an integrated
training course will depend on sufficient quantity and quality of staff;
Recommendation 7: The IETC International Advisory Board (IAB) has to
be organized again. The Board should meet under the supervision of the
Director of the Centre and be composed of representatives from target
countries and from agencies and organizations that may support the Centre's
activities. The establishment of such an Advisory Board should be
coordinated with the UNEP Industry and Environment Centre. The composition
of the Advisory Board should be adapted to actual needs and requirements of
IETC. The Advisory Board would thus have an ad hoc character.
11
I.
8.
During
in 1990, the
the transfer
to establish
BACKGROUND OF IETC
the second special session of the UNEP Governing
Government of Japan emphasized the importance of
of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) and
a UNEP Global Environmental Technology Centre in
Council, held
accelerating
made a proposal
Japan.
9.
The International Environmental Technology Centre of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP/IETC) started its activities in 1994 after a
series of earlier discussions and implementation meetings. The UNEP/IETC
inauguration meeting took place on 30 October 1992. The Government of Japan
then signed an agreement with UNEP to set up the International Environmental
Technology Centre. Close collaboration with other UNEP units, such as the
Industry and Environment Centre and the Global Environmental Monitoring
System was expressed. The budget of IETC would come from two sources:
(a)
The programme budget of the UNEP Environment Fund;
(b)
Voluntary contributions made to a technical cooperation trust
fund.
10.
The Government of Japan had already made a contribution of
US$ 2.3 million to this trust fund. The Centre would be manned by six UNEP
Professional staff members and other support staff to be appointed by the
Executive Director.
11.
For the purpose of supporting IETC, the Global Environment Centre (GEC)
was founded on January 1992. GEC provides staff and logistical support to
IETC, collaborates on joint projects and serves as a liaison between IETC and
related organizations in Japan.
12.
The IETC formal opening ceremony took place in April 1994 at the newlybuilt Osaka office, two years after the inauguration session and two years
after the establishment of GEC. IETC would work from two offices, one in
Osaka, and one in Shiga. The IETC office in Shiga receives support from the
International Lake Environmental Committee (ILEC).
13.
Also in 1994, the first IETC newsletter, IETC's Insight, was published.
14.
It was only at the beginning of 1996 that the project action sheet for
the IETC umbrella project was formally approved, with 10 annexes describing
the individual projects.
15.
In March 1997, the current IETC Director, Mr. John Whitelaw, was
appointed.
16.
Although the formal start-up of IETC activities took place at the
opening ceremony and was formalized with the approval of the project action
sheet in the beginning of 1996, IETC activities had been operational since
the official opening in April 1994.
12
17.
IETC operates from two offices, one in Shiga housed and supported by
ILEC (the International Lake Environmental Council) and one in Osaka, housed
and supported by GEC (the Global Environment Centre). Through these Japanese
supporting organizations the Prefectures of Shiga and Osaka and Osaka City
Government contribute to and support IETC.
A.
Objectives
18.
IETC was established to contribute to the transfer of environmentally
sound technologies to developing countries and countries with economies in
transition. Important observations made by the Governing Council concerning
the character of the Centre and the scope of activities were, among others,
that:
(a)
IETC should have a clear international status to be reflected by
the technologies disseminated and the expertise available, the organizational
structure, personnel, programmes and the composition of an international
advisory board of members with various backgrounds, including the Industry
and Environment Centre;
(b)
IETC should take care of coordination of its activities with
activities of the UNEP Industry and Environment and with activities taking
place under the auspices of the Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS),
or with activities of other United Nations organizations;
(c)
IETC should be dedicated to the transfer of environmentally sound
technologies to developing countries and countries with economies in
transition by providing training and consulting services, carrying out
research and accumulating and disseminating related information with special
focus on environmentally sustainable management of large cities and
freshwater lake/reservoir basins.
19.
IETC would thus strengthen the capabilities of developing countries and
countries with economies in transition, to manage larger cities and
freshwater lake/reservoir basins by promoting international transfer of
environmentally sound technologies. Its work would be organized around three
sub-issues:
(a)
The improvement of access to information on environmentally sound
technologies, with a strengthening of the capabilities of developing
countries and countries with economies in transition to make informed
decisions on technology choices;
(b)
The fostering of technology cooperation, partnership and
transfer, by employing the stakeholders-dialogue approach to generate
portfolios of initiatives and coalitions of resources and help to implement
the countries concerned;
(c)
The building of endogenous capacity by organizing training
courses and compiling manuals related to environmentally sound technologies
and environmentally-sound-technology assessment.
20.
The results and accomplishments of IETC will be evaluated against the
above objectives formulated by the Governing Council when the Centre was
13
established. The evaluation will therefore also take into account IETC
methodologies and partnerships with other United Nations and UNEP units or
other relevant international organizations.
B.
IETC activities
21.
The activities of IETC that will be evaluated are those initiated at
its official opening in 1994. The activities are listed in the project
action sheet as follows:
(a)
Pilot training programme/workshop on adopting, applying and
operating environmentally sound technologies for urban and lake/reservoir
management;
(b)
IETC support to the modernization of urban management programme
of Indonesia; 1/
(c)
Improving access to information on environmentally sound
technologies;
(d)
Quarterly IETC newsletter IETC's Insight;
(e)
IETC support to Habitat II;
(f)
programme;
Basic research to best practices in implementing urban sewage
(g)
Environmental technology assessment (ENTA) for decision makers:
a leadership training programme;
(h)
IETC assistance to the Sustainable Cities Programme (SCP) of
UNCHS (Habitat);
(i)
International source-book on environmentally sound technologies
for municipal solid waste management
follow-up project;
(j)
Source-book on alternative technologies for freshwater
augmentation
follow-up project.
22.
All of the above activities, except activity (b), which was abandoned
at a very early stage and was never initiated, have been assessed according
to the criteria mentioned in the terms of reference for the present
evaluation, namely:
(a)
Timeliness: how the project met the schedule and implementation
time-table cited in the project document;
(b)
Achievement of objectives and results;
1/ This project was never initiated and thus has not been taken up in
this evaluation.
14
(c)
Attainment of outputs;
(d)
Completion of activities;
(e)
Project executed within budget;
(f)
Impact created by the project;
(g)
Sustainability.
23.
Each activity has been rated on a scale of 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest)
for each of the above criteria. The rating was made on the basis of the
assessment elements described in section III of the terms of reference (see
annex I below).
C.
Organization of IETC
24.
IETC is a small unit with two offices, one in Osaka and one in Shiga.
The IETC Osaka office is supported by the Global Environment Centre (GEC),
established in 1992 by the Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City Government with
the main objective of assisting IETC in its activities.
The IETC Shiga
office is supported by ILEC. Both GEC and ILEC provide Professional and
support staff to the respective IETC offices.
25.
IETC currently has the following staff:
15
Table 1
Staff of IETC
Staff:
Level
Responsibilities:
Director
D1
Office management and networking
Deputy director (Shiga)
P5
Management of Shiga office; water
projects
Senior liaison officer
L5
Relations with Japanese government and
other organizations
Administrative/Fund
management officer
P3
Administrative affairs of IETC
Programme officer Shiga
P4
Development and implementation of water
projects
Computer network
officer
P3
Vacant, temporarily occupied by
consultant
Programme officer
P4
Vacant, temporarily occupied by
consultant
Information officer
P4
Vacant
Senior programme
officer
P5
Urban technology transfer (frozen, will
not be filled on short notice)
4 supporting
professional staff from
GEC and ILEC
Professional support to Osaka and Shiga
office
2 supporting secretary
staff from GEC and
ILEC
Secretariat support to Osaka and Shiga
office
7 General support staff
Total 20 staff (2
vacancies)
G5/G4
Secretarial and administrative support,
one post filled with temporary staff.
Including 2 temporary consultants and
supporting staff from GEC and ILEC.
26.
IETC has a reasonably large staff complement which seems to be
sufficient to accomplish the tasks described in the project action sheet. It
should, however, be taken into account that the number of Professional staff
contributing directly to the development and implementation of projects and
activities is relatively limited. As the Director (responsible for overall
management and contacts with external organizations) and the Senior Liaison
Officer do not contribute to project implementation, IETC only has 9
Professional officers directly involved in project development and
implementation. In addition, it should be noted that:
(a)
Two of these officers are consultants hired on a temporary basis
but providing essential inputs;
16
(b)
Four are support staff provided by GEC and ILEC providing
important contributions to the IETC activities. As however ILEC and GEC
personnel are not experienced with UNEP working methodologies and approaches
and because of the differences with working methodologies in Japanese
institutions, the integration of these experts in the IETC programme also
requires important efforts from the other IETC Professional staff;
(c)
The number of vacancies is relatively high. These vacancies
should be filled as soon as possible to ensure rapid development of further
IETC activities.
27.
During the development of the activities listed in the project action
sheet, the staff of IETC has changed on several instances, which has led to
problems in project development: almost all the current Professional staff
(except for the Administrative/Fund Management Officer) started working for
IETC after mid-1996, little more than two years ago. The current Director
has been in charge only since March 1997. The consultants started activities
only recently.
28.
The organizational structure of IETC is presented in figure 1 on
page 18 below.
17
Figure 1
Organizational structure of IETC
18
29.
