news-blog domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/kasstv/public_html/kassfm.co.ke/digital/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121By Josephine Wawira\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I met Naftal Kobags and his group of 14 youthful Coastarians in 2020. They were trainees in the first phase of our COAST Project in Mombasa, facilitated by Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya<\/a> on sustainable waste management, converting waste to money-making business cases, entrepreneurship, business skills, and financial literacy. Their enthusiasm was quite captivating but more encouraging is that visiting them one year later in 2021, they were applying the skills learned during the training to create a sustainable income while protecting the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Guided by the belief that businesses can become circular and sustainable with positive impacts on the planet, people and profits, this project has helped the youth and women earn an income that was otherwise not forthcoming especially due to the high unemployment rate; worsened by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. At Sustainable Inclusive Business, we aim to continue providing opportunities that enhance youth and women\u2019s skills through existing programs geared towards creating green jobs. For Naftal and his team, it increased their business skills, key in successfully implementing and scaling their operations including their ambitious plastic waste recycling plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to The International Labor Organization (ILO), global employment could grow by an estimated six million jobs by transitioning to a circular economy. This will be made possible by replacing the traditional economic model of \u201ctake-make-waste\u201d with circular activities like recycling, repair, rent and re-manufacture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of you will agree that a beneficial transition towards a circular economy with positive impacts on most people requires a deliberate mindset change by policy-makers, businesses and the broader public including you and I. We must leave no one behind. Particularly, providing relevant skills development and training opportunities to the youth and women is crucial, including in areas such as waste-to-value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A systematic approach is also required, ensuring that the knowledge we provide is linked to global and local targets and markets, with national and local policies, actions and business opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On May 16th, 2023, I moderated a panel discussion on Green Jobs during the Pre-World Environmental Day Youth and Women Dialogue<\/a> organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The objective of the session was to learn from concrete experiences and case studies of circular economy trailblazers principally in the plastics space, to help us understand how they have developed and shaped enabling opportunities within their business models for the creation of decent employment and green jobs. I was honoured to engage with the panellists including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Agnes Mwandawiro<\/a> \u2013 Creative Director, ArtMax Designs <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Tayba Hatimy<\/a> \u2013 Executive Director, Baus Taka Enterprise <\/p>\n\n\n\n Calvin SHIKUKU \ud83c\uddf0\ud83c\uddea<\/a> \u2013 CEO, Generation Unlimited <\/p>\n\n\n\n Benson Abila<\/a> \u2013 Founder- Mtaka <\/p>\n\n\n\n From the engagements, we were able to come up with these Key Outcomes\/Takeaways:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated annually on June 5th to raise awareness and promote action on environmental issues. It serves as a platform for global dialogue and collaboration to address pressing environmental challenges. This year, Africa will celebrate WED in Abidjan, and Kenya, celebrations will take place in Nakuru, led by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. The theme of this year’s celebrations is #BeatPlasticPollution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n