Monthly Archives

October 2023

Yahsat becomes the first UAE space technology company to join the UN global initiative

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC has announced that it has joined the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

As an official member, Yahsat will integrate the ten core UNGC principles into its business operations encompassing human rights, labour, environmental stewardship and anti-corruption measures.

Yahsat has shared that it will incorporate these principles into every facet of its sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy so that it is adopted throughout its entire operations.

The company also shared plans to play an active role in various collaborative projects that will advance the sustainability vision of both the United Nations and the United Arab Emirates, with a particular focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As an official UNGC member, Yahsat will annually issue “Communication on Progress” of the implementation of the UNGC’s Ten Principles.

Ali Al Hashemi, Yahsat Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Yahsat is extremely proud to be the first UAE space technology company to join the United Nations Global Compact and incorporate its ten principles into Yahsat’s core business. This reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability for all our actions that impact people and the planet. Yahsat already has a proven track record of strong ethical governance practices, making it an ideal UNGC member, which is focused on building a sustainable future for us all.”

2 years ago 0 comments

AVEVA’s Joanna Mainguy talks decarbonisation, digitalisation, and COP28

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Following on from ADPIEC, and just a few weeks away from COP28, ESG Mena talks to Joanna Mainguy, Sustainability Accelerator Director at AVEVA, about decarbonisation, digitalisation, and driving forward clean energy action.

What kind of progress was made at ADIPEC, and what were your key takeaways?

This year, the overarching theme of ADIPEC was “Decarbonizing Faster Together”, which shows that the global energy industry is willing and getting ready to play an active role in the net zero race. Most of the exhibitors’ booths mirrored this engagement.

ADIPEC conferences highlighted that game-changing solutions towards a cleaner and more secure energy future can only come from dialogue and cross-sector partnerships.

From government ministers to CEOS, and energy experts, most visitors to our booth were interested in tangible examples that show how digitalisation can support a more sustainable energy industry. My key takeaway from ADIPEC 2023 is that the vision of collective and responsible actions from the energy industry towards net-zero is becoming a reality.

What are your thoughts on oil and gas companies’ decarbonisation efforts? Are they taking the task seriously? What are your thoughts on their participation at COP28?

The power and ‘oil and gas’ sectors are finding new pathways to produce clean energy and fuel. While power is expanding the use of wind and solar to produce electricity, the oil and gas industry is diversifying to become the new energy sector with renewable feedstock and increasing the capacity of clean hydrogen production and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.

Ensuring both energy security and equity is a challenge. However, our industrial software is a key enabler of the transformation that these sectors need to go through. The design of new low-carbon infrastructure needs to be faster and more optimised, especially when we consider renewable feedstock such as biomass, CO², or waste plastics and how they will be integrated into the existing infrastructure.

Some 75% of global oil, natural gas and liquids are gathered, processed, and transported using AVEVA software. Both in Power and ‘Oil and Gas’, our customers choose our software to optimise existing operations and lower the current carbon footprint, and also to be ready to incorporate future changes.

AVEVA enables them to engineer and design faster, operate reliably, and manage their supply chain.

Some practical examples are:

Improved production planning for refineries and petrochemical plants through advanced modelling that reduces decision time from days to minutes. It allows evaluations about which feedstock will result in lower carbon intensity to the overall production
Carbon-aware planning that allows visibility and management of the operation carbon footprint including emissions scope 1, 2 and 3 through a single advanced digital model and data infrastructure
Robust data management and sharing in the cloud through a secure platform to enable the exchange of relevant information with partners, customers and suppliers

At AVEVA, we are convinced of the importance of accelerating private sector collaboration on Scope 3 upstream and downstream mitigation activities. We believe that an open and connected industrial economy is essential to speed up and scale up the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors.

The world emits around 50 billion tons of greenhouse gases each year, ¾ of emissions from energy use. If decarbonisation is a global goal, all actors who can contribute to achieving it need to be involved, including actors of the Energy industry. COP 28 is the perfect space to gather all stakeholders who can play an active role in our joint effort towards decarbonisation.

Tell me about how you’re working with companies within the energy sector to address some of the key challenges they’re facing and decarbonise.

Today, energy companies recognise that digital transformation is essential as they look to optimise their performance in 6 areas: Productivity – Savings and Profitability – Sustainability – Quality – Supply Chain – and Collaboration.

