Sao Tome’s prime minister today defended a “stricter” law banning the import of plastic into the archipelago, as well as more “financial support” or subsidies for entrepreneurs who set up alternative and environmentally friendly projects.
In 2020, a law on measures to reduce the use of plastic bags came into force in Sao Tome and Principe, but so far it has not had the expected effect.
“The law needs to be a little stricter” […]. I think the law is talking about reduction and maybe we have [que] go for a ban while alternative materials are also encouraged […]“We must invest in alternative materials and ban plastic,” the Prime Minister of Sao Tome said today.
Patrice Trovoada spoke after attending a “fair to promote alternative products to protect the environment in Sao Tome and Principe” held in conjunction with World Environment Day, which is celebrated today.
The Prime Minister visited several projects developed by entrepreneurs aimed at reducing plastic use and protecting the environment.
“People who are investing in this recycling/circular economy, we need to ensure that they are not disappointed because it is a business and sometimes the business is good, sometimes not so good, but the government has to look for financial support. mechanism, because it is a business that is good for the planet, good for the country,” defended Patrice Trovoada.
“I think we need to think about how we provide funding or subsidies for these activities, which are essentially positive activities for everyone,” the head of the Sao Tome government added.
Patrice Trovoada noted that “young people are concerned” about environmental issues, emphasizing that “in the Autonomous Region of Principe things are more advanced” in terms of protecting the environment, biodiversity, but in Sao Tome “good initiatives” are also starting to appear that make you “optimistic”.
“We recognize that we are a little behind other countries, especially other fragile islands, but we are getting there, awareness is increasing and that is positive,” he said.
The environment minister warned that “unsustainable management of natural resources is also a reality” in Sao Tome and Principe, so she defended the promotion of “best practices” to protect the environment.
Nilda da Mata said the theme for Environment Day 2024 is “accelerating land restoration, resilience to drought and desertification,” which she sees as a call to focus “on the urgent need” to restore nature “to ensure increased livelihoods, poverty reduction and increasing resilience to extreme weather conditions.”
“In our country, actions within the framework of landscape restoration are a reality. About 10 thousand hectares have been restored in recent years and we already have a national restoration plan combined with nationally determined contributions and sustainable development goals,” Nilda da emphasized. Mata.
In his message on the occasion of Environment Day, the Prime Minister emphasized that the environment is “not just cross-cutting, but central” and therefore environmental issues must be integrated into all actions, decisions and behaviour.
“Essentially, in our country, we must continue to invest a lot in environmental education, because only this will allow us to change behavior and acquire new attitudes, which, in essence, will allow us to have a better future and a more peaceful relationship with nature itself. “, defended Patrice Trovoada.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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