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Zimbabwe project on industrial energy efficiency and efficient water utilization approved by CTCN

February 14, 2018

By Wallace Mawire [caption id="attachment_43739" align="alignleft" width="640"]Charles Msipa, BCSDZ Chairperson. Charles Msipa, BCSDZ Chairperson.[/caption] An initiative to be implemented by the Business Council on Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) on industrial energy efficiency and efficient water utilization for Zimbabwe industries has been approved by the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and prospective technical providers are being sought to respond to the tender, according to Charles Msipa, BCSDZ Chairperson. According to Msipa, the organization is currently in the process of discussing a possible clean technology innovation programme with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and learning lessons from the Green Innovation programme that was successful in South Africa. Tawanda Muzamwese, BCSDZ Director confirmed that the project was approved and is awaiting the selection of the implementers. “Kindly note that this is a competitive process and which is independent and objective,” Muzamwese said. He also said that from the last communication with CTCN they indicated that they are finalising selection within about two weeks from now. He also added that they now stand guided by the outcome and once the results are out the project will be rolled out. Muzamwese added that the project aims to increase uptake of industrial energy efficiency and efficient water utilisation in selected Zimbabwean industries as mechanisms for climate mitigation and adaptation. He said that throughout the process they have been effectively guided by the National Designated Entity (NDE) under the climate change office in Zimbabwe, which will continue to do so throughout the implementation phase. The BCZDZ is a private sector led organization that was formed 24 years ago by business leaders who were concerned about mainstreaming sustainability at company level. The organization has become the largest network in Zimbabwe on corporate sustainability and its membership stands at over 60 organisations and 400 individuals from the manufacturing, mining, constructions, service industry, consulting, civil society and research. The BCSDZ is global networking partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) headquartered in Switzerland. The organization has successfully held key workshops in sustainable procurement, renewable energy, harzadous chemicals, green products, bioremediation, climate finance, green industry and industrial energy efficiency. The organization has also received support from partners like the French embassy who sponsored a climate finance conference and HIVOS and the Zimbabwe Environmental Regional Organisation (ZERO) who have supported green industry and energy efficiency meetings. According to the CTCN, due to effects of climate change, Zimbabwe has already started to experience water scarcity with effects on the industrial production processes and energy sectors. It is reported that this unsustainable consumption of water resources is not sustainable given the dwindling water resources due to climate change. Climate change adaptation through efficient water utilisation in industry is a possible strategy that could ensure improved coping with the effects of climate change through improved production technologies and improved water recycling capability in industry. It is also added that major effort need to be made in all stakeholder groups such as companies, government and the public to raise awareness of the national importance of improved water management in industry and its relevance to corporate goals. It is added that although most Zimbabwean companies claim to be energy and water efficient in their production processes, there is limited monitoring and measurement of water and energy intensity and comparison with international benchmarks. In Zimbabwe, it is said that the practice of energy auditing, water foot printing and systematic emission reduction programmes are very low in most companies except for the purposes of meeting regulations. A Green Industry Initiative (GII) formulated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in collaboration with Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) and Government of Zimbabwe offers opportunities for achieving an inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Zimbabwe through minimising energy intensity and specific water consumption in manufacturing enterprises. The Green Industry Project seeks to promote reduction of Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and facilitate Low-Carbon Green Growth in the industrial production sector through promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, industrial energy efficiency, emissions reduction and renewable energy technologies, to include waste to energy projects. The GII is a public/private partnership initiative between the Government of Zimbabwe, the BCSDZ and UNIDO. The GIP agenda for Zimbabwe focuses on greening existing industries and creating new green industries which are energy and water efficient. The project will address both climate change mitigation and adaptation through improving energy efficiency, adoption of renewable energy technologies for productive uses efficient utilization of water resources as a climate change adaptation strategy.

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