An interview with Christophe Yvetot

Greening the industry for a more sustainable pathway of economic growth

Green industrial policy is essential for a government’s strategy to enhance its competitiveness in the global green economy while safeguarding environmental resources. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. Under the PAGE programme, UNIDO’ activities focus on engagement and policy coordination in the industrial sector. The organisation provides guidance to policymakers and practitioners on green industrial transformation and provide an up-to-date overview of the debate on green industrial policy.

The greening of industry could help economies striving for a more sustainable pathway of growth, by undertaking green public investments and implementing public policy initiatives that encourage environmentally responsible private investments. It includes policymaking, improved industrial production processes and resource-efficient productivity.

UNIDO’s activities under PAGE are focused on industrial policy advice to developing countries and implementation through industry involvement, industry-related training, and the formation of public-private partnerships.

As an example, to inform policymakers, researchers and practitioners about the concept of Green Industrial Policies and the instruments available, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) has published reports with the support of UNIDO – “Green Industrial Policy and Trade: A Toolbox”, “Practitioner’s Guide to Strategic Green Industrial Policy”, and “Green Industrial Policy: Concept, Policies, Country Experiences”.

Christophe Yvetot, UNIDO Representative to the European Union, tells us more about the green transition in the industry sector and the collaboration between PAGE and UNIDO.

Who is Christophe Yvetot?

Mr. Christophe YVETOT is the UNIDO Representative to the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the Organization of ACP States, Belgium and Luxembourg in Brussels. An international lawyer, he has over 25 years of experience in international development in various organizations including as representative of UNIDO to the European Union, to Senegal and the Sahel, as policy officer in the office of the Director general in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Chief of Cabinet in the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). He has contributed to many international conferences, workshops and meetings as moderator and speaker as well as to international reports and publications.

Q1. How is UNIDO supporting PAGE in monitoring and analyzing the progress of green industry development?

The contribution of UNIDO to PAGE is centered on industrial policy advice to developing countries and implementation through industry involvement, industry-related training, and the formation of public-private partnerships. Under PAGE UNIDO has been providing a broad spectrum of services and developed strong tools such as the ‘Practitioner’s guide for development of Strategic Green Industrial Policy;’ and the report on ‘Green Industrial Policy and Trade- A Toolbox’ . In addition, UNIDO supported publications on policies for supporting Green Industry in PAGE’s countries such as Ghana ‘Green Industry and Trade Assessments identifying the greening potential in country’s industry,’ and Senegal L’INDUSTRIE VERTE AU SÉNÉGAL : Évaluation et perspectives de développement.

Q2. Could you provide an example of countries that have successfully implemented green industry practices with the support of UNIDO and PAGE?

During the COVID-19 recovery phase, UNIDO and PAGE assisted national Governments in restructuring their industrial sectors for more resilience. UNIDO has supported Government-led efforts towards green economic recovery in 13 of the 20 PAGE countries. In 2021, the organisation gave significant assistance to Brazil, Morocco, Thailand, and Uruguay through analytical work, capacity-building, and outreach to assist countries in aligning green recovery strategies with SDG and climate targets. It also released a global study, Impact of COVID-19 on Green Enterprises: Policy Guidance for Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Recovery, with a focus on Ghana, India, and Uruguay.

Green Industrial Policy Trilogy - Tools for Policymakers

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) must have access to financing in order to implement green industry strategies. Access to finance enables SMEs to invest in research and development of green technologies and processes. This fosters innovation and allows SMEs to create and adopt cutting-edge sustainable solutions.

Q3. What specific sectors or industries have shown the most potential for green industry growth?

Green industry principles, knowledge and technologies have the potential to benefit all sectors and industries, as sustainability may contribute to industry competitiveness in a variety of ways. The major reason is that while eliminating waste, including energy waste, material waste, and water waste, industries become more competitive by lowering their energy, water, and raw material bills. At the same time, by adhering to social and environmental standards, they will maintain their access to worldwide markets and build stronger connections with their staff and local communities. In addition, green jobs are generally more qualified jobs that offer higher incomes.

Q4. What are the key challenges that emerging economies face in implementing a green industry policy?

The first and most obvious difficulty that emerging economies face is a lack of access to information and technologies. The second problem is gaining access to finances, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the third is gaining competencies and skills. To solve those barriers, international cooperation and internal coordination between the public and private sectors are critical.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) must have access to financing in order to implement green industry strategies. Access to finance enables SMEs to invest in research and development of green technologies and processes. This fosters innovation and allows SMEs to create and adopt cutting-edge sustainable solutions.

Another important priority is the capacity to comply to international norms and standards. This will require governments, the private sector, civil society and academia to work together to implement and improve standardization at country and regional levels.

There are two approaches that may be taken to ensure that the development of green industries does not exacerbate inequality in developing countries. The first option is by strengthening international cooperation, while the second one is by carrying out country-level sustainable policies. Today's most pressing problems, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty, and public health crises, transcend national borders. To address these problems in a meaningful and long-lasting way, we need the combined resources and efforts of many countries.

Q5. How can PAGE, with the support of UNIDO, address these challenges?

The great strength of PAGE is the diversity of its partners, particularly the five UN organisations and their complementary mandates, expertise and networks. This allows each organisation to provide specific knowledge and address the same issue from multiple angles. It makes PAGE’s ability to approach any issue in a holistic manner. UNIDO itself brings to the partnership its mandate on inclusive and sustainable industrial development and various tools, methodologies and capacity building activities related to clean production, circular economy and sustainable energy to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, food security and digitalisation through the industrial lens. It also means addressing green industry policy implementation, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies.

Q6. How can we ensure that green industry development does not result in greater economic inequalities, especially in developing countries?

There are two approaches that may be taken to ensure that the development of green industries does not exacerbate inequality in developing countries. The first option is by strengthening international cooperation, while the second one is by carrying out country-level sustainable policies. Today’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty, and public health crises, transcend national borders. To address these problems in a meaningful and long-lasting way, we need the combined resources and efforts of many countries. Not all countries possess the same level of resources, technology, or expertise to address sustainability issues effectively. International cooperation fosters the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and technologies, allowing countries to learn from each other’s successes and failures. At the country level, all stakeholders such as the Government, the private sector, civil society, academia and local authorities should participate in the design, planning and implementation of green industry policies. Collaborative initiatives can produce solutions that are scalable and accelerate progress toward global sustainable development goals.