These six areas are interdependent, and data is the only way to measure progress in each of them and show the correlation between each of them. AVEVA enables energy companies to engineer and design faster, operate reliably, and manage their supply chain through improved data management.

Data is key to making better use of global resources. Industries that are on a digital transformation journey are on good track to measure and assess their progress to net zero.

Currently, energy companies have a huge need for organisational metrics around sustainability. By providing them with real-time data and advanced applications in the cloud, we support improved operational efficiency, lower energy and utilities consumption, and minimum greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Many of our customers in the energy sector achieve significant gains in sustainability with our technology: with Aker Carbon Capture, we enable their engineers to collaborate in the cloud, speeding the design and development of carbon capture projects by 20%. We also support Duke Energy in managing and sharing operational data via the cloud (PI System) to optimise power operations across their network. This has led to $34M in a single predictive catch in their ultra-sensitive compressor, along with countless further efficiency gains, enabling them to shift to a greater number of renewable power supplies and accelerate towards their net zero commitments.

What’s the role of partnerships in driving forward change here?

Decarbonisation is a global challenge. If it’s been at the agenda of the past COPs and of COP28 it is because shaping a better future for all of us is a shared responsibility. Game-changing solutions towards a cleaner and more secure energy future will only come from dialogue and cross-sector partnerships. As transparency about environmental footprint becomes of growing interest, we see more and more customers rethinking the way they use and share data to support their journey towards more sustainability: data sharing happens among employees, of course, but also with partners, suppliers and even with customers. One of the outcomes of this new dimension of data sharing is to foster innovation. We call this phenomenon the connected industrial economy.

It’s underpinned by a completely new mindset, a data-centric way of thinking where all players in the industrial value chain recognise that through collaboration, they can drive greater value for everyone. No company can achieve their net-zero target alone; no innovation is done in isolation. We need a systemic change to tackle climate change challenges.

What is the role of digital technology in targeting efficiency and energy conservation? Tell me about your product offerings in this regard.

Digitalisation and sustainability are two sides of the same coin. Indeed, digitalisation is essential to track and measure operational efficiency and agility, but also to drive measurable gains and circularity. For instance, using machine learning and AI to mandate actions is a way to further cut emissions and optimise processes, and can lead to cutting waste by 20%.

Combining process improvements is also a good way to drive energy efficiency at scale. Digitalisation is also a driver of collaboration: it allows data and insights sharing between governments, industrial leaders and tech providers to accelerate innovation and bring onstream new sources of energy (CCUs, Hydrogen, Electrification, bioplastics, etc.). It’s also a driver to develop “systems thinking” solutions that increase the scale and scope of decarbonisation.

Here are some examples of how customers use our solutions to achieve the sustainability goals:

Saudi Aramco is using data-driven insights enriched with AI to improve the reliability, performance, and safety of hydrogen processing
REPSOL has used software optimisations (Romeo + AI) to cut emissions at one of their major refineries by 20% drop
Aker Carbon Capture uses the cloud to help engineers to collaborate in real-time. As a result, they boosted engineering efficiency by 20%
Fortescue Future Industries is using our digital design and simulation tools in the cloud to monitor the performance of new hydrogen production plants

The World Economic Forum estimates that digital technologies at scale represent an emission reduction opportunity of up to 20% by 2050.

AVEVA wants to support more and more energy companies in developing their saved and avoided CO²emission baseline and target.

By improving efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, minimising waste, and boosting circularity, our products enable our customers to make their enterprises more sustainable.

How are tools like AVEVA’s Digital Twin technology assisting the oil and gas industry to meet sustainability targets?

Let’s look at the development of fully autonomous and sustainable Floating Production Storage and Offloading Solutions (FPSO).

Using digital twins of FPSO vessels (virtual models designed to accurately reflect the floating structure) allows the capture of engineering and operational data through the complete asset lifecycle to improve visualisation, reliability, and efficiency.

A growing trend in the energy industry is for FPSO vessels to be operated with minimal human involvement. The vision is for them to become fully autonomous. This can greatly enhance the energy and resource efficiency of assets, whilst significantly lowering emissions.

It can also reduce human error and manual intervention, leading to stronger safety and environmental performance through low-carbon operations. AVEVA PI System is already implemented on FPSO assets, and AVEVA Engineering tools are being leveraged for design and construction.

The MENA is being highlighted as on track to becoming a green hydrogen hub. How do you see the landscape evolving, and what is AVEVA doing to drive forward the green hydrogen economy?