The Osaka office deals primarily with urban management and technologies
and with information services (network and newsletter). Furthermore, the
Osaka office takes care of all financial and administrative tasks of the
Centre. The office receives direct support, including seconded staff, from
GEC.
30.
The Shiga office is primarily responsible for the development and
implementation of water-management projects. The office receives direct
support, including seconded staff, from ILEC.
D.
Financing of IETC
31.
IETC receives its funds mainly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Japan. The Japanese financial contribution provided through the trust fund
is approximately US$ 2.5 million per year. UNEP also provides a yearly
contribution. Since 1994, UNEP has contributed from the Environment Fund the
amounts listed in table 2.
Table 2
UNEP Environment Fund contribution to IETC
Year
UNEP contribution through the Environment
Fund
1994
US$ 200,000
1995
US$ 1,200,000
1996
US$ 110,000
1997
US$ 405,400
1998
US$ 381,000
32.
Since its establishment, the UNEP contribution to IETC has been on
average US$ 450,000. This is less than 20 per cent of the contribution by
the Japanese Government.
33.
Contributions from other organizations and Governments have been
limited to in-kind contributions to a number of projects.
34.
It is clear that the existence of IETC depends almost fully on the
financial contribution provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
UNEP provides an important financial contribution which nevertheless covers
only 20 per cent of IETC costs. The Centre has not been able to raise
funding from other Governments and organizations, as opposed to in-kind
contributions to some of the projects.
E.
Cooperation with GEC and ILEC
35.
GEC and ILEC are Japanese organizations supporting IETC. Both provide
the Centre with Professional staff: GEC provides two staff members at the
Osaka office and ILEC provides two staff members to the Shiga office.
19
36.
GEC was established to make available to UNEP the abundant accumulation
of knowledge and experience in the field of environmental preservation in
Japan, particularly in the Kansai region, to support UNEP contributions to
urban environmental conservation in developing countries. GEC conducts the
following activities:
(a)
Provision of general support for UNEP activities on urban
environmental conservation in developing countries;
(b)
Conduct of surveys and research that contribute to the
preservation of the global environment, especially to urban areas in
developing countries;
(c)
Collection and dissemination of information that contributes to
the preservation of the global environment;
(d)
Organization of training programmes, seminars and symposia;
(e)
Facilitation of communication with international organizations,
governmental organizations and research organizations in various countries;
(f)
Any other activities necessary to achieve its mission.
37.
The above activities clearly support the objectives of IETC. The
Centre and GEC therefore have cooperated in a number of international events.
GEC provides two staff members to IETC. As far as could be assessed, these
staff members are often experts from Japanese companies and organizations
without real experience in environmental affairs and without international
experience. Their knowledge of the English language is often limited and
insufficient to cooperate with international staff.
38.
GEC has currently 26 employees and is housed in the same building as
IETC, which facilitates communication and cooperation between the two
organizations.
39.
ILEC, based in Shiga, is located in the same building as the IETC Shiga
office. ILEC is an international environmental non-governmental organization
established in February 1986 as a follow-up of the international conference
on the conservation of management of lakes organized in Shiga on the shores
of Lake Biwa. Its objective is to promote the environmentally sound
sustainable management of lakes and reservoirs around the world. ILEC
performs activities such as the organization of international conferences and
workshops and the development of training courses and manuals.
40.
Since 1992, ILEC has also been designated as a supporting organization
to IETC. Its activities are carried out with the advice of a Scientific
Committee consisting of 19 researchers and policy makers from around the
world. Like GEC, ILEC provides two staff members to IETC, in its case to the
Shiga office. These staff members have similar backgrounds to those from GEC
and thus have insufficient environmental and international experience and an
inadequate command of English.
20
F.
IETC International Advisory Board
41.
IETC has an International Advisory Board operating under the
supervision of the Executive Director. The International Advisory Board has
met twice, the last time being in 1995.
42.
The Board is composed of representatives from a range of countries from
all regions of the world. The countries represented at the last meeting
included Congo, India, Japan, Lebanon, Panama, the Russian Federation and the
United States of America. A French expert was invited but could not attend.
The Board advises the Executive Director on the general objectives of IETC
and its work programme. Its members have proved to be willing to assist IETC
in the development of ongoing and planned activities.
43.
Some of the recommendations made at the last meeting of the Board and
which are still valid related to:
(a)
Prioritization of activities and analysis of their interactions
in order to establish a systematic and integrated approach unique to IETC;
(b)
Size and number of projects with preference for a small number of
visible projects involving long-term commitment;
(c)
Attention to be paid to the critical nature of building
partnerships and networking, identification of important stakeholders and
development of constructive dialogues with them;
(d)
Regular review of activities undertaken elsewhere like the
Technology Information and Promotion Service (TIPS) of the United Nations
Development Programme and the System for Analysis and Research Training
(START).
44.
The above observations have been taken into account in the development
of conclusions and recommendations.
45.
As part of the development and maintenance of an effective network, it
is recommended that regular meetings should be organized within the Board,
with the participation of representatives from countries and organizations
that may assist in the development and funding of IETC projects. The Board
could be organized as an ad hoc advisory group composed of experts and
officials with a background and experience in the topics at issue at a given
time. The composition of the Board would thus be adjusted in line with the
issues on the agenda.
G.
Main observations
46.
Concerning the staffing and organization of IETC, the following
observations could be made:
(a)
IETC has few Professional staff at its disposal, a factor that
limits opportunities for the development and implementation of projects and
activities;
21
(b)
Networking and communication with other international (United
Nations, United States, European Community, etc.) organizations is thereby
restricted. IETC works together closely with GEC and ILEC and has developed
partnerships with UNCHS (Habitat), the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO) and universities in South Africa, Germany and Australia.
There are almost no contacts with Governments and international
organizations that would be able to support IETC financially. This
networking and partnership-building requires considerable time and effort, as
well as Professional staff to maintain efficient and regular contacts;
(c)
The number of support staff is not commensurate with the number
of currently available Professional staff. This relationship will be
improved after the vacancies for professional staff have been filled. No
additional supporting staff will be required as long as IETC has less than 10
Professional staff members;
(d)
Despite the limited staff available, IETC has been able to
develop contacts with other United Nations and international organizations
within the projects conducted, which seems sufficient for a successful
completion of tasks (see next chapter);
(e)
Although IETC has developed a close relationship with GEC and
ILEC, these partnerships could still be strengthened. GEC conducted a number
of activities (workshops, seminars, training courses) in developing countries
that clearly overlap with the goals and objectives of IETC. GEC and IETC
could thus further improve and widen their cooperation and coordination of
activities. Staff provided by GEC and ILEC should meet requirements with
regard to environmental and international experience and English language
capabilities;
(f)
IETC organized two advisory board meetings. The Centre should
try to develop an International Advisory Board composed of representatives
from potential support organizations and organize Board meetings on a regular
basis (once a year) and an ad hoc composition of experts and officials having
a background and experience in the topics on the agenda. This should be
coordinated with the Advisory Group of the UNEP Industry and Environment
Centre.
II. EVALUATION OF ACTIVITIES
47.
The methodology for the evaluation of the activities of the
International Environmental Technology Centre has been as follows:
(a)
Visit to the IETC offices in Osaka and Shiga from 12 to 21
October 1998 to study project documentation and to discuss the projects with
involved IETC personnel;
(b)
Visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environment
Agency of Japan in Tokyo on 19 October 1998;
(c)
Discussions with IETC target groups and contacts to develop an
overview of project results and impacts.
22
48.
For each of the activities, a scoring table has been completed applying
the criteria mentioned in chapter I, section B, above.
49.
Each activity-evaluation gives a short explanation of the activity with
the main collaborating organizations and overview of project outputs. Then,
the evaluation comments are presented as an explanation to the completed
scoring table.
A.
Adopting/applying and operating environmentally sound technologies
for urban and lake reservoir management
1.
Project description
50.
This project aims at providing training to elected local-government
officials in local sustainable development and environmentally conscious
municipal management, i.e., the adoption/application and operation of
environmentally sound technologies for urban and lake/reservoir management.
This topic was identified as one which was least addressed in
capacity-building activities around the world. The project addresses the
following needs:
(a)
sound way;
Need for local authorities to manage cities in an environmentally
(b)
Need to strengthen capabilities for the adoption, application and
operation of environmentally sound technologies;
(c)
Need for regional/national training institutes to strengthen
capacities of local-government officials on the environmentally sound
management of cities.
51.
The main elements/outputs of the project were:
(a)
Study on training needs in the adoption, application and
operation of environmentally sound technologies for urban and lake/reservoir
management;
(b)
Pilot training programme, a trainers' tool-kit, a set of
exercises and training materials;
(c)
Training manual on the management of environmentally sound
technologies for local-government officials;
(d)
Training handbook on the management of environmentally sound
technologies for councillors as part of the UNCHS (Habitat) series for
elected local leadership.
52.
The project was to be conducted in such a way that national training
institutions or training units would be able to design, organize and
implement national follow-up training to regional activities facilitated by
IETC.
53.
The project was implemented in close cooperation with Dresden
University in Germany, which provided expertise and workshop accommodation.
23
As a follow-up to this workshop, regional workshops took place in Bucharest
(May 1997) and in Perth (December 1997). These regional workshops were
facilitated by Terra Nostra (Romania) and Proctor and Gamble (Australia). In
1998, a number of national follow-up workshops were organized in Australia,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Samoa and other countries.
