Initiative to Drive Circular Economy Transition Launched in Aqaba

Aqaba - The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a new initiative to promote the shift towards a circular economy in Aqaba.اضافة اعلان

Supported by the European Union Delegation to Jordan, this project aims to foster sustainable resource management by adopting innovative waste management practices that align with circular economy principles.

At the launch event, ASEZA Chairman Nayef Al-Fayez highlighted the project’s role in sustainable development and environmental conservation. He explained that this initiative is a response to the growing need for circular economic models that recycle waste into raw materials, feeding them back into production processes.

Al-Fayez stressed the project's commitment to achieving "zero waste" in the long term, aligned with ASEZA's 2024-2028 strategy and its comprehensive 2040 plan, both of which prioritize environmental protection and sustainable development in Jordan, particularly in Aqaba.

Nidal Al-Aouran, Director of the Environment and Livelihoods Improvement Program at UNDP Jordan, noted that the project will enhance materials management, conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save water resources that would otherwise be used in manufacturing new products.

He added that this initiative will strengthen Aqaba’s climate resilience, especially crucial for a country that imports 90% of its energy and suffers from water scarcity. Al-Aouran emphasized that the project’s practices are designed to extend the life cycles of products, enhancing the ability of local businesses to remain competitive and adapt to future challenges.

The project is expected to transform waste into valuable resources for production chains and promote the use of reclaimed and recycled materials, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved livelihoods, and new job opportunities for youth in Aqaba.

Al-Aouran also mentioned plans to introduce incentives for businesses to earn a green brand label, increasing local and tourist awareness of sustainable practices and the benefits of using reclaimed and recycled materials.

Read more National Content
Jordan News