Preventing pollution in the industrial setting is most
commonly known as cleaner production. Because industrial
releases are fixed sources, they are often regulated.
Thus, it is easier to characterize the quality of existing
effluent, and there are greater regulatory and financial
incentives for industries to prevent pollution and reduce
costs. Cleaner production efforts have been supported
through UN programmes, including through UNEP and
other organizations. In 1994, the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) along with UNEP
established the National Cleaner Production Centres
Programme (NCPCs), which helps developing countries
and countries with economies in transition to incorporate
cleaner production into their industrial development and
environmental legislation, and undertake activities to support
cleaner production