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INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION ON CLEANER PRODUCTION

September 1998
United Nations Environment Programme

Original

We recognize that achieving sustainable development is a collective responsibility. Action to protect the global environment must include the adoption of improved sustainable production and consumption practices.

We believe that Cleaner Production and other preventive strategies such as Eco-efficiency, Green Productivity and Pollution Prevention are preferred options. They require the development, support and implementation of appropriate measures.

We understand Cleaner Production to be the continuous application of an integrated, preventive strategy applied to processes, products and services in pursuit of economic, social, health, safety and environmental benefits.

To this end we are committed to:

LEADERSHIP

Using our influence

• to encourage the adoption of sustainable production and consumption practices through our relationships with stakeholders.

AWARENESS EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Building capacity

• by developing and conducting awareness, education and training programmes within our organization;
  
• by encouraging the inclusion of the concepts and principles into educational curricula at all levels.

INTEGRATION

Encouraging the integration of preventive strategies

• into all levels of our organization;
  
• within environmental management systems;
  
• by using tools such as environmental performance evaluation, environmental accounting, and environmental impact, life cycle, and cleaner production assessments.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Creating innovative solutions

• by promoting a shift of priority from end-of-pipe to preventive strategies in our research and development policies and activities;
  
• by supporting the development of products and services which are environmentally efficient and meet consumer needs.

COMMUNICATION

Sharing our experience

• by fostering dialogue on the implementation of preventive strategies and informing external stakeholders about their benefits.

IMPLEMENTATION

Taking action to adopt Cleaner Production

• by setting challenging goals and regularly reporting progress through established management systems;
  
• by encouraging new and additional finance and investment in preventive technology options, and promoting environmentally sound technology cooperation and transfer between countries;
  
• through cooperation with UNEP and other partners and stakeholders in supporting this declaration and reviewing the success of its implementation.
  

Maintained by Global Environment Centre Foundation