CEDARE’s Sustainable Growth Programme (SGP) addresses new and emerging concepts related to environment and development for human well-being, with a focus on issues related to Sustainable Consumption and Production, Green Economy, and Green ICT. The Programme collaborates on global, regional and national efforts, addressing: poverty alleviation, health, waste reduction (e-waste), green jobs, green ICT, pollution reduction, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable consumption and production, and energy security.Together with its wide partner base from the international, regional and national community, the SGP implements projects, conducts research and studies, and provides training and knowledge dissemination.
SwitchMed Project confers “Plastic Pollution Control” in its first Round Table
“Plastic Pollution Control” was the title of the Round Table on Sustainable Consumption and Production co-convened by CEDARE, WMRA & UNEP on May 9, 2023. As a global priority, Plastic Pollution Control comes as well on top of the Egyptian government’s national agenda today. The Round Table, which was held back-to-back with the Launching event of SwitchMed II Project at Semiramis InterContinental Hotel, Cairo, brought together 85 stakeholders and experts from relevant ministries including the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Trade & Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Suez Canal Authority, international developmental organizations, large supermarket chains and big retailers, financial institutions, technology centers, chemical and plastic manufacturers affiliated to the Federation of Egyptian Industries, FMCG manufacturers and retailers and academia. Read more…
Egypt Launches Phase II of SwitchMed Project (Policy Component)
on 9 May 2023, H.E. Dr. Yasmin Fouad, Egyptian Minister of Environment, launched phase II of SwitchMed Project in Egypt at an exceptional event. The launch was held at Semiramis InterContinental Hotel in Cairo in the presence of the implementing partners: the European Commission represented by Ms. Sylvie Fontaine, Project Officer for Environment & Climate Change; the UNEP remotely represented by Ms. Elisa Tonda, Chief Resources and Markets Branch and Mr. Luc Reuter Programme Officer, Industry & Economy Division, and CEDARE represented by Dr. Hossam Allam, Regional Programme Director for Sustainable Growth and the Waste Management Regulatory Authority (WMRA) represented by its CEO: Dr. Tarek El Araby.
SRI E-waste Metal Extraction Audit in Egypt
Under the umbrella of collaboration that was formed by the SRI programme with the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and with the Ministry’s request, SRI recruited an international expert in the metal extraction of precious metals from e-waste to visit the formal recyclers and inspect their process to validate, support and advise on the status of the process and assist in developing their methods if needed and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of metal extraction in Egypt.
SRI- EPR Field Study Tour
The SRI programme commenced working on the Extended Producer’s Responsibility and organized a Study Tour for participants from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Egypt, Egyptian Ministry of Environment and the Electronics Research Institute, with the aim to gain insights on both theoretical and practical levels on #EPR mechanisms for #electronics. We had 3 days full of engaging discussions, interesting field visits, good food and a lot of fun. Many thanks to all speakers, visitors, the organising team from dss⁺ and Centre for Environment & Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) and our guides at the sites we visited.
Ministry of Environment Cooperation Meetings
Under the umbrella of collaboration that was formed between the Ministry of Environment (MoE), Ministry of Communication & Information Technology (MCIT) and the SRI programme that commenced since the first phase of the programme and was emphasized by the involvement of MoE as a main stakeholder in the Steering Committee meetings and in the implementation of the activities and objectives of the project that is in line with the Ministry’s rules and regulations.
Steering Committee Meetings
The Steering Committee’s role is to provide advice, ensure delivery of the project outputs and the achievement of project outcomes. … Providing advice (and sometimes making decisions) about changes to the project as it develops. The Steering Committee provides support, guidance, and oversight of progress. The Steering Committee is scheduled to twice a year which is headed by MCIT, and the members of the committee are consists of representatives of the Swiss Embassy, Sofies, CEDARE, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment and guests who are invited based on the agenda and objectives of each individual committee meeting.
Establishment of the Take-Back Sub Committee
The Take-back sub-committee was established under the National E-waste Committee headed by the Ministry of Environment, with a focus on the analysis of the economic conditions and possible financing mechanisms for the Egyptian context including the financial implications.
As input for the sub-committee on financing mechanisms and recycling targets, the SRI team will host a webinar on EPR systems, conduct a benchmark study on recycling target setting, and start developing calculation mechanisms to set recycling targets in Egypt. Together with sub-committee, definition and planning of political milestones, responsibilities, and indicators in a roadmap in order to implement the policy. Meetings are scheduled to be conducted monthly and the first meeting convened in April, June, July and August 2021.