The 2024 Circular Economy Conference in Nairobi, organized by Sustainable Inclusive Business (SIB) and KEPSA, aims to promote partnerships and encourage sustainable practices among businesses to address environmental challenges.
(Nairobi) – In a concerted effort to address environmental challenges, the Sustainable Inclusive Business (SIB), in partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Association (KEPSA) and The Rock Group, has launched the 2024 Circular Economy Conference and Awards. This annual event, held in Nairobi, is designed to foster collaboration and drive change towards sustainable business practices in Kenya.
KEPSA Chairman Dr. Jas Bedi highlighted KEPSA’s role in advancing sustainable initiatives, noting that the organization is investing in tools to help individual businesses understand their carbon and ecological footprints. The conference serves as a platform for encouraging sustainable and inclusive economic practices that will benefit businesses and the environment alike.
Dr. Bedi stated that SIB has initiated multiple projects focused on reducing pollution and supporting regulatory frameworks aimed at environmental protection. He specifically cited the Plastic Producer Responsibility project, which organizes workshops and media sessions to encourage dialogue between businesses and policymakers. This project is part of the extended producer responsibility regulations, designed to hold businesses accountable for the lifecycle impact of their products.
Additionally, SIB is in the process of revamping the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) website, which will provide better access to policy information and public announcements, enhancing the user experience for businesses seeking regulatory guidance.
Collaborations with the World Bank have also produced a carbon market guidebook tailored for Kenyan entrepreneurs, providing guidance on carbon trading opportunities and benefits. This resource aims to help businesses reduce their emissions while potentially gaining economic advantages.
Environmentalist and author Shanariha Evans, who wrote The Ocean Warrior, spoke at the conference about the potential of the circular economy in combating climate change. She emphasized the importance of biodiversity laws and greenhouse gas emission reductions as tools for addressing climate-related issues.
Evans, who founded the Young Warriors Club, a non-profit promoting youth engagement in environmental preservation, noted that young people bring fresh ideas that can lead to innovative policies addressing climate change. She argued that educating youth on climate issues is a vital, yet underutilized, tool in the fight against environmental degradation. The Young Warriors Club has made it its mission to promote climate literacy and environmental restoration, particularly in schools across the country. Currently, over 700 student volunteers are engaged in environmental initiatives under the club’s banner.
In 2024, Evans’ organization has already planted 200,000 mangrove trees along Kenya’s coast, with a goal of reaching one million mangroves planted. Mangroves, which are crucial for coastal biodiversity and carbon absorption, play a key role in her vision for a sustainable future. The group has also collected over 120 kilograms of plastic waste from the Mombasa shoreline, an initiative supported by her school and other young volunteers.
Table 1: Key Environmental Achievements by Young Warriors Club (2024)
| Initiative | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Mangrove Tree Planting | 200,000 trees planted in 2024 |
| Shoreline Plastic Waste Collection | 120 kg of waste collected |
| School Climate Literacy Volunteers | Over 700 students involved |
The conference also emphasized the importance of grassroots and community-based solutions. SIB aims to explore how such initiatives can align with the needs of local communities and businesses, fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative future. By supporting policies that promote the circular economy, the conference organizers hope to inspire actionable change in Kenya and beyond.
In this way, the Circular Economy Conference seeks not only to inspire environmental action but also to create an integrated network of business, community, and youth-driven efforts toward a sustainable future in Kenya.