On 9 November 2022, EU4Environment invited media outlets, journalists, entrepreneurs, business representatives, decision-makers, members of civil society, academia and any other interested stakeholders from the Republic of Moldova to a discussion on the feasibility of implementing Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) and on the potential benefits of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) for national enterprises. During the session, an open buffet will be available for all participants.
The media lunch served as a platform to engage with the press in Moldova and discuss the role and potential benefits of EIP and RECP in the country. The event was divided into two sections: the first part consisted of a one-hour discussion with all participants (with a buffet lunch included), followed by a two-hour press tour of the Industrial Park (IP) Tracom and some of its tenant enterprises.
During the tour, the participants enjoyed hands-on interactions with the companies involved in the EIP feasibility assessment and saw what challenges and opportunities industries encounter on their path towards a resource efficient and cleaner production. The two activities are implemented by UNIDO under the “Circular Economy and New Opportunities” framework, as part of the EU-funded EU4Envirionment Action.
The following questions were provided for the media lunch:
- How do you see the role of RECP/EIP contributing to Moldova’s green development? What are some well-known facts; what is completely new information?
- What are the economic, social, and environmental benefits of EIPs? How is the impact of EIPs related to business communities and industrial zones?
- How would you evaluate the level of knowledge on resource efficiency, waste management, and industrial symbiosis among Moldovan companies? What barriers can you spot in the promotion of efficient use of resources?
- What role does the media have in informing and promoting resource efficiency and EIP practices? What steps can be taken to raise awareness and visibility of the Government’s and international organizations’ efforts to promote a Circular and Green Economy?
- What support is needed to improve the local/national capacity of the media to report on resource efficiency and circular economy?
The following questions were provided as suggestions for the press tour to IP Tracom:
- How do you see the role of Industrial Parks (clusters of different businesses and industries) contributing to the national goals to achieve a green economy?
- What is understood by Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production? What is understood by Circular Economy? Are these concepts similar or interrelated?
- What government efforts could further motivate manufacturers to turn to RECP? What would further incentivize free economic zones or parks to switch towards Eco-Industrial Parks?
- What benefits would RECP and EIPs bring to manufacturers in Moldova (enhanced competitiveness, resource optimization, access to international markets (such as the one for green products), economic savings)?
- What are the main benefits of, embracing RECP? What are the main challenges?
The path towards green growth
The topic of resource efficiency is especially relevant in today’s turbulent times, as, on top of the ongoing security and energy crises, climate change can instil some of the worst consequences for vulnerable people and industries. In this sense, the enterprises’ struggle to survive well captures the complexity of fighting inefficiency and climate change at the same time. Here, Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) can support producers by equipping them with a continuous application of preventive environmental strategies to help optimize processes, products, and services in order to increase efficiency and reduce risks to humans and the environment. Successful cases of the application of RECP have already been recorded in other countries of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region (such as Ukraine) and, more manufacturers are turning to RECP to improve their production, increase their resilience, and boost their competitiveness, all while becoming more environmentally friendly.
For those businesses organized in clusters such as industrial parks or free economic zones, the transition towards Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) can further help achieve enhanced environmental, economic, and social performance through collaboration in managing environmental and resource issues. This is known as industrial symbiosis, which is a means by which companies can gain a competitive advantage through the physical exchange of materials, energy, water, and by-products, thereby fostering inclusive and sustainable development. Only by building on such examples, spreading awareness about how much RECP matters, and helping more industries follow suit, can industries gain the full benefits of a resilient defence against climate change that is also sustainable and long-lasting.
The resource efficiency week in Moldova
The media lunch and press tour are organized as part of a larger activity hosted by UNIDO in the Republic of Moldova. Between 7-10 November 2022, the UNIDO EIP Expert conducted a field mission to Industrial Park Tracom and Free Economic Zone Valkaneș, which have been designated as pilot territories for testing the introduction of the international framework for Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP). Over the past few months, the EIP feasibility assessment for both parks has been undertaken through remote engagements with the International EIP expert team. This field mission was used to follow up on these discussions, validate the findings until the current date, and provide support for developing concrete next steps and an action plan to help the two pilots become EIPs.
Concomitantly, on the 9th of November, UNIDO hosted the Stakeholders Group meeting, followed up by a partnership-building meeting with an extended audience (including international organizations, experts, and institutions supporting green transition in Moldova) that is interested in further introducing resource efficiency in Moldova’s industries and industrial clusters. The previous Stakeholders Group meeting took place on 12 May 2021, when the main topics of discussion were engaging the industrial sector and approving the focus regions for the RECP Clubs. This year, the stakeholders will reconvene to take stock of the progress on RECP in the country, report on the activities related to “Circular Economy and New Growth Opportunities”, and present the strategy for RECP institutionalization and support to establish the RECP network. The day then concluded with the media lunch and press tour (the only two events open to the general public).