As developing countries around the world scramble to catch up with their industrial development, the environment is paying a high price. Developed countries have long been working to minimize environmental impact in the implementation of new industries. For countries struggling to move their economies into the 21st century, the environment is the least of their concerns.
There have been positive moves, though. The focus is shifting to sustainable development. In developing countries the impact of environmentally irresponsible industrial development has been particularly negative. Waste products from manufacturing have ruined potable water and disrupted agriculture in some regions. Natural resources have also been depleted, affecting other industries around the globe.
The United Nations (UN) have created the Environmental Development Organization (UNEDO) in order to oversee and aid in the pursuit of more sustainable approaches. UNEDO focuses on providing technical cooperation in these countries. This aids in updated the technology that the industries are using to modern standards, and providing education on how to implement realistic sustainable development.
The benefits of a sustainable plan for the developing nations are evident from the outside. Less pollution, up to date factories, and protecting the food and water supply to ensure the continued health of the local communities seems to be the only logical way to run a business. While sustainable technologies are being implemented in most new factories, getting the often underpaid workers to use them properly is an issue. Add that to the multitude of older factories that will not or can not be updated and the problem becomes apparent.
Education is key in ensuring the success of any sustainable industrial development project within both the industries and within the local governments of the affected regions. As the negative impact affects the quality of life of more people worldwide, the rush to put in place more environmentally friendly technologies becomes even more important.