2.
54.
Project outputs
The project had the following outputs:
(a)
IETC TRS 1: Training needs in utilizing environmental technology
assessment (EnTA) for decision-making. A preliminary study to strengthen
capabilities in managing ESTs;
(b)
Pilot training held at Dresden University in Germany;
(c)
IETC TRS 1: Workbook for training in adopting, applying and
operating ESTs
a pilot programme
(d)
IETC Technical Publication Series No. 7: The Counsellor as
Guardian of the Environment
A Training Handbook for Elected Leadership on
How to Utilize ESTs.
3.
Timeliness
Attainment
1
(a)
2
Project evaluation
Completion
Budget
1
1
Impact
2
Sustainability
2
Timeliness
55.
The project reports and workshop were completed before the deadline of
the project. The project benefited from effective cooperation with Dresden
University in Germany, which also provided accommodation for the pilot
training workshop. There are no remarks or comments to be made concerning
the planning and completion within the project period.
(b)
Attainment
56.
With the above-mentioned products, the project objectives have almost
been met. Follow-up of the workshop through national activities on the basis
of materials produced in the project was realized by a number of
participants. The objective of further dissemination of the project results
has thus also been realized. Currently, however, no further activities are
being initiated.
24
(c)
Completion
57.
The project has been completed successfully and has realized most of
its objectives. The reports mentioned above comply with the sub-objectives
of the project and were disseminated to a range of contacts, the participants
in the pilot training programme and to organizations asking for the reports
as a follow-up to the IETC newsletter.
(d)
Budget
58.
The project was completed within the budget constraints also thanks to
the significant contribution from Dresden University.
(e)
Impact
59.
The project has had a good overall impact, as the participants in the
pilot training have initiated follow-up or participated in national
activities. In addition, a range of organizations requested further
documentation from IETC. The impact could still be increased by follow-up
training activities and the development of a toolkit for trainers and
train-the-trainers activities.
(f)
Sustainability
60.
There has been a considerable follow-up of the project. IETC could
initiate further follow-up projects like the one mentioned above or integrate
the results of this project in an urban environmental management training
activity (see recommendations on page49).
4.
Overall remarks
61.
The project is considered successful: the scope and objectives
perfectly match the objectives of IETC. The project was developed and
accomplished in close cooperation with Dresden University, thus guaranteeing
up-to-date scientific input. The project also included cooperation with
other United Nations organizations, such as UNCHS (Habitat).
B.
Improving access to information on environmentally sound technologies
1.
Project description
62.
In its decision 16/34, the UNEP Governing Council asked IETC to ensure
information dissemination with a special focus on environmentally sustainable
management of big cities and freshwater lake/reservoir basins. In order to
follow up on this decision, IETC developed three interrelated work
activities:
(a)
Survey of environmentally-sound-technology information systems,
including support for the establishment on a network of providers, suppliers
and users of information on environmentally sound technologies. This
activity is a continuation of the survey of environmentally-sound-technology
information systems. This survey will be supported by user needs
assessments, expert panels, dissemination of case-studies and system benchmark studies;
25
(b)
Development of a database to ensure the systematic and integrated
collection and provision of objective, targeted and quality reviewed
information on specific environmentally sound technologies related to large
cities and to freshwater lakes and reservoirs;
(c)
Promotion of the transfer of selective information on scientific
and technical aspects of environmentally sound technologies from
industrialized nations to developing countries and to countries in economic
transition. This service will have two parts: (i) a printed index and
supporting database of citations and abstracts of material on environmentally
sound technologies, originating principally in the industrialized countries;
and (ii) a document delivery service.
63.
The project was expected to deliver the following outputs:
(a)
Updated final report on environmentally-sound-technology
information systems, including case-studies evaluating system performance;
(b)
Joint IETC, Industry and Environment Office and UNEP headquarters
publication of an EST Information User Needs Assessment report in 1997;
(c)
An IETC World Wide Web homepage providing details of information
systems on environmentally sound technologies and promoting a virtual
electronic network of on-line information systems on such technologies using
the Internet;
(d)
A bench-mark study evaluating existing EST information systems
and providing an outline of best practices in EST information system
development and operation;
(e)
An expert meeting in 1997 to review work undertaken and to
identify strategic future directions for work and implemented actions;
(f)
A globally accessible database on the Internet containing useful,
targeted, reviewed and objective information on environmentally sound
technologies applicable to environmental issues in large cities and
freshwater lakes and reservoirs, and scientific and technical abstracts and
citations on environmentally sound technologies derived from the IETC Review
of ESTs;
(g)
The IETC Review of ESTs, published quarterly and distributed to
the user community.
64.
The project was to be performed in close collaboration between IETC,
the UNEP Industry and Environment Office and UNEP headquarters. The project
document provides details on the division of responsibilities and tasks
between the three partners and gives a detailed overview of the Centre's
tasks in conducting and managing the project.
2.
65.
Project outputs
The project has delivered the following results and outputs:
26
(a)
A report entitled: "UNEP Survey of information systems related
to environmentally sound technologies", including chapters on a range of
other internationally accessible information sources, user needs and casestudies, published by IETC, the Industry and Environment Office and UNEP
headquarters;
(b)
An IETC World Wide Web homepage providing details of
environmentally-sound-technology information systems and promoting an
electronic network of such information systems on line on the Internet.
3.
Timeliness
Attainment
1
2
Project evaluation
Completion
Budget
2
3
Impact
2
Sustainability
2
66.
The two main products of this project have been mentioned above: a
UNEP survey concerning environmentally-sound-technology information systems
and a World Wide Web homepage providing access to an environmentally-soundtechnology database. These products comply with the objectives and products
mentioned in the project document.
(a)
Timeliness
67.
According to the project document, the project started in April 1996
and would be completed on December 1997. The reports were finished in or
before 1996 and published in April 1997 in one combined report. An expert
meeting was held from 9 to 11 October 1995 (?). The maESTro environmentallysound-technology database and IETC homepage have been accessible since 15
February 1996. The project results were thus achieved within the time limits
set in the project document.
(b)
Attainment
68.
The objectives as formulated in the project document are generally
realized. The report addresses all issues mentioned in the project document.
The World Wide Web homepage and database are easily accessible from all over
the world, requiring only an internet connection. The information in the
database is also distributed on CD-ROM for those users not having Internet
access.
69.
The homepage now focuses on environmentally sound technologies. The
homepage and database could be developed further by having the homepage
provide more of the background information on urban environmental management
available at IETC in a number of studies and reports, as well as more contact
details of experts and organizations who participated in IETC events. The
environmentally-sound-technology database in maESTro should provide more
United States, European and indigenous environmental technologies.
Currently, the database has relatively more Japanese technologies
(approximately 40 per cent). IETC is already giving attention to this
matter, and the situation will probably be improved in the near future.
(c)
Completion
27
70.
With the above outputs, the project can be considered as being
completed. A World Wide Web site and database, however, need constant
attention and updating and can never be said to be completed.
(d)
Budget
71.
The costs for the trust fund proved to be higher than expected. The
actual costs made for equipment and professional assistance for development
of the homepage and database seem to be very reasonable in view of the
outputs realized. Costs for professional assistance in information
technology are high.
(e)
Impact
72.
The homepage and database have only been operational for a short
period. The number of users is therefore still relatively limited but is
rapidly increasing. In view of the information provided and the quality of
the homepage, it is expected that the number of users will increase further.
An African network has already expressed its intention to use the maESTro
database as the tool for collection and dissemination of regional information
on environmentally sound technologies. Recently, IETC received an expression
of interest from the German GTZ to use maESTro widely. This proves the
potential contribution the database may provide for organizations in
developing countries and the interest that organizations already have.
(f)
Sustainability
73.
As already mentioned above, the maintenance and updating of the
homepage and database will require full attention on a continuous basis.
Currently, the activities of IETC, including this project, are primarily
secured by the contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The
sustainability of this activity therefore depends on the continuation of this
contribution in the coming years. In view of the difficult economic
situation in Japan and the risk of budget reductions, there is a danger of a
shortfall in the financial resources required for this project to maintain
its current quality.
4.
Overall remarks
74.
This project can be considered as very successful. The report and the
World Wide Web homepage and database are good and useful products. The
increasing number of users of the maESTro database and, especially, the use
of it by the African network prove the quality of the results.
75.
The database can be improved further by using it also for the
dissemination of all IETC reports. This may also contribute to reducing the
costs related to the dissemination of reports. As more and more
organizations have Internet access, this may prove to be an effective
dissemination tool.
76.
In addition, closer cooperation with the UNEP Industry and Environment
Office Internet site and International Cleaner Production Information
Clearing-house (ICPIC) database could be developed. Currently, the maESTro
28
database certainly has cleaner production opportunities related to the main
topics of IETC activities: urban environmental management and freshwater
lake and reservoir management. Overlap with ICPIC will be limited as ICPIC
focuses on industrial activities and processes, and the IETC database on endof-pipe treatment technologies mainly related to urban applications.
C.
Quarterly IETC newsletter:
1.
IETC's Insight
Project description
77.
The priority actions of UNEP include raising public awareness and
encouraging action in the area of environmental protection, as well as
disseminating environmental information and data to Governments and to the
United Nations system.
