Water in the Green Economy: Capacity Development Aspects

This book discusses needs related to capacity development for water resources management, including water supply and sanitation, in the context of the green economy. It showcases theoretical and practical approaches with proven success. Most contributions come from members and partners within the interagency mechanism, UN-Water. The 11 case studies in this book range from innovative design and delivery of capacity development programs related to water in the green economy, market mechanisms, and quality control procedures supporting capacity development success towards the practical implementation of programs to enhance individual and institutional capacity

Enhancing Developing Country Access to Eco-Innovation: The Case of Technology Transfer and Climate Change in a Post-2012 Policy Framework

The deployment of eco-innovations in developing countries is a key driver of their contribution to efficiently addressing global environmental challenges. It is also a key driver of markets for eco-innovation and sustainable economic development. This report explores the barriers developing countries face in accessing markets for eco-innovation. It outlines the key considerations policy needs to address to overcome these barriers and discusses the extent to which selected existing policy mechanisms and organisation have achieved this. The key finding of the report is that the majority of existing policy mechanisms fails to recognise the critical importance of developing indigenous eco-innovation capabilities amongst developing country firms. Indigenous eco-innovation capabilities are essential to facilitating both the diffusion of existing ecoinnovations within developing countries and sustainable economic development based on the adoption, adaption and development of environmentally sound technologies that fit with the bespoke conditions faced by developing countries. Building up eco-innovation capabilities in developing countries requires a shift away from the current focus on large project based approaches which emphasise the transfer of the hardware aspects of clean technologies, towards approaches that emphasise flows of codified knowledge (know-how and know-why) and tacit knowledge. Policy also needs to be improved to better respond to the context-specific technological and cultural requirements which vary inter- and intra-nationally

Urban green space: stakeholders’ and visitors’ perception in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Planning, development and maintenance of urban green space is among the key elements of sustainable urban development. Acknowledging and participating in the conservation and enhancement of the urban green space can improve the environment and provide huge benefits to city dwellers. The aim of this paper is to investigate the stakeholders’ and visitors’ understanding of their responsibility and responsiveness towards urban green spaces in Kuala Lumpur. Stakeholders and people understanding and responsibilities were investigated using interview method. Visitors to various urban parks in Kuala Lumpur and representatives of the National Landscape Department (JLN) and the City Hall of Kuala Lumpur (CHKL) were interviewed to capture the view of stakeholders and visitors. The study found that most visitors are concerned with the quality of the physical development and social necessities as their preferences for ‘sustainable city’. The survey also indicates that the government should initiate enhancement of urban green space and promote awareness of conservation through gazettes and information campaign to preserve urban green space. Thus, stakeholders such as NGOs, developers, professionals should play their role in realizing the visions of local authorities and the nation. Research demonstrated that there is need to have high awareness towards environmental attitude which could be enhanced to encourage preservation and conservation of nature and their associated benefits. Key words: Urban planning, Urban green space, Urban environment, Social benefits

Internal report cluster 1: Urban freight innovations and solutions for sustainable deliveries (2/4)

Technical report about sustainable urban freight solutions, part 2 of

Digital Education Policies in Europe and Beyond: Key Design Principles for More Effective Policies

This report offers policy-makers in digital education evidence on how, at the national or regional level, policies can be designed and implemented to foster digital-age learning. The presented findings are the result of a mixed methodological design comprising four parts: desk-research on digital education policy, the identification of national and regional policies worldwide, six in-depth case studies, and an expert workshop. The discussion of the cases identified and studied in depth leads to the formulation of eight core-guiding principles, which can serve as a reference point for policy-makers for the design and implementation of digital education policies: 1. Follow a holistic approach targeting systemic change; 2. Establish both a long-term vision and short-term achievable goals; 3. Deploy technology as a means not an end; 4. Embrace experimentation, risk-taking and failure; 5. Consider the importance and the limits of impact assessment; 6. Involve all stakeholders in a structured dialogue; 7. Let schools and teachers have a say; 8. Build up teaching competence.JRC.B.4-Human Capital and Employmen