By Beaven Dhliwayo.
Harare – The green economy paradigm shift is necessary to overcome the sustainability challenges facing the world today, according to Chief Sustainability Consultant at Toxiconsol, Tawanda Muzamwese.
The green economy is defined as an economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities, and that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment.
It is closely related with ecological economics, but has a more politically applied focus.
“There are various opportunities that exist in Zimbabwe on how a green economy can be achieved.
Industrial production processes need upgrading in terms of the production technologies towards efficient ones which minimize resource intensity such as that of energy intensity, water consumption and chemical consumption. “Companies can adopt industrial energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies such as solar energy,” he said. He also said clean energy technologies and waste treatment technologies are key for any company that generates residuals from its production process.
Due to the effects of climate change, companies are being urged to adopt low carbon emission technologies.
“The use of chemicals in an environmentally sustainable manner is essential in order to avoid pollution as well saving costs in the procurement of the chemicals. “As a way of achieving a green economy there is need to promote the adoption of standards at company level including ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems and ISO 50001:2011 Energy Management Systems.
Muzamwese added that the building sector also offers vast opportunities for resource savings. He said energy efficient buildings can offer the country an opportunity to save on the energy.
“This conscious shift requires collaboration amongst stakeholders including government, building contractors, architects amongst and members of the public.
Sustainable buildings can adopt natural lighting, passive cooling and the use of sustainable building materials.
“It is widely acknowledged in the country case studies we have analyzed that a Green Economy Strategy can assist in mainstreaming green economy issues in various sectors of the economy.
“Implementation of such a strategy becomes key to the success of initiatives.
“A green economy should present opportunities of creating green jobs through employment in selected sectors such as installation of renewable energy, waste recycling and waste management, chemical management services, new renewable energy generating infrastructure,” he added.
Zimbabwe has already shown ability to shift towards a Green Economy through some of the policies that have been implemented including Environmental Management Acts, Climate Change Response Strategy, Climate Policy, Energy Policy amongst other policies.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration should continue towards ensuring implementation of the policies. Incentives for the green economy activities plays a key role in promoting and attracting individuals and firms alike to adopt green living.
This has been shown through duty rebates on solar panels. More incentives in other sectors of the economy will be necessary to facilitate fast track adoption of the concept.
In addition, Muzamwese said to achieve a green economy, lifestyle of individuals also plays a critical role.
“Lifestyles that foster water and energy saving – switching of unutilized gadgets, recycling at household level and avoiding littering can offer us the solutions we need to address the environmental challenges that confront society today.
“Integrated Solid Waste Management (IWSM) is also very important as a measure to address waste throughout the value chain.
Internationally, mega industries have been formed from the waste management industry including waste to energy,” he said adding that to achieve a green economy Zimbabweans need to begin to perceive waste as a resource.
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