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EnvironmentLatest News

Marine Sports Federation, Rebound Partner to Promote Sustainability in Watersports

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

The Marine Sports Federation has announced a partnership with Rebound Ltd., a recycled materials management company, aimed at enhancing environmental practices within aquatic sports.

The organisation shared that these initiatives are designed to both reduce the ecological footprint of marine sports and also to promote long-term sustainability in the region.

The agreement sees the introduction of the Marine Sports Sustainability Awards, expected to commence in 2025.

It will initially include seven marine sports clubs from the UAE and is expected to expand to other GCC countries.

Ahmed Al Sheryani, Secretary General of the UAE Marine Sports Federation, commented: “Minimising the environmental impact of marine sports and adopting sustainable practices supports our strategic plans and objectives to develop this type of sport and take it to the global stage.”

Maryam Al Mansoori, Founder and General Manager of Rebound Ltd., stated her excitement: “By signing this partnership, we are committing to a series of impactful initiatives that underscore our dedication to the environment. The Marine Sports Sustainability Awards are just the beginning.”

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EnvironmentSpecial Reports

The 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

The 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) has been published, which provides a data-driven summary of the state of sustainability worldwide.

The EPI uses 58 performance indicators across 11 issue categories, ranking 180 countries on climate change performance, environmental health, and ecosystem vitality.

Against the backdrop of intensifying climate change and rising emissions, the 2024 edition introduces refined metrics to track countries’ progress at curbing their GHG emissions.

The new metrics score countries on their emissions reduction (or growth) rates and consider their proximity to the net-zero target.

New pilot indicators also score countries on their climate mitigation efforts in relation to their allocated shares of the remaining global carbon budget.

EPI indicators provide a way to spot problems, set targets, track trends, understand outcomes, and identify best policy practices.

Published by the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Yale, US, the Greater Middle East region was allocated a median score of 43.2, which was the second lowest globally.

The UAE received the highest overall EPI score in the region (52.0), with Oman 0.1 points behind in second place. The country climbed 99 places, ranking 50th overall.

Meanwhile, Iraq was found to have “appalling performance” across most issue categories, with the lowest EPI score in the region (30.4).

Further, its heavy reliance on fossil fuels means it also has the worst levels of anthropogenic air pollution in the region.

For the full breakdown, head here.

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EnvironmentLatest News

Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina Receives Green Key Certification

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, an IHG Hotel, has announced that it has received the Green Key Certification. This award makes it the first IHG hotel in the UAE to secure the certification, a standard for excellence in sustainable practices, awarded to businesses that adhere to strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina highlighted that it has implemented several key measures which contributed to it securing the green key certification, focused on conserving resources and minimising environmental impact:

For example, the hotel conserves 80 per cent of its water by recollecting and recycling water from guest room wash basins and showers through an advanced water treatment plant. The water is then used to cool the building’s cooling towers.

It also uses 100 per cent LED lighting throughout the entire hotel, with aerated showerheads and tap heads, which result in 22 per cent energy savings.

EV chargers are also available for electric cars, with electric bikes provided for local transportation.

Raffi Torikian, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, commented: “We are proud to contribute to the UAE’s Year of Sustainability initiative and demonstrate that luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.”

Meanwhile, Chief Engineer Jethi Thomas added: “In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, this certification underscores our pledge to go beyond traditional hospitality norms. It signifies a paradigm shift in the way we operate, demonstrating that every decision we make is a deliberate step towards a more sustainable future.

“We believe that our guests, like-minded individuals who value not only opulence but also the well-being of our planet, will find solace in knowing that their stay at Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina contributes to a global movement for a greener tomorrow.”

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EnergyLatest News

ADCCI, Abu Dhabi Energy Services Sign Unified Framework Agreement

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has signed a Unified Framework Agreement (UFA) with Abu Dhabi Energy Services (ADES) for enhanced cooperation in a number of key areas, including environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and rationalising water and electricity consumption.

The agreement will strengthen collaboration across knowledge exchange, environmental studies, and the exchange of information on building rehabilitation. It was shared that the overarching aim of this is to enhance energy efficiency, rationalise water and electricity consumption in the Chamber’s buildings, and monitor and audit current consumption levels of electrical energy. It will also see the development of a comprehensive improvement plan and the application of sustainable technological systems and innovations in the sector.

