World Environment Day 2012…
Green Economy: Does it include you?
WORLD Environment Day is celebrated on June 05 every year and the theme for 2012 is ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?’ Evidently, there are two parts to this theme and the first tackles the subject of the Green Economy. The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.
Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.
But what does all this mean for you? Well, this essentially what the second part of the theme is all about. If the Green Economy is about social equity and inclusiveness then technically it is all about you! The question therefore asks you to find out more about the Green Economy and assess whether you are being included in it.
The GNBS as the National Standards Developer has recognized how important standards are to the continued sustenance of our environment, particularly as they relate to establishing environmental requirements. Hence, over the years it has developed a number of environmental standards including the interim guidelines for industrial effluent discharge into the environment and methods of sampling and testing for water and waste water.
Further, the GNBS has developed the capacity to work with companies that have a desire to reduce the impact of their business activities on the environment through the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS). This EMS is according to the requirements of the ISO 14001:2008 Standard – Environmental Management Systems – Specification for guidance and use, which is internationally recognized.
On the occasion of World Environment Day 2012, the GNBS takes this opportunity to encourage all Guyanese to concentrate on ensuring that our daily activities and actions are parallel to what is needed for a clean and sustained environment. This is the best way of demonstrating our inclusiveness in a “Green Economy”.
For further information on this subject, please contact the GNBS on Telephone Numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 or website: www.gnbsgy.org