Chairman’s Message

creating green communities for a better tomorrow03

More than 85% of the world’s current energy needs are met through fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. As the reliance on fossil fuels continues, renewable energy resources are growing in importance. For both fossil and renewable energy sources, efficiency is a key theme for economic reasons and to help create a sustainable environment. Thanks to the insightful vision of its wise leadership, the United Arab Emirates plays a leading role in today’s renewable energy industry and climate change issues. The UAE’s commitment towards this field was acknowledged when the country was chosen as the permanent headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi. This achievement empowers this region to position itself as an active player in building impetus behind renewable energy issues, which are important issues on the global agenda. Under the leadership of the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country has become an international platform for cooperation and global debates on renewable energy and climate change topics. In addition, renewable-energy projects have now become a mainstay of the UAE’s diplomatic efforts with developing nations. Recognizing that access to clean energy is a critical component of economic and social development, the UAE has become a major partner in establishing the world’s renewable energy agenda. The identification of clean energy as a major area of focus thus enhances the positive, constructive, and effective role of the UAE’s diplomacy. As part of a $50m commitment to the region under the UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund, the UAE, earlier this year, announced plans to give US$20 million (Dh73.4m) in aid to five Pacific Island states. The solar photovoltaic and wind power projects are expected to save more than 1.2 million litres of diesel and 3,030 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. With energy demand expected to double by 2030 – putting a further strain on our natural resources – renewable energy is indeed a viable solution to power future growth. For more than 40 years, the UAE has assisted developing countries promote economic development and social opportunity. Today, the acceleration and adoption of renewable energy is a core component of the UAE’s efforts to help countries grow, alleviate poverty and deliver basic services.

Prof. Mohammed bin Fahad Executive Editor 04Contentscreating green communities

Award 46 Award 06 Professor John Dubai Supreme Briscoe, a giant Council of Energy in global water launches Emirates management wins Energy Award 2014- the 2014 Stockholm 15 offering Dh1 Water Prize million in prizes

COVER Green Fuel 30 Recycling 20 ENOC joins hands STORY UAE becomes second with government 08 country in the world stakeholders to New study suggests to introduce light bulb ensure usage of that temperatures on recycling vending ‘Green Diesel’ the Tibetan plateau machines have become warmer in the past five decades Campaign 54 than any time in the last Environmental 2,000 years campaigner, Lewis Pugh, completes 7 Seas Campaign to put Marine Protected Clean Energy Areas on the global 14 Innovation 36 agenda The UAE reinvests The ordinary its hydrocarbon dandelion transforms wealth into providing Smart City 26 from a weed into Sustainability clean energy for DEWA launches an agricultural crop 54 developing countries smart initiatives in that produces an Empower to kick off to promote economic preparation for Expo abundance of natural operations in region’s development and 2020 in Dubai rubber first green district alleviate poverty cooling facility Society & creating green communities for a better tomorrow Environment

Executive Editor From the Managing Editor Prof. Mohammed Bin Fahad Managing Editor With the aim of transforming lives by improving Dr. Meshgan Al Awar access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities, HH Sheikh Advisor Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President Dr. Eisa Abdellatif and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, launched the UAE Water Aid campaign during the Editor Holy Month of Ramadan in July this year. A report Sangeetha Swaroop released to coincide with the event stated that the [email protected] UAE’s water foreign aid during the period 2009-13 Design Director was estimated at Dh1.01 billion to ensure water supplies in 61 countries. Nash - Intoto Dr. Meshgan Al Awar [email protected] Secretary General The lack of drinking water is a global and growing Marketing Zayed International Prize for concern. The UAE’s noble gesture to provide access the Environment to fresh drinking water for 5 million persons around [email protected] the world has received both national and international acclaim. Published by The initiative, launched amid the growing issue of water scarcity, also reflects the far-sighted vision of the UAE’s leaders in channeling humanitarian aid, including water which is the source of life, into needy countries. It was this benevolent message of the UAE that I carried to an international audience of water management experts during my participation at the “Informatics, Sustainability and Environment: iWISE 2014” held last month at Canada. Presenting a paper on the ‘Management of Water Resources in the UAE’, which is due to be published in a journal, I also highlighted how the forward- P.O. Box 28399, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +971 4 3326666 thinking leadership of the UAE has ensured that the nation, though lacking in Fax: +971 4 3326777 natural freshwater supply, has continued to meet the demands of its burgeoning Website: www.zayedprize.org.ae population through desalination techniques. I also gave special emphasis on the email: [email protected] importance of integrated water management and conservation of water within the broader context of its impact on economic development. While the global demand for water continues to rise, a longer-term perspective regarding water supply and consumption is imperative. In this respect, the announcement by HH Sheikh Mohammed of the launch of a $1 million global award and the establishment of the UAE Water Research Agency, to find sustainable solutions to water scarcity across the world, is highly commendable. It is my humble request that we treat the challenge of managing our natural resources responsibly through active participation to conserve water and use it efficiently. September 2014 Society & Environment

