The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has recently announced the completion of the 2Circular training program. The project stands as an initiative, worth EUR 3.7 million (US$ 3.9 million), aiming to support Lebanon in transitioning to a green and circular economy. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministries of Industry, Environment, Economy & Trade, and Finance in Lebanon, in collaboration with the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Lebanon. The project aims to enhance resource efficiency and promote circular business models in the private sector in Lebanon, particularly in the food and beverage industry.  The EU, alongside UNIDO, held a celebration to distribute certificates of completion for the training program to the 27 trainees who completed an intensive training program in the "TEST" methodology for environmentally sound technology transfer. This comprehensive approach aims to help companies identify and implement cost-saving measures, improve resource use and enhance operational efficiency & sustainability.  According to the Acting Director General of the Ministry of Industry, building the capacity of service providers in the field of industrial resource efficiency stands as a priority for the ministry. Additionally, to ensure its sustainability, continuous support is needed, as it plays a vital role in developing the national services market, enhancing sustainable industrial development and supporting the competitiveness & resilience of the Lebanese industrial sector.  In addition to enhancing resource efficiency in the food and beverage sector, the project contributes to expanding Lebanon’s expertise in sustainable production services. A total of 27 experts are now qualified to support Lebanese industries in adopting more efficient and sustainable production methods, helping foster a strong national market for sustainability-focused services. The 2Circular project is a key pillar in the framework of Lebanon’s reform, recovery and reconstruction efforts. It builds on the success of the EU-funded 'Switch-Med' program and UNIDO’s 'TEST' methodology. The project focuses on increasing resource efficiency in 30 to 40 factories in the food and beverage sector using the 'TEST' methodology, developing circular economy models in businesses to drive innovation and sustainability, facilitating financing for SMEs to adopt sustainable practices and supporting Lebanon’s green transformation in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry.  It is worth noting that, through the 'TEST' training program, 27 service providers from 14 concerned companies gained hands-on experience. Their work led to the identification of 89 resource efficiency measures that could result in significant consumption savings which are: saving 84,720 cubic meters of water annually; saving 9,111 MWh of primary energy annually; saving 1,502 tons of materials annually; reducing CO2 emissions by 3,687 tons annually and reducing production costs by EUR 1.7 million (US$ 1.8 million) annually (achieved with investments of EUR 2.7 million (US$ 2.9 million) and an average payback period of only 1.7 years). (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Bank Audi, Lebanon Weekly Monitor, 24 Feb - 2 March 2025