EC-SWITCH Asia
Sustainable and Responsible Trade Promoted to Wood Processing SMEs through Forest and Trade Networks in China, India and Vietnam
Due to unprecedented economic growth and development in India, China and Vietnam (the target countries of this Action), increased demand for natural resources is placing pressure on valuable and threatened forests at a pace which far outstrips efforts to ensure sustainability.
The costs of unsustainable development and related forest degradation in Asia are high: millions in Asia now face increased flooding, mudslides, and wildfires as a result of forest loss. Despite rapid economic growth, high levels of disparity in social and economic well being are evident in the target countries.
Continued degradation to the natural resource base on which the poor rely will further marginalise vulnerable groups. In order to ensure sustained economic growth, pressures on finite natural resources such as forests must be reduced.
The costs of unsustainable development and related forest degradation in Asia are high: millions in Asia now face increased flooding, mudslides, and wildfires as a result of forest loss. Despite rapid economic growth, high levels of disparity in social and economic well being are evident in the target countries.
Continued degradation to the natural resource base on which the poor rely will further marginalise vulnerable groups. In order to ensure sustained economic growth, pressures on finite natural resources such as forests must be reduced.
SME Factory at Najibabad, Uttar Pradesh
The EC Regional Programming for Asia Strategy 2007-2013 has highlighted Small to Medium Size enterprises (SMEs) as “a major source of pollution and unsustainable resource consumption”. SMEs in the wood processing sector in Asia are proliferating to serve domestic and international demand for paper, furniture and materials for construction.
This Action seeks to address the unsustainable production and consumption practices of SMEs throughout the supply chain, thereby helping to secure the future of the world’s forests and contribute to sustainable development. By doing so, benefits will accrue to forest producers and their employees and families, through productive and sustainable employment. Wider communities will benefit through cross cutting issues related to environmental protection, including rural and downstream communities that rely on forests for their environmental services.
This Action seeks to address the unsustainable production and consumption practices of SMEs throughout the supply chain, thereby helping to secure the future of the world’s forests and contribute to sustainable development. By doing so, benefits will accrue to forest producers and their employees and families, through productive and sustainable employment. Wider communities will benefit through cross cutting issues related to environmental protection, including rural and downstream communities that rely on forests for their environmental services.
The EC Regional Programming for Asia Strategy 2007-2013 has highlighted Small to Medium Size enterprises (SMEs) as “a major source of pollution and unsustainable resource consumption”.
This project is funded by the European Union