Case Study 06 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Dh1 million in prizes offered for Emirates Energy Award

With the objective of encouraging the optimal use of energy sources, and highlighting the best practices and pioneering efforts in the fields of energy efficiency and security, and alternative and clean energy, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has launched the Emirates Energy Award 2014-15.

he Dubai Supreme Council of press conference was attended management and conservation. It also Energy (DSCE) has announced by a number of senior ministry highlights efforts made in different Tthe Emirates Energy Award and government officials, private energy-related fields, successful (EEA) 2014-15, held under the organisations, and a large number of practices, and innovative projects in patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed experts, specialists, representatives the UAE and the MENA region,” said bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice of energy companies, and the media. Al Tayer in his keynote speech. President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “The Emirates Energy Award supports Al Tayer thanked HH Sheikh the Green Economy for Sustainable Mohammed for his patronage of This was announced during a press Development initiative launched by the Award and HH Sheikh Ahmed conference held on 7th September at HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Armani Hotel in Dubai, by HE Saeed Maktoum to achieve the sustainable the Supreme Council of Energy, and Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman development of the UAE. Our role, at Honorary President of the EEA, for of the Supreme Council of Energy, and DSCE, is to put these directives and his continuous support and relentless President of EEA. initiatives into practice. efforts to develop the energy sector and establish an integrated To be held under the theme, ‘For “This biennial Award sheds light on mechanism to regulate work in this a Sustainable Future,’ the Award the best practices and pioneering important sector, and upgrade the will focus on recognising projects, activities in the areas of energy EEA to the status it holds today. professionals and initiatives that efficiency, alternative energy, and promote sustainable development sustainability. It is a global platform “The EEA has become a platform across the Middle East and that gathers the winners to recognise that honours practical, scientific, and North Africa (Mena) region. The their achievements in energy research best efforts and practices creating green communities for a better tomorrow

THE BIENNIAL AWARD honours public and private-sector endeavours across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in the areas of energy projects, education and research and development.

in the public and private sectors as individuals in the energy sector Private Sector, Large Energy Project, well as companies, organisations, and to enhance their participations Small Energy Project, Education and individuals in the energy sector. It has in the EEA to unify their efforts to Capacity Building, Young Professional created a stimulating environment further develop the energy sector Energy Award, and the Special and an integrated ecosystem that and promote the use of clean and Recognition Award. Each of the first promotes a culture of excellence and renewable energy resources to six awards have Gold, Silver and sustainability in this important sector. protect the environment and save Bronze categories. precious natural resources. “It highlights the best innovative and The deadline for applying for the efficient experiences and international Al Tayer noted that, in the near EEA is 30th January 2015. Eligible practices that have succeeded in future, representatives from the projects must be in operation for at rationalising the use of energy and Supreme Council of Energy will least one year. saving it, promoting the use and conduct roadshows in the MENA sustainability of alternative and clean region to promote the EEA. They resources, reducing dependence on will visit Jordan, Turkey, Morocco, traditional energy sources to reduce Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to pollution, supporting organisations give presentations and organise and individuals, and raising awareness workshops to answer candidates’ about rationalisation, saving natural enquiries concerning the Award. resources and environmental protection,” he added. There are seven categories in the EEA, Energy Efficiency in the Public Al Tayer invited organisations and Sector, Energy Efficiency in the September 2014 Society & Environment