ADES shared that it aims to achieve the maximum levels of energy efficiency in government and private buildings by improving and replacing existing equipment and performing periodic maintenance, which contributes to reducing overall energy consumption by around 25-40 per cent.

The UFA was recently approved by the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi in coordination with the Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi and integrates the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Demand Side Management and Energy Rationalization (DSM) Strategy 2030, which it said signals the commencement of the Government Buildings Retrofits Program.

ADES, a subsidiary of TAQA Group, signed the agreement with the Abu Dhabi Chamber on the sidelines of the ‘Sustainable Buildings & RetrofitTech Summit’ in Abu Dhabi.

His Excellency Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, CEO of ADCCI, said that the partnership agreement aligns with the directives of both the Abu Dhabi Chamber and ADES to maintain a sustainable environment at the local level.

“It’s also consistent with the government’s tireless efforts to improve energy management and improve efficiency through the optimal use of resources and rationalizing water and electricity consumption in the Emirate, in a way that contributes to meeting the objectives of the Abu Dhabi DSM & Energy Rationalization Strategy 2030, and achieving the aspirations of the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy,” he added.

Meanwhile, Khalid Mohammed Al Qubaisi, CEO of the ADES, commented: “The announcement of the UFA with the Abu Dhabi Chamber is the culmination of united efforts, reflecting our joint commitment to achieving the goals of environmental sustainability and improving energy efficiency in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

He added: “By retrofitting the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s buildings, we will be able to achieve tangible savings in energy and water consumption, which contributes to enhancing the optimal management of resources and reducing the carbon footprint in the buildings included in the agreement. We are confident that this partnership will contribute to achieving the goals of the Abu Dhabi DSM & Energy Rationalization Strategy 2030 and the aspirations of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy”.

It was noted that ADES is mandated with retrofitting buildings in the government and private sectors in Abu Dhabi. It also helps building owners improve their buildings’ infrastructure and reduce consumption by using the savings resulting from future water and electricity bills to finance efficiency improvement projects in buildings.

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Innovation & EducationLatest News

Maritime Sustainability Research Centre Launched by AD Ports Group  

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

AD Ports Group has announced the launch of The Maritime Sustainability Research Centre, Abu Dhabi (MSRCAD), a non-profit agency dedicated to joint industry-government academia research with a focus on sustainability and innovation. 

The Maritime Sustainability Research Centre will be operated and managed by the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA). This is a regional academic facility catering to mariners under the umbrella of Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Maritime’s newly launched platform, which aims to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors. 

The objectives of the research centre are multifaceted, with aims to:

  • Disseminate knowledge among partners and stakeholders, 
  • Address short and long-term research needs, and 
  • Provide research opportunities for graduate students.

It was shared that areas of focus include Marine Environment & Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Maritime Cyber Security, Big Data, and Maritime Policies & Laws.

The research centre will also advocate for funding, primarily from private sources, to enable academic institutions and start-ups to conduct applied and fundamental research. Alongside this, it will support graduate study programmes, offering opportunities for aspiring maritime professionals.

Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Acting Chief Sustainability Officer, AD Ports Group, commented: “AD Ports Group is committed to supporting initiatives that further our sustainability targets. This collaboration between Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy to establish a centre dedicated to advancing research, particularly in environmental sustainability, resonates deeply with our organisational ethos, and reflects our commitment to advancing development within the maritime industry, laying the foundation for a sustainable future.

Dr. Yasser Al Wahedi, President of Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, added: “Cultivating maritime talent and spearheading innovation is paramount within Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy. We already have a track record in extensive and pioneering research into sustainable advancements, and this research centre, in partnership with Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi underlines our commitment to sustainable solutions, with the potential to benefit both the maritime industry and the global community, building a brighter future for all.” 

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EnergyLatest News

Nutanix Enables Power Monitoring in Nutanix Cloud Platform to Track Sustainability

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Cloud computing company Nutanix has announced the integration of new capabilities in its Nutanix Cloud Platform to enable power monitoring.

The company shared that this new feature will assist organisations in improving sustainability planning with power consumption based on measurements from the hardware in use, updated in near-real time. 

This visualisation of power metrics in their Nutanix dashboard will allow users to better understand energy utilisation across their environment.

