The following guiding questions are aligned to each of the three main Leadership Dialogues planned for the Stockholm+50 meeting and will be integrated into the overall consultation agenda and report. Please refer to the question number in your comment.
LD2: Achieving a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic:
What are the most promising sustainable and inclusive recovery practices currently being applied by public, private and civil society groups at individual, community, city, regional, country level? And how could we scale them up?
What recovery and pre-existing practises need to be changed to ensure an inclusive and sustainable recovery?
How do we ensure that all countries/communities can benefit from opportunities stemming from a sustainable and just transition?
How can we create better performing industries and supply chains for a just transition to more sustainable economies? which sectors are most critical?
What are some of the commitments and “responsible” principles that need to be made by key industry sectors and by finance and investment institutions?
What are the decent green jobs of the future? What are the new skills needed, what is needed from business? from government? from academia?
Nigeria needs to fully adopt the concept of Circular Economy (CE) of resource efficiency and sustainability approaches. However, Nigeria does not yet have any national policy or strategy focused on circular economy. The focus is on economic transformation, and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, which can leverage greening principles to drive a transition to a circular economy. To support a circular economy transition with a view to scaling up the relevant current practices, the following issues should be considered;
There is need for coordination and alignment between government departments;
In particular, support is needed to align federal departments of environment, agriculture, information and culture, science and technology, trade and investment, and finance;
Integration of federal, state and local role-players is key, particularly in complex sectors such as waste management:
o Coherent strategic planning can facilitate implementation of circular economy concepts on federal, state and local levels;
o To be able to have an effective impact, several governmental departments will need to be engaged with in a concerted manner.
The circular economy cannot exist as a silo, it should be addressed in a holistic manner with a view on the entire economy.
Q7.
Nigeria’s strategic objectives also includes investing in people by increasing social inclusion, creating jobs, and improving the human capital base of the economy. Circular economy approaches need to be mainstreamed in all economic and social development programs, in particular the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in the identified priority sectors.
Implementation of transition measures needs to combine circular economy policies with social protection measures. Emphasis on a just transition based on inclusivity ensures that the burden of efforts to promote circularity will not fall on the poor through worsening working conditions and health impacts, reduced livelihoods, or job losses. Therefore, to be successful, a circular economy transition strategy should;
Include active engagement of girls and women in the future labour market, while paying particular attention to the strategic imperative: access to education, training, and skills to prepare individuals for future green industries;
Include support to awareness raising and capacity building initiatives to the core disadvantaged classes of people;
A focus on building a globally competitive economy by tackling the obstacles hindering the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses, notably improvement of infrastructure and the business environment needs to be emphasized and included at all levels of engagement;
Consider the engagement with and, where needed re-skilling or upskilling of informal workers to provide them with a future-proof skill set. This has the potential to enable them to engage in innovative CE activities and reduce the health and safety risks related to working with potentially hazardous products or materials through raising awareness.
Q8.
A robust and extensive awareness programme regarding CE approaches should be administered at the national level, cascading down to the community level of all countries.
In order to support local value chains, robust capacity building measures need to be implemented. Capacity building and skills development need to be focused on circular and green industries to develop local capacity in the necessary fields. Training programmes should focus on design for circularity, waste management and also on agricultural processes;
Existing vocational training frameworks need to be strengthened to up-skill people for jobs in the circular economy. Engagement with successful programs already developed at the international level, with some local context and customization, should help accelerate the transition;
In addition to capacity building and awareness programmes, other support such as increase in domestic and international funding specifically for the enhancement and internalization of the CE at all levels within countries/communities.
Q9.
The promotion of CE aligns well with policies aimed at promoting the further development of the manufacturing industry, as the presence of a strong manufacturing base makes it easier to close loops domestically. As such it is recommended to integrate CE aspects in existing industrialization policies.
In order to support and create better performing industries, local value chains, robust capacity building measures need to be implemented. Capacity building and skills development need to be focused on circular and green industries to develop local capacity in the necessary fields. Training programmes should focus on design for circularity, waste management and also on agricultural processes;
Existing vocational training frameworks need to be strengthened to up-skill people for jobs in the circular economy. Engagement with successful programs already developed in the developed countries, with some local context and customization, should help accelerate the transition;
Private sector-led apprenticeships can ease access to industries that are emerging and may not have established academic institutions offering relevant training. The EU multinationals with a local presence for instance can play this role.