Analysts predict green hydrogen has the potential to expand to a $US11 trillion addressable market globally and supply up to 25 per cent of the world’s energy needs by 2050.

The hydrogen sector will require a new transportation, distribution and regulatory approach to operate successfully as an alternative fuel.

Harnessing the potential of green hydrogen could avoid up to 80 gigatons of cumulative CO2 emissions by 2050, contributing to as much as 20% of total abatement required to drive the net-zero economy.

We are working with leaders such as ThyssenKrupp, Topsoe, Wood and Saudi Aramco to mature and scale innovative technologies and processes and realise clean hydrogen projects across MEA and Worldwide.

2 years ago 0 comments

Developing Environment Living

Cityscape Qatar, the real estate landscape and sustainability progress

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The 11th edition of Cityscape Qatar 2023 took place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, bringing together over 5,000 attendees, 90 plus property developers and featuring over 40 speakers.

Held from 24-26 October, the event laid out the real estate roadmap toward 2030, with a reflection on both the past and future state of the industry.

ESG Mena takes a look at some of the event highlights, how regional real estate is evolving, and the progress being made on sustainability in Qatar and beyond.

Real estate boom

With surging population growth and rapid urbanisation, global building stock is set to double by 2050, and investment in the global real estate industry is set to reach over $30.5 trillion by 2031.

Regionally, real estate has been a particular investment focus as of late, with a wave of mega projects, and in Qatar, real estate is one of the fastest-growing sectors, ranking second just after energy in terms of investment. Recent figures, for example, reveal that Qatar’s real estate investments now exceed QAR82 billion.

The current state of the market was a primary focus in a number of talks as part of Cityscape Talks Qatar, where industry leaders discussed the trends and challenges facing the sector right now.

From discussing the role of innovation in shaping the sector’s future to forecasts around what Qatar will look like in the next ten years, the event was both a platform for knowledge sharing and networking, while also showcasing key development projects.

Event highlights

With this year’s event taking place in the shadow of FIFA World Cup 2022, the event took stock of the impact the event had on Qatar real estate. Indeed, after hosting the international event, which saw an investment of billions, Qatar officials shared investment plans for further diversification as part of Vision 2030, with infrastructure and real estate investment a big part of this.

Elsewhere at the event was a fireside chat on the potentially transformative impact of digital technology on real estate, with Hakan Ozdemir, CEO, Siemens Qatar, Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, Executive Director Public Services, United Development Company and Nizar Hneini, Technology & Digital Partner, Advisory KPMG Qatar, coming together to share their insights.

Other topics explored across the three-day event included real estate financing and mortgage, investment in urban planning, infrastructure, and mobility and the role of regulation, policy, and frameworks.

For the first time, the event also featured a discussion panel by the Cityscape WIRE (Women in Real Estate) and a networking session.

The panel, moderated by Billie Teshich, Managing Director of Omnivision Qatar and President of the National Association for Women in Construction in Qatar, discussed start-up challenges, the construction-real estate link and the future of Qatar real estate. Panelists included Maria Maximova, Head of Business Strategy, Qetaifan Projects, Qatar, Dr. Athba Thamer Al-Thani, Chief Business Development Officer, QDVC, Qatar, Sevgi Gur, Chief Marketing Officer, Property Finder Qatar, Qatar and Haajerah Khan, Chief Operating Officer, Hapondo, Qatar.

Regional sustainability push

Accounting for around 40 per cent of global energy usage and responsible for nearly 40 per cent of global emissions, the built environment’s carbon footprint is well known. But, beyond this, it also consumes a huge amount of the world’s raw materials and is incredibly water-intensive.

The case for greening the industry is crystal clear, and it’s also imperative if we are to reach global climate goals, according to bodies such as the World Green Building Council (WGBC).

The industry, however, is currently way off track, and rapid change is required to move in the right direction.

This conversation was a key part of discussions at the event, with talks on creating sustainable spaces and aligning the industry, where solar efficiency and construction technology advances were highlighted as “key enablers.”

One of the panel discussions, titled, ‘Qatar’s commitment to sustainability – The stage is set, is the real-estate community in sync,’ for example, brought together Arch. Mohammad Najjar, Head of Architectural Group, Global Sustainability Assessment System Trust (GORD), Qatar, Michael Jarouch, Vice President, First Qatar Real Estate Development Company, Qatar, Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, Executive Director Public Services, United Development Company, Qatar, Ajay Jayakumar, Associate Director, Advisory, Organisational & Operational Transformation, ESG, KPMG, Qatar for an exploration of this topic.

