The Royal Scientific Society announces the results of the SwitchMed Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology (TEST) project
In all phases of implementation throughout 2015-2023, the SwitchMed TEST project has achieved savings in energy in 27 industries in Jordan as it saved 25% of energy consumption and 22% of water consumption on average. It also achieved a saving of more than 2000 tons of raw materials annually.
The announcement of the project results was made during a ceremony held in Amman. The project, which was implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Water, Environment and Climate Change Centre / Cleaner Production Unit and the National Energy Research Centre at the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), was funded by the European Union and executed in partnership with Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply.
Notably, food, chemical and plastic industry businesses, service providers who have qualified for the project, professors from the six universities with which MoUs have been signed in the field of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP), as well as relevant entities from the public and private sectors participated in the results’ announcement ceremony.
The project aims to enable Jordanian industries to compete with national and international industries by providing them with solutions to reduce consumption of raw materials, water and energy. In addition, the project provides the Jordanian industries with recommendations to protect the environment.
Engineer Jihan Haddad, the national coordinator of the project at RSS, said that in its first phase (2015-2018), the project applied RECP/TEST assessment in 12 food companies. Ms. Haddad indicated that the project saved more than JD 1.6 million annually, as it annually saved more than 22,000 Megawatt of energy, around 63,000 m3 of water and around 400 tons of raw materials.
Regarding the second phase of the project (2019-2023), Haddad emphasized that the project continued to achieve more success. This, in turn, reflects the effectiveness and benefits of applying RECP/TEST in various industrial sectors and service providers in Jordan.
Ms. Haddad explained that in the second phase of the project, RECP/TEST assessment was demonstrated in additional seven chemical companies, six food companies and two plastic companies, as well as 8 service providers were qualified to demonstrate the assessment in the participated food industries under the supervision and mentorship of UNIDO and the RSS.
In the second phase, the application of the project in additional 15 companies from food, chemical and plastic sectors contributed to saving more than JD 2 million annually, as it annually saved more than 8600 Megawatt of energy, around 115,000 m3 of water and 1600 tons of raw materials.
As part of the project, a training program on “RECP/TEST” was organized. Thirteen professors from six Jordanian universities participated in the training program so as to establish a national mechanism for integrating RECP in the academic sector. A workshop was also held to raise awareness of RECP of financial institutions.
RSS Vice President, Eng. Rafat Assi indicated that enhancing productivity through environmentally-friendly practices and technologies that lead to increased efficiency in the use of natural resources, reduction of energy consumption and waste production, and opportunities to enhance innovation are all an integral part to the “TEST Approach” developed by UNIDO.
Assi pointed out that the project helped provide the relevant national authorities with information and results that prove the effectiveness of applying such a methodology to improve institutions’ performance. Assi also stressed the importance of the project in supporting the industrial sector to use resources efficiently. He added that in cooperation with the relevant authorities a national roadmap was prepared to expand the application of RECP in the industrial sector.
In addition, RSS Vice President pinpointed that many advocacy activities were implemented. Such activities led to identifying the best policy tools to implement the RECP methodology. He added that Jordan has already launched many strategies, action plans, support programs and awards that aim to provide the industrial sector with national support, which may include providing industries with technical assistance in the field of RECP and to benefit from national and international fund resources.
The UNIDO representative in Jordan, Engineer Sulafa Mdanat said that UNIDO believes that the transition to a more circular economy requires the adoption of RECP because this methodology allows companies to increase their competitiveness, connect to new markets, and protect the environment at the same time.
Ms Mdanat added that UNIDO encourages and facilitates collaboration not only with government and research institutions but also with the private sector.
Mdanat stressed the desire of UNIDO to constantly support Jordan to achieve its large-scale goals set within the “Economic Modernization Vision” since the industrial sector has been identified as one of the main drivers for promoting economic growth.
Madanat finally reaffirmed the UNIDO programs continuously support Jordanian industries at the level of policies and institutions under “Progress through Innovation”
It is worth noting that RSS established a Cleaner Production Unit in 2004. Through this unit and various technical centers and sectors, RSS has been working, since its establishment in 1970, in partnership and cooperation with various relevant national and international bodies, to provide technical consultations and services that contribute to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the industrial sector.