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Knowledge Exchange for Economic Recovery and Ecological Transition of Tourism in West Africa

June 27, 2022

Burkina Faso - The Agrhymet Regional Center (ARC) organized, in collaboration with PAGE Burkina Faso and UNITAR, a sub-regional webinar on April 12 under the theme: "Post-COVID19 Economic Recovery and Ecological Transition in West Africa. The case of the Tourism sector".

The pandemic has made it possible “to redefine the order of priorities to lay the foundations for a strong, competitive, inclusive economy in a context of environmental preservation; to review the business model in order to make tourism - already affected by security problems - an anchor point for endogenous and sustainable socio-economic growth” said the Burkinabe expert Dr. Larba Issa Kobyagada. The regional exchange activity gathered representatives of governments, academics, development experts and PAGE agency UNITAR teams of 3 west African countries: Burkina Faso, Senegal and Morocco.

A Greener and More Gender-Inclusive Economic Recovery

June 27, 2022

SENEGAL - PAGE led by ILO and UNDP, conducted the training activities of market gardening groups and women who process agricultural and beekeeping products from the classified forest of Mbao. The Green Recovery Covid funds from Germany reignited the agroecology activity by empowering workers, most of which were women.

The targeted action shall help in restoring revenue levels of local women with the conservation and processing of bio-organic products, which was estimated at an average of US$ 214 annually during the pre-pandemic. One third of the group members will lead the knowledge replication to community groups and youth in the surrounding areas of the capital Dakar. The instruction entailed the biological control methods and the safe use of low residual biopesticides, quality and hygiene, post-harvest conservation and packaging.As an outcome, the training also hopes to enable market access to the local produce such as honey, royal jelly, propolis and cashew nuts.

Industrial Waste Management in Mauritius

June 22, 2022

MAURITIUS - This report aims to enable an effective industrial solid waste management (SWM) and facilitate the development of a Circular Economy for the enhancement of enterprises' competitiveness in Mauritius. The following sectors were assessed: textile and wearing apparel, chemicals and chemical products, food products (poultry, sea food, beverages and bottling sub-sectors), printing and reproduction of recorded media and construction materials.

Read the full report

Objectives of the study

The activities of this Industrial Waste Management – Cost Structure Review (2021 IWM-CSR) respond to part of the recommendations of the ‘Industrial Waste Assessment in Mauritius’ that PAGE produced in 2017 (2017 IWA) with the collaboration of the Industry Division of the then Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, UNIDO and Business Mauritius. To enable effective industrial solid waste management, facilitate the development of a circular economy and enhance the competitiveness of the enterprises, the 2017 IWA recommended to integrate the management of industrial waste (IW) and municipal waste with similar characteristics and to proceed towards the definition of the cost structure and policy gaps in industrial waste management (IWM). This study was thus undertaken, with the following objectives:

Understand the structure of SWM costs undertaken by selected industrial sectors for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), Mid-Market Enterprises (MMEs) and large companies.
Assess the share of the SWM costs over the company’s turnover.
Analyse the cost undertaken for SWM by the public sector.
Provide a general overview advice on the introduction and implementation of EPR Schemes and examine the main constraints to their applications in Mauritius.

In this context, this study focuses on determining the structure of the costs for IWM within companies; and verifying if part of IWM costs constitute a hidden cost for the SWM carried out by the public sector.

Tax deductions reverted into private investments on green infra-structure of Peru

May 5, 2022

UNDP with additional PAGE funds and in collaboration with BIOFIN is supporting the mechanism for Public Works for Tax (WxT) Deductions in Peru. PAGE through BIOFIN conducted an initial study that identified 23 companies, out of which 50 per cent wish to use the mechanism to finance natural infrastructure of nearly USD 15 million.

This mechanism holds a great potential for funding green infrastructure and projects related to biodiversity and ecosystem services with private sector funds. The unique investment mechanism was devised by the Peruvian Government in 2008 and allows private firms to “pay” a portion of their income taxes in advance in the form of public works—from public buildings to transport infrastructure and beyond.

PAGE through BIOFIN is also accompanying the implementation of three public investment pilot projects in biodiversity and natural infrastructure through WxT, for approximately USD 10 million: Huascaran National Park, Ecosystem recovery in Machu Picchu and Sustainable management of vicuñas in Colquemarca District.