78.
The IETC newsletter IETC's Insight responds to this priority. The
project aimed at publishing eight newsletters in 1996 and 1997, one issue
every quarter, and at focusing on the technical, economic, financial, social
and health aspects of the management of environmentally sound technologies
within the field of expertise of IETC. The newsletter was intended to serve
recipients whose information needs are not covered by other sources.
79.
The project for the dissemination of the IETC newsletter aimed at
enabling recipients to:
(a)
Understand the critical tool of utilizing environmentally sound
technologies in urban and freshwater management;
(b)
Replicate activities to promote environmentally sound
technologies in the particular conditions and socio-economic context of their
countries;
(c)
Establish direct contacts between users and owners of
environmentally sound technologies to engage in technology cooperation;
(d)
Refer to other information sources on environmentally sound
technologies and organizations concerned with the management and transfer of
such technologies;
(e)
Follow up on the development of IETC programme activities at the
offices in both Shiga and Osaka.
2.
Project outputs
80.
Since the beginning of 1996, nine issues of IETC's Insight have been
produced and disseminated, as follows:
(a)
Four issues in 1996:
(b)
Three issues in 1997:
(c)
Two issues in 1998:
be published shortly).
spring, summer, fall, winter;
spring, August and December;
June and September (an additional issue will
29
81.
Beside the regular newsletter content, most editions had a special
section, dealing with specific environmental topics in the field of urban or
freshwater environmental management:
(a)
Summer 1996:
Sanitation?"
(b)
Transfer";
Fall 1996:
"What is Environmental Sustainability in
"Understanding Sustainable Development and Technology
(c)
Winter 1996:
Remediation";
"Advances being made in Cold Climate Solid Waste
(d)
August 1997: "The Conception and Execution of Improved River
Quality Using a Newly Developed Purification Method: The Simanto-gawa
System";
(e)
December 1997:
"Gaining Common Ground to Curb Climate Change";
(f)
June 1998: "Fresh Water:
Sector and Those in Need";
(g)
September 1998:
Future Challenges".
Finding a Synergy Between the Private
"Water and Technology
Current Trends and
82.
The IETC newsletter was also used to distribute leaflets on
environmental technology assessment in relation to the collaborative efforts
of IETC and the Industry and Environment Office.
3.
Project evaluation
83.
This project was evaluated by studying the published newsletters and by
sending a small questionnaire to approximately 100 recipients of the
newsletters. This resulted in the following evaluation:
Timeliness
Attainment
Completion
Budget
Impact
Sustainability
2
2
2
3
2
2
(a)
Timeliness
84.
During the project period, between April 1996 and December 1997, six
editions of the newsletter were published instead of eight. In 1996, it was
a quarterly newsletter but in 1997 and 1998 it was published twice a year.
This is considered to be a better frequency then the originally foreseen
quarterly publication, especially as IETC has also other opportunities for
providing information to its contacts and newsletter recipients, e.g., the
World Wide Web homepage and electronic mail.
(b)
Attainment
85.
The IETC newsletter has a professional lay-out and logical content.
30
Topics dealt with are:
(a)
Events and publications;
(b)
Background articles;
(c)
The World Wide Web homepage and maESTro database;
(d)
IETC projects.
86.
Although the newsletter is of high quality and has been well received
by its recipients, the following improvements should be considered:
(a)
Each edition should contain a list of forthcoming events for the
coming year;
(b)
Each edition should have a list of the main IETC publications
together with an order form;
(c)
Each edition should provide information on maESTro;
(d)
The current "IETC's Insight Special" could be used to provide
complete guidelines for urban and freshwater environmental management. Full
guidelines could be disseminated to the recipients over a number of editions,
starting with an introduction to the series (explanation, content, how to use
and save the material) describing the substantive content to be circulated in
the issues to come. This content could be based on existing manuals and
guidelines. Recipients would thus be more interested in keeping the
newsletter and distributing it to interested colleagues.
87.
Most recipients do not save the newsletter, so some information
(events, publications) has to be repeated in each edition.
(c)
Completion
88.
The project has been completed according to the project document,
although the number of editions of the newsletter issued is lower than
foreseen.
(d)
Budget
89.
The costs have been approximately 20 per cent higher than budgeted
because the distribution costs were higher than foreseen.
(c)
Impact
90.
It is difficult to assess the impact as such an assessment would
necessitate contacting many of the recipients. Most recipients browse the
newsletter quickly and then put it aside. Some users copy an article and
pass it on to colleagues. The use of the newsletter is as could be expected
for such a type of publication. The overall impact of the newsletter is as
should be expected but will be limited. It is therefore important to repeat
some of the IETC information in each edition, as mentioned above.
31
(f)
Sustainability
91.
The publication of the newsletter depends almost fully on the financial
contribution of the Japanese Government to IETC. Maintenance of the quality
can only be guaranteed with sufficient professional staff at the IETC
offices.
4.
Overall remarks
92.
IETC has developed a quality newsletter that forms an important element
of its information-dissemination activities. Publication of two or three
editions of this newsletter a year is considered to be sufficient.
93.
Besides the publication of this newsletter, and taking the above
recommendations for further improvement into account, IETC could develop a
newsletter for dissemination by e-mail, which would provide regular
information on IETC activities and publications to those contacts having
access to e-mail. The advantages of such a newsletter would be:
(a)
Relative ease of production, as the lay-out could be simple;
(b)
More frequent dissemination of information to IETC contacts, for
example, every two months;
(c)
It would serve as an easy answering and publication-ordering
tool.
94.
The main disadvantage would be that not all recipients of the printed
newsletter could be addressed. The number of e-mail users is, however,
increasing rapidly.
D.
IETC support to Habitat II
1.
Project description
95.
Within the framework of this project, IETC, in cooperation with GEC,
contributed to the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II), held in Istanbul from 3 to 14 June 1996. The IETC contribution
took the form of:
(a)
symposium;
(b)
A forum on environmentally sound technologies, including a
An exhibition of selected environmentally sound technologies.
96.
The main objective of IETC was to contribute towards improving access
to information on environmentally sound technologies and to providing heads
of State and local authorities with an opportunity to access information on
environmentally sound technologies and to consult with experts on selected
technologies.
97.
Habitat II provided IETC with an opportunity to reach a large number of
decision makers and to promote the Centre.
32
2.
98.
Project outputs
The following project results were expected and achieved:
(a)
A contribution to Habitat II in the area of environmentally sound
technologies for the sustainable development of cities;
(b)
Information on environmentally sound technologies made available
to the policy makers, decision makers and technology users of the world;
(c)
A continuing commitment to inter-agency coordination and
collaboration between UNCHS (Habitat) and UNEP and between IETC and its
cooperating agencies;
(d)
Reports on the participants to Habitat II and on the symposium in
the form of a mission report produced by a member of the IETC staff;
(e)
Database of contacts for IETC derived from list of participants.
3.
Project evaluation
99.
This project was briefly discussed with Mrs. L. Casanova of IETC at her
Shiga office. In addition, various documents, including the internal
evaluation and relevant articles in the IETC newsletter, were studied.
Timeliness
Attainment
Completion
Budget
Impact
Sustainability
2
2
2
1
2
N/A
(a)
Timeliness
100.
The project was completed within the time-limits.
(b)
Attainment
101. A symposium was held featuring presentations on various environmentally
sound technologies. The objectives as foreseen were therefore more or less
achieved.
(c)
Completion
102. The project was completed with the participation of IETC in Habitat II
and the symposium.
(d)
Budget
103. The project is completed within the budget provided. This was
facilitated through close collaboration with GEC, which reduced the budget
requirements for IETC.
(e)
Impact
104.
The impact was as foreseen in the project document.
33
(f)
Sustainability
105.
Not applicable, as the project was a one-off event.
4.
Overall remarks
106. Although the project was a small one for IETC, it is nevertheless
important for IETC to promote the Centre on such occasions especially as many
decision makers will be present. IETC should take part in a greater number
of such international events in the field of urban and freshwater
environmental management.
107. The UNEP Industry and Environment Office organizes a regular high-level
seminar on cleaner production, and IETC might develop a similar event in the
field of urban and freshwater environmental management in close collaboration
with the Sustainable Cities Programme and/or UNCHS (Habitat).
E.
Basic research guidelines to best practices in implementing
urban sewage programmes
1.
108.
Project description
The objectives of this project were:
(a)
To enhance the capacity of the administrators or municipal
decision makers responsible for implementing sewage programmes;
(b)
To strengthen the ability of those officials to select, adopt,
integrate and apply/manage technologies related to sewage systems in
implementing urban sewage programmes.
2.
109.
Because of personnel problems, this project was not implemented.
3.
110.
Project outputs
Project evaluation
As this project was not implemented, no evaluation could be conducted.
4.
Overall remarks
111. Because of personnel problems (the main expert in this field left
IETC), this project was not implemented. This underlines the critical
situation with regard to the staffing of IETC. UNEP and IETC management
should take appropriate measures to improve the current status of IETC
staffing. This matter is being addressed.
F.
Environmental technology assessment (EnTA) for decision makers:
a leadership training programme
1.
112.
