A new era of innovation, sustainability, and economic progress for Zimbabwe commenced today with a pivotal meeting between the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and the Dutch organization PUM. The discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration, notably in the crucial sectors of energy and waste management, with significant implications for the nation’s hotel and tourism industries.
PUM experts bring extensive knowledge in energy generation and conversion technologies, offering valuable advice on energy efficiency measures across various sectors. Their work directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 7, which champions affordable and reliable energy for a sustainable society. The global imperative to transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources like solar, hydropower, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy is particularly relevant for tropical regions, where solar energy is abundant.
Energy is recognized as an accelerating skill by PUM, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in core industries such as horticulture, hospitality, and healthcare. PUM also offers cross-cutting accelerating skills in areas like business strategy and eco and social transition, applying them to strengthen projects within core industries. This approach fosters cross-sector collaboration and drives broader, more sustainable growth.
In sectors where energy costs represent a significant portion of operational expenses, even modest energy-saving initiatives can lead to reductions of 20% or more, boosting profitability and cutting emissions. Furthermore, in many countries reliant on firewood and charcoal for cooking or heating, the shift to sustainable energy offers the major benefit of reducing pressure on forests and preventing deforestation.
PUM experts are equipped to assist businesses and organizations in identifying renewable energy opportunities and implementing energy-saving measures. Their guidance contributes to both economic resilience and environmental protection, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future. They possess vast expertise in energy generation and conversion technologies, energy efficiency measures across industries and consumer applications, and stay abreast of the latest developments within the Dutch and European energy sectors. Their knowledge transfer extends to addressing the environmental impact of energy processes, including air pollution and waste materials.
PUM offers practical support, including calculating optimal drying conditions, airflow, and temperature for products. They can also assist in designing drying systems or greenhouses using simple, low-cost, locally sourced materials. Their areas of expertise encompass distributed energy generation from renewable sources like solar electricity and thermal systems, hydropower, biomass, biogas, biofuels, geothermal energy, and wind turbines. They also cover the distribution and conversion of energy, efficient use of traditional energy sources, co-generation of heat and power, and the avoidance of harmful effects from energy processes.
PUM experts have a proven track record, demonstrated by energy audits in eco-hotels that identified significant savings through simple measures and the application of solar PV and hot water systems. They have also advised on replacing diesel pumps with solar-powered systems for irrigation, leading to doubled harvests and reduced environmental impact. The collaboration between SAZ and PUM signals a commitment to fostering sustainable development across Zimbabwe’s key economic sectors.