And, in Qatar and the wider region, we are seeing movement toward more greener practices.

In 2021, a number of countries in the GCC ranked highly for their concentration of green buildings. The UAE secured 14th place globally, while Qatar came in at 32nd. Saudi Arabia was placed at 54th, followed by Kuwait and Oman, ranking 69th and 70th, respectively – and efforts have only ramped up since then.

Further, the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), previously Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS), was developed for the region, and is the fastest growing green building rating system in the Gulf, according to the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD). Indeed, there are now 2000 registered projects covering a built-up area of over two billion square feet in Qatar.

We’re also seeing a rise in regulation aimed at accelerating action here; for example, last year in the UAE, the National Building Regulations and Standards received approval.

There is, however, a long way to go, and alongside regulation, finance also plays a key role in scaling up green efforts.

To drive forward action on sustainable development, the event concluded with a fireside chat on the need for enforcement, incentives, and initiatives.

At the event, a number of agreements were also signed, and some aimed at facilitating greater sustainability, including one between the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) and United Development Company (UDC). The partnership will see the two collaborate on a number of areas, including the implementation of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) on UDC projects.

2 years ago 0 comments

Governance Latest News

Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection discusses plans to develop consumer protection system & enhance market supervision

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, during its latest meeting chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, discussed its plans to support and develop the UAE’s consumer protection system and to strengthen sales outlet monitoring mechanisms across all emirates of the country. The meeting evaluated the progress made in the implementation of the outcomes of the last committee meeting in 2023, developments on the issuance of Federal Decree Law No. 5 of 2023, and amendments to the provisions of Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on consumer protection. In addition, regulatory decisions regarding the pricing policy of basic consumer goods, in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. 120 of 2022, and ways to spread financial awareness among consumers were also discussed.

H.E. Bin Touq emphasised that enabling sound consumer practices and protecting consumer rights is a top priority for the Ministry of Economy, in order to develop the regulatory and legislative environment for the economic sector and enhance its governance. This is one of the strategic objectives of the Ministry in line with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

H.E. said: “Thanks to the directives of the wise leadership, the consumer protection system in the country is undergoing continuous development following the issuance of several resolutions in the last phase. These decisions are aimed at supporting the continued growth of this ecosystem, upgrading its mechanisms in accordance with global best practices and solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading global market that provides a safe experience for consumers. They also guarantee rights to suppliers, thus enhancing the UAE’s position as an attractive destination for business and investment in the retail sector.”

In detail, the meeting reviewed developments on the issuance of Federal Decree Law No. 5 of 2023, and amendments to some provisions of Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on consumer protection. In this regard, H.E. Bin Touq explained that the aim of these amendments is to effectively complete the steps needed to build the legal basis for enabling greater contribution from local departments in the enforcement of the law. This is achieved through strengthening their role in the imposition of administrative penalties for any acts committed in violation of the law and its executive regulations. It also takes into account the flexibility in the structure of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, which allows other parties to participate in its efforts, constituting a consultative approach with regard to consumer protection in the country.

This consequently provides room for cooperation at the federal and local levels and overcomes any challenges faced previously in fully implementing local market regulations.

The meeting discussed the regulatory decisions regarding the pricing policy of essential consumer goods in accordance with Cabinet Decision No. 120 of 2022. These decisions include the ministerial decision regarding the regulation of prices of essential consumer goods, which consist of nine commodities: cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread, and wheat. All of these commodities require prior approval from the Ministry of Economy before their prices are increased. A task force consisting of representatives from the Ministry, and other relevant authorities and entities has also been formed to monitor the prices of essential consumer goods. This ensures the scrutiny of all price hike requests received by the Ministry and the subsequent decision-making process. Additionally, there is a ministerial decision on pricing by unit to guarantee complete transparency in prices of consumer goods and enabling consumers to choose suitable products by comparing prices, in line with global best practices in consumer protection.

The committee also emphasised the importance of the code of conduct, which will be issued by a cabinet resolution as a guideline for organising the contractual relationship between the supplier and the retailer.
H.E. Bin Touq pointed out that the Ministry of Economy continues its efforts to supervise all sales outlets across the country to ensure that there are no unjustified price hikes violating the Consumer Protection Law, its executive regulations, and Cabinet Decision No. 120 of 2022. This is done in cooperation with all relevant economic development departments, local and federal authorities, to enhance consumer protection in the country. He further explained that these supervisory efforts have resulted in 284 inspection rounds since the beginning of 2023 until now. Meanwhile, the Ministry has also received 80 requests for the recall of 109,651 defective car parts since the beginning of 2023 until the end of the third quarter.