Project description
The EnTa project was based on a survey conducted by IETC in 1994/95 to
34
determine training needs in this field. Some 30-40 per cent of the
respondents from developing countries and countries with economies in
transition indicated a lack of awareness on techniques for assessing
technologies. Respondents from all regions (Africa, South Asia, Latin
America, Caribbean and Eastern Europe) also indicated a need for training in
this field. In 1995, an expert group meeting was organized in Osaka to
review this survey and an EnTA pilot training programme.
113. EnTA is an analytical tool used to help understand the likely impact on
the environment of a new technology. EnTA can be utilized to strengthen
local capabilities in analysing technology options.
114.
The objectives of the project were:
(a)
To create the capability to design and implement national or
local training events on EnTA for local managers of EnTA;
(b)
To provide basic knowledge to identify the potential impacts of
consequences on the environment of technological solutions and innovations;
(c)
To create understanding how EnTA can contribute to a better
environment for human health and well-being, and also can be related to
sustainable development for their own countries.
115. The project was developed and implemented in close collaboration with
the UNEP Industry and Environment Office. A pilot training workshop for the
Asia/Pacific region took place in November 1995 at the National Institute for
Public Administration (INTAN), Kuala Lumpur. A second regional EnTA workshop
was implemented in close collaboration with the UNEP Regional Office for
Africa, and Potchefstroom University, South Africa. Both workshops led to a
range of national follow-up activities in China, India, Kenya, Laos, Malawi
South Africa, and Viet Nam.
2.
116.
Project outputs
The main project results and outputs were:
(a)
Regional training courses on EnTA held in the Asia/Pacific region
and in South Africa, in close collaboration with national organizations.
Participants came from a range of countries in both regions, including
Benin, Botswana, Gambia, India, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique,
Niger, Nigeria, Swaziland, Uganda, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe and other countries.
Representatives from governmental organizations, research institutes,
training centres and consultants participated;
(b)
Development of an evaluation report based on the immediate
findings and experiences of the participants;
(c)
National follow-up workshops in China, India, Kenya, Laos,
Malawi, South Africa and Viet Nam,;
(d)
A network of participants in the training course.
3.
Project evaluation
35
117. The project evaluation was conducted on the basis of the project
outputs (final report, evaluation report) and discussions with the IETC staff
member then responsible for the project, two participants, a lecturer and a
representative from Potchefstroom University.
Timeliness
Attainment
2
(a)
3
Completion
Budget
2
2
Impact
3
Sustainability
2
Timeliness
118. The project was completed within the project schedule. It received
support from the African Regional Centre for Technology (ARCT) and
Potchefstroom University.
(b)
Attainment
119. The number of participants was quite reasonable and, with the
lecturers, the foundations of a potential network of EnTA experts were
established. There was, however, no indication of any follow-up to the
workshop in terms of maintaining the network or follow-up EnTA activities in
the participants' countries of origin. In addition, the scope of the
training courses was very wide (Project reports and comments from lecturers)
and was not limited to environmental assessment. Although other social
issues are certainly relevant to technology assessment, IETC could have
focused more on the environmental issues.
(c)
Completion
120. The project was completed in line with the expected results set out in
the project document.
(d)
Budget
121. The project was completed within the budget, inter alia, because of
in-kind contributions of the partners in the project.
(e)
Impact
122. The project attracted more than sufficient interest in the Asia-Pacific
region and in African countries. The follow-up to the project and hence the
final impact have also been quite good. Several participants have initiated
regional or national EnTA activities.
(f)
Sustainability
123. The regional workshops have resulted in a number of national follow-up
actions initiated by participants. As IETC has now developed a workbook for
training in environmental technology assessment, even more efforts should be
developed, in close cooperation with the UNEP Industry and Environment
Office, to develop a series of training courses, particularly in those
regions where a real need for EnTA exists because of the need to adopt and
apply environmentally sound technologies.
36
4.
Overall remarks
124. IETC has developed effective EnTA training courses in close cooperation
with the UNEP Industry and Environment Office, INTAN, ARCT and Potchefstroom
University. The lecturers came from different countries, thus providing a
wide range of environmental technology knowledge and experience. The
incorporation of site visits into the training courses proved effective. In
general, the training course was good.
125. The overall objectives of this project, especially those
follow-up in the countries of the participants, have also been
number of participants have initiated EnTA follow-up actions.
participants and lecturers still have contacts with each other
related to
achieved. A
Some
and IETC.
126. It is recommended that EnTA should be integrated into an overall urban
and freshwater environmental training course (see recommendations on page 49
below), which should be held on a more regular basis and in different
regions. Furthermore, the scope of EnTA should be focused more on
environmental issues.
G.
IETC assistance to the Sustainable Cities Programme
of UNCHS (Habitat)
1.
Project description
127. This project involved support from IETC to the demonstration project
"Sustainable Shenyang and Wuhan", as a contribution towards a concerted
effort to promote sustainable physical, economic and social development of
the municipalities of Shenyang and Wuhan by focusing on the development of
local capacities for strategic planning and environmental management.
128. These projects are in support of UNEP commitment to the implementation
of the Sustainable Cities Programme as a joint facility with UNCHS (Habitat).
The IETC contribution was specifically in the area of promoting the transfer
of environmentally sound technologies in the fields of urban and freshwater
environmental management through technology cooperation, capacity-building
and information dissemination and exchange.
129.
The main input of IETC was to focus on:
(a)
concepts;
(b)
Provision of knowledge on environmental risk assessment (EnRA)
Analytical tools for the preparation of an environmental profile;
(c)
Tools for the preparation and development of investment projects,
including concepts and tools for EnTA.
130. IETC support focused on capacity-building and technology transfer of
environmentally sound urban technologies, as well as the provision of
assistance for the preparation phase of the project.
37
2.
131.
Project outputs
The main results that IETC intended to achieve from this project were:
(a)
Assistance to the cities of Shenyang and Wuhan in formulation and
development of local agendas 21 to guide their (environmental) development;
(b)
Provision to the cities of the necessary information on
environmentally sound technologies, of both the software and the hardware
type;
(c)
Demonstration of the mechanisms for sustainable development by
assisting the cities to develop local capacities for environmental planning
and management and build local awareness and skills related to
environmentally sound technologies;
(d)
Provision of information materials and training courses on EnRA
and EnTA, covering both theoretical frameworks and technical systems and
procedures.
3.
Project evaluation
132. The project was evaluated through discussions with the responsible IETC
officials, as wells as by studying the relevant IETC materials and consulting
the coordinator of the Sustainable Cities Programme of UNCHS (Habitat).
(a)
Timeliness
Attainment
Completion
Budget
Impact
Sustainability
3
2
3
3
2
3
Timeliness
133. The IETC contribution to these SCP projects was completed within the
time limits set out in the project document. However, the training sessions
could not be held within the original planning framework of the Sustainable
Cities Programme projects. For various reasons, the planning of these
projects was delayed. The training courses have now taken place at a
relatively early stage of the SCP projects. It is not yet clear whether this
will have a real impact on the further development of the Sustainable Cities
Programme projects.
(b)
Attainment
134. IETC has completed its input to the Sustainable Cities Programme
projects of Shenyang and Wuhan. EnRA and EnTA documents were prepared and
training courses took place. It is not clear whether the results have been
achieved, since the Sustainable Cities Programme projects in China have not
yet been completed.
135. IETC should keep close contacts with the SCP coordinator in order to
identify the final results of its input and the potential opportunities for
improving its contribution to such projects.
38
(c)
Completion
136. IETC has completed its contribution. Close contacts with the
Sustainable Cities Programme remain necessary.
(d)
Budget
137. The total budget of US$ 100,000 was not spent. Only US$ 24,385 was
required for the preparation and conduct of the workshops and the provision
of assistance during the preparatory stage. According to the project
document, the initial budget was provided for the workshops, but the latter
were organized at a considerably lower cost. It was not possible to assess
any difference between the planned and actual contents and quality of these
workshops (programmes, lecturers, materials). The budget requirement was
also lower because the two workshops were organized close to each other so
lecturers could attend both workshops in the course of a single mission.
(e)
Impact
138. The actual results have to be observed during the coming period (final
stages of the SCP projects and contacts with the officials of Shenyang and
Wuhan). Municipal officials are now aware of EnRA and EnTA tools and the
availability of environmentally sound technologies. In addition, they have
access to information systems of IETC (maESTro) and other UNEP or
international Internet sites and databases. Because of the way the workshops
were organized (over a relatively short time), not all officials and
technicians from Shenyang and Wuhan could attend both. As a result, the
final impact of the project will be reduced.
(f)
Sustainability
139. IETC contributions and support of this type will have a low level of
sustainability unless IETC does put more effort into developing tools,
information materials and training methods for such urban management and
planning projects. In view of the central goal of IETC, which is to provide
support in urban environmental management and freshwater lake/reservoir
management, participation of IETC in future Sustainable Cities Programme
projects seems very relevant. IETC should therefore develop a common approach
and even a memorandum of understanding with the Sustainable Cities Programme
for more continuous and systematic cooperation with the Programme and
contributions to its projects.
4.
