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Benefits

Water Conservation and Management

1. Technical upgrading in BPDM through transfer of water monitoring devices and staff training

  • Transfer of portable water monitoring systems
  • Advanced automatic monitoring system to Hartbeespoort Dam

2.Transfer of lake rehabilitation knowhow from Lahti to Bospoort and Hartbeespoort Dams

  • Positive development in controlling eutrophication and water pollution
  • Water monitoring cooperation

3. New development ideas and connections

Waste Management

1. The Northern experiences have been helpful in the development of waste management activities in BPDM

  • Lessons learned from Lahti have been incorporated into the new waste transfer stations of Rustenburg and the currently developed regional site
  • Cooperation has aided in the planning of the Sustainable Waste Management Centre for Rustenburg

2. For BPDM, a possibility to benchmark progress in waste management

3. Support for the Greening Programme of the Rustenburg 2010 World Cup

  • Training of Eco-guides
  • Educational tool kits on energy and waste management
  • Support for the installation of recycling bins in and around the stadium

4. Student exchange from Lahti University of Applied Sciences to BPDM gave valuable information relevant to the development of landfill gas collection and the recycling of electronic waste

Raising Awareness on Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

1. Introduction of Environmental Awareness week to BPDM following the Lahti’s example

  • Now a well-functioning yearly event in BPDM that raises awareness on different environmental themes
  • Mutual learning opportunities

2. Training of Eco-Guides and providing educational tool kits for the 2010 World Cup

3. Raising awareness within the local administration on

  • The importance of environmental protection and sustainable development
  • New and different practices on the environmental field
  • Global climate change and new approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation

Development of Environmental Management in BPDM

1. Development of an Environmental Policy

2. Integration of Environmental Management System (EMS) elements into the Integrated Development Plan

3. Development of EMS templates for all the departments

4. Comprehensive implementation plan for the EMS elements

Benefits for the Northern Partner

1. Increased capacity and competences regarding:

  • Global networking and international liaisons
  • District level administration
  • Integrated Development Plan as a tool for better environmental management
  • Community driven and grass-root level approach in environmental issues and activities
  • Video conferencing

2. Cultural tolerance education

3. Raising awareness in the local administration regarding

  • New practices on the environmental field as part of the sustainable development globally
  • The importance of environmental protection and sustainable development globally
  • Global climate change and new approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation

4. Peer review activities

  • Getting timely feedback on new development programs
  • Fresh perspectives and improvement ideas
  • Mutual learning
  • Openness and visibility within the cooperation

5. Broadening the perspectives and gaining know-how in dealing with various environmental problems

  • Different local conditions, same issues: for instance eutrophication and effective environmental education
  • Learning to adapt approaches to different conditions