Apart from stronger cooperation at the public level, increased cooperation and knowledge exchange at the private sector level could also promote the development and uptake of more circular business models and activities in Nigeria. With a good arrangement, private sector stakeholders from the developed countries could engage with Nigerian companies via dedicated International conferences and stakeholder forums. Strong involvement of the Nigerian private sector can also increase the effectiveness of various initiatives. Chambers of Commerce, industry associations and embassies of EU Member States for instance can play an active role in the organization of business network events and the development of structural bilateral business cooperation.
Technologies for waste treatment and beneficiation are reasonably available but challenges need to be addressed regarding access to waste, creating sustainable employment opportunities and sufficient materials being available. Partnerships in the development of these circular economy value chains are key. International cooperation between Nigeria small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and recycling companies operating in industrialized countries needs to be explored and encouraged. This approach could allow companies in both the industrialized countries and Nigeria to combine their knowledge and gain valuable competitive advantages in the dismantling of E-waste and material recovery.
b) In view of Nigeria circumstances, the most critical sectors are the Agriculture, Energy, Waste and the Manufacturing or Industrial sector.
Q10.
Key industry sectors should adopt principles that will make provisions for funding activities involved in CE as part of their annual budget, while financial institutions should make funding available for the key industry sectors involved in promoting or implementing CE related initiatives. Government should provide the enabling framework for this initiative. Also, Key industry sectors should leverage relevant international financial provisions for CE related activities. International development finance institutions and banks are increasingly starting to establish circular economy investment funds and programmes in Europe for instance, as reflected in the recently published circular economy investment guidelines from the EIB (EIB, 2020). Building on an already large number of CE projects in various sectors, future investments in Nigeria can be designed to support the transition towards a CE as well. This can be achieved via effective cooperation with development finance institutions such as the EU-based Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
Q11
a) Some of the decent green jobs of the future include the following;
1.Urban or vertical farming
2.Eco-building
3.Renewable energy engineering
4.Recycleing in the new circular economy
5.Sustainability jobs
b) The new skills needed will include ICT skills, a combination of innovative architecture and the latest Agricultural technology, sometimes including AI to grow crops in cities.
c) The academia should embark on researches related to the development of green jobs that will lead to enacting legislations/policy framework formulation and development regarding green jobs by the Government. The Government should also make provisions for funding certain aspects of the processes where needed and provide the enabling environment to drive the processes, while owners of businesses should implement the green initiatives.
Nigeria needs to fully adopt the concept of Circular Economy (CE) of resource efficiency and sustainability approaches. However, Nigeria does not yet have any national policy or strategy focused on circular economy. The focus is on economic transformation, and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, which can leverage greening principles to drive a transition to a circular economy. To support a circular economy transition with a view to scaling up the relevant current practices, the following issues should be considered;
There is need for coordination and alignment between government departments;
In particular, support is needed to align federal departments of environment, agriculture, information and culture, science and technology, trade and investment, and finance;
Integration of federal, state and local role-players is key, particularly in complex sectors such as waste management:
o Coherent strategic planning can facilitate implementation of circular economy concepts on federal, state and local levels;
o To be able to have an effective impact, several governmental departments will need to be engaged with in a concerted manner.
The circular economy cannot exist as a silo, it should be addressed in a holistic manner with a view on the entire economy.
Q7.
Nigeria’s strategic objectives also includes investing in people by increasing social inclusion, creating jobs, and improving the human capital base of the economy. Circular economy approaches need to be mainstreamed in all economic and social development programs, in particular the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in the identified priority sectors.
Implementation of transition measures needs to combine circular economy policies with social protection measures. Emphasis on a just transition based on inclusivity ensures that the burden of efforts to promote circularity will not fall on the poor through worsening working conditions and health impacts, reduced livelihoods, or job losses. Therefore, to be successful, a circular economy transition strategy should;
Include active engagement of girls and women in the future labour market, while paying particular attention to the strategic imperative: access to education, training, and skills to prepare individuals for future green industries;
Include support to awareness raising and capacity building initiatives to the core disadvantaged classes of people;
A focus on building a globally competitive economy by tackling the obstacles hindering the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses, notably improvement of infrastructure and the business environment needs to be emphasized and included at all levels of engagement;
Consider the engagement with and, where needed re-skilling or upskilling of informal workers to provide them with a future-proof skill set. This has the potential to enable them to engage in innovative CE activities and reduce the health and safety risks related to working with potentially hazardous products or materials through raising awareness.
Q8.
A robust and extensive awareness programme regarding CE approaches should be administered at the national level, cascading down to the community level of all countries.
