Uncategorized

Zimbabwean corporates to adopt “Green Industry”

22 Nov, 2018 - 13:11 0 Views
Zimbabwean corporates to adopt “Green Industry” Toxiconsol Chief Sustainability consultant Tawanda Muzamwese

eBusiness Weekly

HARARE – Renowned environmental practitioners have implored Zimbabwean corporates to adopt “Green Industry” and sustainable development practices in conducting business from production and throughout the value chain.

This was revealed at the Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ)   conference held in the capital this week, which ran under the theme “Green Industry as a vehicle for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development – Upscale, Replicate and Sustain”

Sustainable development is economic progression that is conducted without depletion of natural resources and Zimbabwe is in the process of implementing significant projects on sustainability encompassing nationally determined contributions of reducing emissions by 33 percent by 2030, safe chemicals management in industry; renewable energy and inclusive business.

 Atacama consultancy (environmental consultancy firm) Managing Partner Edgar Mugisha from Uganda told the conference that local corporates should establish means of conducting business in a way that does not cause environmental damage adding that sustainability was a vital cog in the realization of 2030 vision.

“Industry in Zimbabwe should wake up to the realities of globalisation and the need to embrace “New Green Industry thinking” around circularity. For example, traditional approaches for recycling plastics are failing and it’s estimated that: “by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. In light of this, a “New Plastics Economy” is now emerging to ensure that all the plastic that we need to use is designed to be safely reused, recycled or composted.

“Therefore, in order for Zimbabwe to grow and realise its middle-income status aspirations in line with its vision 2030, it must anchor its growth on Green industrialisation that adds value to its goods and services coupled with green jobs that will bring about inclusive growth that will translate into prosperity for all the citizens of Zimbabwe,” said Mugisha who was the guest of honour at the conference.

BCSDZ is marking 25 years of navigating the world of sustainability it resonates well with the global discourse in the areas of Sustainable Development Goals, climate mitigation, energy ,water efficiency, resource efficient and cleaner production.

He said “I would like to encourage Zimbabwean industries to put Green Industry at the core of their business strategies, as that is key to the continued resilience of the country’s economy as any industrial development agenda will be short-lived if it does not embrace principles of sustainability, sustainability is a never-ending journey that tries to pave the way for a better tomorrow for the world’s citizens and future generations that will follow in our footsteps.”                                                                                                                   

Toxiconsol Chief Sustainability consultant Tawanda Muzamwese highlighted that markets worldwide are now seeking for green products therefore critical to adhere to sustainable development practices, he added that companies are now conducting business sustainably to protect their corporate images citing Deepwater Horizon oil spill that led the company’s share prices to plummet.

 “Stock exchanges and consumers in developed countries where most of our exports go to are now demanding footprint of the product throughout the value chain.

“For you to export to Europe and Australia they are demanding to know how clean the production process is hence need for companies worldwide to adhere to demand for sustainability by markets.

“Protecting corporate image is at play also, in Gulf of Mexico’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill case which involved the leakage of fuel and oil led to a slump in share prices, so companies are going green because they want to protect their image,” said Muzamwese.

Murowa diamonds, Muriel mine, Windmill private limited, Cafca, Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company, Delta Corporation,Lafrge Holcim ,Mimosa, Tongaat Hullets and  Schweppes Zimbabwe were the ten companies recognised at the for  energy and water efficiency.

The two day conference covered selected topics in sustainability for two days through participation of regional, international speakers and experts contributing in their areas of expertise.

Share This:

Sponsored Links

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds