WHEN: 20 November 2024 I TIME: 14:00 – 16:30 (Bangkok Time) I Platform: WEBEX I Register HERE
Background
The ASEAN region, characterized by rapid urbanization and population growth, faces significant challenges in managing municipal solid waste (MSW) and plastic pollution. The volume of waste generated in Southeast Asia reached 150 million tons in 2016 and is projected to increase by 150% by 2025 compared to 1995 levels. This growth in waste generation is further exacerbated by the booming tourism industry, which, while beneficial for regional economies, places additional strain on urban infrastructure and contributes to environmental pollution.
Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is critical in addressing these challenges. Effective MSWM can mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization and tourism on the environment, particularly in medium-sized touristic cities. However, many cities in the ASEAN region lack the resources, capacity, and updated waste management plans necessary to ensure clean air, land, and essential services like water, waste, and energy management. This results in waste, including plastics, being improperly disposed of in landfills, open dumps, or through burning, posing severe environmental and health risks. Plastic pollution, a significant component of municipal solid waste, presents a unique challenge. With an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the oceans annually, the need for robust waste management infrastructure and a shift towards a circular economy is more urgent than ever. Without intervention, plastic waste in the oceans could outweigh fish by 2050. Addressing plastic pollution requires integrated various stakeholders, including the private sector.
The ASEAN-German project “ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE)” is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat to support the ASEAN Member States (AMS) in the improvement of environmental quality in medium-sized cities in the ASEAN region through strengthening the competences for optimizing waste disposal and recycling in small and medium-sized tourist cities. As part of the capacity building initiatives, GIZ organized series of AMUSE training program on “Waste Management and Sustainable Tourism,” in collaboration with The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP) during July – Nov 2024 (online).
AMUSE Training Program on Waste Management and Sustainable Tourism
This training program is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and capacities of public and private officials and practitioners in addressing waste management challenges and promoting sustainable tourism practices. The training will be delivered through a comprehensive and interactive modular structure, covering nine (9) key areas:
- Module 1: Introduction to Circular Economy and Sustainability
- Module 2: Understanding Waste Generation and Composition in Tourism Destinations
- Module 3: Waste Collection and Segregation
- Module 4: Food Waste Management
- Module 5: Sustainable Packaging and Plastics Reduction
- Module 6: Community Engagement, Awareness, and Behavioral Change
- Module 7: Certifications and Standards in Waste Management
- Module 8: Private Sector Involvement and Circular Economy Business Models
- Module 9: Monitoring and Evaluation of Waste Management Programs
The upcoming Module 8. Private Sector Involvement and Circular Economy Business Models will explore the core principles of circular economy business models and their application within the tourism industry. It will emphasize the critical role of private sector engagement in driving and promoting circular practices in tourism businesses. The module will also showcase innovative circular initiatives, regional case studies, perspective from private sector, challenges faced, and examples of effective partnerships. Topics covered in this session will include:
- Introduction to Circular Economy Business Models
- Circular Economy Business Models in Tourism
- Private Sector Engagement for Circular Economy in Tourism
- Examples of Circular Practices Across the Tourism Value Chain
- Showcase Session: Circular Economy Success Stories
- Interactive Discussion: Private Sector Perspectives and Challenges
- Q&A Session
Module 8 Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of the private sector in promoting circular economic practices in tourism.
- Identify circular economy business models applicable to the tourism industry.
- Explore examples of circular practices across the tourism value chain.
- Learn about successful partnerships between the private sector and government/NGOs in waste management.
- Engage in discussions on the perspectives and challenges of private sector involvement in circular economy initiatives.
Pre-Reading Materials
To prepare for Module 8, you may access the pre-reading materials here: Pre-reading materials. In case you missed it, the presentations and recording video of the previous modules (Module 1- 7) also can be accessed through same link.
Moderator
Mr Bishal Bhari, Programme Officer of the Waste and Resource Management Cluster, AIT RRC.AP
He has about 7 years of experience working on various environmental projects related to water treatment, sustainable cities, circular economy, industry 4.0, sustainable agriculture, and material cycle. Prior to working in RRC.AP, Bishal was doing research on material cycle and material flow analysis at the Environment Preservation Research Center at Kyoto University. He has also worked as a Programme Management Officer and Research Associate at AIT before. He has published peer-reviewed journal and book chapter. His role in RRC.AP is to assist in the implementation of, among other things, a regional project on marine plastic debris knowledge management. His work involves assisting in the design of work plan, study methodology, providing technical inputs, review, reporting, and project monitoring to achieve the outputs and outcomes of the project. His current research and work interest lies in the harmonization of quantitative environmental indicators on Plastic Waste Management for ASEAN focusing on its material flow. He is also interested in working to develop consumer nudging instruments to improve consumers’ behavior on plastic 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
Speakers
Dr. Guilberto, Director of AIT RRC.AP and the Head of the Waste and Resource Management Cluster of AIT RRC.AP, and Affiliated Faculty of Urban Innovation and Sustainability, Department of Development and Sustainability, SERD, AIT.
He has over 20 years of experience on various resource scales in waste management and 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) in Southeast and East Asian countries. He is extensively knowledgeable in programme and project design, and implementation, policy assessment and management, capacity building, and knowledge management support. Dr. Borongan has rich experience in resource mobilization and operations management in international multi- and bilateral-funded projects. His focus areas include the development of environmentally sustainable national waste management, marine litter and 3R strategies for the developing countries of Asia. Dr. Borongan has intensive experience in building capacities for local governments and providing technical assistance to partners at both national and regional levels on waste management. He has been engaged in regional policy development and advocacy on environment and health in Southeast and East Asian countries under the UNEP-WHO Ministerial Regional Forum.
Ms Susan Santos Cárdenas, President & CEO, Society for Sustainable Tourism
A Sustainable Tourism pioneer advocate specializing in destinations, cultural, heritage and ecological stewardship, hospitality development and management, awards and certification program, with focus on grassroots and community social responsibility. A staunch innovator, resource person and keynote speaker in Sustainable Tourism training and capacity building to include Ecotourism, Community-based and Agri-Tourism. President & CEO of Society for Sustainable Tourism & Development Inc. (SST), Consultant and Adviser for Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines, currently advising national, regional, community-based SMEs, in climate action, social equity as well as economic growth for the grassroots in East & Southeast Asia. Founding Board Member of the Asian Ecotourism Network, Green Destinations Southeast Asia Partner and Representative, UNWTO Multi Advisory Council – MAC Partner and Commission on Higher Education, Philippines -CHED Guest Pool of Experts.
Prof. Vilas Nitivattananon, Professor, Urban Innovation and Sustainability, Department of Development and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development, AIT, Thailand
Dr. Vilas Nitivattananon is currently working as Professor in the field of Urban Innovation and Sustainability, Department of Development and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development at Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. He has been working in AIT since 2004. His areas of specialization and research interests are climate change risk and adaptation, economic and environmental assessment, management of infrastructure and services, waste recycling and systems management, urban environmental management, and water engineering. He obtained his Ph.D. from University of Pittsburg (U.S.A.), his two master’s degrees from Asian Institute of Technology and Thammasat University, and his Bachelor’s degree from Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)