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EnergyLatest News

Drydocks World Secures Ostwind 4 Project to Support Renewable Energy Efforts in Germany

by rachel
written by rachel

In a bid to enhance renewable energy efforts in Germany, Drydocks World, in partnership with GE Vernova, has secured a landmark project to build and install Ostwind 4, a 2 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind grid connection that will power nearly two million households.

Awarded by 50Hertz, the Transmission System Operator for eastern Germany, including Berlin and Hamburg, the project is a major step in the country’ commitment to renewable energy. 

Ostwind 4 will connect Baltic Sea wind farms to the national grid using cutting-edge High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology. This will mark Germany’s first deployment of a 525 kilovolts HVDC transmission system in Baltic, setting new standards for efficiency in transporting energy over long distances.

Located 30 kilometers northeast of Rügen Island, the project includes the construction of offshore and onshore converter stations and a 110-kilometer DC cable system linking land and sea. 

Drydocks World, part of the DP World Group, will manage the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of the of the wind energy converter stations’ topsides and jacket structures.  The topside, fabricated at Drydocks World’s Dubai facility, will integrate advanced equipment designed and manufactured in Europe. Once completed, the platform will be transported and installed in German waters. 

GE Vernova will supply the HVDC technology, including Voltage-Sourced Converters (VSC), transformers, SF6-free Gas Insulated Switchgear, civil works for the onshore converter station, and Grid Automation equipment. 

“Drydocks World’s pivotal role in the Ostwind 4 Project underscores its technical excellence and commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure”, said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, DP World. “This award reflects DP World’s broader mission to drive clean energy transitions and economic growth. As the global energy landscape evolves, we remain dedicated to leveraging our expertise and innovative capabilities to support initiatives that drive clean energy transitions and economic development.” 

The innovative design of the offshore converter station includes a U-shaped jacket substructure supporting offshore wind energy production for decades. Drydocks World’s involvement in the Ostwind 4 project underscores its reputation for executing complex offshore infrastructure projects while reinforcing its commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions.  

“The awarding of the contract to GE Vernova and Drydocks World marks the beginning of a new chapter in the use of wind energy in the Baltic Sea”, said Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz Transmission. “50Hertz is the first transmission system operator to deploy 2 GW / 525 kV technology in this sea area. This is pioneering work. We want to ensure that the entirety of the technically and economically viable offshore wind energy potential in the Baltic Sea is exploited, primarily with the help of direct current technology.”

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GovernanceLatest News

Supreme Legislation Committee Raises Awareness of ‘The Applicable Law for Electronic Arbitration’

by rachel
written by rachel

The General Secretariat of the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai (SLC) held an informative talk titled ‘The Applicable Law for Electronic Arbitration’. Delivered by Dr. Faisal Hassan Al-Omari, a Legal Advisor at the SLC, the talk was attended by representatives across various local government entities and offered valuable insights into the legal frameworks governing electronic arbitration.

The talk touched on key aspects concerning electronic arbitration, including the legal rules governing its procedures, the scope of its regulatory framework, and the criteria for determining applicable laws for electronic arbitration between disputing parties. It also highlighted the legal framework applicable to the subject matter of disputes, particularly in light of the rapid growth of eCommerce and the increasing necessity for modern electronic platforms to effectively resolve emerging disputes. 

“This informative talk underscores our commitment to enhancing legal awareness and equipping legal professionals from government entities to navigate current and emerging challenges in electronic arbitration”, said H.E. Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, SLC Secretary-General. “This talk is aimed at deepening the understanding of legal officers, legal practitioners, and other interested parties of electronic arbitration in today’s evolving business landscape.”

“Through this talk, we aimed to provide comprehensive insights into the legal implications and consequences of electronic arbitration. We also sought to explore the application of local and international legislation in a digital context, thereby highlighting the importance of a robust legal framework that safeguards the rights of all stakeholders amid the growing reliance on modern technology.” 

The talk addressed key points, including an overview of arbitration and electronic arbitration, highlighting its value as a swift and flexible solution for dispute resolution in the digital era. It also shed light on the legal complexities surrounding the determination of the applicable law for electronic arbitration across divergent international legal systems. 

“This talk reflects the SLC General Secretariat’s commitment to fostering legislative awareness among government employees and developing a regulatory framework that is adaptable to the demands of the digital age and ready for future challenges”, said Dr. Faisal Hassan Al-Omari. “By holding informative events, we aim to keep employees informed about the latest legislative updates while encouraging collaboration in exploring ways to develop legislation that keeps pace with the rapid advances in technology.” 