The Minister of Economy emphasised that the main objective of imposing these administrative penalties and fines on violators is to enable sound consumer practices by increasing compliance with the UAE’s laws and regulations. He expressed his confidence that these efforts will contribute to reducing violations of consumer protection law.

Moreover, H.E. pointed out that the executive regulations of Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 regarding consumer protection, issued by Cabinet Decision No. 66 of 2023, will contribute to deterring violators through the introduction of administrative penalties and fines. The fines issued during inspections start from the issuance of a warning on removal from the commercial register and go up. A total of 46 violators were charged with fines ranging between AED 50,000 to AED 1 million.

The committee also discussed its plan to raise financial awareness among consumers through experts and global specialists. H.E. Bin Touq confirmed that the Ministry of Economy continuously runs awareness campaigns via traditional media, as well as social media, to promote a positive and healthy consumption culture. This includes encouraging consumers to choose from among the many options available in the country’s markets based on their needs and budgets and avoid overbuying, and highlighting the importance of saving invoices for future purposes.

The Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection performs several strategic tasks to develop the consumer protection system and enable sound consumer and commercial practices in the country.

This includes ensuring the enforcement of relevant legislation in the state’s markets in an optimal manner, formulating general policies related to consumer protection, examining proposals, recommendations, regulations, and reports related to consumer protection and making necessary decisions on them. It also develops recommendations related to price movements in local markets, and plans and programs to educate and raise consumer awareness on their rights and obligations.

The committee members include H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Deputy Chairman of the committee; H.E. Abdullah Sultan Al Fan Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary For Monitoring & Follow-up at the Ministry of Economy, who is also the committee’s rapporteur, and representatives from the economic development departments in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, as well as a group of consumer protection experts from the private sector.

2 years ago 0 comments

Environment Opinion

Getting to Global Climate Solidarity

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The world is barreling down a perilous path. Or, as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres put it, “We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator.” But global warming is not just another political issue: reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions is an existential imperative that must not be ignored.

The urgency of this crisis cannot be overstated. As countries confront the devastating consequences of climate change, it is crucial to act on the basis of the scientific consensus: limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels – the target set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement – requires halting new fossil-fuel investments.

But emissions are not being reduced at the speed and scale necessary to limit warming, as recent events, including the UN General Assembly and Climate Week NYC, have highlighted. Despite global leaders’ frequent pledges of solidarity in support of climate action, a business-as-usual approach prevails in many countries. The United States, for example, has greenlit the Willow oil project in Alaska, while Brazil is flirting with oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River. The allure of short-term profits evidently outweighs policymakers’ fear of irreversible planetary costs.

Ironically, many of the countries that are most vulnerable to – and least responsible for – global warming are doing more than their fair share to achieve the 1.5°C target. This year, in a historic referendum, the people of Ecuador voted to halt oil drilling in Yasuní National Park, which is part of the Amazon rainforest. In 2018, Belize became the first country to ban offshore oil exploration.

This disconnect is reflected in the Global Solidarity Report 2023, published by Global Nation with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Citizen, Glocalities, and Goals House. Analyzing the strength and resilience of the international community, the report paints a sobering picture. Most worryingly, a new scale to measure global solidarity shows that the world is in the “danger zone,” scoring 39 points (with 100 representing the highest level of shared purpose). While solidarity among the global public is more widespread than many assume, the institutional response has so far failed to match the gravity of the moment.

Consider the United Kingdom. Approximately 46% of UK respondents agreed that the country “should leave oil and gas reserves in the ground,” while only 17% disagreed. Yet the UK government recently approved the exploration of a massive new oilfield in the North Sea. Such a counterproductive decision so soon after the UK rallied world leaders behind the Glasgow Climate Pact at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) underscores the ever-growing trust deficit between governments and their own citizens, as well as among countries.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh, despite accounting for only 0.46% of current global emissions, has taken significant steps to move away from fossil fuels. The government decided to scrap plans for ten coal-fired power plants that had attracted $12 billion in foreign investment. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has emerged as a beacon of inspiration, urging her citizens to become leaders in and champions of global climate action, rather than passive victims of the crisis.

