Asia

Summary
International Synergies was commissioned to work alongside the UK's Environment Agency and in-country partner YEPB, to introduce modern regulation techniques, establish a circular economy (industrial symbiosis network) and demonstrate techniques associated with cleaner production and design in the Yunnan Province.

The project formed part of the UK-China Sustainable Development Dialogue programme and enabled International Synergies to demonstrate how industrial symbiosis can contribute towards sustainability by sharing best practice from its leading UK project, NISP. The project team also supported YEPB in conducting a Pollution Source Census (as part of a national programme) including the production of a manual for best practice. The pilot project, led by International Synergies, involved the team taking part in five missions to the Yunnan Province throughout the project; during which some of the tools and techniques developed in the UK were shared to enable the successful delivery of a facilitated industrial symbiosis programme, including recruiting members, capturing data and running workshops.

Impact
The purpose of Sustainable Development Dialogues is to share knowledge and expertise and demonstrate how concepts such as industrial symbiosis are effective at improving sustainable development so that the countries involved (China, Mexico, Brazil, India, South Africa) can themselves adopt or adapt suitable techniques and processes. Having identified 2 million tonnes of potential input streams for new industrial processes for companies working in Yunnan throughout the course of the project, YEPB has since continued to develop the circular economy network, widening its boundary to include other neighbouring Provinces. The project was completed in November 2008, culminating in an event in Beijing that was attended by a number of leading Chinese politicians and representatives of the world's largest industrial park, the Tianjin Economic Development Area, who have subsequently commissioned International Synergies to work with them to establish an industrial symbiosis network in the park.