Cleaner Production Project in Tunisia: How can Tunisia’s current needs be met when it comes to environmental, economic, and social performance?

Alternative energy systems Eco-Industrial Parks Secondary Resources and urban mining

Clients

United Nations for Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) – State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Project dates

2010–2015

Context and objectives

  • A country undergoing a complete political and social transition
  • Increased needs of slowing businesses, particularly in the tourism industry
  • Strong potential improvement for key Tunisian industries
  • Develop Tunisia’s competency in environmental engineering using the Tunis International Center for Environmental Technologies (CITET) as a focal point and primary partner
  • Ensure sustainable improvement in economic performance by securing businesses’ commitment to the clean production initiative

Results 

1. Clean Production

  • More than 50 companies representing 5 priority sectors–surface treatment of metals, textiles and clothing, leather and footwear, hotels, and agri-food–were audited and received support
  • 25 national experts were trained in the clean production initiative

2. Industrial Ecology

  • Opportunities for industrial symbioses were identified in 2 industrial zones
  • 2 national experts and 35 members of the associations for maintaining and managing industrial zones (GMGs) were trained
  • Key national stakeholders were mobilized (national agencies, local governments, professional associations, manufacturers groups, etc.)

3. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Water Footprint

  • A reference database for Tunisia was created with the possibility of expanding it across the Maghreb Region
  • 35 national experts, representing national agencies and students, were trained in LCA and the Water Footprint method
  • 5 LCAs and 2 Water Footprints were conducted on key Tunisian products
  • Partnerships were established with Swiss research groups EMPA and the Ecoinvent Centre

4. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

  • 60 unemployed youth and 20 national experts were trained
  • 7 Tunisians experts were trained to replicate the program, based on the Swiss training program Energo
  • In-depth energy assessments were conducted for 38 companies
  • 50 technical staff from Tunisian businesses were trained how to sustainably improve energy management
  • A partnership was formed with key Tunisian stakeholders: National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME) and the National Employment Agency and Self-Employment Site (ANETI)

5. Sustainable Hotel Industry

  • 10 hotels participated in the Clean Production Project and benefitted from support to improve their environmental, social, and economic performance
  • 5 hotels were granted the Travelife Gold certification in sustainable tourism
  • 10 national experts were trained in the social aspects of sustainability using an integrated approach
  • A partnership was formed with the tour operator KUONI

For more information

The project team

Cleaner production audit

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