Cover Story 08 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Tibetan glaciers are warmer than they’ve been for 2,000 years

Glaciers on the Tibetan plateau, which are the source of water for millions in Asia, are retreating as the temperatures on the plateau have become warmer in the past five decades than any time in the last 2,000 years, Chinese scientists say.

he Tibetan plateau gets a lot newspaper has been quoted as saying. less attention than the Arctic Tor Antarctic, but after them it is Temperatures and humidity are Earth’s largest store of ice. And the likely to continue to rise throughout store is melting fast. In the past half- this century, causing glaciers to The Tibetan Plateau was century, 82% of the plateau’s glaciers retreat and desertification to spread, have retreated. In the past decade, according to the report published by warmer in the past five 10% of its permafrost has degraded. the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research. decades than any period As the changes continue, or even in the past 2,000 years, accelerate, their effects will resonate The Tibetan plateau is covered with far beyond the isolated plateau, tens of thousands of glaciers. The and it will get hotter changing the water supply for interlinked sheets of ice source billions of people and altering the the headwaters of the some of the and more humid in the atmospheric circulation over half world’s largest rivers -- the Yellow and decades to come, new the planet. Yangtze in China, the Brahmaputra in India and the Mekong in Southeast research shows. According to a new academic report, Asia -- providing clean drinking water the Tibetan plateau, whose glaciers for more than 2 billion people. The supply water to hundreds of millions snow-covered plateau is sometimes of people in Asia, were warmer over called the “roof of the world.” the past 50 years than at any stage in the past two millennia, a Chinese But researchers say the glaciers creating green communities for a better tomorrow

CHINESE SCIENTISTS HAVE reported that during the last 30 years Tibetan glaciers have shrunk about 3,100 square miles, or 15 percent of their previous coverage.

are the warmest they’ve been in two The new report said a combination under consideration - as the country millenniums, their ice melting at a of climate change and human activity strives to boost electricity generation. hastening clip. on the plateau was likely to cause an increase in floods and landslides The Tibetan Plateau’s pivotal role is due “Over the past 50 years, the rate of there. However, rising temperatures almost entirely to its height. Being an temperature rise has been double the had also improved the local average of 4 kilometres above sea level average global level,” it said, according ecosystem, it said. makes it peculiarly cold for its latitude to the report on the website of — colder than anywhere else outside Science and Technology Daily, a state- The scientists urged the government the polar regions. Lhasa, capital of the run newspaper. to work to reduce human impact on Tibet Autonomous Region, is by Tibetan the region’s fragile environment. standards relatively low-lying, at 3,650 Glacier retreat could disrupt water metres — yet it is higher even than supply to several of Asia’s main rivers But Beijing is building a series of La Paz, Bolivia, the highest capital city that originate from the plateau, large hydropower projects there, with of a country. including China’s Yellow and Yangtze, construction of several mega-dams India’s Brahmaputra, and the Mekong expected to start by 2020. China has Lhasa’s year-round average and Salween in Southeast Asia. built thousands of dams in the past temperature is 8 °C; at the same few decades in a bid to reduce its latitude Houston, Texas, has an In May, Chinese scientists said reliance on imported fossil fuels. average temperature of 21°C. The Tibetan glaciers had shrunk 15 altitude makes Tibet cold, especially percent - around 8,000 square km India, too, is planning a number of in winter; its snow and ice cover, by (3,100 square miles) - over the hydro plants along the Brahmaputra reflecting sunlight, make it colder still. past 30 years. River - more than 100 proposals are The very bulk of the plateau affects September 2014 Society & Environment