Indeed, the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index found that 88 per cent of organisations believe sustainability is a priority, with many taking active steps to implement sustainability initiatives. However, it was found that they often struggle with accurately measuring and planning their energy use, and by extension, carbon emissions, across their IT estate. 

The company shared that because modern IT systems are complex, it can be difficult to access data and insights that would help inform consumers of IT resources about their energy and wider resource use.

According to the company, this new functionality will help customers simplify this process by providing more detailed information on their energy usage rather than estimations based on assumptions or “typical” consumption values.  

It also builds upon recently released capabilities in Nutanix’s X-Ray benchmarking tool, which provides power and energy information for comparison alongside other performance metrics (CPU, Memory, IOPS, etc.) for real-world scenarios. 

It was shared that the power consumption dashboard is currently under development.

Steve McDowell, Chief Analyst, NAND Research, commented: “Energy efficiency metrics are increasingly important for IT infrastructure personnel looking to optimize resources and meet sustainability goals. Active monitoring of power metrics is an exciting new tool for Nutanix customers struggling to achieve their environmental goals.”

Thomas Cornely, SVP, Product Management at Nutanix, said: “Organizations across the world have been benefiting from the server-based, webscale architecture of the Nutanix Cloud Platform to actively reduce their datacenter energy consumption. This new functionality in Prism Central allows customers to visualize real time power usage metrics and report historical data in support of our customers’ sustainability goals.”

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EnvironmentLatest News

REDCON Properties’ Eng. Tarek El-Gammal Elected to UNGC Board 

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Eng. Tarek El-Gammal, Chairman of the Board of REDCON Properties, has been elected as a member of the Board of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). 

Eng. El-Gammal was elected to the UNGC Board by a majority vote of the General Assembly members, and will serve a three-year term.

It was shared that Eng. El-Gammal’s involvement with the UNGC Board will encompass strategic guidance, consultancy, oversight, and collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve the council’s goals in the years ahead. 

The REDCON Properties Chair is also an active participant in the African Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) and has represented both the ABLC and UNGC at numerous international forums.

Eng. Tarek El-Gammal commented: “Green and sustainable building are the cornerstone of contemporary construction. We are relentless in pursuing cutting-edge technologies and sustainability solutions, aligning with the UN’s sustainable development goals. 

“We are also committed to setting a benchmark in real estate development that emphasizes quality and social responsibility, exemplified by the Golden Gate project, Egypt‘s first fully sustainable green community.”

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EnvironmentLatest News

The Surpluss Becomes MENA’s First B Corp-Certified Climate Tech Startup 

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

UAE-based The Surpluss has become the first climate tech startup in the MENA to receive B Corp certification. 

The Surpluss offers the world’s first B2B platform that allows businesses to convert underutilised resources into revenue through its own proprietary framework and patented technology. The startup said that this reduces the waste sent to landfills and offsets the carbon emissions spent in the manufacturing, supply, transport, and distribution of new products and resources.

B Corp status is certified by B Lab, a third-party non-profit and validates that a company has met an “extremely high” set of standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. 

The number of certified B Corporations worldwide has increased more than 30 per cent year-over-year for the past two years, totalling 8,051 in 2023, it was shared. 

The Surpluss achieved a score of 86.7 on the B Impact Assessment, exceeding the average company score of 50.9.

Rana Hajirasouli, Founder and CEO of The Surpluss, said: “We are grateful and proud in equal measure for this ‘seal of approval’ after B Lab’s rigorous assessment. Realizing this milestone required incredible dedication from our entire team, who tirelessly reconfigured protocols and established new business processes to ensure we met the most stringent global standards.”

Surplus shared that to continually meet B Lab’s high standards, it has turned to Mena Impact, a mission-driven consultancy, academy, and think tank in the MENA region.

Mena Impact shared that it is committed to supporting the impact ecosystem in the MENA region and has been an ambassador of the B Corp movement.

Guided by B Corp experts at Mena Impact, The Surpluss was led through the certification process, which it said helped it establish and operate an ethical, sustainable, and cost-effective company, demonstrating that profitable businesses can also be a force for good.

Nadine Zidani, founder of Mena Impact, commented: “In the Middle East, the B Corp movement is just beginning. B Corp certification is globally recognized yet extremely demanding to obtain. We are committed to supporting the growth of the B Corp movement in the Arab World.”

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