Megacities & Climate Change

The UK - India SDD formal agreement was signed by  Indian Minister of Environment and Forests and UK Environment Minister in October 2005. A number of areas were identified for co-operation but it was later agreed that the Dialogue should focus on four, jointly identified, key areas:

•    Natural Resource Management
•    Sustainable Consumption and Production
•    Wildlife Crime
•    Corporate Social Responsibility

A range of activities, including research, environmental impact assessment, public-private partnerships, sustainable forestry, the illegal trade in animals, and science and technology are being undertaken within the agreed framework. View the Joint Statement here.

Projects funded under Defra’s International Sustainable Development Fund (ISDF):

Illegal Trade in Wildlife Crime

Public engagement to advocate reducing illegal trade in wildlife through education and awareness building

The objective of this project is to raise awareness about illegal trade in wildlife products to build a pro active citizen lobby to influence action and reduce consumer demand (in relevant cases).

The films have already been made and they now need to be translated into regional Indian languages and screened as part of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Training Program. The project is being implemented by the British High Commission / British Council and Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India.

Technical Capacity Building – Phase II and III: Implementing the Wildlife Law Enforcement Training Programme

The objective of this project is to develop and implement 4 (2 for this FY) wildlife enforcement training programmes and one specialised wildlife forensics training programme for government agencies in India to help enforce wildlife laws.

Phase one of this project developed training manuals for wildlife enforcement officers. Phase II and III roles out these trainings. We are currently discussing dates for the role out with MoEF.This project is due to be implemented by MoEF with support from relevant wildlife bodies such as the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau of MoEF.

Natural Resource Management

Capacity building of Communities involved in sustainable forestry management

The objective of this project is to ensure that forest management committees and forest fringe villages can contribute to achieving sustainable development by adopting Sustainable Forest Management Techniques, including the sustainable use and trade of minor forest products. The project will develop training programme for Joint Forest Management Committees and training of the trainers. FRI is currently developing the training modules. This project is being implemented by the FRI University and MoEF.

A feasibility study on using mandatory and voluntary carbon market opportunities for promoting sustainable forestry on lands under shifting cultivation

The objective of this project is to develop methodologies and precedents for industrial-scale carbon sequestration plantations that are socially and environmentally sustainable. The output will be a scoping study to understand the growth in planned carbon sequestration tree planting and explore the potential of generating carbon credits in this area.

This project has yet to start as the project implementers and managers are currently considering the methodology for the project. This project is due to be implemented by CAZS Natural Resources, University of Wales Bangor / Schumacher Centre for Development, Bhubaneswar

Sustainable industrial sequestration planting feasibility study

The objective of this project is to explore how the use of both mandatory and voluntary carbon market opportunities can help in restoring forest vegetation. The project will produce a feasibility study. This project is in progress and results are expected in early 2009. The project is being implemented by Flow International and Schumacher Centre for Development, Bhubaneswar.

Sustainable Production and Consumption

Improving Efficiencies in the Textile Supply Chain

The objective of this project is study different types of supply chains that link the Indian garment industry with UK markets. The findings will give an overview of supply routes and value chains for key clothing industry products to identify alternative routes to market that offer increased opportunity for sustainable and ethical impacts across the industry.

This project proposal is currently being considered by the Government of India. Main Implementer: Textile Futures Research Group (TFRG), University of the Art, London.

Eco-efficiency of Indian Dyehouses

The objective of this project is to work with a range of dyehouses in India which supply the UK market (to include Tesco), to share best practice and to increase uptake of new and existing tools and metrics to improve environmental performance. This project proposal is currently being considered by the Government of India. This project will be implemented by Colour Connections Ltd, in conjunction with the RITE Group.

Promoting UK: India Sustainable Clothing Design

The aim of this project is to Build capacity, share best practice and explore market opportunities for using sustainable textiles in India and the UK. This project is currently being considered by the Government of India. The project will be implemented by the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London.

Corporate Social Responsibility

CII CSR project with the extractive industry sector

The objective of this project is to understand the key sustainability challenges and opportunities of the extractive industry sector in Goa and Orissa through one-day stakeholder consultations in both states (involving government, industry and other stakeholders). This project is currently being considered by the Government of India. The main implementer is the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CII CESD).

CII CSR project on Monitoring and disclosure of GHG

The aim of this project is to help Indian companies assess and monitor greenhouse gas emissions through the development of a training programme. This will help Indian companies be better prepared for involvement in the global carbon market. This project is currently being considered by the Government of India. The main implementer is the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CII CESD).

CII CRS project on status of public disclosure

The aim of this project is to encourage Indian companies to follow recommended Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and other international guidelines on CSR including employment, environment etc.  To link these with the Indian Prime Minister’s 10 point plan on CSR. This project is currently being considered by the Government of India. The main implementer is the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CII CESD).

For more information on SDDs in India, visit Defra’s Sustainable Development Unit’s web site.