Since 2021, the Peruvian government in partnership with PAGE continues to coordinate with specific (mainly extractive and tourism) companies interested in mobilizing resources through WxT. Efforts were also made to provide support to public and private entities for the implementation of MoUs, municipal agreements and inter-institutional agreements, as pre-operational actions to the mechanism of WxT.

Strategy for implementation of Senegal Nationally Determined Contributions on the post-Covid

May 6, 2022

SENEGAL - In collaboration with the Direction of Environment and classified Establishments, the ILO organised a workshop on April 1 to validate the impact study of Covid 19 on the country´ s NDCs as well as the proposed implementation strategy post-Covid. The study identified the technical and social measures that could be integrated into the Senegal´s contributions to climate protection in priority sectors such as industry, energy, agriculture, livestock, water resources and fisheries.Official publication will orient the strategic pathway for the green recovery.

Publication will inform decision-making for Green Recovery

Senegal is currently developing a strategy for mobilising the private sector around projects that will serve as a lever for the inclusive green economy.

ILO organized a workshop on March 23 to present and validate the report on the development of a strategic orientation document for the green recovery in Senegal. The publication will inform decision-making on issues such as green taxation, sustainable public procurement, and support for young business entrepreneurs for market access. The activity was part of the green recovery program supported by PAGE.

Argentinean Productivity Plan 2030 for inclusive and green transition is announced

May 5, 2022

ARGENTINA - The government announced its "Productivity Plan 2030" entailing 10 "Missions¨ that will mobilize the country´s productive potential to tackle some of the country´s socio economic, technology and environmental challenges ahead. PAGE and ILO country teams advocated before the Argentinean National Cabinet of Climate Change on the importance of Inclusive Green Economic transformation and creation of green jobs.

The 10-mission-package was design-based on a concept laid by leading economist Mariana Mazzucato. It shall orient key economic sectors such as agriculture, transport, tourism, and mining, for instance, for an increased adherence to sustainable production patterns that are in line with the environmental challenges of the 21st century.

The President and Secretary of Social Affairs Secretary stated that the first ¨Mission¨ consigned by the government´s Plan aims to "develop the green economy for a just environmental transition".

G20 - Development Working Group discusses opportunities on the Green and Blue Economies

April 5, 2022

As Indonesia holds the presidency for 2022 G20 Summit, PAGE has been working with Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) to facilitate consultation processes to bring a green, blue, and low carbon economy into the Summit agenda. These segments have been gaining popularity in the country.

The 1st Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting's Side Event: “Navigating Challenges and Optimizing Opportunities in Green and Blue Economy Implementation in Developing Countries, LDCs, and SIDS,” took place on February 23 as a hybrid webinar and panel discussion. The event aimed to exercise and dive-deep on the substance of green economy and blue economy through low carbon development in developing countries.

Indonesia introduced its G20 presidency priorities on the DWG and welcomed policymakers, international organizations, and regulators to share successful experiences of implementation of environment-friendly initiatives on the green and blue economy segments. The Bappenas Director for Environment, Mr. Medrilzam, shared Indonesia’s experience and lessons learned in implementing a green economy through low carbon development. Mr Asad Naqvi, head of the PAGE Secretariat, provided further insights on the context and role of the green economy for achieving the SDGs.

Training on Energy Management System in Kyrgyz Republic

April 5, 2022

In Bishkek, PAGE conducted a 2-Day End User Training on Energy Management System (EnMS)for 36 participants this February. The workshop was designed to provide knowledge, understanding, and tools for technical and managerial personnel from public and private sectors, for fostering energy efficiency best practices in the country.

PAGE Mauritius Green Recovery Programme held its 3rd National Steering Committee (NSC) Meeting

April 5, 2022

The meeting discussed the green recovery fund activities in Mauritius on finance for nature-based solutions and climate smart agriculture, sustainable urban food systems, incentives to boost the agro-processing industries, and the green jobs modeling for the agriculture sector. The National Steering Committee is chaired by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Government of Mauritius, and includes members from relevant ministries, national institutions, private sector, civil society, the UNRCO and PAGE UN agencies. The NSC was formed in August 2021.

PAGE Mauritius also took part and was featured in The National Policy Dialogue on Green Growth in Mauritius held on March 31 and April 1, which was organised in the context of the Switch Africa Green project. The dialogue provided a forum for major actors to analyse existing policies for the greening of the economy, identify gaps, and formulate appropriate policy actions that will support a circular economy and facilitate an ecological transition. In addition, this dialogue was to raise awareness and bring synergies of complementary activities in the country and provide opportunities to establish linkages. PAGE Mauritius presented a comprehensive overview of all its inclusive green economy activities in Mauritius since 2014.

