The Eco-Friendly Pro-Poor Bamboo Production project is a project under the umbrella of the European Commission’s SWITCH ASIA programme. The project promotes the use of bamboo, instead of timber and other non-renewable building materials, in the reconstruction of post disaster Sichuan, China. By developing the local bamboo industry the project also aims to enhance the livelihood opportunities in Sichuan.
Bamboo has a high fiber rating that makes it exceptionally hard-wearing. Bamboo is a material with high tensile strength and shock resistance, making bamboo not only a sustainable but also a save building material in areas with a relatively higher risk of natural disasters. The project aims to become a model for adopting sustainable reconstruction efforts with bamboo in post-disaster area’s, and shows how such building methods can help to make houses more resilient in the face of possible natural disasters.
Project Background
As a result of the devastation of the Sichuan Earthquake on May 12, 2008, the demand of construction materials in Sichuan has showed an explosive growth. In addition, Sichuan has a growing population which also increases pressure on natural resources. The environmental impacts from post-disaster economic recovery and general growth are potentially enormous. Therefore, national and provincial policy makers have recognized the need for promoting post-disaster economic growth and reconstruction that minimize negative environmental impacts. Furthermore, the earthquake has increased the level of unemployment, as a result strengthening the wish to enhance the use of locally available resources, in order to stimulate the local economy.
Project Objectives
The overall aim of the “Eco-Friendly Pro-Poor Bamboo Production” project is the sustainable revival of livelihoods in post-disaster Sichuan. Due to its exceptional strength and its shock resistant characteristic, one of the objectives is to promote the use of bamboo instead of timber and other non-renewable building materials in the reconstruction of Sichuan. Furthermore by enhancing the bamboo industry in Sichuan, the project wants to create employment and enhance the livelihood opportunities of the less fortuned in society. Striving for a more sustainable world, the project aims to create public awareness and promote bamboo products as a sustainable alternative and investment opportunity. Last but not least, as bamboo is a great sustainable alternative if harvested and manufactured in the right way, the project also promotes sustainable bamboo production within the complete supply chain.
Project Activities
- Review and identify environmental improvements for SME production technology and processes.
- Build capacity of Environmental Protection Agencies to enforce existing environmental standards for target SMEs.
- Build capacity for Sichuan end-product SMEs to produce bamboo products that comply with local environmental standards.
- Establish a cluster supply chain management system to enhance resource efficiency and generation of rural livelihoods.
- Establish a new investment initiative in the Sichuan bamboo sector.
- Develop Provincial earth-quake resistant bamboo building codes.
- Conduct a public awareness campaign to target new consumer & retailer groups.
Role of BenCham
The “Eco-Friendly Pro-Poor Bamboo Production” project, financed by the European Commission’s SWITCH ASIA programme, is a cooperation between the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and 3 partners, the Sichuan Forestry Department (SFD), the European Project Innovation Centre Chengdu (EUPIC) and BenCham. As a partner in the project BenCham is co-responsible for the execution of the project. One of BenCham’s main tasks is the development of an investment overview for the Bamboo Industry in Sichuan. This investment overview gives a broad picture of the application possibilities of bamboo with a focus on board, flooring, construction and design. BenCham, together with EUPIC, will also organise an Investor Study Tour which will take place in the last week of October 2011. The Investor Study Tour is open for foreign and domestic companies that are interested in investing in the Bamboo industry in Sichuan. The tour will provide the participants with a good understanding of the potentials of the Bamboo industry in Sichuan. If ou are interested in the Study Tour please read our Investor Study Tour brochure or go to the SWITCH bamboo website. Furthermore will BenCham organise two awareness raising events, one in Beijing and one in Chengdu, to promote the use of sustainable Bamboo products.
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CCPIT Sichuan Council
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Sichuan Council is an organization for the promotion of economic trade throughout the whole province. Led by the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee and Sichuan Provincial Government, it is composed of representative personnel, enterprises and groups from economy and trade circles within Sichuan Province. Following national diplomatic working principles and government requirements regarding foreign affairs, its main functions are: to exert non-government diplomacy; to further develop economic and trade ties with various countries across the world (including ones that have not yet established diplomatic relations with China); to coordinate and advance diplomatic and foreign affairs via economic and trade activities; to accelerate trade and investment; to advance Sichuan’s enterprises towards participation in economic globalization; and to play the role of a “bridge” linking government and enterprises.
For more information, please visit their website: www.ccpit-sichuan.org.
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KLM Royal Dutch Airline
Established in 1919, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has been an international pioneer in the airline industry. In China, KLM has direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Taipei to Amsterdam and beyond. Driven by this pioneering spirit, KLM also aims to become a leader in corporate social responsibility. Well aware of the effect of our activities on the world, KLM is taking action to curb its environmental impact, such as KLM’s CO2 zero service to reduce and compensate for CO2 emissions. KLM also drives the KLM Air Cares project, helping children’s charities around the world.
We are proud that KLM Royal Dutch Airline is working with us to make this project a success.
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Investors Study Brochure
Investors Study Tour
Master file
Investors Application Form
Investors Application Form
EUPIC Investors Application From (Domestic Group)
Press kit
Press kit
Links
SWITCH bamboo
SWITCH Asia network facility
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR)
European commission External cooperation programmes
For more information regarding the SWITCH Asia project, please contact our Project Manager.
"this publication has been produced with the assistance of the Eurpoean Union. The content of this publication are the sole responsibility of BenCham and can no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union."