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AMMAN — The Heads of Cooperation of the European Union and its member states took part in a one-day visit to EU-funded projects in the Governorate of Irbid on Wednesday.
This #TeamEurope visit serves as an occasion for the nine EU member states participating in the trip to assess the implementation of several projects in the green economy sector, particularly those in solid waste management, and water and sanitation, according to a statement from the European Union’s Jordan mission.
The EU and its members are contributing over 300 million euros to fund ongoing projects to support the solid waste management sector, and over 2.32 billion euros from 2017-2025 to promote sustainable water management in Jordan.
“This joint mission is the second of its kind this year, which reflects the EU’s dedication to making a positive impact on the well-being of the Jordanian people, particularly by helping to improve the green and circular economy, including water, which is of particular importance in a water-scarce country like Jordan. We will continue to work closely with the Government of Jordan to address the various economic and social challenges facing the Kingdom,” said Patrick Lambrechts, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Jordan, on behalf of the mission.
Jordan currently generates an estimated 1kg per person per day of waste. This figure is projected to almost double in 10 years’ time. The waste contributes to about 10 per cent of greenhouse gases emissions, and only about 7 per cent of this waste is recycled. #TeamEurope works with the Government of Jordan to support waste management as a resource and opportunity for a circular economy by implementing projects and initiatives that aim to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
Jordan is the second most water scarce country in the world, with increasing pressures due to the Syrian refugees influx as well as climate change. In line with the Jordanian government’s holistic approach, #TeamEurope supports both water supply and wastewater treatment, increasing the availability and efficient use of water in the nexus with agriculture and energy, the sector’s good governance, as well as equitable distribution for all.
Together with the European Investment Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), the EU co-funds the Wadi Al Arab Water System II, a water supply infrastructure investment that improves the availability of drinking water for the growing population in Jordan’s northern governorates, which has witnessed a significant increase due to the large number of Syrian refugees. Currently, 1.1 million people are benefiting directly, and 800,000 indirectly, from the improved water supply, including strengthened resilience to extreme droughts and climate change.