In order to support local value chains, robust capacity building measures need to be implemented. Capacity building and skills development need to be focused on circular and green industries to develop local capacity in the necessary fields. Training programmes should focus on design for circularity, waste management and also on agricultural processes;
Existing vocational training frameworks need to be strengthened to up-skill people for jobs in the circular economy. Engagement with successful programs already developed at the international level, with some local context and customization, should help accelerate the transition;
In addition to capacity building and awareness programmes, other support such as increase in domestic and international funding specifically for the enhancement and internalization of the CE at all levels within countries/communities.
Q9.
The promotion of CE aligns well with policies aimed at promoting the further development of the manufacturing industry, as the presence of a strong manufacturing base makes it easier to close loops domestically. As such it is recommended to integrate CE aspects in existing industrialization policies.
In order to support and create better performing industries, local value chains, robust capacity building measures need to be implemented. Capacity building and skills development need to be focused on circular and green industries to develop local capacity in the necessary fields. Training programmes should focus on design for circularity, waste management and also on agricultural processes;
Existing vocational training frameworks need to be strengthened to up-skill people for jobs in the circular economy. Engagement with successful programs already developed in the developed countries, with some local context and customization, should help accelerate the transition;
Private sector-led apprenticeships can ease access to industries that are emerging and may not have established academic institutions offering relevant training. The EU multinationals with a local presence for instance can play this role.
Apart from stronger cooperation at the public level, increased cooperation and knowledge exchange at the private sector level could also promote the development and uptake of more circular business models and activities in Nigeria. With a good arrangement, private sector stakeholders from the developed countries could engage with Nigerian companies via dedicated International conferences and stakeholder forums. Strong involvement of the Nigerian private sector can also increase the effectiveness of various initiatives. Chambers of Commerce, industry associations and embassies of EU Member States for instance can play an active role in the organization of business network events and the development of structural bilateral business cooperation.
Technologies for waste treatment and beneficiation are reasonably available but challenges need to be addressed regarding access to waste, creating sustainable employment opportunities and sufficient materials being available. Partnerships in the development of these circular economy value chains are key. International cooperation between Nigeria small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and recycling companies operating in industrialized countries needs to be explored and encouraged. This approach could allow companies in both the industrialized countries and Nigeria to combine their knowledge and gain valuable competitive advantages in the dismantling of E-waste and material recovery.
b) In view of Nigeria circumstances, the most critical sectors are the Agriculture, Energy, Waste and the Manufacturing or Industrial sector.
Q10.
Key industry sectors should adopt principles that will make provisions for funding activities involved in CE as part of their annual budget, while financial institutions should make funding available for the key industry sectors involved in promoting or implementing CE related initiatives. Government should provide the enabling framework for this initiative. Also, Key industry sectors should leverage relevant international financial provisions for CE related activities. International development finance institutions and banks are increasingly starting to establish circular economy investment funds and programmes in Europe for instance, as reflected in the recently published circular economy investment guidelines from the EIB (EIB, 2020). Building on an already large number of CE projects in various sectors, future investments in Nigeria can be designed to support the transition towards a CE as well. This can be achieved via effective cooperation with development finance institutions such as the EU-based Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
Q11.
a) Some of the decent green jobs of the future include the following;
1.Urban or vertical farming
2.Eco-building
3.Renewable energy engineering
4.Recycleing in the new circular economy
5.Sustainability jobs
b) The new skills needed will include ICT skills, a combination of innovative architecture and the latest Agricultural technology, sometimes including AI to grow crops in cities.
c) The academia should embark on researches related to the development of green jobs that will lead to enacting legislations/policy framework formulation and development regarding green jobs by the Government. The Government should also make provisions for funding certain aspects of the processes where needed and provide the enabling environment to drive the processes, while owners of businesses should implement the green initiatives.
Comments (3)
Q6
Nigeria needs to fully adopt the concept of Circular Economy (CE) of resource efficiency and sustainability approaches. However, Nigeria does not yet have any national policy or strategy focused on circular economy. The focus is on economic transformation, and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, which can leverage greening principles to drive a transition to a circular economy. To support a circular economy transition with a view to scaling up the relevant current practices, the following issues should be considered;
o Coherent strategic planning can facilitate implementation of circular economy concepts on federal, state and local levels;
o To be able to have an effective impact, several governmental departments will need to be engaged with in a concerted manner.
Q7.
Nigeria’s strategic objectives also includes investing in people by increasing social inclusion, creating jobs, and improving the human capital base of the economy. Circular economy approaches need to be mainstreamed in all economic and social development programs, in particular the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in the identified priority sectors.
