Muhammad Kusuma, Director of Peatland Ecosystem Degradation Control at Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment, highlighted the importance of sustainable peatland management in an interview with ESG Mena.
In an effort to promote and celebrate fitness, the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) announced that it saw close to 4,500 registrations for its eight annual run through the Emirate of Fujairah. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamid bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, attended and presented the top runners of each of six categories with their prizes.
The event was organised in partnership with the UAE Sports Authority to raise awareness of the health benefits of a more active lifestyle, and cash prizes for winners totalled AED 100,000. Some of the UAE’s best runners, fitness enthusiasts, casual runners and families took part in the event.
The NBF Fujairah Run features runs of 3km, 5km, 10km, an 11km trail run, a team run, and a people of determination run, with all runners being able to enjoy scenic routes that took them through the historic town of Fujairah, and out into its picturesque surroundings.
“Building on the success of previous years, the 2024 NBF Fujairah run stands as our most impactful edition yet, bringing together nearly 4,000 participants from all walks of life”, said Adan Anwar, CEO of NBF. “This event, held in partnership with the UAE Sports Authority, not only celebrates the spirit of health, wellness and community, but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability.”
“By fostering a platform that encourages fitness and togetherness while minimising our environmental footprint, we are taking meaningful steps towards a healthier and more sustainable future for Fujairah, the UAE and beyond. The diversity and enthusiasm of our participants – from seasoned athletes to families and people of determination – was truly inspiring, and we are proud to continue supporting such an inclusive, eco-conscious initiative.”
Sponsors and supporters of the event include Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Port of Fujairah, Mahraj Events and Services, and Fujairah International Airport.
In an effort to help mitigate climate change, Unilever has launched a campaign to help educate, encourage and incentivise customers to make sustainable product purchases, marking a step towards its own environmental responsibility commitments.
Unilever’s campaign helps to equip customers with knowledge and tools to make sustainable choices, with purchases helping to support the restoration and monitoring of around 1.3 ha of mangrove ecosystem, which is equivalent to 6,000 mangrove trees through a contribution from Unilever to Emirates Nature WWF.
The Priceless Planet Coalition was launched by Mastercard with partners Conservation International and World Resources Institute, and works alongside Emirates Nature WWF in the UAE. The coalition is dedicated to funding the restoration of 100 million trees globally in the fight against climate change.
“At Unilever, our commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 3039 goes hand-in-hand with empowering customers to become part of the solution”, said Khalil Yassine, Head of Customer Development at Unilever Arabia. “In the UAE, we have been at the forefront of decarbonising our operations and are taking this further by investing in nature conservation efforts, with a particular focus on mangrove restoration.”
“We recognise that customers face barriers in adopting sustainable behaviours – whether due to cost, trust or the impact of their choices. This camping directly addresses these challenges by making sustainable products more accessible, educating customers on the value of their purchases, and linking them to tangible environmental outcomes, such as funding the restoration of 6,000 mangroves.”
Research reveals that while 41 per cent of individuals in the region are concerned about the environment and 97 per cent of consumers say they want to change their behaviour to live and shop more sustainably, only 13 per cent are actively doing so.
According to the PwC, 40 per cent of consumers feel sustainable products are too expensive, while others cite limited availability and lack of quality as obstacles to choosing sustainable options. Consumers indicate that they would be more motivated to live a sustainable lifestyle if they were better informed of sustainable practices implementation.
Unilever has long been committed to sustainable action, implementing initiatives such as regenerative farming, using renewable energy, recovering waste heat in its operations, and moving to recycled packaging to offer customers more sustainable products.
Through their educational campaign, Unilever hopes to inspire consumers to make sustainable shopping choices, which will have positive returns for both the customers and the planet. Raising awareness of the importance of mangroves in the region is a vital step; mangroves are one of the planet’s most powerful nature-based climate solutions. They have the potential to store up to four times more carbon than tropical forests, making them hugely impactful for climate change mitigation.
“Our goal is not only to offer sustainable products but to inspire long-term behavioural shifts that contribute to both local and global environmental goals”, Khalil Yassine added. “Through this partnership, we are demonstrating that by working together, we can help drive meaningful change for the planet.”
At COP29, Sal Jafar, CEO of ESG Mena, spoke with Mr. Mounir Beltaifa, Vice President of Tunisian Talents United, to explore how the NGO is mobilising Tunisian professionals worldwide to contribute to national development. From fostering innovation to driving impactful projects, the discussion spotlighted the power of global collaboration in shaping Tunisia’s future.
