Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom and Erik Solheim, Head, UN Environment at the signing of the MOU. PHOTO/UN
By ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT
newsdesk@reporter.co.ke
UN Environment has urged Kenya’s private sector to collaborate with them in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will help curb climate change.
Currently, UN Environment is working closely with the private sector through various initiatives, such as the Finance Initiative which works with over 200 institutions to bring systemic change in global finance for sustainability.
“The private sector, whether a small store or a major conglomerate, must be given a place at the heart of our work. Its energy and its innovations will shape the success or failure of our common goals: to build a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable world. No organization, not even the United Nations, can do this alone,” said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment.
He was speaking during an MOU signing ceremony between Safaricom and UN Environment, aimed at heightening the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on protecting, and conserving the environment.
“As a purpose driven organization, we realize that it is important to use the SDGs as a lens through which we can do business while ensuring that we are also creating the basis for tangible change for our communities. Over the last few months we began the journey of adopting and integrating the SDGs in a way that made sense for the various divisions in our business,” said Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom.
The MOU will provide a framework of cooperation and understanding, and facilitate collaboration and implementation of activities and projects that contribute to selected areas of the SDGs.
The selected SDGs include Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life below Water and Partnerships.