The Sustainable Inclusive Business (SIB) in collaboration with the Kenya Private Sector Association (KEPSA) and The Rock Group has launched the 2024 circular economy conference and awards to foster collaboration and inspire actionable change towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
Speaking during the launch held on Thursday in Nairobi, KEPSA Chairman Dr Jas Bedi announced that KEPSA has positioned itself as a torch bearer in advancing the sustainability agenda by investing in individual businesses to know their carbon and ecological footprint.
He said SIB has implemented various projects to address pollution and to champion the implementation of transformative regulatory frameworks to address the crisis.
“Through the Plastic Producer Responsibility project supported by SIB, we have managed to hold workshops and media engagements to foster dialogue between businesses and policymakers on compliance with the proposed extended producer responsibility regulations,” said Bedi.
The Chairman stated that through SIB, they are re-developing the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) website that would not only help businesses get access to policy materials and public notices, but also foster improved user experience.
He noted that through collaborations with the World Bank, they have developed a carbon market guidebook that will help Kenyan entrepreneurs navigate and benefit from the carbon markets.
Environmentalist and author of “The Ocean Warrior”, Shanariha Evans, said the circular economy could help to tackle climate change through biodiversity laws that would help limit biodiversity loss and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Youth voices matter in the circular economy because they could bring innovative ideas that can lead to unique transformative policies that would address the issue of climate change,” added Evans.
Being the founder of the Young Warriors Club, her non-profit organisation is dedicated to increasing active youth participation in creating a better and well-protected environment.
She noted that education is the most underestimated solution to fighting climate change and that the club has a mandate to advocate for climate literacy programmes and environmental restoration.
“Young Warriors will provide climate change education in schools over the region and currently we have over 700 student volunteers across the nation,” emphasised Evans.
The young environmentalist announced that she has a target of planting one million mangrove trees along the coastline of Mombasa adding that she has already planted 200,000 trees in 2024.
“Furthermore, in collaboration with my school, we have managed to collect 120 kilograms of plastic waste from the shorelines of Mombasa,” she said.
The conference launched by SIB is vital as it also seeks to explore how community-based solutions in the circular economy as well as grassroots initiatives could align with businesses and community needs to create a sustainable, inclusive and regenerative future.
By Manu Mumba