SDG courses offered to public officials in MT-Brazil

April 5, 2022

Two online training courses are currently being offered by the School of Government of Mato Grosso in Partnership with UNDP.

The first one is:¨Integrating the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals", which has the public officials of the State and Municipal Executive Power of Mato Grosso as target audience. It seeks to strengthen capacities and qualify local actors for the territorial planning and acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The second course is focused on Sustainable constructions. The training is a following activity on the “Guidelines on Sustainable constructions for MT” elaborated by PAGE MT in 2021. The target audience are public officials from the secretariat of Cities. 574 people were registered.

The results of the PAGE flagship initiative in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, were presented in a webinar delivered on March 22, including the launch of two reports on industrial policy for forest based activities and for the identification of technologies for livestock production systems. The webinar had the participation of Governor Mauro Mendes, the ambassador of Finland to Brazil and the representative of the European Union.

Official launch of UN-PAGE programme in Guatemala

April 5, 2022

In January 2022, the PAGE programme was officially launched in Guatemala by the Vice Minister of Finance, in the presence of the UN Resident Coordinator and high-level representatives from line ministries, including those of the Environment and Economy. More than 150 participants from government, the private sector, civil society, local media, academia, and the UN community attended the virtual event.

The main objectives of PAGE in Guatemala include improving environmental management through the design and roll-out of green fiscal policies as well as achieving a Just Transition that leaves no one behind.

Saúl Figueroa, Vice minister of Public Finance, expressed that PAGE will enable the formulation of sustainable economic policies and practices that promote green development, reduce inequality, and generate income and jobs while helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN-PAGE workstreams will support the Government in meeting its national and international commitments, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Debate on Climate Change, Productive Development and Labour

April 5, 2022

PAGE took part in a debate in Argentina organized by the Climate Action Trade Union Front on climate change, productive development and labour. Leaders reflected on the former president Juan Domingo Peron’s environmental message addressed to the people and governments of the world back in 1972, in which he warned about the problems of the environment and natural disasters, what is still a vivid issue in the global context.

The debate included representatives from several Unions and environmental groups. Young referents from the ¨Youth Against Climate Change¨ also joined the discussion on a devoted segment about the labour implications regarding job creation and people within a market driven transformation towards a greener economy.

Open Government Board on Green Jobs for Buenos Aires

April 5, 2022

In the frame of the C40 initiative and UNFCCC, the municipality of Buenos Aires has officially set up a board of experts for exploring prospects on the creation of green jobs in the country in an event held on February 23.

The PAGE team in Argentina has delivered guidance to the nominated board of experts´ in its upcoming tasks for developing a green jobs indicator. Previously, PAGE and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) worked with the Centre for Metropolitan Studies to conduct a green jobs assessment in the city of Buenos Aires.

PAGE aims to support the Argentinean capital in becoming one of the first cities in the world with indicators of green jobs reported, using PAGE´s methodology and instruments for policy design.

BAPPENAS-ESCAP-UNRCO's national workshop on ¨Building forward better in Indonesia¨

April 5, 2022

As part of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) support to the government of Indonesia via Bappenas (the Ministry of National Development Planning), a webinar was held on March 7 on “Building forward better: Securing inclusive, resilient and green development in Indonesia”.

The discussion focused on key policy areas such as Indonesia’s medium-term development opportunities and challenges, recent policy initiatives to promote green development, and the socio-economic and environmental implications of greener development.

The PAGE country team together with the UN Resident Country Office (RCO) in Indonesia jointly presented "UN support for green development in Indonesia", by discussing ideas on public policy options for making Indonesia more socially inclusive, resilient to future shocks and ecologically sustainable.

New Report on Access to Green Finance to SMEs in Mauritius

March 4, 2022

This report offers a timely assessment of the access to, and the use of, green finance by SMEs in Mauritius. The study by extension evaluates the integration of sustainability in the business operations of SMEs in Mauritius, and explores applicable good practices and lessons from other countries and regions. The study also identifies key barriers to green financing, and proposes recommendations and potential solutions to scale up green finance opportunities for SMEs in Mauritius.

Read the full report here

Inclusive Green Economy training in Morocco

February 9, 2022

As part of the appropriation of the project by Moroccan stakeholders, PAGE held a two-day training session on Zoom for stakeholders in Morocco. Organized by UNITAR and the lead agency UNIDO, PAGE Morocco invited several ministries and organizations to the training on "Inclusive Green Economy and post-COVID-19 economic recovery".

