Online session held on green economy

AMMAN — Amman in Green campaign held an online session on entrepreneurship, the green economy and a host of issues related to sustainability and environmentally friendly cities on Friday.

Amman in Green is a campaign that aims to engage citizens in the process of transforming Amman to a more environmentally friendly city where “Green” refers to economic growth with full consideration to the human and natural environments, according to organisers.

Supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the campaign aims to engage Amman residents in promoting the concept of an eco-friendly city, through collecting stories and suggestions that are related to adopting a “sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyle”, according to the campaign’s Facebook page.

During the session, Shada El Sharif, host of the event and adviser on environmental issues and sustainability, talked about the ways people could reduce, reuse and recycle materials in addition to the topics of energy and water consumption. Sharif also explored the important sustainable practice of home composting.

“Green economy is all about growth and development that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive,” Sharif told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

The objectives of moving towards a green economy in Jordan are related to efficiency in the use of resources, climate change mitigation and adaptation, social inclusivity and poverty alleviation, in addition to job creation through various investments, she added.

“A few months ago, the Ministry of Environment issued the Green Growth National Action Plan for each of the key sectors of the economy, including water, waste, agriculture, energy, transport and tourism,” she noted.

Based on these National Action Plans, 86 policies and projects were proposed that would stimulate the creation of a green economy, according to Sharif

Green entrepreneurship gears towards turning the various environmental challenges facing Amman into business opportunities for young entrepreneurs in different sectors, providing “a breeding ground for a green economy” in the future, Sharif noted.

“In the wake of this pandemic, people have become more innovative and started trying to maximise the utilisation of the most limited sources,” she said.

The campaign is organised by the Greater Amman Municipality, in partnership with Leaders of Tomorrow, which is a youth-led organisation and a hub for social innovation, and AECOM, a multinational infrastructure consulting firm.