Sponsored by National Beverage Company and Al-Tayf Dairy Company
Environment Quality Authority and Palestinian Society for Consumer Protection Celebrate “Green Action Week 2026” with a Workshop on Sustainable Production and Consumption
Ramallah – Under the patronage of Eng. Zaghloul Samhan, Head of the Environment Quality Authority (EQA), the Environment Quality Authority and the Palestinian Consumer Protection Society organized a workshop entitled “Sustainable Production and Consumption” as part of the “Green Action Week 2026” activities. The workshop was sponsored by National Beverage Company Coca-Cola/Cappy and Al-Tayf Dairy and Food Products Company (Candia).
The workshop aimed to promote dialogue on ways to establish more sustainable production and consumption patterns, improve resource efficiency, reduce losses and waste, and encourage responsible practices that contribute to environmental protection, support the local economy, and advance sustainable development in Palestine.
The workshop was held as part of national efforts to promote sustainable production and consumption, taking into account the particularities of the Palestinian context, including limited natural resources and mounting environmental and economic pressures. It also sought to explore ways to translate sustainability concepts from general policies and strategic directions into practical action by strengthening the participation of government institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, local communities, and consumers.
The workshop opened with remarks by Eng. Zaghloul Samhan, Head of the Environment Quality Authority; Mr. Abdo Idris, President of the Palestinian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; Mr. Salah Hanieh, President of the Palestinian Society for Consumer Protection; and Mr. Moayad Odeh, Head of the Higher Council for Public Procurement Policies.
The speakers emphasized the importance of coordinated national efforts and stronger partnerships among public institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations to develop more efficient and sustainable production and consumption patterns, reduce resource depletion and pollution, and support initiatives that contribute to protecting Palestine’s environment.
Eng. Zaghloul Samhan, Head of the Environment Quality Authority, stressed that the green economy is not merely a slogan, but an integrated concept that requires practical measures to reduce pollution and develop the legal and legislative frameworks that define the powers and responsibilities of all stakeholders. He also highlighted the need for appropriate financial arrangements, information systems, planning and monitoring tools, and stronger public awareness.
Samhan noted that progress towards a green economy in Palestine remains limited, with some laws still requiring implementing regulations, incomplete policies, and fragmented initiatives. He emphasized the need for stronger coordination and integration among all relevant stakeholders to unify efforts and achieve tangible results.
He also outlined the Environment Quality Authority’s interventions across several sectors, including agriculture, food processing, and housing, particularly green building and ecotourism. These interventions also include promoting extended producer responsibility, reducing food waste, encouraging sustainable procurement, developing ecotourism trails, improving post-harvest practices, implementing environmental awareness and education programs, protecting soil and combating pests, and supporting projects through small-grant programs.
For his part, Mr. Abdo Idris, President of the Palestinian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, called for greater efforts to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment. He explained that consumer protection is no longer limited to product quality and safety, but also extends to protecting natural resources through the adoption of sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Idris emphasized the pivotal role that the Palestinian Standards Institution should play in supporting the transition towards a green economy and the need to strengthen its role to ensure coordination and integration among relevant institutions. He also highlighted the importance of reducing the environmental and health impacts associated with quarrying activities, stressing the need to develop a media and awareness plan in cooperation with chambers of commerce to raise public awareness of these issues.
Meanwhile, Mr. Salah Hanieh, President of the Palestinian Society for Consumer Protection, stressed the importance of fostering a culture of responsible consumption and linking it to consumers’ rights and their responsibilities towards the environment and society. He noted that conserving water and electricity, reducing food waste, minimizing waste generation, and encouraging local products and sustainable practices are essential steps towards building a more environmentally conscious society capable of using resources more efficiently.
Hanieh added that the transition towards sustainable consumption requires concerted efforts by public institutions, the private sector, and consumers, alongside providing citizens with the knowledge and tools needed to make more responsible choices and supporting local initiatives that offer practical solutions to environmental and economic challenges.
He further highlighted the importance of building a participatory community that promotes sustainable production and consumption through initiatives such as seed, clothing, and food exchanges, as well as reducing the use of plastic. He stressed the need to understand why and how we consume, preserve sustainable products, and avoid turning consumed resources into waste by promoting reuse and recycling.
In turn, Mr. Moayad Odeh, Head of the Higher Council for Public Procurement Policies, stated that discussions on sustainable production and consumption naturally lead to sustainable public procurement, which serves as a practical tool through which the government can translate environmental, social, and economic policies into tangible action.
He explained that adopting sustainable public procurement practices strengthens the role of government purchasing in advancing sustainable development and achieving a balance between economic, environmental, and social considerations, thereby improving resource efficiency and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable economy.
The event also featured an introductory video about “Green Action Week,” which takes place during the first week of October each year. The initiative aims to encourage communities to adopt sustainable consumption patterns by sharing resources, knowledge, skills, and services, while promoting collaborative initiatives that enable more efficient resource use and reduce waste and environmental impacts.
The workshop featured three main sessions. The first, entitled “Sustainable Production and Consumption: Towards a Greener Future,” explored the concepts of responsible production and consumption and their relationship to sustainable development. It also presented a roadmap for reducing food waste and an action plan for extended producer responsibility, with a particular focus on single-use plastics.
The second session, entitled “From Environmental Policies to Green Practices,” discussed the green and circular economy within Palestinian legislation, sustainable procurement policy, and the policy governing electrical and electronic waste management, along with the relevant legal instructions.
The third session, entitled “Green Experiences,” showcased Palestinian sustainability initiatives and experiences focused on youth empowerment. These included the Safa Model Project for cultivating Panicum and sprouted barley, INJAZ Palestine’s experience in empowering young people to drive change, and the Palestinian Environmental Guardians Corps’ experience in empowering youth through a professional diploma and practical applications of the circular economy.
As sponsors of the workshop, Mr. Imad Al-Hindi, General Manager of National Beverage Company Coca-Cola/Cappy and Al-Tayf Dairy and Food Products Company (Candia), emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between the private sector, public institutions, and civil society organizations to support national efforts in sustainability and environmental protection. He stated:
“National Beverage Company and Al-Tayf believe that sustainable production and consumption are fundamental pillars of natural resource protection and sustainable development. Achieving the desired change requires concerted efforts, the promotion of responsible practices, and innovation in the efficient use of resources and the reduction of losses and waste.
“Accordingly, we are committed to supporting initiatives that raise environmental awareness and help translate sustainability concepts into practical action, serving Palestinian society and preserving natural resources for future generations.”
Al-Hindi added: “Our sponsorship of this workshop reflects our firm belief in the importance of working with national institutions to promote a culture of sustainability, exchange expertise, and encourage local solutions and initiatives that help balance economic and social needs with environmental considerations.”
The workshop underscored the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to sustainable production and consumption, beginning with product design and resource use, continuing through production, distribution, procurement, and consumption, and extending to reuse, recycling, and the proper management of waste. It also highlighted the importance of encouraging local initiatives and pioneering experiences that offer replicable models and contribute to easing pressure on natural resources while promoting innovation and the circular economy.
The sponsorship of this workshop by National Beverage Company Coca-Cola/Cappy and Al-Tayf Dairy and Food Products Company (Candia) reflects their commitment to corporate social responsibility and their support for environmental initiatives that strengthen national partnerships and promote a culture of sustainability. It also underscores the private sector’s role in protecting the environment, encouraging the responsible use of resources, and supporting the advancement of sustainable development in Palestine.
