Zimbabwe to host Africa Environmental Expo in June

attract more than 65 exhibitors.

The exposition, which will run from June 1 to 3, will be held under the theme ‘Greening the Economy’.
According to organisers, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management, at least 15 countries from the Southern African Development Community region including South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi among others are expected to participate at the expo.

The expo will provide a platform for stakeholders to exhibit various ways of conserving the environment and sustainable use of natural resources.
Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister Francis Nhema said the expo has come against a background of the global trend of high levels of industrialisation, which increases emissions of greenhouse gases.

“Environmental issues cut across all societal as well as business divide adding that greening the economy is key to the country as we move towards a global trend of high levels of consumption,” he said.
The minister has also challenged all industries, private and public companies to take part in the environment expo.

“The expo also provides a platform for the business sector as well as players in the environment sector to exhibit and showcase various strategies they are adopting towards greening their activities.
“The expo comes at a time when the ministry is joining forces with industrial companies that release a lot of carbon emissions to make sure that the environment is not damaged towards greening the economy,” he added.

Minister Nhema also called for authorities to consider environmental accounting disclosures as a listing requirement in line with regional markets such as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The ministry has already put in place an environmental act that allows every project to undergo an impact assessment before it commences but several companies have continued to degrade the environment nonetheless.

The world over, industries are shifting from the use of old machinery that emit ozone depleting substances to cleaner, smarter machinery that is environmentally friendly.