The talk addressed key points, including an overview of arbitration and electronic arbitration, highlighting its value as a swift and flexible solution for dispute resolution in the digital era. It also shed light on the legal complexities surrounding the determination of the applicable law for electronic arbitration across divergent international legal systems. 

Additionally, the talk covered the distinctions between electronic arbitration and other traditional dispute-resolution methods. Key advantages discussed included the ability to transcend physical boundaries, reduce costs, streamline procedures, avoid jurisdictional conflicts (conflict of laws), ensure confidentiality, leverage specialised expertise, enhance convenience, promote flexibility, and uphold justice. 

The talk featured a comparative analysis of traditional and electronic arbitration, explored the types of disputes eligible for electronic arbitration, and discussed the roles of arbitrators, disputing parties, and arbitration panels in determining the applicable laws governing arbitration procedures and subject matter of disputes. The talk further delved into the integration of artificial intelligence into electronic arbitration. 

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EnvironmentFood & WaterLatest News

ENGIE Announces Launch of Foresea to Transform Seawater Data Intelligence

by rachel
written by rachel

In a bid to enhance water management insights, with a focus on advancements in the desalination sector, ENGIE has announced the development of, and investment into Foresea, a new seawater intelligence startup in the GCC.

This initiative is part of ENGIE’s ongoing commitment to investing in startups across the MENA region, with a focus on technologies that enhance desalination and other operational processes. ENGIE’s aim is to reduce environmental impact while improving planning and efficiency in costal industry operations.

Foresea is developing an advanced seawater intelligence to monitor and predict seawater quality over time. Through pilots at desalination plants, ForeSea’s innovative solutions improve plant efficiency, maintenance, and operations by offering superior sea data predictions. The company claims that this investment aligns with ENGIE’s mission to support sustainable, efficient solutions through its Desalination Centre of Excellence, bringing transformative technology to market for clients and partners. 

“Desalination is key in addressing water needs in the Gulf, and at ENGIE, we are equally aware of our responsibility to safeguard the environment,” said Latifa Lahsine, Head of ENGIE’s Desalination Center of Excellence.  “We believe investing in emerging technologies, like the solutions developed by ForeSea and incorporating these intelligent solutions into our operations. It is not just a step, but a leap towards achieving global sustainability goals.”  

With over three decades of service in the Middle East, ENGIE has a considerable history of addressing water scarcity across the GCC. The company operates 19 state-of-the-art desalination plants across the region, producing 7.4 million cubic meters of water daily. 

“Our technology offers an unprecedented level of foresight, enabling offtakers and developers to navigate the challenges of seawater quality fluctuations and the impacts of climate change”, said Ahmed El Hosseny, venture builder of ForeSea.

“With desalination IWPs designed to operate for 25 years, our platform de-risks operations in the long term by forecasting variations and helping developers proactively mitigate potential risks. By leveraging machine learning models, we empower operators to anticipate and address operational challenges before they arise.”

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EnvironmentOpinion

Beyond Desert Sands: Combatting Land Degradation in the GCC

by rachel
written by rachel

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries have much arid desert, but they are also home to mountain forests, rangelands, wetlands, and mangrove forests. Yet these habitats, which play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and traditional culture in the region, are at risk. Degraded land increased from 0.7% in 2015 to 9.5% in 2019, according to UN reports, but some experts estimate the actual percentage may be much higher.

What can be done to counter such land degradation, and accelerate efforts, was the focus of the UN’s COP-16 Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Riyadh from December 2-13, 2024. While less prominent than carbon emissions, land challenges are no less important; land provides sustenance, supports biodiversity, and plays an essential role in climate-change adaptation and mitigation.

Degradation is mainly the result of man-made causes including deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, overgrazing, and urbanization, compounded by climate change. Globally, more than 100 million hectares of land were lost to degradation each year from 2015-2019, according to the UNCCD – the equivalent of losing total land roughly twice the size of Saudi Arabia.

In the GCC, tackling land degradation will help reduce occurrences of dust storms, enhance air quality, and advance countries’ environmental agendas. Culturally, lands are needed for continued grazing and linkages to nomadic life. We believe GCC countries should focus on three priorities as they look to slow or reverse land degradation.

First, addressing the primary contributor to land loss – overgrazing – should be prioritized. While degradation has many causes, overgrazing accounts for about 90% or more of land degradation in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. In fact, the land today supports livestock and free-roaming camels far beyond its current capacity. A rapid shift to sustainable grazing models that restore land and increase its carrying capacity is needed. That, in turn, should be articulated in an integrated land-use plan, which includes economic and social factors as well as ecological.

