Nurturing a Circular Future: Celebrating Africa Environment Day in Wangari Maathai’s Footsteps

In 2002, the Organization of the African Unity Council of Ministers, in their meeting in Durban, South Africa, designated Africa Environment Day as a response to the environmental challenges faced by the continent. This day is not only an acknowledgment of these challenges but also a celebration of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and her unwavering dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable development in Africa.

Prof. Wangari Maathai’s legacy is deeply rooted in her commitment to addressing deforestation, environmental degradation, and their impact on rural women’s livelihoods. Through the Green Belt Movement, she championed the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights in Kenya. Her efforts underscore the interconnectedness of environmental conservation, gender equality, and sustainable development.

Africa Environment Day 2024 is poised to be a transformative event, weaving together the threads of environmental consciousness, gender equality, circular economy, and sustainable business practices. At its core, the day aims to elevate the discourse on circularity as a potent remedy to the triple planetary crisis, rallying stakeholders from local to continental levels. The focus on empowering women in environmental conservation is a distinctive facet, acknowledging their pivotal role in combating climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. By emphasizing women’s rights in the utilization and preservation of natural resources, the event strives for a paradigm shift in acknowledging and amplifying the indispensable contributions of women to environmental sustainability.

As Africa progresses in implementing Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want, challenges arise from current consumption and production practices. The linear economy’s ‘take, make, and waste’ approach exacerbates environmental issues, including waste, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Embracing a circular economy is crucial for transforming entire value chains, aligning with Agenda 2063’s goal of inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.

Further, Africa Environment Day 2024 is set to be a showcase of innovative business models, especially those embracing Extended Producer Responsibility, which underlines the commitment of African nations towards scaling up circular economy practices. It seeks to promote the AU Circular Economy Action Plan and the Africa Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, advocating for their adoption at national and regional levels. Education is recognized as a powerful tool to instigate behavioral change, placing an emphasis on leveraging educational institutions to foster a positive shift toward environmental conservation. The anticipated outcomes include the widespread adoption of Continental Circular Economy Action Plans, heightened awareness of sustainable business models, and policy recommendations aimed at fortifying women’s rights in the realm of natural resource use and conservation.

The African Union’s theme for 2024, ‘Educate an African fit for the 21st Century,’ highlights education as a tool for attitude and behavioral change. This aligns with the imperative for Africa to pursue a green economy model, especially considering the dependence of many African economies on natural resources. Education can empower communities to embrace circularity and contribute to the triple planetary crisis solution.

As we approach Africa Environment Day 2024, stakeholders are not merely invited but urged to actively participate in this transformative journey. The call to action is a resonant one: let us, inspired by the legacy of environmental champion Wangari Maathai and aligned with Agenda 2063, collectively propel Africa toward a future characterized by sustainability, inclusivity, resilience, and vibrant green economies. The success of this initiative lies in the active engagement of stakeholders at all levels, as we collectively script a new chapter for Africa’s environmental future.

You will find the proceedings of the meeting here