Certification for green businesses coming

DIRECTOR OF the National Environment and Planning Agency’s Environmental Management and Conservation Division, Anthony McKenzie, said the Green Business Jamaica (GBJ) programme is a key element in supporting the private sector to comply with national and international environmental standards.

“Green Business Jamaica adheres to basic and sustainable consumption and production practices and aims to build a shared vision of sustainable lifestyles. It integrates sustainable practices across sectors and develops tools and incentives to assist in capacity building, to achieve sustainable lifestyles and empower individuals and businesses to adopt sustainable habits through education and participation,” he explained.

One of the activities under the project is the pilot of the GBJ Certification Programme. It is designed to help business operators to incorporate best practices in the area of environmental stewardship, in an effort to reduce operational costs and sustain natural resources.

VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME

The programme is voluntary and gives businesses the opportunity to promote and implement environmentally friendly processes in the core elements of their operations, while practising high standards in pollution prevention and resource conservation in line with global standards.

Businesses that receive GBJ certification will be able to display the approved eco-label on their establishments, stationery or packaging to signify that they are doing their part to protect the environment and reduce their carbon footprint.

Additionally, certified businesses will be included on the NGB list of certified companies.