Expert Group Meeting on “Eco-efficiency in North-East Asia” was held in collaboration with China Standard Certification Center on 25-26 May 2006 in Beijing, and attended by nominated national experts from all six member countries. The EGM reviewed relevant national policies, the implication of North-East Asian countries’ economic development in the context of eco-efficiency, and the conceptual dimensions of eco-efficiency. Based on the findings from the review, the EGM discussed the applicability of the eco-efficiency concept to subregional and national levels. Through the presentation and discussion, the EGM drew the following findings:
• North-East Asian countries have been actively developing and implementing policies that are directly targeting the improvement of eco-efficiency at the level of country –wide economy or specific sectors. Among others, Resource-saving Society policy of China and 3R policies of Japan particularly show their comprehensive approaches towards improving eco-efficiency;
• The growth of resource consumption and pollution discharge in North-East Asia far surpasses economic growth while the subregion already faces significant environmental problems. In order to reduce the environmental impacts, it is critical to enhance national and subregional actions on the efficient use and management of energy, water and raw materials;
• The flows of recyclable as well as hazardous materials need to be brought into subregional responses to promote the efficient use of materials and minimize the environmental impacts of hazardous materials;
• Eco-efficiency could be a useful yardstick to monitor and steer sustainable development in North-East Asia, and a feasible subject for subregional cooperation;
• NEASPEC could explore possibilities for undertaking subregional activities on such topics: subregional recycling system, harmonized eco-labeling, sound material cycle network, cross-border cooperation on energy efficiency, eco-efficiency indicator, and capacity building in cleaner production; and
• NEASPEC could promote creating various mechanisms such as policy forum, business forum, NGO forum, expert network on eco-efficiency. In view of the significance of improving eco-efficiency in North-East Asia and the applicability of the concept to subregional actions, the EGM decided to propose the 12th Senior Officials Meeting of NEASPEC to initiate a subregional action, tentatively titled as “Eco-efficiency Partnership in North-East Asia”.