Opened by the welcome remarks of the Director of Partnerships and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (MTEDD), Mr. Rachid Firadi, the online training for the PAGE Steering Committee in Morocco has brought together 71 participants during the first day on "Inclusive Green Economy and post-COVID-19 economic recovery" hosted by UNITAR. Addressing the concept of Inclusive Green Economy (EVI), Mr. Firadi recalled that: “The training will allow stakeholders to have a common understanding of the concept of green economy. "

The training focused on PAGE's support at the global level to promote an inclusive green economy (IGE). Mr. FIRADI wished to recall that: “Morocco is very committed to the environment. This commitment is materialized by the adherence of our country to most agreements in favor of the environment and sustainable development. As such, we have adopted our National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNDD). Its implementation has enabled our country to make remarkable progress by integrating the concept of sustainability into the key development sectors. Thus, in the energy field, we have adopted a proactive policy aimed at strengthening energy efficiency. ¨

The second day, meanwhile, aimed to answer the question: "What priorities for PAGE in Morocco?" To achieve this, the participants were divided into 5 groups with 5 different themes led by the 5 UN agencies namely UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO, ILO and UNITAR. Ms. Vera WEICK of the PAGE Secretariat recalled that: “The program is aligned with the national priorities of member countries.

In her presentation, Mrs. Amrei HORSTBRINK Senior Specialist, Climate Change and Green Development, UNITAR presented to the participants the roadmap of the training days. Then, she submitted two surveys to participants about their knowledge of the green economy. The suggested areas of work on which PAGE Morocco should focus are industry, waste management, green taxation, entrepreneurship, etc. Green and inclusive economic recovery in Morocco focus on industrial development, reduction of inequalities, preservation of biodiversity and the environment. Unido Mr. Ali Benryane, Coordinator of PAGE Morocco, spoke about the country's journey to integrate the PAGE program. “Since 2019, Morocco had submitted its candidacy. It was in 2020 that the Kingdom of Morocco joined PAGE, thus becoming the 20th member country and the first MENA country. Then, we proceeded to designate a focal point,” said the coordinator of PAGE Morocco. “From the first quarter of 2020, we began to identify the different business sectors that require further assitance. This task has been delayed following the outbreak of the pandemic”. Addressing the aspect of global perspectives on a green and inclusive economic recovery, UNEP Mr. Farid Yaker stressed that “at the global level, the health and economic crisis are connected. Indeed, we see that all the challenges, difficulties and crises at the international level are reflected in our economies, in particular the problem of circularity, which amounts to 8.8% at the World level. This percentage shows that the majority of resources are not reused and recycled”. “In addition, the challenge of inequalities with a high proportion of people who are likely to fall into poverty, i.e. 120 million people, particularly those in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. We also have a problem with biodiversity and species extinctions, which impacts on the economy because 1.2 billion jobs depend on ecosystem services,” developed Mr. Yaker. Following the communication series, the day ended with sub-working groups on "Opportunities and challenges for a green and inclusive economic recovery in Morocco" where some interventions show that the opportunities for a green and inclusive economic recovery in Morocco nestle in the private sector, SME/SMI, decarbonization clean energies. For the participants, "the transition will make it possible to minimize Morocco's carbon footprint by boosting research, innovation and the creation of green jobs".

PAGE Holds 2nd Dialogue in Series ‘One UN for Accelerating a Fair and Green Economic Transformation’ on Sustainable Finance

November 5, 2021

On 2 November 2021, PAGE held the second dialogue of its series, “One UN for Accelerating a Fair and Green Economic Transformation” on 2 November 2021.  Following the first dialogue on green recovery, this second event focused on sustainable finance, and more than 70 colleagues from across the UN system — including UN Resident Coordinators (UNRCs), the Director of UNEP's Economy Division, the Heads of UNDP and UNEP finance programmes, members of the PAGE Management Board, representatives of regional commissions and the Development Coordination Office (DCO), Economists from UN RCOs and from PAGE agencies, among others — actively participated in the dialogue, and exchanged ideas for supporting UN Country Teams . Additionally, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development and Chief Economist, UN DESA Elliott Harris moderated the discussion with keynote presentations from Liesel Van Ast, Membership and Regional Co-ordination Manager of the UNEP Finance Initiative and Marcos Neto, Director of the UNDP SDG Finance Sector Hub.

