If you listen to Shawn C. Roberts, Managing Director of Recycling Waste and Logistics Limited, you will never look at waste the same way again. As an in-kind sponsor of the NYSESG, Shawn’s session with the schools on the topic Waste Management as a Sustainable Resource sought to educate participants on the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to final disposal; waste processing systems; landfill engineering; monitoring; and legal and regulatory frameworks.

Mr. Adeose Celestin, one of our youth mentors, delivered an impactful session on Sustainable Development. By presenting concrete examples, real statistics, and live case studies, he not only broke down complex concepts but also inspired young minds. He highlighted the interconnectedness of global risks—six out of nine of which are environmental and social in nature—and previewed some of the exciting career paths emerging in the field of sustainability.

Understanding circular economies is fundamental to driving changing attitudes toward a sustainable future. Through the circular economy, we can optimize resource use, reduce raw material consumption, and recover waste by recycling or repurposing it into new products. This was underscored by Mr. Derek E Luk Pat, a circular economy expert, who guided participants of the HARCON NYSESG Pilot Project through the learning process, including the 7 R’s of a circular economy.

Ms. Rachel Welch-Phillips was able to successfully deliver the importance of why it matters and the importance of reporting and disclosures to the participants of the NYSESG Project. Her delivery was simple, yet resonated with the young minds who were edified on the dangers of failing to address ESG risks and why it matters to ensuring a sustainable future.

Last Thursday, we had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Étienne Bellemare, a son of the soil based in Brussels, who delivered a session on sustainability and renewable energy, with a special focus on solar technology.

The second training session of the NYSESG took place on Saturday, November 9th. Participants were introduced to the SDGs to deepen their understanding of each of these Agenda 2030 development pillars.

The training and awareness phase of the National Youth Sustainability and ESG (NYSESG) Pilot Project commenced with a positive and extremely encouraging outcome at the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) facilities. The EMA, as a major in-kind sponsor of this project, ensured that the venue was appropriately prepared and laid out to foster an atmosphere of learning and engagement.

The official launch of the NYS-ESG Project marked the beginning of an exciting journey in youth-led sustainability. This event brought together educators, industry experts, and students to discuss the project's vision and impact.