ESCAP/CACPK Regional Forum on Effective Campaigning for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption, Seoul, 14-15 November 2001

Conclusions and Recommendations (Seoul Communiqué)

The ESCAP/CACPK Regional Forum on Effective Campaigning for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on 14-15 November 2001. The main objective of the forum was to exchange experiences and networking on promotion of energy efficiency and sustainable consumption. 

The participants welcomed a Resolution concerning the expansion of United Nations Guidelines on Consumer Protection [1985] to include Sustainable Consumption, adopted by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 1999 (Document A/C2/54/L.24). 

It called for the accelerated implementation of the expanded United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection. The Forum endorsed the NGO (non-governmental organizations) Perspectives on the Sustainable Energy Development Action Programme for the Asia-Pacific region issued by the NGO Symposium held in Bali, Indonesia, 21-22 November 2000. 

The participants also shared the consensus and recommendation on the Northeast Asia Forum on Effective Consumer Information for Sustainable Energy Use, held in China, 21-23 March 2001. The participants at the Forum recognized the importance of enhanced dialogue between NGO groups and governments in initiating concerted action for local/national energy efficiency promotion. 

The Forum participants called for more and new NGO initiatives and improved consumer information and campaign work in participating countries. The participants also intend a greater follow-up networking among the concerned NGO representatives and professional groups with a view to achieve a long-term impact. 

Participants make the following declaration for submission to intergovernmental consulting bodies preparatory to the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD).

return to top

Consensus on fundamental principles

1. Participants recognize that affordable and clean energy services are a precondition for economic development and for improving living conditions, including alleviating poverty.
2. Participants note that in developing countries, energy supply and energy consumption would need to grow considerably if hitherto unmet energy needs are to be met at affordable price, for economic and social development.
3. Participants reaffirm the importance of attaining more sustainable consumption patterns with due considerations of integration of environmental concerns in energy use through active promotion of energy efficiency in both supply and demand, through greater use of renewable sources of energy, and improvement of energy efficiency in demand side management.
4. Participants highlight the various technical and economic potentials for energy efficiency improvements in various sectors including the household sector and home appliances. By improving energy efficiency, economies dependent on import may also curb growing energy import bills.
5. Participants agree that energy pricing is among the most important issues affecting the success of energy efficiency promotion initiatives.


Consumers

1. Consumers need greater awareness for sustainable and judicious energy consumption.
2. Consumers need to be aware of the impacts of their energy consumption on the environment.
3. Consumers should give greater preference to environmentally friendly products.
4. Consumers should put higher preference on products manufactured locally, if product quality is comparable.

return to top

Non-Governmental Organizations

1. NGOs should assume leadership in a social movement towards sustainable energy consumption activities.
2. In the spirit of local, regional, and national solidarity, NGOs demand that sustainable energy policy is given priority attention.
3. NGOs shall work together with a view to promote quality of products and sustainable consumption.


Manufacturers and Businesses

1. Manufacturers and businesses need to pursue their responsibility for sustainable energy technology and development.
2. Manufacturers and businesses should establish, where possible, sustainable manufacturing systems in the production, distribution, marketing, and disposal of manufactured products.
3. Manufacturers and businesses shall make increased use of resource re-cycling, particularly in construction projects.


Governments

1. The governments shall give priority to policies that promote sustainable energy production and consumption.
2. The governments should establish a specialized policy and advisory bodies on energy at highest levels.
3. The governments should enhance cooperation with consumers and NGOs to develop policies on energy efficiency.
4. The government should enhance the durability of products by effectively discouraging the waste of resources and improved product safety.
5. Sustainable energy action plans should be developed and implemented in all levels, including local and municipal levels.
6. The government should emphasize the development of environmentally sustainable transportation systems.

return to top

Media, Public Information, and Education

1. The media shall disseminate necessary information to the public and consumers on energy conservation and environment protection.
2. The media should encourage production and consumption patterns that are environmentally friendly.
3. Sustainable energy consumption issues should be included in the education curriculum from elementary level to university.
4. Family members should practice energy saving habits through positive role modeling and sustainable energy consumption at home.

The participants call upon all stakeholders to closely cooperate in the pursuit of the common goal of improving energy efficiency and sustainable consumption through consultative processes.


Participating Organizations

Consumer Education and Research Society (INDIA)
Consumer Unity and Trust Society (INDIA)
Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (INDIA)
Centre for Research on Material and Energy (INDONESIA)
Indonesian Consumer Organization (INDONESIA)
Institut Bisnis dan Ekonomi Kerakyatan (INDONESIA)
Tehran University (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN) 
The Energy Conservation Center (JAPAN)
Conselho de Consumidores (MACAO, CHINA) 
Consumers Association of Penang (MALAYSIA)
Consumers International, Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific (MALAYSIA)
Mongolian Consumers Association (MONGOLIA) 
SEWA Nepal (NEPAL)
Citizens’ Alliance for Consumer Protection of Korea (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Keon Kook University (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Kon Kuk University (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Korea Energy Economics Institute (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Korea Testing Laboratory (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Kyunwon University (REPUBLIC OF KOREA) 
Korea Energy Management Corporation (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Ministry of Environment (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Yonsei University (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability (THAILAND)
Consumer Protection Association (THAILAND) 
Foundation for Consumers (THAILAND) 
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (THAILAND)
Viet Nam Standard and Consumer Association (VIET NAM)

return to top