Green economy essential in achieving sustainable development

Green economy is vital in achieving sustainable development without degrading the environment, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Dr. Ali Al-Omair stressed Thursday. Al-Omair made this remark during a celebration at a public school marking Regional Environment Day, April 24, which also coincides with the signing of Kuwait Regional Convention for Co-operation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution in 1978. Al-Omair, who is also chairman of the Supreme Council for Environment, said that green economy provides a balance in ecological economies where human economies and natural ecosystems go hand in hand without overriding each other. The minister explained that a green economy reduces carbon emissions and pollution, enhances energy and resource efficiency, and prevents the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. To utilize this economy in real life and derive the utmost benefit from it, policies and studies should be setup, he pointed out. On his part, CEO of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Dr. Abdullrahman Al-Awadi said that Kuwait regional environment convention that was signed in 1978 set the cornerstones of cooperation in the protection of marine environment in the Gulf region. Al-Awadi defined green economy as a means of fighting poverty, diseases and unemployment by improving human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. He pointed out that green economy is based on six main sectors: renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable transport, water management, waste management and land management. The school celebration included an exhibition of environment-themed art work done by male and female students.