From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Federal Government has strengthened its partnership with the European Union (EU), to address the menace of waste in the environment.
The partnership was solidified at an event to mark this year’s International Zero Waste Day in Nigeria, being the first time the day was marked following its proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly last December.
Speaking at the commemorative event with the theme “Beat Waste,” in Abuja, the Deputy Ambassador, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, said, “This year’s theme underscores the top priority to prevent waste from being created in the first place.
“This International Day of Zero Waste thus highlights both the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
“Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. However, global waste management services are ill-equipped to handle the challenge, with 2.7 billion people lacking access to solid waste collection, and only around 60 per cent of municipal solid waste being managed in controlled facilities.”
Zissimos explained that waste pollution does not only significantly threaten human well-being and economic prosperity, it’s part of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution.
He stressed that without urgent action, annual municipal solid waste generation might hit 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. “It’’s in recognition of this major challenge that the EU initiated the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE), spearheaded by the EU and UNIDO, with support from the UN Environment Programme, and also joined by Nigeria.
“The initiative fosters international collaboration to address plastic pollution, including in the marine environments. It is in that vein that we partner with the Federal Ministry of Environment, currently co-chairing the Nigeria Circular Economy Working Group together with UNIDO.
“The group brings together all strategic stakeholders to boost the implementation of circular economy policies and practices at national and sub-national levels, with a view to an inclusive and green growth of the Nigerian economy.
“Our other contributions and achievements include the work on the National Policy on Waste Battery Management of 2021, support to NESREA on the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations of 2023, and last but not least, the National Circular Economy Roadmap to be unveiled today,” he added.