ILO promotes resource efficiency, clean production and circularity in Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius

Mauritius

Building on the success of the Operation COSHARE project, the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) implemented SCORE4Climate Training under a new “ECONO-Biz” project in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, and Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). Launched in March 2023, the project is designed to help SMEs to enhance productivity, reduce costs and wastage through resource efficiency, thereby allowing them to grow and excel in a green and circular economy.

With the support from the Expert Trainers from the NPCC, the SCORE4Climate module was launched in 10 SMEs in 2023. The Enterprise Improvement Projects undertaken by these enterprises are diverse, encompassing initiatives aimed at reducing water and electricity consumption, as well as recycling and upcycling fabric and scrap wastes among others. A knowledge sharing and dissemination workshop was organized in November 2023 to share lessons learned and raise awareness on Green Productivity. A publication with case studies on the 10 SMEs was also launched during the event. The case studies offer valuable insights into how SMEs could strategically integrate environmental and economic considerations into their day-to-day operations.

Kyrgyzstan

The “Promoting just transitions for an environmentally sustainable economy in Kyrgyzstan” project aims to enhance the environmental sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of enterprises by promoting greening of MSMEs and the integration of the latter into the circular economy and global value chains. The project activities are being implemented under the umbrella of the overall national policy, the National Green Economy program (2019-2023), in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, JIA Business Association, workers’ organizations, and Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS).
In 2023, 15 trainer candidates have completed Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Workplace Cooperation and the SCORE4Climate training modules. SCORE Training was rolled out in 15 SMEs in Bishkek, Osh, Djalal-Abad, Chuy oblasts.

The selected enterprises operate in the priority sectors/subsectors for a just transition toward environmental sustainability, namely: manufacturing/textile and garment industry, agro-processing, food industry, handicraft, production of construction materials, services/tourism, waste management (plastic processing). The participating enterprises established Enterprise Improvement Teams (consisting of workers’ and management representatives; 39% female; 63% workers) to develop innovative solutions to improve resource efficiency, clean production and circularity. Key environmental improvements needed as identified include: adjust indoor climate conditions, systematize waste sorting, monitor consumption of raw materials, energy, water, monitor storage and disposal of chemicals, reduce use of chemicals, raise awareness among employees on environmental responsibilities and risks, reduce the volume of solid waste. SCORE Trainers will continue to work with the participating enterprises to monitor and support the implementation of the Enterprise Improvement Plans.