In a conversation with Sal Jafar, CEO of ESG Mena, Amel Chadli, President of the Gulf Region of Schneider Electric discusses how the company is developing energy efficiency and digital transformation, technology and AI, and collaboration with governmental and educational institutions.
Diriyah Company has been awarded two prestigious Mostadam (Ajwad) certifications for sustainability by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in alignment with the Kingdom’s Quality of Life Programme, and a central aspect of Vision 2030.
The announcement was made during the first day of the Cityscape Global real estate event, ‘The Future of Living’ – the mixed-use developer was recognised for the Northern Diriyah Area and the Ritz-Carlton Residences development projects.
This certification is granted to residences and communities based on ratings that measure the sustainability of these projects, supporting them through the Ajwad initiative. The certification is achieved by applying sustainability and quality of life standards, such as increasing green spaces, providing safe paths for pedestrians and cyclists, and reducing water waste by reusing it for irrigating gardens and green areas.
The Ajwad initiative has registered 74 projects, with five Diriyah projects included under the programme to date, of which two have successfully been awarded the sought-after sustainability certification;
- Diriyah North (Masterplan certification – Diamond Level)
- The Ritz Carlton Residences (Asset certification – Gold Level)
The remaining three projects are scheduled for certification next year.
“The Diriyah project is fully committed to sustainability”, said Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company. “These latest accreditations are a significant endorsement of our dedication to employing the highest standards of environmental protection in construction and design, enabling us to deliver a brand-new concept in urban development with a unique people-first urban regeneration project for everyone to enjoy.”
Diriyah North achieved 86 points on the Mostadam certification scale for its Masterplan, achieving Diamond Level, the highest level of the certification. Additional Diriyah districts will apply for the certification in the coming months.
Diriyah North’s sustainability achievements include meeting 100 per cent of irrigation demand by Treated Sewage Effluent, providing 46 per cent shaded walkways for pedestrians, and dedicating 25 per cent of the area to parks and open space.
The latest recognition follows a series of sustainability accolades recently awarded to Diriyah – it received LEED Platinum certification in 2023, for the first phase of the Diriyah Masterplan, becoming the first project in the Middle East to achieve the highest level of certification at masterplan level.
Additionally, Bujairi Car Park and Samhan Car Park were awarded Parksmart GOLD pre-certification in 2022 and 2023 for best sustainability practices.
ACWA Power has announced the successful financial close of senior debt facilities worth USD $238 million to finance a key renewable energy project in the Caucasus region.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the OPEC Fund for International Development have provided financing facilities of USD $238 million in total for the Absheron-Khizi 240MW Wind Farm in Azerbaijan.
An equity bridge financing of USD $120 million, based on shariah compliant structure, was secured from First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in December 2023.
The Absheron-Khizi plant is the first international investment-based independent wind power project in Azerbaijan, and the largest in the Caucasus region.
“This project reflects what can be achieved through strategic collaborations between the private and public sector to mobilise finance that accelerates climate action”, said Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power. “We are proud to be supporting Azerbaijan’s shift from natural gas to renewable energy in line with the nation’s clean energy ambitions, and hope that this is the first of many similar projects.”
The project is expected to commence operations in the first half of 2026 and involves a 25-year power purchase agreement with Azerenerji, the national electrical power company. When complete, the project is expected to provide nearly 300,000 households with renewable power and mitigate the impact of 400,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
In a bid to enhance sustainable efforts in the sports and entertainment industry, Ethara has announced its membership of the Green Operations and Advanced Leadership (GOAL) Programme. It is the first organisation in the Middle East and the first Formula One (F1) promoter to join the global sustainability initiative.
GOAL is a sustainability driven membership, validation and support network for sports, entertainment and live event venues, and includes some of the world’s leading stadiums, arenas, theatres and convention centres in North America and Europe. GOAL was founded by Oak View Group (OVG) in partnership with Fenway Sports Group, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, and Jason F. McLennan.
Some of the pre-existing GOAL members include Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, UBS Arena in New York and Co-op Live in Manchester.
Ethara will focus its sustainability mission through four core pillars; driving climate action – aiming to reach net zero by 2040, responsible resource usage – helping to build a zero-waste future, maximising water efficiency – enhancing the regional water ecosystem, and building a balanced energy mix – creating a stable, sustainable and flexible energy system.
“We are thrilled to become the first entity in the region participating in the GOAL programme”, said Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara. “This membership underscores our commitment to sustainability, while setting a new standard for major venue and event management in the Middle East.”