Moreover, most of the nine countries currently considered “almost sufficient” in meeting the 1.5°C target (according to the Climate Action Tracker) are in the developing world. Costa Rica, which produces most of its electricity from renewable sources, falls into this category. Innovative policies and financing models have enabled the government to protect the country’s forests and biodiversity.

Similarly, The Gambia has defied the odds in reaching “almost sufficient” status. For a short period in 2021, it was the only country compliant with the Paris climate agreement. Despite facing droughts and food insecurity in recent years, the Gambian government has set out an ambitious strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, by creating climate-resilient food systems, preserving biodiversity, investing in human capital, shifting to a low-emissions economy, and managing its coastal zones.

Sticking to the targets set out in the Paris climate agreement is not a far-fetched dream; as the example of Bangladesh and other developing countries shows, it demands leadership and moral investment. Notably, almost two-thirds of respondents surveyed in the Global Solidarity Report concur that international bodies should have the authority to enforce agreements related to certain pressing challenges, including environmental pollution.

The trust gap is the decisive obstacle to global solidarity. When pledges are repeatedly not honored, suspicion grows, undermining the effectiveness of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. There is no solidarity without trust, and no multilateralism without solidarity.

Climate change is an emergency that requires an aggressive response. The international community must act quickly to keep fossil fuels in the ground, incentivize net-zero emissions, foster innovation, and achieve a just transition. But doing so requires embracing our collective moral responsibility, rather than allowing the temptation of political and financial gain to lead us into the abyss. With our planet’s fate hanging in the balance, there is only one right choice.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi member of Parliament, is Special Envoy to the Prime Minister for Climate Change. Hassan Damluji, a Co-Founder of Global Nation, is a senior adviser to the World Health Organization and a visiting senior fellow at the London School of Economics.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2023.

www.project-syndicate.org

2 years ago 0 comments

Mubadala Health Dubai Partners with Dubai Fitness Challenge

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Mubadala Health Dubai, a M42 company, has announced that it has partnered with Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) as Association Partner to encourage communities within Dubai to invest in their health through routine physical activity.

Mubadala Health Dubai and its team of leading Sports Medicine and Orthopedic experts have curated a series of exciting activations at the three-floor Mubadala Health Dubai Gym, located at DFC’s renowned DP World Kite Beach Fitness Village and powered by Technogym, to help kick-start healthier habits.

Launched in 2017, DFC was created by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, to catalyse people into prioritising their health by undertaking 30 minutes of exercise daily for 30 days.

For an entire month, DFC transforms Dubai into a city-wide gym featuring a 30-day calendar of free and inclusive villages, events, and activities to support people in their 30X30 goals, delivered in conjunction with organisations across the UAE.

Aligned with DFC’s goal to support individuals for a fitter and healthier future, Mubadala Health Dubai uses M42’s wider network of technology-enabled services that present patients with innovative solutions for their medical needs.

Mubadala Health Dubai said it aims to help patients lead an active lifestyle in a “safe and effective manner,” and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including orthopaedics, sports medicine, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, nutrition, weight management, family medicine and more.

Dr. Hasan Elias Baydoun, Associate Medical Director for Surgical Services, and Head of Orthopedics at Mubadala Health Dubai, said: “As Mubadala Health Dubai, we are highly motivated to partake in Dubai Fitness Challenge. While we have always encouraged our community to remain active and vigilant about their health, DFC provides us the opportunity to amplify these messages and encourages individuals to take charge of their fitness. At our facility, we support patients at a wide range of fitness and athletic levels – ranging from those training for Olympic-level events to those leading largely sedentary lifestyles – and provide adequate services that address their needs.

“Through this collaboration, we hope to drive home the importance of leading an active lifestyle as a countermeasure to prevalent lifestyle diseases. We are keen to be on-ground, engaging with the wider community and supporting them with the knowledge needed to optimize performance and physical health,” continued Dr. Baydoun.

Mubadala Health Dubai said it is also focused on tackling lifestyle-related choices that can lead to future health challenges, and noted it has leveraged robotics and the latest medical technologies to complete a series of successful breakthrough surgeries.

Mubadala Health Dubai said that as an invested community partner, it continues to remain committed to serving communities in Jumeirah and beyond.

The clinic and day surgery centre currently counts partnerships with various community groups and is focused on education and literacy around common health conditions, specifically sports-related conditions that might otherwise be neglected.

