Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced that the Schneider Electric Sustainability School is open for enrolment. Free to access, the digital platform provides a range of interactive courses aimed at equipping companies and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their sustainability performance.

First launched internally to educate Schneider Electric employees to better support the company’s partner ecosystem, the three-part programme is now available externally for professionals and companies of all sizes, empowering them to take a first step towards a more sustainable future.

Decarbonising the economy is a business opportunity

The 2015 Paris Agreement sparked a movement across the economy to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions. A recent Gartner survey found that 87% of business leaders expect their sustainability spending to increase in the next two years.

But despite this growing commitment to decarbonization, a sizeable knowledge and skills gap remains a barrier to progress. Furthermore, companies are increasingly relying on partners with expertise in the field of sustainability to support them in decarbonizing their operations.

Schneider Electric operates as an Impact Company, placing sustainability at the core of its business to achieve a positive, lasting impact on the planet and society. With Electricity 4.0 at the heart of programme, the Sustainability School compliments and strengthens this commitment, supporting partners in accelerating climate action across three core pillars: Strategise, Digitise and Decarbonise.

Recognizing that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the knowledge and tools required to establish climate targets, measure impacts such as carbon emissions, and benchmark and disclose progress, the comprehensive training platform is designed to support them in embarking on their decarbonization journey. Over three chapters, it covers a range of topics from energy efficiency and renewable energy to the circular economy and sustainable transportation.

• Chapter 1: Understanding sustainability and the risks involved [intake now open]
  • In the first chapter, attendees will learn the basics of sustainability, including the science and jargon behind it and why it is crucial for businesses to take environmental, social and governance factors (ESG) seriously.
• Chapter 2: Discover how to take sustainable action as a company [Launching Q3, 2023]
  • The second chapter focuses on how SMEs can build a decarbonization strategy, including information on easy-to-implement tools that can support them in decarbonizing their own operations and that of their customers.
• Chapter 3: Leverage sustainable skills to increase business opportunities [Launching Q1, 2024]
  • The third chapter summarizes the key knowledge and tools learnt throughout the programme – from energy efficiency to decarbonization to support attendees in putting the theory into practice.

“The Sustainability School for partners is our big next move to prove that companies can not only do business that is better for the planet but can also fundamentally improve their performance by doing so,” Sorouch Kheradmand, Head of Partner Sustainability at Schneider Electric said. “We are proud to announce the launch of our new online courses, which are designed to educate and inspire individuals and organizations to adopt sustainable practices. Sustainability is at the heart of our business, and we believe that education is key to driving change and creating a more sustainable future.”

On May 22nd, 2023, a pre-launch event launched at Dubai Chambers headquarters, aiming to empower Chinese technologies and innovative companies to leverage Dubai as a global hub for international expansion, further strengthening bilateral ties and fostering innovation between Dubai and China.

Chinese digital energy service enterprise, NewLink, was also invited as a distinguished VIP delegate at the ceremony, further solidifying its position as one of the first strategic partners and advisors to Dubai Chambers. In a pivotal moment, both parties formally signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC), reaffirming their commitment to deepening their collaboration and forging stronger ties.

In his address, H.E. Mohammad Ali Lootah, the President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, highlighted the strategic advantages of Dubai, stating, “With comprehensive logistics infrastructure and strategic location along the New Silk Road, Dubai serves as a convenient gateway to the MENA markets, enabling leading Chinese companies to seize opportunities and thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”

Under the partnership, Dubai Chambers will support the NewLink and companies introduced by NewLink with necessary information and assistance in registering commercial licenses in Dubai. By streamlining administrative procedures and providing essential guidance, Dubai Chambers hopes to establish a favorable business environment for global enterprises as they establish their presence in Dubai market. And it also underscores its commitment to nurturing and promoting business growth.