Cover Story 10 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

how winds circulate above it, and its Perhaps surprisingly given its the few researchers in the 1980s altitude also places the surface simply significance, the potential impact of to gather data on the plateau’s past closer to the stratosphere than is the Tibetan plateau is still unfamiliar climate history. normal. to many climatologists. One reason is that there are far fewer data In collaboration with glaciologist Temperature rise in Tibet: treble available compared with the Arctic Lonnie Thompson of Ohio State the global average rate and Antarctic, which have seen a University in Columbus, the team’s The proximate cause of the changes far greater number of scientific work on oxygen isotopes within the now being felt on the plateau is a expeditions to plumb their secrets. cores yielded the most comprehensive rise in temperature of 0.25 °C— temperature reconstruction for approximately three times the global “Although fieldwork there can be the plateau, showing a large-scale warming rate. The questions are how tough, the plateau offers the same warming trend that began in the much more change to expect in the physical isolation coupled with twentieth century and is amplified at future, and how severe the effects will political challenges, at least for higher elevations. Their findings are be on the planet’s climate as a whole. Western researchers. “The plateau’s consistent with temperature records “Our understanding of global climate remoteness, high altitude and harsh from meteorological stations that change would be incomplete without weather conditions make any research have made continuous measurements taking into consideration what’s on the region very challenging,” since the 1950s. happening to the Tibetan plateau,” says Yao Tandong, director of the says Veerabhadran Ramanathan, an Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Exacerbating the effect is the fact atmospheric scientist at the Scripps headquartered in Beijing, of the that in summer, dust from regional Institution of Oceanography in Chinese Academy of Sciences who, deserts blows towards and up against La Jolla, California. along with his colleagues were among the northern and southern slopes of Around two billion people living in more than a dozen countries, almost a third of the globe’s population, depend on glacier-fed rivers originating in the Tibetan plateau region.

creating green communities for a better tomorrow

the plateau. The dust layers can reach atmospheric warming in the region, the plateau glaciers could be gone as high as 10 kilometres above sea after carbon dioxide,” he says. He by 2050. level, where they both absorb and estimates that the combined effect of reflect sunlight, changing the amount black carbon and greenhouse gases Floods and droughts of radiation that reaches the plateau. may be sufficient to account for a The melting glaciers are starting to warming trend of 0.25 °C per decade leave behind dangerous glacial lakes, The Black Carbon effect in the Himalayas, roughly what has in which meltwater ponds behind a Combining with the dust to drive been observed so far. dam of debris left by the retreating climate change are emissions of ‘black ice tongue. Scientists have identified carbon’, the soot that results when When black carbon settles on 34 such glacial lakes on the northern people cook with biofuels such as Himalayan glaciers, it darkens the slopes of the Himalayas, and 20 wood, crop waste or dung. Southeast snow and ice so that they absorb outburst floods have been recorded in Asia, including the Himalayas, is more heat and become warmer. the past 50 years. one of the global hotspots for black- Glaciers at the edge of the plateau carbon emissions. tend to melt more than those in The risk of floods, though, is but a the middle; one study, for instance, short-term danger far exceeded by Using unmanned aircraft, showed that glaciers in the eastern long-term issues with water supplies Ramanathan and colleagues part of the Kunlun Mountains atop the plateau. Runoff from the measured the amount of sunlight retreated by 17% over the past 30 region’s mountains feeds the largest absorbed by black carbon, and found years, which is ten times faster than rivers across Southeast Asia, that it contributes as much as 50% those in the central plateau. including the Yangtze, Yellow, Mekong, of the solar heating of the air. “It’s Ganges and Indus rivers. If glaciers the second-largest contributor to If current trends hold, two-thirds of continue to retreat and snowpack September 2014 Society & Environment