Second, a more holistic ecosystem rehabilitation approach should be adopted, in addition to reforestation, which has been successful in the regeneration of several areas in the GCC. Building on these efforts through restorations that adapt interventions to the intrinsic characteristics of the land can yield healthy habitats that support the livelihood of a variety of wildlife species.

Third, combining assisted and natural land restoration is important from both an ecological and economic perspective. Globally, afforestation is at least four times more costly than passive regeneration.In the GCC region, the cost difference is even higher, given the typical need to irrigate newly planted saplings for a period of 2-3 years, coupled with the scarcity and cost of water. Adopting a habitat rehabilitation approach will be especially important for the successful delivery of large-scale programs in the region, such as the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives.

Combatting land degradation will require coordinated efforts to increase awareness of the problem, greater collaboration with local communities and others, and broader use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Awareness of the importance of land in the GCC and the challenges it faces is a starting point. Land champions are needed, similar to those for climate and biodiversity. The UNCCD COP meeting in Riyadh in December surely helped raise the profile of the issue.

Collaboration is another critical element. This includes collaboration with local communities, particularly rural ones, as they are at the forefront of challenges and solutions for land stewardship. Private sector engagement is also needed and should be supported by the creation of bankable business models.

Technology also has a role to play in accelerating efforts to address land degradation by overcoming shortcomings in assessing the extent of degradation in the region, including using AI-powered tools and improved satellite remote sensing technology. Effective low-cost and low water-consuming techniques for land restoration are also needed.

In conclusion, addressing land degradation in the GCC requires a proactive and holistic approach. By focusing on mitigating key pressures, implementing active and passive restoration methods, and fostering collaboration, GCC countries can reclaim their land resources. Sustainable land management will not only improve land and water security but also contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and long-term socioeconomic stability.

By Samer Al Chikhani, Partner, Ousama El Ghazzi, Principal and Ramzi Hjeily, Senior Manager, at Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network

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Latest NewsLiving

GMG Announces 2024 Achievements and Sustainability Milestones

by rachel
written by rachel

In a bid to promote corporate sustainable practices, GMG, a global wellbeing and retail conglomerate, announced its key business achievements for 2024, highlighted by the expansion of its 12-year partnership with VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and accessories.

Building on GMG’s current operations of 90 VF mono-brand stores in MENA and Southeast Asia, the enhanced partnership will add more than 300 new stores across these regions over the next five years, alongside developing E-commerce operations for selected VF brands. 

This strategic expansion aligns with significant market opportunities, as the global retail sector is projected to grow from $28.3 billion in 2023 to $37.7 billion by 2027. The MENA region continues to attract retail investment due to its growing population, robust spending power, and affinity for international brands, while Southeast Asia’s retail industry enters a new growth phase driven by rising disposable incomes, developing infrastructure, favourable business conditions, and increasing tourism. 

“In 2024, we focused on strategic expansion and sustainable operations”, said Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG. “Our new partnerships and product launches have strengthened our market position, while our sustainability initiatives demonstrate our commitment to responsible business practices.” 

GMG and Nike, partners since 1982, continue to evolve their collaboration to meet the demands of today’s digital shoppers. Responding to the surge in online shopping, GMG launched Nike.ae and Nike.sa, alongside the brand’s first mobile app in the region, prioritising customer convenience. Earlier this year, GMG further expanded Nike’s online presence by launching e-commerce platforms in Kuwait and Qatar, bringing the brand’s premium experience to even more customers in the region.

Across the Middle East and Africa region, GMG continued to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia through its partnership with JD Sports, marking its first store opening at Riyadh Park Mall. Meanwhile, the company’s Egyptian operations continue to flourish, with 26 stores across its retail portfolio and plans to reach 100 stores by 2026, supported by strategic partnerships with key local players. 

GMG’s Everyday Goods division achieved significant milestones in 2024, launching innovative products at both GULFOOD and SIAL Paris, where it made its European debut. The company introduced Shnax, a healthy snacking alternative made from 100 per cent chicken, which earned an “Innovative Product” award nomination at SIAL. Additionally, GMG demonstrated its product innovation at these global events with an expanded portfolio of new brands, La Invitada and AL SERR, while showcasing established brands Farm Fresh, Sapora, RUH, and Klassic to international markets. 

GMG capped a highly growth-focused year with the launch of GMG Home, adding a new dimension to the company’s retail portfolio. This division unifies Suncoast’s premium outdoor furniture with Monoprix Maison’s curated indoor collections, offering practical luxury for both outdoor and indoor living spaces. 

