Introduction to Eco-Industrial Parks: Planning and Implementing Eco-Industrial Park Approaches

This UNIDO Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) training is designed to create a common understanding of eco-industrial parks, aligned with the International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks developed by UNIDO, GIZ, and the World Bank. In taking this course, participants will learn about key resources and tools available to support the identification, development, and implementation of EIP approaches in industrial parks in order to understand and learn about the opportunities, challenges, and success factors for mainstreaming of EIPs in their countries.

With industrial processes and products responsible for one-third of global emissions, as well as pollution and the unsustainable extraction and use of raw materials, resource efficiency and the minimization of waste streams have become of particular importance for the establishment of more sustainable and circular modes of production. At the same time, industrial development is once again gaining recognition as a crucial driver for economic prosperity and for contributing to the achievement of a number of societal goals. Within this context, the creation of industrial parks has been recognised as an efficient way of bringing together industrial activities with commercial and infrastructure services. However, industrial parks can also concentrate negative environmental and social impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, resource depletion, poor labour standards, and grievances from affected communities. The Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) approach seeks to change this picture by creating a more sustainable operating environment for firms based on the more efficient and circular use of resources, maximising industrial synergies, and making a positive contribution to surrounding communities. This online course, therefore, provides an introduction to the planning and management of EIPs, demonstrating the benefits of greening industrial parks and exploring the role that various actors and stakeholders play in the governance and ultimate success of an EIP. This course has been developed within the framework of UNIDO’s work on fostering resilient and low-carbon industries through the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP), funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).