Cities for the 21st Century and the New Mantra of 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse, and Recyle

1 May 2010 (2:00 pm - 3:30 pm)

Cities must be leaders in catalyzing global action to support a resource-saving and environmentally friendly society focusing on the 3Rs - the reduce, reuse, recycle economy. Besides being more nimble and willing to take risks than larger government bodies, cities have easy access to citizens, local businesses, schools and institutions, and therefore, the effects of new policies are immediate and meaningful through direct involvement of stakeholders. Working with a network of cities is an effective way of significantly reducing resource consumption, waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions and providing models that national governments can adopt.

Recognizing the environmental costs of high growth, the People's Republic of China (PRC) in late 2008 adopted the circular economy approach as a central plank of national policy. "Circular Economy" refers to activities that reduce, reuse and recycle materials and minimize environmental impacts.

The seminar will consider the application of circular economy approach in the People's Republic of China and other similar initiatives in Asia and the Pacific. It will center on the following four themes:

  • Establishing an enabling regulatory and policy framework.
  • Using market-based instruments to influence behavior.
  • Building legitimacy and support through community and private sector participation.
  • Setting goals, building capacity and measuring results.

PROGRAM/SPEAKERS

Harrison S. Fraker
Chair of Architecture and Urban Design, University of California, Berkeley

Hironori Hamanaka
Chair, Board of Directors of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Tokyo
Presentation: International Development of the 3R Approach [ PDF: 1,557kb, 22 pages ]

Amy Leung
Director, East Asia Urban and Social Sectors Division, ADB
Presentation: Incentivizing the 3Rs and the Circular Economy Approach [ PDF: 303kb, 9 pages ]

Moderator:
Simon Long
Asia Editor, The Economist

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Note: All times are in GMT+05. For inquiries, e-mail: annualmeeting@adb.org