See the presentation: UNDP: Linking Finance with Impact

See the presentation: UNEP-FI: Mobilizing Private Finance for Sustainable Development

As a primary objective, the dialogue aimed to strengthen ties and collaboration between PAGE partner countries and UN RCO’s Economists on sustainable finance. The discussion shed light on particular challenges in the enabling environment and identified potential areas of work on sustainable finance in PAGE partner countries to support their transitions to fairer and greener economies.

 “Unsustainable investments are no longer profitable and certainly nowhere near as profitable as sustainable ones. But for that to happen, we need a shift in mindset.”
– Elliot Harris, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and Chief Economist (UN DESA) 

The UN system offers unique expertise to respond to countries’ need for mobilizing finance needed to achieve the ambitions for a green and inclusive recovery from COVID-19 impacts and for long-term economic transformation. To support governments with the implementation of the Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs), already 15 agencies are working together across 71 countries, helping to strengthen planning processes, and overcome existing impediments to finance the SDGs at the country level.

 “We are looking for systemic alignment, we are looking for systematic changes and not transaction by transaction anymore. And to systemically change you need to bring the SDGs to the financial sector.”
– Marcos Neto, Director, Finance Sector Hub (UNDP)

The case of Thailand, presented during the event, provides an example of mobilizing sustainable finance and financing the SDGs at the country level through key UN action areas:

Leading high-level engagement and dialogue with key country financial institutions and government agencies including Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand. This involves key international actors such as the ADB, IMF and World Bank.
Catalyzing commitment from financial institutions and investors to note the UN’s Principles of Responsible Investment and Banking as the framework of operations (e.g., “Statement of Commitment for Sustainable Thailand”).
Strengthening the capacity of national actors (e.g., information sessions on UN sustainable finance principles)
Facilitating joint delivery by the UN
UNEP and UNDP are exploring how the INFF can be connected to the efforts in developing the Thai green taxonomy as well as how to align the work on an INFF with the Principles for Responsible Banking.

See the presentation: Joining Forces on Sustainable Finance: Thailand

Thailand’s 2021 Common Country Analysis on financial landscape and opportunities identified that to achieve the SDGs will require investments and spending across a range of public and private resources.

 “Thailand is exploring how the integrated national financing framework can be connected to the central banking force in developing Thai green taxonomy and how to align the work on the integrated national financing framework with the Principles for Responsible Banking. This is the joint work that PAGE can help to offer more sustainable finance in Thailand.”
– Manop Udomkerdmongkol, UNRCO Economist Thailand

This will be done through government expenditure, new flows of private capital and investment flows towards new innovative products and services focused on finding solutions to achieve the SDGs including low-carbon infrastructure, clean energy, green bonds, green real estate and sustainable forestry and agriculture.

Other flagship examples in the UN system come from several UN Agencies in supporting countries to finance sustainable development. One initiative from UNDP is the development of the SDG Impact platform to inform investors on decision-making in investments for SDGs, produce data and insights needed for increasing financial flows to the SDGs, and facilitate collaboration to realize investments. UNEP FI is working with financial institutions to integrate sustainability into their strategies to align with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, as well as with policymakers to drive systemic change to create enabling policy environments for sustainable finance.

"We need to be looking at the systemic change.... We have to look to see how the Resident Coordinator system can work with the countries to be able to create that systemic shift in terms of both public and private finance opportunities that exist."
– Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director, Economy Division (UNEP)

Acting as a channel to deepen the engagement between PAGE and UN Economists, the forum will also inform how PAGE can better support its partner countries in using their economic recovery planning as a steppingstone for green and inclusive economic transformation to address the root causes of the Triple Planetary Crisis, as well as further inspire a green and inclusive transition globally.

Overall, these dialogues will aid in PAGE’s dedication to working in cohesion at the country-level, leveraging its inter-agency expertise and eliminating the duplication of efforts.  The series is planned to continue on a quarterly basis throughout 2022, offering a dedicated platform for UN economists and agencies to exchange ideas on greening the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and to share best practices.