Overall remarks
140. Participation of IETC in the Sustainable Cities Programme projects is
considered as one of the best means of achieving the Centre's objectives in
the fields of urban environmental management and freshwater lake/reservoir
management. Because of delays in the Sustainable Cities Programme projects
themselves, the timing of the IETC input was not optimal. For this reason,
and also because of the importance of these projects for IETC activities, a
close follow-up is required. IETC should therefore maintain close contacts
with the Sustainable Cities Programme coordinator and, if possible, with
relevant municipal officials of Shenyang and Wuhan. IETC might check the use
of the maESTro database by these municipalities by monitoring the log-ins by
39
these cities to the site.
141.
IETC is already fully aware of the need to follow up on these projects.
H.
International Source Book on Environmentally Sound Technologies
for Municipal Solid Waste Management: follow-up project
1.
Project description
142. Municipal solid-waste management in developing countries involves such
factors as:
(a)
Rapid growth of population, urbanization and expansion of
squatter areas, including an increase in the quantity of solid wastes and
uncontrolled discharges;
(b)
Lack of public awareness, education and community participation
in solid-waste management, including inadequate legislation and enforcement
and ineffective solid-waste-management systems;
(c)
Socio-economic crises causing financial and organizational
weaknesses;
(d)
Increasing consumption and changed consumption patterns.
143. Because of these elements, IETC developed a project with the following
objectives:
(a)
Provision of an inventory of available information sources,
tailored to the needs of developing countries and countries with economies in
transition;
(b)
Development, in a few key areas, of selected in-depth casestudies from developing countries of innovative and cost-effective
technologies for environmentally sound municipal solid-waste management;
(c)
Development of a number of success stories that can be applied by
developing countries.
144. By achieving these objectives, IETC would contribute to an accelerated
flow of information on environmentally sound technologies relating to
municipal solid-waste management through direct contacts between sources and
users, and to enhanced know-how in the target countries.
145. The project has been conducted in close cooperation with the UNEP
Industry and Environment Office and INFOTERRA, the global environmental
information network of UNEP, which already published a Directory of
Information Sources on Wastes and their Treatment, and was coordinated with
activities of UNCHS (Habitat) and the World Health Organization in this
field.
2.
146.
Project outputs
The project has provided the following outputs:
40
(a)
International Source Book on ESTs for the Management of Municipal
Solid Waste;
(b)
Information leaflet prepared to enhance awareness of local
government officials on municipal solid-waste problems, available information
sources and appropriate technologies to address these problems;
(c)
Report of an expert meeting that reviewed issues such as:
(i)
(ii)
Information on how to increase domestic and international
transfers of appropriate technologies; and
Advice to UNEP on whether there is a need for the
establishment of an information clearing-house in this area,
through an article in the IETC's Insight newsletter.
3.
Project evaluation
147. This project was evaluated by studying its outputs, by consulting the
main IETC officials, including the responsible official who has since left
the Centre, and by holding discussions with experts who participated in the
expert meeting and contributed to the development of the sourcebook.
Timeliness
Attainment
Completion
Budget
Impact
Sustainability
2
2
2
3
3
2
(a)
Timeliness
148. According to the project document, the project would start in
April 1996 and be completed on 30 September 1996. The reports were finished
on 1 December 1996. The expert meeting was held from 9 to 11 April 1996.
(b)
Attainment
149. The objectives, as formulated in the project document, were realized.
The sourcebook addresses all issues mentioned in the project document. The
internet homepage and database also provide information on technologies for
municipal solid-waste management.
(c)
Completion
150. With the above outputs, the project can be considered as being
completed.
(d)
Budget
151. The costs proved to be higher than foreseen in the project document.
The budget for the project was, however, limited, originally US$ 30,000. The
required budget of US$ 43,471 seems appropriate in view of the quality of the
final product, namely, the sourcebook on environmentally sound technologies
for municipal solid-waste management.
41
(e)
Impact
152. The outcome of this project may have considerable impact. The
sourcebook is of very good quality. The final impact realized, however, will
depend on the dissemination activities developed and implemented by IETC.
The sourcebook may certainly be used in other project, such as contributions
to Sustainable Cities Programme projects and training courses for urban
environmental management. The impact of the current product seems still
limited as no direct follow-up projects have yet been developed.
153. The sourcebook is also available through the IETC Internet site. The
users of this sourcebook, i.e., those who download the document entirely or
in part, should be registered and contacted in the future for comments or
follow-up actions.
(f)
Sustainability
154. The quality of the sourcebook combined with the available
environmentally sound technologies on municipal solid-waste management in the
maESTro database provide good potential for sustainable use of the outputs of
this project. Because of staff problems at IETC, no follow-up has yet been
organized.
155. It is therefore strongly recommended that the personnel problems of
IETC should be addressed and follow-up activities initiated in this field.
Integration of this sourcebook in an urban environmental management training
course is recommended as one of the most logical follow-up initiatives (see
the recommendations on page 49 below).
4.
Overall remarks
156. The development of an international sourcebook on environmentally sound
technologies for municipal solid-waste management fits in perfectly with the
central objectives of IETC. The project was completed effectively with input
from different international consultants and organizations. The quality of
the final product deserves full attention and follow-up activities.
I.
Source Book on Alternative Technologies for Freshwater
Augmentation: follow-up project
1.
Project description
157. In 1995, IETC, in cooperation with the UNEP water programme,
implemented a series of projects on the preparation of Sourcebook on
alternative technologies for freshwater augmentation in five regions:
Africa, Asia, East and Central Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and
small island developing States.
158. This follow-up project aims to compile the sourcebooks for each of the
five regions into a consolidated format with standardized technical
terminology and textual presentation.
159.
The project thus addresses the following needs:
42
(a)
The need for planners in the various regions to maximize and
augment their freshwater resources using technologies appropriate to their
respective region;
(b)
The need for planners in the regions to be provided with accurate
information on different appropriate technologies used to maximize and
augment freshwater resources.
160. The current project focuses on the compilation (editing, publication)
of the sourcebooks. The evaluation also takes into account the development
of the sourcebook material that took place before April 1996.
2.
161.
Project outputs
The following outputs have been realized:
(a)
Improved information exchange on appropriate technologies for
augmenting and maximizing the use of freshwater resources in the regions
through expert meetings, the collection of information on appropriate
technologies and their dissemination through the maESTro database;
(b)
Enhanced regional capabilities to address freshwater-scarcity
problems through the distribution of the sourcebooks.
3.
Project evaluation
162. The project was evaluated through discussions with the responsible IETC
officer, the study of the final products and consultations with experts
involved in the development of the sourcebooks.
Timeliness
Attainment
3
(a)
2
Completion
2
Budget
2
Impact
2
Sustainability
2
Timeliness
163. The initial duration of the project was to be only seven months. In the
end, it took 24 months to produce the sourcebooks. The initial timescale,
however, seems unrealistic. From the outset, at least one year should have
been allocated for the production of these sourcebooks. The eventual 24
months are considered to be too long. It would probably have been better to
develop the project document and timeframe after the selection of the
consultant.
(b)
Attainment
164. The original project objectives have been accomplished. The five
sourcebooks have been printed and are of good quality. The appropriate
technologies described in the sourcebooks are also made available through the
IETC maESTro database.
165.
The sourcebook materials were produced by hiring experts and organizing
43
expert meetings for each region.
(c)
Completion
166.
The project was completed as foreseen, but with a considerable delay.
(d)
Budget
167. The project was almost completed within the original budget of
US$ 25,000. Final expenditures were US$ 29,436, despite a reduced number of
copies printed (300 instead of 500). The budget estimate would have been
better if it could have been based on an offer from the printer.
(e)
Impact
168. The sourcebooks have only recently become available and their impact
will depend on their distribution to users and decision makers and on the
accompanying activities, such as training courses and workshops.
169. It is recommended that the information in the sourcebooks be integrated
into an urban and freshwater environmental management training course to be
developed and organized by IETC (see the recommendations on page 49 below).
(f)
Sustainability
170. The sustainability of these products will depend on follow-up
activities; as mentioned above, and on the maintenance and updating of the
technology database. In this respect, it is also important to initiate
follow-up workshops or training courses as soon as possible, since such
activities will provide a means for gathering comments and suggestions for
improving the databases and new technologies.
4.
Overall remarks
171. This project fits in very well with the overall objectives of IETC
related to urban environmental management and freshwater lake/reservoir
management. The project suffered a considerable delay partly because the
original timeframe was too restricted and partly because of problems with the
consultant hired for the editing. These problems could have been reduced by
preparing clear work programmes with the consultant, providing for a revision
of the project document and ensuring rigorous management of the project
subsequently: for example, if the consultant did not produce according to
the agreed conditions, payments could be reduced.
172. The final products are very useful for future IETC activities. It is
recommended that the sourcebooks be integrated into a general urban and
freshwater environmental management training course.
III.
A.
173.
CONCLUSIONS
General conclusions
Based on the analysis of the projects performed by IETC and on general
44
discussions with IETC personnel, the following conclusions have been
developed.
174. Between 1 April 1996 and December 1997, IETC developed and implemented
a considerable number of projects. Two of the projects mentioned in the
umbrella project document were not implemented, and eight projects were fully
completed. Taking the restricted number of personnel into account, this is
considered to be a successful accomplishment. IETC has thus certainly been
effective.
