Terminal Evaluation of the UN Environment Project: Resource Efficiency and Eco-Innovation in Developing and Transition Economies

Innovation in Developing and Transition Countries” (or more simply, the “Eco-Innovation Project”) implemented during 2012-2017 with an overall goal to promote the transition towards sustainable industrial production systems in developing countries and transition economies through the promotion of eco-innovation based on resource efficient and cleaner production. Funded through the EC’s Thematic Programme for Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources including Energy (ENRTP) and embedded in a larger UN Environment umbrella Subprogramme, “Advancing Resource Efficiency in Business Practices”, the Eco-Innovation Project was designed to leverage the EC’s Eco-Innovation Action Plan, UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative and its Sustainable Consumption/Production (SCP) experience and networks, particularly the jointly implemented UNIDO-UNEP Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production programme and global network (RECPnet) of RECP service providers (also referred to as business intermediaries) This evaluation assessed project performance (in terms of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency), and sought to determine outcomes and impacts (actual and potential) stemming from the Project, including their sustainability. The evaluation’s primary purposes were to (i) provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements; and (ii) promote learning, feedback, and knowledge sharing through results and lessons learned for UN Environment, the EC, relevant organisations in the 9 countries that participated in the Project, and beyond.