Cover Story 12 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

shrinks atop the plateau, the water loss would lead to a huge amount is thought to have strengthened this supplies of billions of people will be in of carbon entering the atmosphere, effect. As the land surface absorbs danger. exacerbating global warming. more sunlight than the atmosphere, the plateau creates a vast area of Permafrost is also at risk, as rising Effects on the monsoon surface warmer than the air at that temperatures cause the ‘active’ With all the changes the Tibetan elevation, thereby increasing the ground layer — which freezes and plateau is undergoing — a warming land–ocean pressure gradient and thaws every year — to thicken. That, in climate, retreating glaciers, degrading intensifying the monsoon. turn, affects how heat and moisture permafrost and alpine ecosystems flow between the ground and the — what are the implications for the Some climate models show that global atmosphere, further perturbing the regional and global climate? The warming would lead to a greater system7. first and most important victim increase in the plateau’s surface could be the Indian monsoon. This temperature than over the ocean, Degradation of permafrost will not strong seasonal wind results from thus augmenting the monsoon. only put the Qinghai–Tibet Railway differences in the thermal properties On the other hand, some models at risk, but also endangers the between land and ocean. suggest that aerosols that absorb plateau’s alpine ecosystems, which solar radiation, and changes in land rely on permafrost to trap water in In summer, the vast land in Asia use in the region, could weaken the the topmost layers of soil to allow heats up more than the Indian Ocean, monsoon. plants to thrive at an altitude that leading to a pressure gradient and would otherwise be too hostile for the flow of the air and moisture from Endangering the Stratosphere them. As permafrost stores one-third the ocean. The rise of the Tibetan “Changes in the Indian monsoon are of the world’s soil carbon, vegetation plateau starting 50 million years ago not the only threat in Asia to the global The Tibetan Plateau, the largest on Earth with an area larger than that of Western Europe, and its surrounding mountains are covered in the largest volume of ice found outside of the polar regions.

creating green communities for a better tomorrow

climate,” adds Rong Fu of the Georgia boundary is around 18 kilometres up, ways of cooking with wood, dung Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Her in the lower stratosphere. In addition, and crop residues, some 40–60% research shows that convection over the troposphere is thinner over the of the black-carbon emissions would the Tibetan plateau can transport plateau, and the heat emitted by the be gone, they also agree that this water vapour and pollutants to the surface can reach higher and make could be “a short-term fix and that stratosphere, the atmospheric the air warmer at the base of the the key is to give villagers access to layer that is immediately above the stratosphere. better forms of energy.” In the end, troposphere and contains most of the the Tibetan plateau may be a crucial Earth’s ozone. Warmer temperatures over the testing ground for how humans and plateau can resulting increased glacial the environment collide in a globally “The strong, horizontal wind in the melting and water-vapour transport warmed world. stratosphere could then spread the — which, in turn, causes strong water vapour and pollutants globally,” convection and lifts even more water says Fu. vapour up.

Water vapour has a stronger Academics suggest that cutting down greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide on black-carbon emissions could be per molecule, but it normally reaches a “quick way out of the mess”, given no higher than 1–2 kilometres below that its half-life in the atmosphere is the stratosphere. The situation is about 15–20 days compared with different over the plateau, over which the century-scale half-life of carbon the convection layer is shifted some dioxide. While research suggests 6 kilometres further up so that its top that just by removing traditional September 2014 Society & Environment

Cover Story 14 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

UAE’s commitment to the developing world

The United Arab Emirates has a long history of reinvesting its hydrocarbon wealth into helping developing countries promote economic development and alleviate poverty.

nergy is fundamental to the physical infrastructure (e.g. electricity quality of our lives. Energy grids), but also to energy affordability, Egrowth is directly linked to reliability and commercial viability. well-being and prosperity across the globe. There are seven billion people Ensuring energy security will require on earth who use energy each day diversification of types and sources to make their lives richer, more of energy, with increasing focus on Renewable energy productive, safer and healthier. consumer needs, on indigenous energy supplies, energy efficiency and projects are now a It is perhaps the biggest driver of regional interconnections. mainstay of the UAE’s energy demand: the human desire to sustain and improve the well-being The UAE, under the leadership of diplomatic efforts with of ourselves, our families and our President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa communities. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pays great developing nations. attention to boosting efforts aiming at Therefore, meeting this growing ensuring safe, clean and sustainable demand for energy in a safe and energy as a fundamental pillar of environmentally responsible manner stability and growth in the world. is a key challenge. Access to sustainable sources of clean, reliable At the World Future Energy Summit and affordable energy has a profound held early this year in UAE capital, Abu impact on multiple aspects of human Dhabi, General Shaikh Mohammad development; it relates not only to Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince creating green communities for a better tomorrow