175. IETC is only a small office. Although the total of staff complement is
approximately 20 (including two consultants and six Japanese support staff),
IETC currently only has two programme officers responsible for project
development and implementation (not counting the Director, responsible for
overall management, the Liaison Officer and the Administration/Fund
Management Officer), two consultants and six support staff provided by GEC
and ILEC. The limited number of international programme officers restricts
the capability of IETC to maintain regular and effective contacts with other
international institutes and funding organizations.
176. Despite its small size, IETC has two offices, one in Osaka and one in
Shiga. Although the housing of one branch of IETC at the premises of ILEC is
logical because of IETC freshwater activities and the support provided by
ILEC in this field, this split hampers effective communication between IETC
staff members.
177. IETC is almost fully (90 per cent) financed by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Japan. A major contribution from the Japanese Government is
logical because of the initiation of IETC by the Japanese Government, this
dependence on one source of funding nevertheless poses financial risks to
IETC. Most other UNEP offices receive support (financial or in kind as
seconded staff) from other countries. The funding of IETC for the coming
year is again secured but IETC should develop activities with support from
other sources.
178. The number of professional staff responsible for the development and
implementation of projects and network maintenance at IETC is almost
critical. Current vacancies at IETC have reduced the number of programme
officers to an absolute minimum. This already leads to insufficient
networking and has lead to abandoning one project (annex 6: Basic Research to
best Practices in Implementing Urban Sewage Programme). The number of
professional staff should be increased on short notice by filling the
vacancies.
179. The IETC mission is to strengthen the capabilities of developing
countries and countries with economies in transition, to manage large cities
(urban environmental management) and freshwater lake/reservoir basins by
promoting international transfer of environmentally sound technologies. The
current image of IETC is focused on the collection and dissemination of
information on Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs). Although this
certainly is a central element of the IETC mission, a more central focus on
Urban and Freshwater Environmental Management could be more attractive for
most governments and funding organizations. Technology information
dissemination would then play an important but secondary role, secondary in
45
the sense of supportive to the central mission.
180. Although the mission of IETC seems clear and provides a basis for
project development, a clear vision of the IETC position and central focus is
missing. IETC has successfully developed and implemented a number of
activities but these seem to be stand alone projects with limited or no
feedback or cross-fertilization. Follow-up to these activities have
therefore been very limited or even not taken place at all.
181. Networking is a very important activity for a centre like IETC. In
particular, the Director (with regard to international contacts, the United
Nations, UNEP etc.) and the Senior Liaison Officer (with regard to Japan)
have to develop and maintain effective relationships with collaborating and
supporting agencies and organizations.
Project development could also be
initiated on the basis of priorities of these organizations in order to
ensure financial support or secondment from these organizations. Current
networking activities of IETC are at a relatively low level because of
insufficient quality and quantity of personnel.
182. GEC and ILEC now provide professional staff to IETC in both offices.
Staff now provided by GEC and ILEC do not have sufficient experience in the
environmental field, in development and implementation of international
projects and activities and in English language. The selection of GEC and
ILEC staff provided to IETC should be done by the Director of IETC and be
based on among others the aforementioned criteria.
B.
Project development
183. IETC successfully developed and implemented a series of projects.
These activities have resulted in the following products and tools that
warrant maintaining and updating and that will support future activities of
IETC:
(a)
Internet homepage with the maESTro EST database of good quality
already serving an increasing number of users;
(b)
Newsletter, IETC's Insight, published on a regular (two to three
times a year) basis with a professional outlook and providing adequate
information;
(c)
Number of information materials (sourcebooks, workbooks, manuals
etc.) that will support the development of future IETC projects.
184. The projects and activities developed and implemented to date are
developed as stand-alone and separate activities (except for the EST database
and newsletter, which both support all other IETC activities). These
activities, although mostly completed successfully, have resulted in high
quality materials that now need to be developed and incorporated into an
integrated urban environmental management methodology.
185. All projects have been developed with relevant and adequate
international cooperation as well as with other UNEP organizations; like UNEP
Industry and Environment Centre, other United Nations organizations, like
UNCHS (Habitat) and Sustainable Cities Programme, and international expert
46
organizations. Through such cooperation, a basis for further development of
activities and integration of experiences has been established.
C.
SWOT Analysis:
186. Based on the above observations and conclusions a SWOT analysis has
been developed, as shown in table 3 on below.
Table 3:
SWOT analysis of IETC
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Good and effective cooperation
with the United Nations, UNEP
and other international
organizations
Insufficient Professional staff
for the development and
implementation of projects
Excessive orientation on
environmental technologies
which is receiving less
attention as a primary topic
Number of effective tools
available: Internet site with
maESTro and EST database,
newsletter and manuals and
sourcebooks
IETC is considered as a
"Japanese" organization, which
makes it difficult to receive
support from other countries
Cooperation with and continuous
support from Japanese
organisations GEC and ILEC
No established network with
major countries and agencies
having a direct interest in
IETC activities
Continuous financial support
from the Japanese Government
providing a baseline for
project development
Insufficient follow-up on
projects because of personnel
shortages leading to
underdeveloped networking
GEC and ILEC support in
providing staff does not match
the requirements of the Centre
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
Urban environmental management
and freshwater management are
increasingly important
Risk of reduction of the
contribution from the Japanese
Government due to budgetary
problems on the Japanese
overall budget
47
Other organizations developing
international activities in the
field of urban and freshwater
environmental management
48
IV.
RECOMMENDATIONS
187. The International Environmental Technology Centre of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP/IETC) started its activities in 1994 after a
series of earlier discussions and implementation meetings. The IETC
inauguration meeting took place on 30 October 1992. The Government of Japan
then signed an agreement with UNEP to set up the International Environmental
technology Centre. Close collaboration with other UNEP units, such as the
Industry and Environment Centre and the Global Environmental Monitoring
System (GEMS) was also sought. The budget of IETC would come from two
sources:
(a)
The programme budget of the UNEP Environment Fund;
(b)
Voluntary contributions made to a technical cooperation trust
fund.
188. IETC became operational in April 1994 and operates from two offices,
one in Shiga, housed and supported by the International Lake Environmental
Council (ILEC) and one in Osaka, housed and supported by the Global
Environment Centre (GEC). Through these Japanese supporting organizations,
the prefectures of Shiga and Osaka contribute to and support IETC.
189. The main objective of the Centre is to contribute to the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to developing countries and countries with
economies in transition. The work of IETC work is organized around three
sub-issues:
(a)
The improvement of access to information on environmentally sound
technologies, through, for example, the maESTro database on such technologies
and the Internet homepage of IETC;
(b)
The fostering of technology cooperation, partnerships and
technology transfer, through, for example, publications, reports, and
maESTro;
(c)
Capacity-building through the organization of workshops and
training courses.
49
Annex I
LIST OF INTERVIEWEES AND PERSONS CONTACTED
Dr. John Whitelaw
Mrs. M. Hoshino
Mr. R. Rodriguez
Mr. T. Hiraishi
Mr. H. Sasaki
Mr. J. Neate
Mrs. L. Casanova
Mr. V. Santiago
Mr. H. Shiroi
Mr. H. Ikeda
Mr. Y. Shindo
Mr. K. Jin
Mr. C. Strohmann
Prof. I.V. Springuel
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Ms.
N. Miruka Mong'oni
J.Ngari Kabugua
J. Petrie
B. Popescu
Mr. D. Strom
Mrs. S. Antkainen
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
V.
J.
V.
R.
J.
Gheorghievici
Kerekes
Plocq Fichelet
Berloznik
Nel
Mr. M. Tuurman
Mr.
Ms.
Mr.
Mr.
J. Eigen
J. Aloisi de Larderel
F. Balkau
David Garceran Nieuwenburg
Director IETC
Administrative/Fund Management officer
IETC
Information Consultant
Senior Adviser
Senior Liaison Officer
Consultant (Water programme)
Deputy director IETC, Shiga office
Programme Officer, Shiga office
City of Osaka
Global Issues Division, Japan Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
Deputy Director Global Issues Division,
Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Director Planning Division, Global
Environment Department, Environment
Agency
UNCHS Habitat
South Valley University, Australia, EnTA
Workshop
Office of the President, EnTA Workshop
Ngari Associates, Kenya, EnTA Workshop
Australia, EnTA Workshop
Romanian Water Authority, Romania,
Freshwater Augmentation project
State Government of Florida, United
States of America IETC Insight
Finnish Environment Institute, IETC
Insight
Director PPC, Romania, IETC Insight
Environment Canada, IETC Insight
Executive director SCOPE, IETC Insight
VITO, Belgium, EnTA Workshop
Potchefstroom University, South Africa,
EnTA and EST Workshops
Ministry of Environment, Estonia, EST
Workshop
Coordinator SCP
UNEP IE/PAC, Paris
UNEP IE/PAC, EnTA Workshop
KLM/ Consultant to IETC, maESTro
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Annex II
LIST OF REVIEWED DOCUMENTS
1.
IETC umbrella project, project action sheet, UNEP, 15 May 1996, with 10
Annexes describing the individual activities of UNEP/IETC (a scheduled annex
2 was cancelled:
Annex 1: IETC project document: Pilot training programme/workshop on
adopting, applying and operating ESTs for urban and lake/reservoir
management;
Annex 3:
IETC project document:
Improving Access to Information on
Annex 4:
Insight .
