Advisory Services in Environmental Management
The programme Advisory Services in Environmental Management (ASEM) establishes links and promotes cooperation between German and Indian institutions in order to support priority areas of India's development, such as the National Environment Policy, the National Action Plan on Climate Change, and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. It contributes towards India's achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the implementation of international environmental conventions.
The programme provides technical support for the development of pilot measures to enhance environmental sustainability. It engages in capacity building at the level of individuals as well as organisations, and promotes networking activities for stakeholders at national, state and local levels. The programme uses knowledge management techniques and the documentation of best practices in order to promote learning and innovation. The activities address different areas of sustainability, both in urban habitat and industrial development, as well as in consumption and consumer protection. ASEM also addresses the cross-cutting issues of climate change and human resources development.
In the last few years, ASEM has achieved a lot of tangible results. These include introduction of sustainable waste management and development of a number of city sanitation plans, as well as efficient concepts for drinking water supply and wastewater management. Capacity building has taken place to promote the development of sustainable transport systems in a number of cities.
The principles of ecologically sound industrial parks have been introduced in 30 industries, a treatment facility and a sanitary landfill site for hazardous waste has been built in Karnataka. With ASEM's support – maybe less visible, but with the potential for a huge impact – a policy has also been developed on the management of electronic waste, especially regulating the informal sector. Further, a road map has been set out for environmental fiscal reforms in India.
