The project in Latin America with a focus on Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico promotes sustainable consumption through the implementation of SCP tools of the One Planet network. This includes support of the regional eco-label Alianza Ambiental de America.

Implemented in
- Latin America / Caribbean
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
Sectors of activity
Consumer Goods, Buildings and construction, Energy, Food & Beverage, Public Procurement, Industrial Sector
Type of initiative
Capacity Building & Implementation
Type of lead actor
United Nations / intergovernmental organizations
Start date
08/11/2018
End date
30/11/2021
Submitted on:
21/02/2019Objectives
The overall objective of the ICSAL project is to support governments, private sector and other stakeholders in the implementation of policies and practices that lead to improvement in product design and product sustainability information and increase consumer awareness to support sustainable lifestyles in Latin America and the Caribbean. This will be achieved through the use of a range of tools and partners offered by One Planet Network and responding to the regional and national SCP strategies.
Activities
As collected through the One Planet Reporting
Output level
Training for SCP
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Exchanging Knowledge on Environmental Labels and Declaration Regional Workshop
Exchanging Knowledge on Environmental Labels and Declaration Regional Workshop
Regions
Latin America / Caribbean
Lead organization
UNEP
Objective
The aim of the worksho was to strengthen the Alianza Ambiental de America (AAA) and exchanging knowledge and best practices with other internationally recognized ecolabels and declarations. The Alianza Ambiental de América (AAA) was constituted as the first program for environmental declarations and ecolabels for the American continent which include environmental information of type I, type III and footprints.
Achievements
International experts representing the Global Ecolabelling Network, EU-Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, Blue Angel, ABNT and The International EPD System participated in the workshop and shared experiences and lessons learned with AAA representatives, including governments, standardization and accreditation bodies. During the three days the group had the opportunity to exchange experiences about the management of ecolabelling programmes, development and harmonization of criteria and product category rules, mutual recognition agreements, certification and verification processes, as well as communications strategies
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SCP Training series for private sector
SCP Training series for private sector
Regions
Latin America / Caribbean
Lead organization
Universidad de los Andes, Ministry of Environment of Colombia and UNEP
Objective
SCP training programme for private sector in Colombia. 3 days training focusing on SCP, circular economy, eco-innovation, ecodesing and ecolabaling
Achievements
The training programme was successfully implemented in Colombia with participants from more than 30 companies. The participants had the opportunity to obtain a detailed knowledge of SCP tools and materials developed by UNEP and Universidad de los Andes.
Outcome level
SCP Commitments
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Commitment by Colombia, Mexico and Costa Rica to strengthen
multi-stakeholder action for the transformation to sustainable food systems through the Environmental Seal of America.
Commitment by Colombia, Mexico and Costa Rica to strengthen multi-stakeholder action for the transformation to sustainable food systems through the Environmental Seal of America.
Regions
Latin America / Caribbean
Lead organization
3 - Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica
Objective
The overall objective of the ICSAL project is to support governments, private sector and other stakeholders in the implementation of policies and practices that lead to improvement in product design and product sustainability information and increase consumer awareness to support sustainable lifestyles in Latin America and the Caribbean. This will be achieved through the use of a range of tools and partners offered by One Planet Network and responding to the regional and national SCP strategies. One important part of this project is increasing the number of certified sustainable products, and availability of reliable consumer information, reducing environmental impact and increasing quality of life and sustainable lifestyles. A highlight so far was the three countries submitting a commitment around the regional ecolabel at the SFS conference
Achievements
This high level commitment represents the first step in a process to establish a new regional ecolabel in Latin America. The ecolabel will ensure that producers follow sustainable production practices and it will encourage consumers to purchase certified products which are an important contribution to SDG12. The three nations will work together to establish the regional ecolabel, setting up the processes required to get companies to choose to become certified to the ecolabel standards and educating consumers about the benefits of ecolabels.
Impact and Results
ICSAL was launched at the regional sustainable food systems forum in Costa Rica in February 2019. It aims to ensure that private and public sector stakeholders increasingly use SCP tools provided by UN Environment to change consumption practices, reducing pressure on the environment and fostering social and economic development, contributing to SDG12. In the intermediate state, this contributes to improving product design and production processes, and to increasing consumer information to support sustainable lifestyles. Ultimately, in its impact, ICSAL aims to increase the number of certified sustainable products, and availability of reliable consumer information, reducing environmental impact and increasing quality of life and sustainable lifestyles. A highlight so far was the three countries submitting a commitment around the regional ecolabel at the SFS conference (see press release below).