As a trusted advisor and partner, NewLink will also work closely with Dubai Chambers to navigate the complexities of the China market. Leveraging its expertise, NewLink will introduce portfolio companies and partner enterprises to the China Innovation Centre for the purpose of showcasing leading Chinese technologies and leveraging Dubai to global. These moves will pave the way for potential investments and establish mutually beneficial relationships between Chinese enterprises and Dubai’s dynamic business landscape.

In addition, NewLink and Dubai Chambers discussed opportunities to showcase China’s green and cleantech technologies during the upcoming COP28 UAE scheduled later this year. Both sides highlighted their shared goals of promoting sustainable practices and addressing climate change challenges.

Pursuant to the MOC, the parties will actively explore avenues to leverage the synergies between NewLink’s well-established presence in the new energy industry and Dubai Chambers’ comprehensive one-stop service capabilities, to empower businesses, facilitate market access, and drive technological advancements for a prosperous future.

NewLink is a world-leading energy IoT solution provider, and one of the first enterprises specialising in energy digitisation in China. Through digitisation, NewLink further improves energy utilisation efficiency and reduces energy waste during transportation to realise carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

“The establishment of the ‘China Innovation Centre’ at Dubai Chambers will open a new chapter for economic and trade cooperation and will surely create new opportunities for bilateral exchange and produce new results soon,” commented Qian Qian, Vice-Chairman of CCPIT Jiangsu.

 Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, today announced its fourth Green capital markets issuance underscoring its ongoing commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Building upon its pioneering position in sustainable financing, Majid Al Futtaim has raised $500 million through this landmark issuance which will refinance an older $800 million bond commitment.

With its inaugural Green Sukuk (or Islamic bonds) issuance in May 2019, Majid Al Futtaim introduced sustainable financing in the region, setting the stage for subsequent successful offerings.

Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Office at Majid Al Futtaim Holding, said: “The issuance of today’s green sukuk, is a testament of the global investment community’s continued confidence and robust support in our company, the sustainability of our debt portfolio and the inherent strength of our long-term strategic focus. In reaffirming our commitment to green financing, Majid Al Futtaim is able to further our drive to improve long-term profitability while actively contributing to shaping sustainable finance for the MENA region.”

Since Majid Al Futtaim’s debut green sukuk issuance in May 2019, the Company has demonstrated a prudent preference for sustainability linked funding. The second green sukuk was raised in October 2019, which was followed by a $1.5 billion sustainability linked loan (SLL) in July 2021. With the SLL, Majid Al Futtaim was the first privately-owned Dubai corporation to borrow through such an innovative facility and continues to be the region’s only “penalty-only” borrower, reiterating the Company’s commitment to achieving real, tangible sustainability targets. Moreover, a second SLL was closed in September 2022 for $1.25 billion.

Apart from green financing, Majid Al Futtaim has consistently delivered on its ESG principles through several other sustainability linked initiatives. The Group is on track to meet its commitment to achieve a positive water and energy footprint by 2040 and eliminate single-use plastic in all its operations by 2025. It is one of the first private companies in the region committed to setting Science-Based Targets (SBTs) to accelerate decarbonisation efforts across its businesses. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim’s flagship shopping centres, Mall of the Emirates and Mall of Oman, as well as all of the 13 owned hotels in its portfolio, received LEED Platinum certification, adding to the company’s green certified properties which now span 4 million square meters.

Majid Al Futtaim ended 2022 with a strong financial position, with the Group revenue growing by 12% year-on-year reaching AED 36.3 billion, while EBITDA increased by 4% year-on-year to AED 4.1 billion driven by the group’s operational performance, investments in digital transformation, data analytics and loyalty programmes. In addition, the Group maintained the ‘Green Star’ status from the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) and also maintained its low risk ESG rating by Sustainalytics for the financial year 2022.

In support of the UAE’s net-zero ambitions and sustainability agendas, Renault Trucks Middle East and Al Masaood in collaboration with Tadweer, launched the first 100% electric waste truck in the United Arab Emirates, the first fully electric heavy truck launched in the Middle East.

