Cairo's Waste Management System Receives USD 9.13 Million Investment

Cairo’s waste management is about to get cleaned up – that’s the hope of a new USD 9.13 million investment package from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which aims to reduce unintentional persistent organic pollutant emissions.

Organic pollutant emissions are harmful chemicals that accumulate in ecosystems, food systems, and water systems over time. These chemicals are often found in pesticides and industrial by-products. This funding will be used to expand an existing project that is tackling e-waste and healthcare waste in Greater Cairo, which is funded by the World Bank.

Egypt’s National Climate Change Strategy 2050 is a national agenda that includes missives like creating green jobs and embracing the principles of the circular economy. These goals coincide with the goals of the GEF, which is a collection of funds that is dedicated to combating biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. This body is a collaboration between 186 member governments as well as civil society organisations.

The GEF - led by CEO and chairman Carlos Manuel Rodruigez, Costa Rica’s former Minister of Environment and Energy - has directly provided nearly USD 25 billion in financing and has mobilised an additional USD 138 billion for projects and programs over the last three decades.