“As the first global Formula 1 promoter, and the region’s first organisation to become members, we are again demonstrating our innovation-focused leadership in this dynamic, ever-evolving market.”
GOAL adds to a pre-established sustainability framework at Ethara, now named ‘The Ethara Edge’ – including certifications, third-party validation, and alignment with partners and industry leaders.
“Ethara’s evident commitment to sustainable operations is an inspiring example that we are thrilled to share across the expanding GOAL Member network”, said Chris Granger, President of OVG360. “The Ethara Edge platform showcases Ethara’s vision for a sustainable future, and one that we are thrilled to support through GOAL’s measurement tools and GOAL Medal recognition program.”
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) and Albanian Power Corporation, Korporata Elektroenergjitike Shqiptare (KESH) have signed a joint venture agreement to explore the development of gigawatt-scale renewable energy projects in Albania.
The agreement was signed in Baku, Azerbaijan on the sidelines of COP29, by Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Erald Elezi, Cheif Executive Officer of KESH.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by HE Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, and His Excellency Dr. Saltan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Chairman of Masdar, and her Excellency Belinder Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy for Albania.
The joint venture agreement aims to develop, construct and operate renewable energy projects utilising a range of renewable technologies, including solar PV, wind and hybrid solutions, with potential integration of battery storage. The energy produced is expected to be supplied to the Albanian market and exported to neighbouring countries.
“This agreement is a testament to the UAE’s unwavering commitment to pioneering clean energy solutions on a global scale”, said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Masdar. “By leveraging the UAE’s world-class expertise in renewable energy and Albania’s abundant natural resources, our purpose-built, future-ready infrastructure will deliver more energy with fewer emissions than ever before.”
The joint venture between Masdar and KESH is a crucial element of the broader strategic partnership between the UAE and Albania. The aim is to meet local demand for renewable energy, while also supporting its energy export capabilities to neighbouring countries, and contributing to the regions energy security and sustainability goals.
“This joint venture with Masdar is a pivotal advancement in Albania’s renewable energy journey, underscoring KESH’s commitment to sustainable development and energy diversification”, said Erald Elezi, CEO of KESH. “Although Albania already benefits from a predominantly green energy mix, this partnership will enhance our resilience, improve stability and open revenues for clean energy exports to the region.”
The MENA region’s first net-positive mosque has been opened by Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The mosque was opened in the Group’s flagship Dubai community, Tilal Al Ghaf, and it integrates sustainable and modern design practices in support of the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030, ensuring efficiency, resource optimisation and minimal environmental impact.
“The opening of the first net-zero emissions mosque in the Middle East is an achievement that reflects our deep commitment to the principles of sustainability, this project represents a significant shift in the field of environmental sustainability and highlights our fruitful collaboration with Majid Al Futtaim in implementing this initiative”, said His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Mohair, General Manager of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
“It serves as a live example of a successful partnership between public and private sectors, setting a new standard for responsible innovation in building and maintenance, it also aligns with the noble Islamic values that advocate for environmental preservation and protection.”
The Majid Al Futtaim Mosque is set to become the first bespoke project to be given the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certification. This assessment recognises measures of performance that are set against established benchmarks, evaluating a building’s specification, design, construction and use.
The BREEAM framework is globally recognised and used to validate the sustainability of buildings by evaluating different facets of a building’s environmental influence and functionality.
The mosque’s construction incorporates advanced mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, renewable energy sources and sustainable building practices designed to achieve a net-positive status. A key element of the construction is a renewable energy system with 203 solar photovoltaic panels, providing a total installed solar capacity of 116.73 kWp and generating over 204,121 kWh annually, delivering more than 115 per cent of the mosque’s energy demand. The excess energy is supplied back to the grid to be used across the community.
There is also a solar-powered hot water system, LED lighting, an efficient HVAC setup, EV charging stations, and a Building Management System (BMS) to optimise energy consumption. Water efficiency, air quality and non-toxic materials have been employed to ensure a healthy environment, with responsibly sourced low-carbon materials prioritised to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building.
“It is a great honour to inaugurate the Majid Al Futtaim Mosque, a symbol of our late Founder’s enduring legacy and a tribute to his commitment to serve the communities in which we operate”, said Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Holding.
“As the first net-positive mosque in the region, this space has been thoughtfully designed as a cornerstone of the community, blending sustainable design principles with Islamic values.”
The mosque supports Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to building a cleaner tomorrow, with the Group aims to achieve net-positivity in carbon and water for all its operating companies by 2040.