admin
Speaking at the launch in Harare yesterday, Green Business Awards chairman Mr Sebastian Zuze said all companies should strive to conduct their businesses in a manner that safeguards the environment.
“The Green Business Awards is an initiative to stimulate and bring focus on the environmental issues arising from their activities, and encourage corporates, Government and individuals to be responsible players in safeguarding the environment.
“The need to leave the earth clean for the next generation can never be overemphasised,” said Mr Zuze.
In a speech read on his behalf by EMA director-general Mrs Mutsa Chasi, Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister Cde Francis Nhema said the need to protect the environment was critical in achieving Millennium Development Goal number seven.
“The Millennium Development Goal number seven seeks to ensure environmental sustainability in Africa through protection, preservation, conservation and rehabilitation,” he added.
“There is continuous pressure on our natural resources emanating from human activities, in particular business exploits and it is therefore of paramount importance that business operates with minimum environmental impacts or carbon footprint and awareness of the environmental implications of their operations,” he said.
Minister Nhema challenged business to constantly work towards bettering their production methods so that the environment can be safeguarded.
The Green Business Awards, which are set for the end of November this year, will be held under the theme: “Greening the economy for sustainable national prosperity”.
There are more than 20 business categories that companies will be given awards.
Among them the green leader award, the green supply chain award, the green entrepreneur award and the green SME award. The highest accolade will however be the overall green business award.
Online Reporter