The Palestinian Sustainable Consumption and Production National Action Plan (SCP-NAP) was developed under the coordination of the Environment Quality Authority (EQA) under the EU-funded SwitchMed programme, with advisory services and technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme. The Plan is part of the State of Palestine’s efforts to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The SCP-NAP, which contributes to SDG 12.1, prioritizes tourism, housing and construction, agriculture, and food. The SCP-NAP and the Assessment were developed in the State of Palestine through nationally owned multi-stakeholder processes. The Arabic version was also available. The implementation of the plan is ongoing through selected projects and initiatives.
Switch to Circular Economy:
Under SwitchMed II, a short document, "How Palestine is switching to a Circular Economy", was prepared to present an overview on how the country is implementing activities, policies, and programmes on SCP and circular economy. In this document, you will see 10 success stories inspired by the work of SwitchMed in the State of Palestine. They show how what began in workshops developed into plans that created a ripple that flowed out around the country. This short publication shows that opportunities for countries from sustainable consumption and production are rich and varied. The Switch to SCP is off and running. SwitchMed is proud to have supported the State of Palestine in its work to build a society where people and planet thrive and prosper together.
The State of Palestine has already developed policies, strategies, and integrated plans to form a regulatory framework that has SCP at its core. For some time now, it has been building on these, expanding its waste reduction plan, promoting a resource-efficient circular economy, and further developing its work on sustainable water management and energy solutions. It is clear that SCP is no longer just something discussed in meeting rooms. Now, it is happening on the ground, across business and industry, in cities and regions, reducing pollution, improving the air we breathe, and promoting better use of nature’s gifts through resource-efficient and low-carbon consumption and production practices.
In-country activities:
The implementation of the SCP-NAP's priorities—tourism, agriculture, and food—was carried out through selected projects and initiatives.
Promoting Eco-trails: This project supported the development, testing, and dissemination of Guidelines and selection criteria corresponding to the specific national context and needs with the full participation of all relevant stakeholders. The testing and approval workshops on eco-trails involved over 50 relevant stakeholders’ participation. Two on-site training workshops were organized in the natural reserve of Al Uja in Jericho governorate and the natural reserve of Wadi El Quf in Hebron governorate, with around 100 participants from related institutions.
Subject to the guidelines and methodology, potential trails and sites were collected, and 7 eco-trails were selected for rehabilitation to become showcase examples of sustainable eco-trails and sites. The rehabilitation included the following: prepare trail maps, blaze the trails, and prepare a brochure for each trail with information on fauna and flora.
Sustainable Agriculture modules: Agriculture and food are among the main sectors of the Palestinian SCP-NAP. The Guidelines of Biological Pest Control seek to manage pests by using methods that are effective, economically sound, and ecologically compatible by promoting the use and integration of multiple tactics, such as the use of resistant varieties or behavioural modification. The Guidelines of Biological Pest Control were elaborated, printed, and presented to farmers and stakeholders, especially through two workshops in Nablus on April 25th, 2018 and in Hebron on April 26th, 2018, where around 100 representatives from related institutions and farmers participated.
The Manual for Agricultural Best Practices identified the best practices that can result in protecting soil quality and moisture content. A manual was developed and presented to the farmers and other stakeholders in the different governorates. Four consultation and technical meetings were held from September to October 2017 for the review and submission of the report. Around 50 relevant specialists and staff from EQA and the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as 45 farmers, 53 agricultural extension staff, and 18 institute experts, provided feedback in the process through questionnaires and interviews. Two training workshops were organized at the Ministry of Agriculture in Nablus Governorate on 12 February 2018 with 30 extension staff and farmers from Northern Governorates and at Hebron Governorate on 20th February 2018 with 60 extension staff and farmers from middle Governorates attending.
Three Sustainable Consumption and Production expos were organized in Jenin (28 November 2017), Hebron (17 December 2017), and Gaza (15 January 2018). For each expo, more than 500 visitors from all governorates of the country, women's associations, the private sector, governmental institutions, universities, and municipalities participated. The exhibitions included more than 30 initiatives ranging from recycling used tires to organic agriculture and upcycled fashion. In the context of the expos, the Sustainable Consumption and Production projects were presented and well covered by the media.
Under SwitchMed II, UNEP is collaborating with State of Palestine on
- Opportunities for Sustainable Public Procurement;
- SDG indicators (SDG 12 and other environmental goals);
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for electronics waste;
- Action plan and roadmap for preventing/reducing food waste;
- Blue Economy Roadmap