GMG’s Health and Beauty division underwent a significant transformation this year with the rebranding of its Supercare pharmacy. Moving beyond the traditional pharmacy model, Supercare was repositioned as an “Ultimate Wellness Destination,” offering an expanded range of products and services focused on holistic well-being.  

Advancing Sustainability and Community Impact 

GMG launched its comprehensive CSR platform ‘GMG Cares‘ in 2024, built around three key pillars: Planet, Community, and People. The platform’s immediate impact was demonstrated through community initiatives providing over AED 70,000 worth of food staples to families in need and distributing 2,320 meals during Ramadan across the UAE, KSA, and Malaysia. 

Additionally, this year, GMG reached a significant sustainability milestone with the publication of its inaugural Sustainability Report. The report highlights impressive progress, including a transition to 89 per cent green energy usage in its logistics operations between 2022 and 2023. This shift resulted in a substantial reduction of the company’s carbon footprint, avoiding over 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions. 

Other ongoing environmental initiatives yielded significant results, including eliminating nearly 295,000 plastic bottles through a water station at Al Qudra cycle track as part of Dubai Can. Company-wide sustainability measures included replacing 35,000 square meters of plastic tape with paper alternatives and saving over 415,000 plastic bottles through water filter installations in the office. 

In workplace empowerment, GMG introduced its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) committee, and launched the “EmpowHer” programme to advance women’s career opportunities. The company also established the GMG Sports Club and partnered with Al Noor Special Needs Centre to support employment opportunities for people of determination. 

Advancing Digital Innovation and Customer Experience 

Some of 2024’s impressive results include the Nike membership program, which generated 75 per cent of revenue through member sales in its first month. The company’s logistics infrastructure saw significant optimisation through AI implementation at its 23,070-square-meter mega-warehouse in Riyadh, enabling delivery times of 12-24 hours to major cities while reducing fleet size by 7 per cent. 

“As we close 2024, our achievements across expansion, sustainability, and digital advancements demonstrate GMG’s evolution as a global retail leader”, said Mohammad A. Baker. “By combining strategic market growth with technological advancement and sustainable practices, we’ve created a foundation that positions us strongly for our next phase of growth. Our focus remains on delivering exceptional experiences to our customers while contributing positively to our communities and the planet.”

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EnvironmentLatest News

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Announces Discovery of Five New Species

by rachel
written by rachel

In a significant move to promote and advance research on biodiversity, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve announced it has identified five species new to global science; the Hejaz black-collared snake (Rhynchocalamus hejazicus), a gecko (Hemidactylus sp) marked by brown stripes and white nodules, and three plants – a globe thistle, a mignonette, and a hogbean.

The Reserve recorded three new species new to Saudi Arabia and extended the known global range of 34 more. These outcomes, the result of four years of field work by Saudi and international experts, increase the total number of species documented in the Reserve to 791. The Reserve only covers 1 per cent of the Kingdom’s terrestrial area, but it is home to more than half of Saudi Arabia’s terrestrial species, highlighting its importance as a refuse for biodiversity in a changing climate.

“At a moment in time when the IUCN has warned that 28 per cent of species globally are now at risk of extinction these discoveries are significant”, said Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Reserve. “They reaffirm the importance of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve as a bioclimatic refuge, particularly as climate change is increasingly impacting the customary habitats of many of these species.”

“Testament to this is the Reserve’s iconic Wadi Al-Disah, with its 200+ species, a key site on the UNESCO World Heritage Bioclimatic Refugia of Western Arabia tentative list. None of this would have been possible without the strong collaboration of natural scientists from the Kingdom and 14 other countries with the Reserve over the last 4 years to conduct multi-season field surveys.”

Among the five species new to science are two reptiles and three plants, each with unique ecological and cultural significance. The gecko (Hemidactylus sp.), currently undergoing DNA analysis, features striking brown horizontal stripes from neck to tail and white nodules along its back. This gecko preys on small invertebrates like mosquitoes, playing an essential role in pest control within desert ecosystems.

The Hejaz black-collared snake (Rhynchocalamus hejazicus) is a small, non-venomous species that is bright red with a distinctive black collar. 

The three new plants to science are; the globe thistle (Echinops sp. aff. glaberrimus) from the Asteraceae family. It produces vibrant blooms that support pollinators and promote ecosystem health. Historically, it has been used medicinally to treat infections and inflammations. The mignonette, (Reseda sp. aff. muricata), known for its herbal properties, is often used in teas and perfumery. In contrast, the hogbean (Hyoscyamus sp.) from the Nightshade family has a more complex history, having been used both as a poison and in early anesthesiology and palliative care.

