LOCAL construction companies have embraced the newly introduced skills and knowledge imparting programme to help them realise profits through environmentally friendly activities, dubbed circular economy.
The training programmes will be facilitated by the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) in partnership with the European Union’s Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies).
Over 50 farmers attended the inaugural meeting of the circular economy project which was also attended by ZCBA executives to deliberate on sustainable methods of achieving economic growth in the construction industry.
During the meeting, players in the construction sector players agreed to explore more resilient and "greener" business practices.
“The Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association is excited to be hosting this event in partnership with the EU-funded project Africa RISE," ZBCA chief executive officer Crispen Tsvarai said. "The ZBCA remains committed to helping Zimbabwe attain its transition to the circular economy more successfully."
The aim of the project is to increase knowledge in the construction sector on ‘circular economy’ opportunities and models that could be implemented by the private sector.
The initial learning programmes will be generated from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and are expected to spread across the Southern African Development Committee (SADC) countries through the SADC secretariat and the business council.
The programme was introduced in Zimbabwe following a realisation that the country required enabling systems and structures such as policies and new technologies to promote the circular economy which aims to eliminate waste, and advocate for continual use of resources and recycling.
"Zimbabwe needs to take practical steps to build a circular economy in line with the African Union Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals and the commitments to reduce carbon emissions expressed in the Paris climate change agreement," local construction engagement expert Peter Makwanya said.