Sustainable Consumption and Production - Baseline Research for ASEAN

Sustainable consumption and production is highlighted as a component of the ‘Sustainable’ elementSustainable consumption and production is highlighted as a component of the ‘Sustainable’ elementand characteristics in the ‘ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2025’ (ASEAN Secretariat,2016). The ASCC blueprint forms one of the four pillars identified in ‘The ASEAN 2025: Forging AheadTogether’ work plan endorsed by ASEAN Leaders at their 27th Summit in 2015. This study identifiedcarbon footprint for consumer goods, energy efficiency and recycling as key contributors to managingthe environment and scarce resources for a sustainable future.

This report reveals that while some progress is made, much remains to be done. It is clear that thecomplexities and difficulties in implementing, executing and monitoring a coherent set of guidelines,policies and laws are not easy. The establishment of ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) provides a goodindication that it is possible to manage complex issues and problems and provides a reference forsimilar task force such as this to be established for the efforts in reducing carbon footprint andincreasing recycling efforts for a sustainable future.

Click here to view the full report

ASEAN Responsible Business Forum 2018 Post-Forum Report

 

The ASEAN Responsible Business Forum was held from 27 to 28 August 2018 in Singapore. This flagship event of the ASEAN CSR Network aims to enhance understanding of the role of responsible and inclusive business in creating an inclusive, resilient and sustainable ASEAN community.

Download the summary report of the event here.

 

Directory: Financing and Technical Support Options for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in ASEAN

Together with our partners, ACN has published a comprehensive directory of Financing and Technical Support Options for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in ASEAN. It provides a comprehensive overview of available financing tools – from traditional finance, such as bank loans, to alternative finance such as crowdfunding and social investing – as well as available technical support such as accelerators and incubators. Significant effort has gone into detailing the options available in all 10 ASEAN Member States. For ASEAN to achieve prosperity for all, efforts must be focused on uplifting the (M)SME sector, accounting for between 88.8% and 99.9% of the total establishments in ASEAN and between 51.7% and 97.2% of total employment.

This directory was a result of a collaboration with our partners - ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), Oxfam and AVPN.

The directory can be found here.

It is also part of a larger research report, entitled 'Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the ASEAN Economic Community'. The year-long research sheds light on the challenges MSMEs in ASEAN face and presents holistic policy recommendations to further MSME development and realise an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN. The full report can be found here.

Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the ASEAN Economic Community

ASEAN CSR Network is proud to present the comprehensive report on financial inclusion for MSMEs, titled "Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the ASEAN Economic Community."  

The focus of the report is on how ASEAN could build up the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, with greater financial and technical support to ensure their growth and prosperity.

The report covering 10 ASEAN Member States is a result of a 12-month study which began in September 2016. The study was jointly conducted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), Oxfam, ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) and AVPN, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Government of Sweden.

The aim of the study is to comprehensively assess the opportunities and challenges faced by MSMEs in ASEAN – particularly those with inclusive and responsible business practices such as Social Enterprises (SEs) – with regards to access to finance, technical support, and an enabling environment for their sustainability and growth.

You may view the full report here.

Click here for a 6 page summary.

Greening Co-ops, A Guidebook for Cooperatives (Green Co-op Toolkit)

This guidebook serves as a quick guide for cooperatives in pursuing a “green” approach in doing their business. It provides a basic understanding of the concept of green growth as explained in the context of cooperatives and presents a strategic process of incorporating green growth practices in their management and operations. It also contains examples of green growth practices that can be adopted by cooperatives and a methodical guide on prioritizing the practices.

The guidebook was produced with help from ACN's Small Grants Fund.

Click the picture to get the Guidebook/Toolkit.

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Building Food Security and Managing Risk in Southeast Asia

building food security This report explores effective policy solutions to the current and future challenges related to food security in the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). While robust GDP growth, rising agricultural productivity and output, and strong growth in agricultural incomes have all contributed to vast improvements in the food security of the region, 60 million people remain undernourished. ASEAN governments have therefore justifiably kept food security as a policy priority. The regional policy architecture set out in ASEAN frameworks provides sound guidance, yet some of the current policies adopted by members are not helping to address food insecurity and its causes, including the formidable challenges related to climate change and the need for continued growth in sustainable food production to feed growing populations. This report puts forward a number of policy recommendations to ensure that the ASEAN agricultural and fisheries sectors contribute effectively and efficiently to ensuring regional food security. Read the report online here.

Comprehensive Food Security & Vulnerability Analysis

comprehensive food sceurity The Comprehensive Food Security & Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA) is a unique tool designed to understand and describe the profiles of food-insecure and vulnerable households, identify the root causes of hunger, and analyze the risks and emerging vulnerabilities among populations in crisis-prone countries. It also makes recommendations on the best response options (food or non-food) to reduce hunger, target the neediest and informing preparedness. The Guidelines provide the CFSVA team with currently recommended procedures and protocols to conduct a desk review, implement a large household survey, analyse quantitative and qualitative data, conduct a risk analysis and a response analysis. The user should already possess basic knowledge of food security and social research techniques. Get the whole publication here.

IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability

IFC Performance Standards IFC is part of the World Bank Group which supports private sector development in developing countries. Purposed for World Bank-funded projects. All WB-funded projects (e.g. infrastructure projects) must adhere to these guidelines before they are considered for funding. Find out more information here.