NIF-NOT: Targeting cleaner production in Poland

The NIF-NOT Cleaner Production Program is an independent, cooperative venture between the Societies of Chartered Surveyors from Norway (NIF) and Poland (NOT). Sponsored by the Norwegian and Polish governments, the program has been in operation since 1991. After three years of active work throughout the country, over 400 companies and institutions (such as universities and local authorities) and more than 600 individuals have participated in the program.

Between 1992 and 1993, the Polish Ministries of Environment, Industry and Trade signed a Letter of Intent, aimed at achieving sustainable industrial development based on cleaner production as an environmental management tool.

A Declaration of Cleaner Production was subsequently issued, to be signed by companies accepting the goals of the Letter of Intent, and applying the Cleaner Production strategy at company level. Added to the NIF-NOT program, these two documents have created a more formal and permanent structure, and stronger support for the program.

At the time of writing, over 150 companies have signed the Declaration and are working in accordance with the Cleaner Production strategy.