“To mobilize the flows of cash to sustainable development in our strategy for the next three years is to work on institutional change, so helping the financial institutions to integrate sustainability into their strategies, it's really become about alignment, aligning the financial institutions and their portfolios with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.”
-Liesel Van Ast, Membership and Regional Co-ordination Manager (UNEP FI)

Read the full meeting report:

Financing the Transformation to a Fair and Green Economy

PAGE E-Courses Win Award for Custom Content

November 1, 2021

UNITAR’s Green Economy and Trade and Green Fiscal Policy e-courses have won the Gold Award in the Best Advance in Custom Content category of the distinguished Brandon Hall group HCM Excellence Awards for 2020-21. The Award underscores UNITAR’s role as one of the main players globally providing state of the art e-learning solutions and resources for free on green economy and climate change-related topics.

The two interactive courses are part of PAGE’s Learning for a Green Recovery campaign and were launched in 2020. The courses contribute to PAGE’s efforts in promoting decidedly green policies and approaches in countries’ economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The package of six courses provides policymakers, experts, practitioners and green economy enthusiasts with the knowledge and tools to embed sustainability and green economy concepts into policymaking across different sectors. They are available for free on the UN CC:Learn e-learning platform.

The Excellence Awards consist of two contests per year, one in Spring and one in Fall, at which organizations showcase programmes, strategies, processes, systems, and tools that have achieved measurable results and fit into one of the several categories listed. The awards have been running for 28 years and receive submissions from leading organizations in the public and private sector from across the world. The Best Advance in Custom Content category is dedicated to awarding innovative, self-paced, tailored online courses that are related to workplace learning. During the development of the courses, UNITAR collaborated with DelphianLogic, to whom the Gold Award has also been given. The course contents were peer-reviewed by partnering PAGE agencies.

Kazakhstan Unveils Doctrine for Carbon Neutrality by 2060

October 26, 2021

On 13 October 2021, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially presented the Doctrine for Carbon Neutrality of Kazakhstan by 2060 in a high-level event in Nur-Sultan, which also included speaking engagements from UNDP Regional Director for Europe and the CIS, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger and John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate in a video message. The development of this doctrine has been spearheaded by GIZ, with PAGE contributing in several important aspects, including emissions from waste and fiscal aspects of Low Carbon Development (LCD).

Kazakhstan’s long-term Doctrine of Carbon Neutral Development until 2060 sets a framework for a sustainable recovery, low-carbon development pathway, and energy sector transition. The Doctrine provides a set of key measures to reduce emissions and decarbonize the economy, such as the abandonment of new coal-fired generation projects and the phasing out of coal combustion (2021-2025), the implementation of a program to plant 2 billion trees (2025), a doubling of the share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation (2030), 100 percent sorting of municipal solid waste (2040), sustainable agriculture on 75 per cent of arable land (2045), 100 percent electrification of personal passenger transport (2045), the use of green hydrogen only and a complete refusal to use coal-fired production from 2050 onwards.

This doctrine stands as a crucial commitment for the country as globally, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in recent years have reached the highest levels in the history of humanity, and the catastrophic impact of climate change is observed all over the planet. In 2019, greenhouse gas emissions in Kazakhstan amounted to 354 million tons of CO2 eq. and more than 80 percent of them were due to the combustion of fossil fuels - coal, oil, and natural gas. In relative terms, the country is also one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in Central Asia.

“Kazakhstan is consistent in its support to the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres’s call for achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions.”, President Tokayev stated."

Uruguay Launches 10-Year National Waste Management Plan

October 26, 2021

Uruguay’s new National Waste Management Plan was publicly launched on 7 October 2021, overall seeking to reduce waste streams destined for landfills, while also determining landfill closure and the installation of sanitary landfills. PAGE supported the design of the country’s new comprehensive plan, which has a ten-year scope and incorporates environmental, economic and social aspects. Its fundamental goals include the protection of the environment and the promotion of a sustainable development model, through the prevention and reduction of the negative impacts of waste generation, management and all stages of waste management.

This is the first time Uruguay will have a national plan with these characteristics implicating a fundamental shift with commitments to separate collection, correct classification, increased recycling and recovery as resources. Strategies are identified in the Plan for differentiation according to the types of waste (household, industrial, hospital, technological, among others).

The Plan was developed through a participatory process, which included municipalities, professionals in the field, civil society organizations, associations and business chambers. With goals set for throughout the next 10 years, this Plan will have a mid-term review after 5 years, including the objective of "ZERO open-air landfill by 2025".

The Plan also includes the concept of extended producer responsibility, meaning the responsible party — who generates, produces, or imports the waste — is the one who must generate the channels for its return. Further developments on the educational aspects of waste management are also planned. A set of opportunities for the development of new businesses have also been laid out, aiming for fairer and more inclusive development in this sector.

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