December 2023

Millennium Hotels & Resorts (MHR) MEA has announced it has secured the Great Place to Work® Certification™.

The Great Place to Work® Certification™ is a confidential and independent certification, and the only distinction based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience and specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace.

The two-step certification process includes surveying employees and completing a short questionnaire about the workforce.

According to Millennium Hotels and Resorts, its focus has revolved around crucial areas to drive its brand forward and ensure “continuous success,” broadly identified as Sustainability, Technology and People.

The group said that it believes engaged colleagues are “vital” for delivering the brand’s vision and fostering brand loyalty and advocacy, and referenced the launch of the “People Make Millennium” program, which places colleagues at its heart.

This multi-tiered program, led at a regional level and implemented across the entire hotel portfolio, emphasises training, reward and recognition, and wellbeing.

Another initiative it highlighted is the Millennium Academy in Saudi Arabia, which it said showcases its commitment to investing in its colleagues and local communities.

Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim, CEO at Tetra Hospitality Investment and Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA, commented: “We are proud to receive the Great Place to Work® Certification™. Millennium Hotel & Resorts’ vision and ambition lie in the workforce’s hard work, dedication, and commitment. As the organisation, it has been our utmost priority to keep the culture positive, inclusive, and dynamic. We will continue to invest in our employees through learning and development programs and relevant and timely training and provide a safe and nurturing work environment.”

UAE logistics and courier service company Zajel has shared that it is looking into different methods to bolster decarbonisation and sustainability efforts.

It has shared that part of its methods will be raising awareness among employees on simple ways to reduce carbon footprints. This will be facilitated in part through educational workshops.

“There are small changes everyone can do that would make a difference. Even if the steps are small, eventually we will all reach the goal of reducing our carbon footprint, which will benefit the bigger goal of net zero 2050,” said Nabeel Al Kharabsheh, Zajels General Manager.

Zajel also noted its move toward environmentally friendly practices and the utilisation of recyclable materials for all operations, sharing that it is also ISO14001 – 2015 Environmental Management System Certified.

According to the company, it is prioritising partnerships with companies committed to environmental preservation. Zajel also shared it is actively collaborating with vendors who possess environmental certifications or utilise recycled materials, aligning with the company’s CSR vision and working towards ensuring that all vendors are certified or use recyclable materials.

At COP28, participants in the Department-organised forum “Green Government Buildings and Courts in Light of UAE Legislation and International Experiences” discussed the legal framework for green buildings and courts in the UAE, policies for rehabilitating older buildings to keep up with the challenges of climate change, and sustainable practices in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s buildings.

The forum, chaired by Counselor Abdullah Faris Al Nuaimi, President of the Abu Dhabi Labour Court, covered a number of topics, including the main strategies for strengthening laws pertaining to green building, the role of governments in maintaining infrastructure, encouraging environmentally friendly practices, and lowering carbon emissions to create a more sustainable future, as well as the experiences and models of green courts and their significance in bolstering environmental protection initiatives.

It focused on sustainable practices in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s buildings, clarifying that the department has participated in several initiatives to improve sustainability. 

These initiatives, it noted, include installing solar panels in parking lots and buildings, taking part in efforts to reduce the use of paper products and plastic packaging, holding awareness workshops, and implementing various energy-saving initiatives that have helped the department achieve an improvement in the green footprint of its buildings.

The forum covered international comparative experiences, UAE legislation pertaining to green buildings, and the most important requirements and conditions for green buildings. 

Additionally, it discussed the causes of environmental pollution in all spheres of society, with a particular focus on buildings and infrastructure. 

It also discussed the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s experience with the “Sustainability” program, which aims to reduce waste, water, and energy consumption.

Finally, it discussed the value of environmental taxes and incentives in promoting sustainable development.

Nakheel has announced that eight Nakheel beaches have received Blue Flag status at its Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Islands locations.

The real estate developer shared that the Blue Flag display on a beach means that it is clean, meets safety and accessibility requirements, is managed sustainably and has “excellent water quality.” 

The Blue Flag is a leading international eco-certification programme owned and operated by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE), a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Denmark. 

The Blue Flag is a voluntary programme available for beach and marinas, both private and public.

It focuses on connecting the public with their surroundings and encouraging them to learn more about their environment. It also monitors environmental conditions to reduce the impact of human activity at the beaches, at the marinas and by boating operators with a collective aim to promote the sustainable development of tourism. 

To qualify for the award, stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria must be met and maintained. 

After receiving the award, the owners/operators accept full responsibility to ensure continued compliance with all the criteria.

As of 2023, there are more than 50 blue flag beaches and marinas in 51 countries worldwide.

Accenture has announced it is the strategic partner for e &’s responsible sourcing initiative.

Accenture will play a crucial role in advancing e &’s responsible sourcing strategy by developing a three-year roadmap and a robust supplier engagement framework designed to embed sustainability principles across e &’s entire supply chain. 

Accenture will also work with e& to define the value proposition for investing in responsible sourcing and shape e &’s future technology architecture with sustainability embedded at the core.

The initiative’s objectives include upskilling talent to meet evolving industry demands on sustainability, stimulating innovation, strengthening supplier collaboration with a focus on growth, advocating circular economy principles, amplifying sustainable value creation that supports local economies and demonstrating dedication to preserving natural and biological diversity.

Saeed Al Zarooni, Group Chief Procurement Officer at e&, commented: “This collaboration with Accenture represents a significant milestone in our dedication to responsible sourcing and sustainability. This strategic relationship will play a crucial role in reshaping our procurement function and driving positive change throughout our supply chain.”

“By fostering innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we intend to set new industry standards and inspire others to join us on this transformational journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for the telecom and technology industries in the Middle East,” added Al Zarooni.

Angelo Lorusso, Managing Director and Accenture’s Client Account Lead for e&, said: “Accenture is committed to embedding sustainability into everything we do and everyone we work with, and responsible procurement is an essential element in every company’s sustainability approach. The long-term value that e& aims for across its stakeholders will serve as a model to others seeking to generate value and impact. The digital foundation we will create together will streamline processes, improve business decisions and embed sustainability across e &’s value chain and all emission boundaries.”