The World Environment Center and U.S. Department of State Launch Cleaner Production Partnership in Chile

Santiago, Chile, May 5, 2011 – The World Environment Center (WEC) today launches an innovative project to expand the sustainable development commitments of Chilean businesses by reducing energy and water consumption, minimizing waste and raw material usage and lowering operating costs. WEC is partnering with Chileoliva, the national industry association for the country’s olive and olive oil-producing sector to improve the industry’s overall environmental performance. The partnership is funded by the United States Department of State through its “Cleaner Production Private Sector Partnerships” program, and was highlighted last month by the White House as an example of trade and environmental collaboration between the U.S. and Chile during President Barack Obama’s state visit to South America.  This is the third partnership of this kind between WEC and the U.S. Department of State.   “The U.S. Department of State is committed to helping small and medium-sized enterprises ‘green’ their production processes by implementing measures that decrease resource use and waste, while reducing costs,” said Rob Wing, Chief of the Environment and Trade Division in the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science. “The World Environment Center remains our trusted partner in this and has the connectivity on the ground to deliver results for these companies that preserve natural resources and create cost-savings.” Participating companies within Chileoliva will work with WEC’s technical team and Chile’s National Council on Clean Production (CPL) to identify opportunities for sustainable improvement in their production processes. These small and medium-sized member companies will be specifically trained in:   -          conservation of water and energy;
-          reduction of waste, raw material use and emissions;
-          establishing environmental management systems; and
-          accessing funding and loans to finance the adoption of advanced technologies.   This training, and the follow-up and monitoring process for the participating companies, will include creation of measurable goals in each of these categories. Over the 15-month duration of the project, these businesses will minimize their environmental impact while improving their productivity and competitiveness. Best practices and the results from the project will be disseminated through the CPL and the Ministries of Environment and Economy.     Dr. Terry F. Yosie, WEC’s President and CEO, commended the project for its combination of sustainable development goals with business-focused improvements. “Business incentives that encourage greater efficiencies in operations and minimize the use of natural resources and the generation of waste create an economically virtuous circle,” he stated. “Leadership in sustainable development is found through practical business solutions that improve the daily lives of citizens in communities around the world.”   WEC13637