Esirom Foundation’s Kingston Harbour Eco-Restoration Initiative (KHERI) has been awarded the prestigious Energy Globe Award for Jamaica. This international award, considered one of the most important environmental awards worldwide, recognises exceptional environmental projects globally.
Out of approximately 2,000 projects submitted from 141 countries, KHERI was selected as Jamaica’s national winner. This recognition highlights the project’s significant impact on environmental conservation and community development.
KHERI employs a two-pronged approach to address plastic pollution in Kingston Harbour. Downstream, a waste collector pontoon is used to remove solid waste from the water’s surface and below. This innovative solution not only cleans the harbour but also provides income opportunities for local community members. Upstream, the project focuses on reducing waste at its source by engaging schools and communities in environmental education and waste reduction initiatives.
“We are truly honoured to receive this award, as addressing Jamaica’s environmental challenges is no easy task, especially when it comes to behaviour change,” said Khalia Hall, Sustainability Manager at Esirom Foundation. “This recognition motivates us to continue working towards restoring Kingston Harbour to its former glory, a space where Jamaicans can one day enjoy and benefit from recreational, educational, and eco-tourism opportunities.
The recognition by the Energy Globe Award further solidifies the Esirom Foundation’s role as a change maker, inspiring others to adopt innovation and eco-friendly solutions that drive meaningful progress for the environment and society.
The project will now compete for the Energy Globe World Award, which will be presented in March 2025.