IETC project document:
Quarterly IETC Newsletters IETC's
Annex 5:
IETC project document:
IETC support to Habitat II;
ESTs;
Annex 6: IETC project document: Basic research guidelines to best
practices in implementing urban sewage programmes;
Annex 7: IETC Project Document:
leadership training programme;
EnTA for decision-makers:
a
Annex 8: IETC project document:
cities programme of UNCHS (Habitat);
IETC assistance to the sustainable
Annex 9: IETC project proposal: International sourcebook on ESTs for
municipal solid waste management - follow-up project;
Annex 10: IETC project proposal: Sourcebook on alternative
technologies for freshwater augmentation - follow-up project.
2.
IETC internal evaluation of umbrella project and annexes.
3.
Report of the International Advisory Board meeting, Osaka, July 1995.
4.
IETC internet homepage.
5.
GEC internet homepage.
6.
ILEC internet homepage.
7.
Initiatives for Sustainable Development, Towards the 21st Century
(Summary), Government of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
8.
Press release: Statement by Mr. Koichi Yamamoto, State Secretary for
Environment at the sixth session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development.
51
9.
Statement by Mr. K. Tanaka, Vice-Minister, Environment Agency of Japan
to UNEP Governing Council special session, Nairobi, 21 May 1998.
10.
UNEP/IETC:
Guide to Facilities, brochure.
11.
Annual report 1996, Global Environment Centre Foundation.
12.
Sustainable Cities Programme Internet Homepage.
13.
Sustainable Cities Programme Newsletter, 10/14/1998.
14.
European Commission DG XI Urban Environment Sustainable Cities progress
report 1993-1996.
15.
IETC's Insight: Issues of spring 1996, summer 1996, fall 1996, winter
1996, August 1997, December 1997, June 1998, September 1998.
16.
maESTro documentation and CD-ROM.
17.
Survey of information systems related to ESTs, UNEP Industry and
Environment Centre, UNEP/IETC and UNEP headquarters.
18.
IETC Report Series No.3: Environmental technology assessment (EnTA):
A leadership training programme.
19.
IETC Technical Publication Series No.
ESTs for municipal solid waste management.
6:
20.
IETC Technical Publication Series No 8.:
technologies for freshwater augmentation.
52
International sourcebook on
Sourcebook for alternative
Annex III
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE UNEP/IETC
UMBRELLA PROJECT (JC/3220-96-07)
1.
Under the guidance of the Chief of the Evaluation Unit and in close
collaboration with the UNEP/IETC Director, Deputy Director, other relevant
UNEP/IETC officers and relevant UNEP officers in Nairobi, the evaluator shall
undertake a detailed review and evaluation of the UNEP/IETC umbrella project.
This evaluation will be conducted during the period from 10 October 1998 to
22 November 1998 (one month spread over six weeks).
A.
Background
2.
The project to be evaluated has been being implemented by UNEP/IETC.
This umbrella project consists of 10 annexes as follows.
(a)
Annex 1: Pilot training programme/workshop on adopting, applying
and operating environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) for urban and lake
reservoir management;
(b)
Annex 2: IETC support to the modernization of the urban
management programme of Indonesia (Note: this annex was subsequently
cancelled);
(c)
Annex 3:
sound technologies;
Improving access to information on environmentally
(d)
Annex 4:
Quarterly IETC newsletter IETC's Insight;
(e)
Annex 5:
IETC support to Habitat II;
(f)
Annex 6: Basic research guidelines to best practices in
implementing urban sewage programme;
(g)
Annex 7: Environmental technology assessment (EnTA) for
decision-makers: A leadership training programme;
(h)
Annex 8:
UNCHS (Habitat);
IETC assistance to the sustainable cities programme of
(i)
Annex 9: International source book on environmentally sound
technologies for municipal solid waste management
follow-up project
(j)
Annex 10: Source book on alternative technologies for freshwater
augmentation
follow-up project
B.
Scope of the evaluation
3.
The scope of the evaluation will cover the key activities undertaken by
the UNEP/IETC within this Umbrella Project. The consultant will compare the
planned outputs of the project to the actual outputs and assess the actual
53
results to determine the impact of the project. The consultant will also
highlight the lessons learned from the implementation of this project that
would improve the implementation of future projects in the area of transfer
of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) and assess the appropriateness
of this project in meeting the longer term objectives of UNEP and UNEP/IETC.
4.
The evaluation should also determine to what extent the project has
been successful in fulfilling its objectives and obtaining the expected
results and whether it has been cost- effective in producing these results.
C.
5.
Terms of reference for the evaluator (consultant)
The evaluator (consultant) shall;
(a)
Determine the appropriateness of the project objectives in
relation to UNEP objectives by reviewing the basis on which the project was
created. It should be determined whether the project has been able to fulfil
the identified needs and to solve problems of the target groups;
(b)
Determine the added value of the project to the core programmes
of UNEP, how this project compliments other UNEP activities in the area of
transfer of ESTs and whether this project is consistent with the identified
role of UNEP as catalyst in solving environmental problems;
(c)
Analyse the quality and usefulness of the project outputs and
determine how these contribute to the attainment of results and overall
objectives identified in the approved project proposal;
(d)
Assess the level of stakeholder involvement in the design and
implementation of the project, identify the lessons learned and provide
recommendations on how such involvement could be improved in future projects;
(e)
Assess the role of the project in building the capacity of the
target groups in the area of transfer of ESTs and assess the long term
sustainability of the benefits of this capacity building;
(e)
Assess to what extent UNEP/IETC utilized relevant ongoing and
past research and operational activities of the UNEP, the scientific
community and other donor institutions and indicate how such potential
synergy may have been realised in implementing the project;
(f)
Review the adequacy of the monitoring and evaluations systems
developed to supervise implementation of the project and based on the lessons
learned, provide recommendations that could improve current procedures
related to monitoring and evaluation;
(g)
Review the effectiveness of the organizational structure,
management and financial systems which affected the implementation of the
project. This will be done by investigating the staffing, administrative
arrangements and operational mechanisms with emphasis on the co-ordination
within and outside of UNEP. The evaluator (consultant) will solicit the
views of relevant UNEP and UNEP/IETC staff members on the usefulness of the
project in enhancing both UNEP and IETC work in the area of transfer of ESTs;
54
(h)
Identify any technical and/or operational constraints encountered
during project implementation including those that caused any delay in
implementing the approved work plan. Examine the actions taken by UNEP to
overcome those constraints, the lessons learned and discuss any appropriate
alternative measures that could have been taken;
(i)
Identify and assess any measures that target groups have
initiated to integrate the results and recommendations produced in
implementing the project into relevant policy making and/or planning. The
evaluator (consultant) should also make specific recommendations regarding
potential measures of follow-up evaluation that would enable UNEP and
UNEP/IETC to gauge the longer term benefits and sustainability of project
activities;
(j)
Determine the extent to which gender considerations were
incorporated into the various technical and operational aspects of the
project;
(k)
Make other concrete suggestions or recommendations which may
benefit future UNEP/IETC projects.
6.
The evaluator (consultant) should examine the operational and
technical advantages and disadvantages of the "umbrella" approach comparing
it with the individual project format. The evaluation report should cite
lessons learned and make specific recommendations regarding such "umbrella"
projects in the future.
D.
7.
Evaluation report format
The in-depth evaluation report should include:
(a)
Concise summary (about four pages) covering items (a)-(g) below;
and
(b)
Detailed evaluation report (about 30 pages) addressing (a)
through (g) below;
(c)
Rate of successfulness of the project on a scale from 1 to 5,
with 1 being the highest rating and 5 being the lowest.
8.
The following items will be considered for rating purposes:
(a)
Timeliness: how the project met the schedule and implementation
time table cited in the project document;
(b)
Achievement of results/objectives;
(c)
Attainment of outputs;
(d)
Completion of activities;
(e)
Project executed within budget;
(f)
Impact created by the project;
55
(g)
Sustainability.
9.
Each of the items should be rated separately.
system shall be applied:
1
2
3
4
5
-
excellent
very good
good
satisfactory
unsatisfactory
E.
The following rating
(90-100 per cent achievement)
(75-89 per cent)
(60-74 per cent)
(50-59 per cent)
(49 per cent and below)
Schedule of the evaluation
10.
The evaluation should run from 10 October to 22 November 1998 (one
month spread over six weeks). As part of this evaluation, the consultant may
visit UNEP/IETC in Osaka and Shiga, Japan to discuss the project with the
relevant staff members of IETC. As an alternative, the consultant may
interview the relevant staff members by telephone.
11.
The consultant will present a draft of the final evaluation by
6 November 1998. The UNEP/IETC will provide written comments on the draft
evaluation report to the consultant through the UNEP Evaluation Unit to the
consultant by 16 November 1998.
12.
The consultant will incorporate these comments and present the final
version of the evaluation report to the UNEP Evaluation Unit in English by
22 November 1998. This report should be presented in written form and on a
diskette in Wordperfect or MS Word formats. The core report should not
exceed 30 pages.
F.
Qualifications
13.
The consultant must be on the roster of experts in UNEP, have an
advanced university degree in relevant discipline and should have
demonstrated expertise in the area of international development assistance
with special reference to environmental issues. Previous experience in the
evaluation of United Nations programmes will be an advantage. The candidate
should have at least 10 years of experience in the above-mentioned field or
in related fields.
16 September 1998
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