2 years ago 0 comments

Governance Opinion

Leveraging digital for ESG leadership

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) measures have become undeniably mainstream when assessing business performance.

Companies are facing unprecedented stakeholder interest with 90% of world’s GDP now covered by net zero commitments; a tsunami of ESG-related regulation and soaring global energy prices.

ESG should be built into a digital strategy when digital transformation is already having a significant impact on ESG in two important areas – data and disclosure, and resource efficiency.

Unprecedented demand for ESG disclosure

In recent years, ESG has shot up the agenda. A key driver is increasing awareness of the link to financial materiality. The release of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) guidelines in 2017 by the Financial Stability Board sent a clear signal to the market: climate risk is investment risk. During the pandemic, ESG-focused funds and companies outperformed peers (S&P), with factors such as better supplier management and employee engagement paying off.

The largest reallocation of capital in history is needed to meet net zero, with an annual increase of $3.5 trillion towards low-emission assets. (McKinsey). At the current growth rate, ESG-mandated assets will represent half of all assets under management by 2024 (Deloitte).

The rapid growth of ESG investing and sustainability claims from companies has spawned a wave of ESG regulation, as legislators look to set common standards and reduce greenwashing.

From burden to opportunity

The good news is that ESG data is already starting to leverage digitalisation. By nature, ESG sits across the entire business, and needs to bring together disparate data managed by different functions. Once organisations understand what data they need and where this sits, they can:

· Connect and automate data collation and analysis, from existing sources like human capital management (HCM), centralising disparate datasets

· Map against common ESG standards, frameworks, and regulations

· Manage and analyse datasets to drive strategic decision-making

One example of how this data can be used to drive a business’ ESG strategy is carbon footprint measurement. IFS hears from customers that emissions reporting is a top ESG priority. That’s why our first step towards helping customers with ESG disclosures is through emissions calculation.

To do this, we are developing the IFS Cloud Emissions Tracker. It initially allows for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions calculations of a company’s carbon footprint, to help customers manage their climate impact. The primary differentiator is that the IFS Cloud Emissions Tracker focuses on customer data already in IFS Cloud, making the data collection process simpler.

Lifecycle approach: efficient, effective use of resources is a ‘win win’

Another intersection of ESG and technology is around efficient use of resources. The world’s energy needs are set to double by 2050. Carbon pricing is surging, with carbon trading seen as a one-way bet. Investors have begun trading in water futures, where demand already outstrips supply.

Digital capabilities are crucial to this. Take Volvo Group Operations & Solutions, whose remanufacturing process, enabled by IFS, focuses on a circular economy through servicing, maintaining and repairing to increase the utilisation rate of all materials. Servitisation offers the potential to decouple growth from resource use.

Rolls-Royce, IFS Change for Good winner from 2021, is a leader in servitisation. In the 1990s, it made the revolutionary move from a manufacturer of equipment to a provider of long-term services, through a dollar-per-flying hour model. IFS plays a vital role in realising Rolls-Royce’s ‘Intelligent Engine’ vision, enabling the ‘blue data thread’ of data connectivity between airlines and Rolls-Royce. This allows the business to improve the time between engine overhauls by 45% and avoid the carbon associated with this process, having both a bottom line and ESG impact.

ESG leaders embrace digital to drive positive change

Technology is already transforming the sustainability landscape, especially for data, disclosure and resource management. Companies can leverage this by considering ESG as part of their digital transformation strategy. Effective use of technology is the only way to keep up with the pace of change, especially for data management and disclosures, where simplification and automation will be key.

By Sophie Graham, Global Sustainability (ESG) Director, IFS

2 years ago 0 comments

UAE – France Rail & Mobility Days concludes

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The inaugural UAE – France Rail & Mobility Days, a three-day event hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has concluded, having run from October 24th to 26th.

The platform brought together a diverse array of public and private entities, UAE and French industry leaders, and mobility experts who explored a myriad of initiatives, the latest trends in mobility, and ongoing projects reshaping how people move.

The agenda was divided into three days, with day one hosting entities such as the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Bureau Veritas, Al Naboodah Transport and Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC).

Day two featured the Roads and Transport Authority and major industry players, including Al Masaood, Beeah, Al Futtaim, and many others, providing a dynamic platform for the exploration of innovative mobility solutions.

Key organisations, including Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi Transport, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and Abu Dhabi Ports, shared their visions for the future of transportation.

