- The World Bank announced a $9.13m grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to expand the scope of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project.
- Egypt also generates large amounts of electronic, or E-waste, further compounded by the country’s national ICT expansion and digital upgrading efforts.
The World Bank announced a $9.13m grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to expand the scope of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project. This grant will reinforce the environmental benefits of the original project, both at the local and global levels, by improving the management of electronic and healthcare waste. The initial project approved in 2021 supports Egypt’s efforts to reduce pollution in Greater Cairo, focusing on reducing vehicle emissions, improving solid waste management, and strengthening the air and climate decision-making system.
Egypt also generates large amounts of electronic, or E-waste, further compounded by the country’s national ICT expansion and digital upgrading efforts. Moreover, the current treatment and disposal practices of healthcare and e-waste need to be improved to reduce the release of more uPOPs(unintentional persistent organic pollutants), which are a group of chemicals that persist in the environment and can lead to serious health effects and adversely affect environmental quality when released into the air, water or soil.
Public health studies indicate that exposure to uPOPS poses many health threats, including respiratory problems, skin disorders, acute brain damage, stroke, asthma, coughing, bronchitis, reduced lung development, and high blood pressure. Workers who collect and process this waste are at the greatest risk as they come into direct contact with the hazardous material. Also, Marina Wes, World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, said, “We are committed to supporting Egypt’s broader environmental preservation efforts. This project also aligns with our upcoming Country Partnership Framework with Egypt for FY 23-27, which puts people at the centre of its strategy. It aims to support the country’s efforts to improve climate resilience while greening the economy.”