Implementation of transition measures needs to combine circular economy policies with social protection measures. Emphasis on a just transition based on inclusivity ensures that the burden of efforts to promote circularity will not fall on the poor through worsening working conditions and health impacts, reduced livelihoods, or job losses. Therefore, to be successful, a circular economy transition strategy should;
Q8.
Q9.
b) In view of Nigeria circumstances, the most critical sectors are the Agriculture, Energy, Waste and the Manufacturing or Industrial sector.
Q10.
Key industry sectors should adopt principles that will make provisions for funding activities involved in CE as part of their annual budget, while financial institutions should make funding available for the key industry sectors involved in promoting or implementing CE related initiatives. Government should provide the enabling framework for this initiative. Also, Key industry sectors should leverage relevant international financial provisions for CE related activities. International development finance institutions and banks are increasingly starting to establish circular economy investment funds and programmes in Europe for instance, as reflected in the recently published circular economy investment guidelines from the EIB (EIB, 2020). Building on an already large number of CE projects in various sectors, future investments in Nigeria can be designed to support the transition towards a CE as well. This can be achieved via effective cooperation with development finance institutions such as the EU-based Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
Q11
a) Some of the decent green jobs of the future include the following;
1.Urban or vertical farming
2.Eco-building
3.Renewable energy engineering
4.Recycleing in the new circular economy
5.Sustainability jobs
b) The new skills needed will include ICT skills, a combination of innovative architecture and the latest Agricultural technology, sometimes including AI to grow crops in cities.
c) The academia should embark on researches related to the development of green jobs that will lead to enacting legislations/policy framework formulation and development regarding green jobs by the Government. The Government should also make provisions for funding certain aspects of the processes where needed and provide the enabling environment to drive the processes, while owners of businesses should implement the green initiatives.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Decent Green jobs of the future.
Skills needed from Academia.
Skills needed from Government.
Q6.
Nigeria needs to fully adopt the concept of Circular Economy (CE) of resource efficiency and sustainability approaches. However, Nigeria does not yet have any national policy or strategy focused on circular economy. The focus is on economic transformation, and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, which can leverage greening principles to drive a transition to a circular economy. To support a circular economy transition with a view to scaling up the relevant current practices, the following issues should be considered;
o Coherent strategic planning can facilitate implementation of circular economy concepts on federal, state and local levels;
o To be able to have an effective impact, several governmental departments will need to be engaged with in a concerted manner.
Q7.
Nigeria’s strategic objectives also includes investing in people by increasing social inclusion, creating jobs, and improving the human capital base of the economy. Circular economy approaches need to be mainstreamed in all economic and social development programs, in particular the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in the identified priority sectors.
Implementation of transition measures needs to combine circular economy policies with social protection measures. Emphasis on a just transition based on inclusivity ensures that the burden of efforts to promote circularity will not fall on the poor through worsening working conditions and health impacts, reduced livelihoods, or job losses. Therefore, to be successful, a circular economy transition strategy should;
Q8.
Q9.
b) In view of Nigeria circumstances, the most critical sectors are the Agriculture, Energy, Waste and the Manufacturing or Industrial sector.
Q10.
Key industry sectors should adopt principles that will make provisions for funding activities involved in CE as part of their annual budget, while financial institutions should make funding available for the key industry sectors involved in promoting or implementing CE related initiatives. Government should provide the enabling framework for this initiative. Also, Key industry sectors should leverage relevant international financial provisions for CE related activities. International development finance institutions and banks are increasingly starting to establish circular economy investment funds and programmes in Europe for instance, as reflected in the recently published circular economy investment guidelines from the EIB (EIB, 2020). Building on an already large number of CE projects in various sectors, future investments in Nigeria can be designed to support the transition towards a CE as well. This can be achieved via effective cooperation with development finance institutions such as the EU-based Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
Q11.
a) Some of the decent green jobs of the future include the following;
1.Urban or vertical farming
2.Eco-building
3.Renewable energy engineering
4.Recycleing in the new circular economy
5.Sustainability jobs
b) The new skills needed will include ICT skills, a combination of innovative architecture and the latest Agricultural technology, sometimes including AI to grow crops in cities.
c) The academia should embark on researches related to the development of green jobs that will lead to enacting legislations/policy framework formulation and development regarding green jobs by the Government. The Government should also make provisions for funding certain aspects of the processes where needed and provide the enabling environment to drive the processes, while owners of businesses should implement the green initiatives.