The first Renault 100% electric truck will be used by Tadweer, the sole custodian of waste management for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to collect waste household in Abu Dhabi. The truck was manufactured by Renault Trucks, under the dealership of Al Masaood, following the signing of an MoU between Tadweer and Al Masaood during the EcoWaste Exhibition and Conference.

Being the first electric heavy truck operating in the region, the Renault Trucks E-tech truck will also run a pilot programme to gauge the vehicle’s performance in the high temperatures such as the capital’s summer heat, in addition to addressing logistical challenges such as charging station availability along key routes.

Renault Trucks & Al Masaood, two partners committed to a more sustainable future

“Renault Trucks has a legacy of providing market-leading transport solutions for nearly 130 years, and we have succeeded because our eye is always out on the future needs of the industry,” said Olivier De Saint Meleuc, President of Renault Trucks International. “The imperative for today is to tackle global warming, and we are proud that our state-of-the-art trucks are able to address the global requirement for low or zero emission vehicles, and to also contribute to the UAE’s visionary Net Zero 2050 strategic ambition. We are thrilled that we can bring our own electric mobility vision to the country, thanks to our partnership with Al Masaood, who share our values and future outlook for a zero-carbon future.”

“At Al Masaood, we have made a tangible and firm commitment to support the nation in meeting its Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative, and we do recognize that as a key industrial player in the nation’s

capital and in the country as a whole, that we do bear a heavy responsibility in not only lowering our greenhouse emissions, but by providing innovative solutions to private and public partners to help mitigate their own emissions,” said Mohamed El Zeftawi, General Manager of Al Masaood’s Commercial Vehicles and Equipment division. “We are able to deliver these solutions thanks to our strategic partnerships, and with Renault Trucks Middle East and Tadweer, we found partners that can deliver on our aspirations.”

The Renault Trucks D-Wide E-tech has already demonstrated its effectiveness and performance in Europe, with urban centres like Paris and Barcelona adopting nearly 100 of the trucks each to fulfil their commitments to sustainability and their communities. By using these electric trucks, these two cities will remove over 4000 tons of carbon dioxide from the environment each year, equivalent to removing 1000 cars from the roads annually. With a range of up to 200 kilometres between charges, the trucks have already proven their worthiness from a zero-emissions and performance perspective. Tadweer is keen to start operating this 100% electric truck on Abu Dhabi’s roads to assess and monitor the vehicle’s performance in the summer temperatures.

The ideal solution for waste management

The first 100% electric waste truck in the UAE supports Tadweer in achieving its mission through building an integrated waste management system and achieving a circular economy.

The Renault Trucks D Wide 26t E-Tech Electric is the ideal vehicle for urban waste

collection with low operating costs while maintaining optimal range and payload.

Equipped with 23m3 Gorica-Farid electric garbage compactor, this 100% electric

Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide P6x2 will be operating, almost silently with zero tailpipe emissions.

“Tadweer has established its position as a pioneer in waste management and driving a sustainable future. The company incorporates state-of-the-art and modern technologies to ensure successful operation, while supporting Abu Dhabi’s Environment Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions as well,” said Ali Al Dhaheri, MD and CEO at Tadweer. “We therefore look forward for our on-going collaboration with Al Masaood and Renault Trucks and are excited to see what this E-Tech Waste management Truck has to offer in terms of performance and efficiency.”

“Our relationship with both Al Masaood and Renault Trucks is characterized by a robust and enduring partnership, and we are confident that this innovative zero-emissions truck will be an important added value to our existing Renault fleet,” added Al Dhaheri.

The launch of the Renault E-Tech waste management truck is also a commitment to both the UAE’s and the capital’s electrified mobility strategies; strategies which both the country and its capital find themselves at the forefront globally. Only recently, the federal government committed to placing over 800 EV charging stations across the country, while Dubai is moving towards a zero-emissions public transportation sector with electric vehicles now joining the taxi fleet.