Since 2021, the Reserve has partnered with organisations like KAUST to conduct seasonal ecological surveys that record the diversity of species and highlight seasonal variations across taxonomical groups. To date, the surveys have identified 791 terrestrial species, including 461 plant species, of which three are new to science, one is new to Saudi Arabia, and 11 represent global range extensions. The surveys also recorded 240 bird species, including seven global range extensions, 18 bat species, 31 rodent and large mammal species, one amphibian, one freshwater fish, and 39 reptile species.

“The Reserve’s vast size and ecological diversity presented challenges in establishing a baseline”, said Josh Smithson, the Reserve’s lead Senior Advisor Wildlife Ecologist. “To address this, we adopted a phased approach, starting with higher-value ecological areas and progressively expanding study sites. Eco-monitoring programmes now augment this baseline work, allowing us to better understand ecological functionality and diversity while informing Reserve management plans.”

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has published four peer-reviewed academic papers on its biodiversity to date, with four more awaiting publication. The Reserve is committed to sharing its findings with the local and global scientific and conservation community.

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EnvironmentOpinionSocial

Responsible Mining Can Advance Global Environmental Goals

by rachel
written by rachel

Fueled by the clean-energy transition and surging gold prices, demand for critical minerals and metals is rising at an unprecedented pace. This trend has supercharged mining activities, posing a serious threat to biodiversity and vulnerable populations, especially indigenous communities. To mitigate the impact and stave off the worst, coordinated global action is more urgent than ever. 

To be sure, minerals and metals mining are vital for the energy transition and global economic growth. However, they also jeopardise the ecosystems that sustain life, leading to habitat destruction and fragmentation, deforestation, water and soil pollution, wildlife poisoning, food insecurity, and watershed loss. Indigenous and local communities often bear the brunt of this crisis, which threatens their livelihoods and their right to a clean and healthy environment. 

At the same time, recent studies project that demand for critical minerals, largely driven by the accelerating pace of the green transition, will double by 2030 and quadruple by 2040. Meanwhile, falling interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, portfolio diversification, and speculative investments are expected to push gold prices even higher.

Against this backdrop, Colombia has recently called for a binding international agreement to ensure traceability, transparency, and accountability across the entire minerals value chain – from mining to recycling – by next year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil. 

Unveiled during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Colombia, this proposal follows the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

It aims to bolster due diligence, promote corporate accountability, and establish a global market for essential clean-energy inputs. At its core is a commitment to promote the responsible extraction of minerals and metals without abandoning environmental and biodiversity goals. To that end, Colombia’s proposal was accompanied by a joint voluntary declaration on responsible mining practices that outlined a series of concrete steps, including the formation of an ad hoc intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder working group. 

It should not come as a surprise that Colombia, one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, is spearheading efforts to promote responsible mining practices. Illegal gold and mineral mining in the Colombian Amazon and along the Pacific coast – often controlled by armed criminal groups – has contaminated water sources with mercury and endangered local and indigenous communities. Rare-earth exploration in the Amazon-Orinoco region has further exacerbated these environmental and social shocks, with the industry’s most vulnerable workers forced to endure precarious conditions verging on slavery. 

Colombia’s own history of armed conflict and internal displacement, along with the threat posed by criminal groups targeting indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local communities, underscores the need for a human-rights-based approach to mineral extraction. With this in mind, the joint declaration advocates a just green transition that ensures dignified livelihoods for all.

Africa’s experience offers valuable insights into how to achieve responsible resource extraction. Over the past decade, multiple African countries have adopted due-diligence requirements and traceability standards for tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold, drawing on frameworks like the 2010 Lusaka Declaration. This landmark agreement, adopted by member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, introduced several accountability mechanisms, including a regional certification system aimed at enhancing transparency and reducing illegal mining. 

Similarly, the 2016 OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas provided companies that source raw materials from volatile regions with practical tools to identify and report human-rights violations and environmental harm.

Subsequent frameworks, such as the OECD’s 2018 Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct and 2023 Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, urged firms to consider the broader effects of their activities, addressing issues like labor rights, sustainability, and ethical governance.

Regrettably, the application and enforcement of these measures remain largely confined to specific regions. By facilitating the cross-border exchange of knowledge and expertise, global policymakers could develop robust accountability mechanisms spanning the entire lifecycle of metals and minerals, from extraction and trade to recycling and disposal. 

Multilateral cooperation is crucial for driving this transformation. Colombia’s initiative, it is hoped, will mark the emergence of a new paradigm that spurs global climate action and paves the way for sustainable development. 

By Mauricio Cabrera Leal, Deputy Minister of Policy and Regulation at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Colombia. 

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2024. 

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