The objective of the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) is to promote the adoption and use of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. ESTs are designed to address urban environmental problems, such as sewage, air pollution, solid waste and noise, and to support the management of fresh water basins and the development of sustainable cities. In particular they encompass technologies that have potential for significantly improved environmental performance relative to other technologies. ESTs should also be compatible with nationally determined socio-economic, cultural and environmental priorities and development goals.
In order to help solve these problems and promote the adoption of ESTs, IETC has created and developed a searchable electronic EST-database called maESTro to provide information in a standardized, user-friendly format. maESTro consists of a comprehensive database providing up-to-date detailed information about ESTs and also provides a global directory of institutions and other sources of information. Information is regularly updated by IETC as well as by EST contributors, which include individual users as well as organizations and institutions. Through the internet-based maESTro, information about ESTs is available to all computer users who are linked to the world-wide web providing a global information network about EST's and there applications. For those without access to the internet, the database is also available in CD-ROM, floppy diskettes, and hard copy format at no cost.