SMEP Resources
SMEP Projects: Spotlight on Bangladesh
SMEP Projects: Spotlight on Bangladesh The Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh is a target country within the SMEP Programme. In 2023, Bangladesh became the fastest-growing economy in the world, with a 7% average GDP growth over the past decade. Today, the country is the second-largest exporter of ready-made garments in the
The Green Tannery Initiative: Baseline Survey Report
The Green Tannery Initiative Baseline Survey Report This report serves as a critical deliverable of Work Package 1 (WP1) for the Sustainable Management of Emerging Pollution (SMEP) project. Its primary aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of the selected Ethiopian leather industry on key areas,
Getting Started on Leather Due Diligence: A good practice guide for brands and retailers
Getting started on leather due diligence A good practice guide for brands and retailers Over the past fifteen years, a growing body of voluntary standards and regulations has sought to strengthen expectations for businesses to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD). These include the UN Guiding Principles on
From traceability to biotechnology: Trade-led innovative solutions for sustainable leather
From Traceability to Biotechnology Trade-led innovative solutions for sustainable leather Leather was one of the first materials used by humankind, alongside natural fibres. The leather industry involves some of the oldest examples of a circular economy, adding value to meat, primarily through by-products such as animal hides and skins from
A machine learning approach to wastewater treatment: Gaussian process regression and Monte Carlo analysis
A machine learning approach to wastewater treatment Gaussian process regression and Monte Carlo analysis Conducted under the SMEP-funded SAFECONOMY project, this study aimed to analyse the application of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) modelling to improve the accuracy of degradation response predictions in wastewater treatment. Three crucial factors, i.e., catalyst (CFA–ZnF),
Promoting dignity through transforming workplaces
Promoting dignity through transforming workplaces The Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Learning Brief The ready-made garment (RMG) sector is a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy, employing approximately four million people, most of them women. Despite the industry’s economic importance, many female workers continue to face significant challenges in accessing adequate hygiene