The First Training Session for Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production Experts in Azerbaijan took place on 14 December 2021. The Second training is scheduled for 27 January 2022.
The conversation on the RECP methodology further materialized with the first training for RECP Experts in Azerbaijan. The sessions gathered over 60 specialists working in environmental management and engineering (chemical, industrial, environment, or related fields) who decided to be trained on the RECP methods and their application. The online training also attracted representatives of enterprises which were selected as Demonstration Companies for the RECP assessments (to be performed within the project). All in all, the purpose of the RECP training is to provide hands-on experience and advanced coaching on the application of the RECP methodology in Demonstration companies´ to their internal teams, and to energy and environmental professionals. As a result, trainees learn to understand how the RECP methodology is applied to manufacturing enterprises and how the generated RECP measures improve resource efficiency in production processes.
The development of a local expertise in Azerbaijan is yet another important goal for ensuring long-term results with a continued RECP adoption. This training is covered by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as part of the “Circular Economy and New Growth Opportunity” Component of the EU-funded EU4Environment Action. In this sense, UNIDO developed the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) methodology to improve the production and environmental activities of enterprises. This approach is based on an ongoing assessment of the potential for saving resources, energy, and materials to prevent overspending, reduce emissions and discharges of pollutants into the environment, and reduce waste generation (which will contribute to improving efficiency and reducing economic costs of enterprises).
“Here, we are addressing together not only the issues of one country, but of the whole Eastern Partner (EaP) region, as EU4Environment operates in all six EaP countries. Our goal is to work with enterprises both individually and in groups to boost their efficiency. UNIDO already has over 30 years of experience on RECP in different countries, and this experience clearly shows that the economic aspect of environmental protection is relevant to enterprises and to their strategies. This is why we are convinced that we can speak the same language as the manufacturers and industries, and translate the global decarbonisation agenda into a concrete country effort that is reflected in many legislative and strategic documents at the national level in Azerbaijan”, said Ms. Tatiana Chernyavskaya, EU4Environment Project Manager, UNIDO
Background
Currently, one of the most important approaches to improving the production and environmental activities of enterprises is the introduction of resource-efficient and cleaner production (RECP) . This approach is based on an ongoing assessment of the potential for saving resources, energy, and materials to prevent overspending, reduce emissions and discharges of pollutants into the environment, and reduce waste generation, which will contribute to improving efficiency and reducing economic costs of enterprises.
Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) is used as an umbrella term for the application of preventive environmental strategies to achieve the triple aims of production efficiency, environmental management, and human development. The RECP Programme builds national capacities, fosters dialogue between industry and government and facilitates investments for the transfer and adaptation of Environmentally Sound Technologies.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes the RECP methodology, which is used by specialists of enterprises and experts in the field of environmental management to identify sources of losses of all types of resources used by the enterprise, identify the root causes of such losses, develop and assess the feasibility of activities aimed at reducing or completely eliminate the identified resource losses.
RECP training and coaching programme aims to build awareness of its trainees on the principles of the RECP methodology. The RECP programme shall consist of a set of training sessions and coaching activities that will develop RECP capacities among local professionals and demonstrate its benefits at selected production companies.