A delegation of 16 esteemed French companies introduced various advanced solutions to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and innovation in the mobility experiences of the country’s residents and visitors.

These solutions ranged from high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signaling, digital mobility, passenger information systems, seating, and innovative training simulators.

Throughout the three-day event, participants engaged in plenary sessions, and networking opportunities and established business-to-business connections with over 30 industry experts from France and the UAE, resulting in more than 100 scheduled business meetings.

The central focus of the event revolved around solutions and services for public transport, including trains, metro systems, trams, and buses, along with pioneering technologies such as nexgen battery solutions and ropeway transportation systems, as well as e-mobility solutions.

2 years ago 0 comments

Innovation & Education Latest News

ENOC Group hosts technology-focused knowledge-sharing event

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

In conjunction with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, ENOC Group hosted a knowledge-sharing event with key technology players with the aim of unlocking the full potential of innovation in the industry.

The event, witnessed the participation of technology giants such as HP, Lenovo, Huawei, Nutanix, Dell, Microsoft, e& and Du, who showcased their latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, Sustainable Tech in addition to surveillance technologies, cutting-edge smartphones, and laptops.

ENOC Group also welcomed students and faculty from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) who displayed their innovative projects in sustainability and technology.

Digital specialists from Ernst & Young (EY) and Moro Hub highlighted their latest services and initiatives.

During the event, attendees were also provided with the opportunity to experience the latest technology solutions in addition to vouchers and special promotions on technology devices.

Specialists from the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) also provided an extensive session covering various cyber security awareness exercises as part of the event.

The session emphasised the significance of changing end-user behaviour and integrating them into the cyber defence strategy.

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC Group, said: “Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are pleased to connect with leading technology providers to offer them a platform of knowledge and resources. ENOC Group is committed to fostering expertise exchange and implementing cutting-edge technological solutions to improve experiences and support the UAE’s Digital Government Strategy 2025.”

2 years ago 0 comments

Abu Dhabi Chamber signs MoU with Department of Government Enablement

by Madaline Dunn 2 years ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE).

The MoU establishes a framework for bilateral cooperation between the two parties to support all programs, initiatives, and projects aimed at fostering and advancing Emirati talent within the private sector.

The MoU outlines a shared commitment to support various programs and projects that train and recruit Emirati nationals in the private sector.

It encompasses organising meetings and awareness workshops and publishing educational newsletters with the aim of increasing the integration of UAE talent in the private sector.

In addition, it fosters a nurturing environment to enhance capabilities and increase knowledge that can benefit the Abu Dhabi job market.

As a part of this MoU, the Abu Dhabi Chamber and DGE will also establish joint working groups to address business community challenges and work towards improving the recruitment process through the Mawaheb Talent Hub.

Moreover, the Abu Dhabi Chamber will conduct a series of joint workshops to acquaint private sector employees with the services, policies, and initiatives of the DGE.

The Chamber also shared that it will encourage its members to participate in these Emiratisation initiatives and launch programmes geared towards developing and training national staff, aligning them with the demands of the private sector.

His Excellency Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, said: “The Chamber is dedicated to nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit among the younger generation and future entrepreneurs. We continuously motivate them to be part of the business community and foster creativity, excellence, leadership, and innovation in the job market. We also support them in addressing challenges and solidifying their pivotal role in driving sustainable economic development.”

Al Qubaisi added: “The MoU reflects our commitment to cooperating with various parties to create job opportunities for Emirati nationals in the private sector and enhance their awareness of the importance of being part of the sector. It also demonstrates our commitment to encouraging companies to achieve Emiratisation goals to drive the growth of the business community in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

Her Excellency Amal Al Jaberi, DGE representative on Human Resources and Talent Affairs, remarked: “The strategic significance of this partnership is immense, as it supports human capital development and empowers future Emirati generations to achieve their career aspirations.”

She added: “This collaboration aligns with Mawaheb’s primary mission to prepare UAE nationals for the requirements and needs of the job market through specialised workshops and knowledge enrichment programs. It also aligns with the Department of Government Enablement’s commitment to elevating UAE nationals’ capabilities and enabling their success in advancing our Emirate’s growth.”

Under the terms of the MoU, DGE will facilitate the placement of appropriate candidates through its Mawaheb Hub, offer training to job seekers and organise open employment days. Additionally, it provides resources for the Chamber’s members to use the unified recruitment platform and share reports on companies’ performance, results, and cooperation levels.

2 years ago 0 comments

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