UN: Developing countries need support to ensure cleaner industries – top UN official
The ongoing financial and economic crisis could lead to a new ‘green industrial revolution,’ but developing countries will need strong support to ensure they do not lose out on this opportunity, the head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) said today.
“We must make sure that the crisis is used to launch a new green industrial revolution. But it has to be a truly global one. Developing countries and poor communities, already the most afflicted by climate change, cannot afford to lose out,” said UNIDO Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella.
“They will need continued support to make their industries cleaner, to enhance their technological know-how, and to build policy toward new green industries and renewable forms of energy for productive purposes.”
Mr. Yumkella’s comments come ahead of World Environment Day, observed on 5 June, the theme of which this year is “your planet needs you! UNite to combat climate change.”
“I’m certain – a new industrial revolution is just around the corner, and this time it will be green,” the Director-General stated.
“Industry, long regarded as the main source of emissions that cause climate change, should be in the driving seat moving the world towards a sustainable future. Cleaner production and renewable energy – as well as resource- and energy-efficient technologies – are set to change forever the relationship we have with our global commons,” he added.
Based in Vienna, UNIDO works towards improving the quality of life of the world’s poor by helping countries achieve sustainable industrial development.
“We must make sure that the crisis is used to launch a new green industrial revolution. But it has to be a truly global one. Developing countries and poor communities, already the most afflicted by climate change, cannot afford to lose out,” said UNIDO Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella.
“They will need continued support to make their industries cleaner, to enhance their technological know-how, and to build policy toward new green industries and renewable forms of energy for productive purposes.”
Mr. Yumkella’s comments come ahead of World Environment Day, observed on 5 June, the theme of which this year is “your planet needs you! UNite to combat climate change.”
“I’m certain – a new industrial revolution is just around the corner, and this time it will be green,” the Director-General stated.
“Industry, long regarded as the main source of emissions that cause climate change, should be in the driving seat moving the world towards a sustainable future. Cleaner production and renewable energy – as well as resource- and energy-efficient technologies – are set to change forever the relationship we have with our global commons,” he added.
Based in Vienna, UNIDO works towards improving the quality of life of the world’s poor by helping countries achieve sustainable industrial development.