FROM THE CONSTRUCTION of water and road infrastructure to building hospitals and schools, the UAE is enabling economic growth across developing nations.

of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme The UAE is working actively to Solar power in Afghanistan Commander of the UAE Armed establish international and regional As part of its commitment to support Forces underlined the immense initiatives based on multiple areas of the “International Year of Sustainable efforts by the UAE in future planning interest, especially through its global Energy for All’ in 2012, the UAE and drawing up policies aiming active diplomatic role in developing embarked on a project to provide 27 at securing the vital resources of frameworks and alliances to exchange isolated villages in Afghanistan with energy and water, indicating that the knowledge and affirming the Solar Home System with appliances. the UAE would continue to pursue concepts of the Global Environmental The project has benefited 600 its approach to unify global efforts in Sustainability. households. order to address and deal with these According to H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al This project has contributed to challenges. Qasimi, UAE Minister of International improving the standard of living of The UAE is also playing a vital role in Cooperation and Development, the more than 3,000 people who until leading the international diplomacy total UAE foreign aid in 2012 has then had no access to completely towards a sustainable and clean world. reached US$ 1.59 billion, 11% of lacking any form of electricity. which, about US$ 173 million, was The project was funded through a In its pursuance of effectuating allocated to support projects of grant from the “Abu Dhabi Fund its environment preservation renewable energy and preserving for Development”, to cover 545 measures, the UAE has launched the environment in many countries homes and 55 public facilities many creative initiatives to achieve around the world, such as establishing including schools, mosques and the environmental sustainability and renewable energy plants and clinics. In addition, the supply of home protecting the bio-diversity, inside and networks in Afghanistan, Mauritania appliances such as refrigerators, outside UAE. and Tonga. fans, TVs, lamps and lighting to these September 2014 Society & Environment

Cover Story 16 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

homes have added value to the The solar and wind projects represent in reducing the cost of electricity for project. To ensure the sustainability of one of the largest capital investments consumers in Vava’u and will reduce the project and its success, a training in the Pacific region’s clean energy Tonga’s economical dependency to program was also instituted to teach sector, and are slated for completion oil price fluctuations. This is achieved villagers how to operate and maintain in late 2014. The projects are by feeding solar electricity into the these systems. estimated to save more than 1.2 grid thereby reducing the cost of million liters of diesel fuel annually and electricity to consumers, and reducing Renewable energy projects in mitigate 3,030 tonnes of CO2 per consumption of 180,000 L/year of five Pacific island countries year, the statement said. diesel. The Plant fulfills 13 % of the In January this year, the UAE signed demand of the island. partnerships to deploy renewable They are also aimed at demonstrating energy projects in five Pacific island the viability of renewable energy Wind power project in countries, including Fiji, Kiribati, in remote locations, where the Seychelles Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. International Renewable Energy The Port Victoria 6-megawatt wind Agency reports that renewable energy farm that has been successfully The projects are to be financed from now out-competes traditional diesel delivered by Masdar and the Abu the $50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership imports on cost. Dhabi Fund for Development has Fund, with grant financing from Abu helped Seychelles in meeting its rising Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The implementation of the 500 kW demand for energy. All five projects will be co-designed and PV Power plant feeding around 695 implemented by Abu Dhabi clean energy MWh per year into the grid in the The plant consists of 8 wind turbines company Masdar, in cooperation with touristic Island of the kingdom of across two small islands off the coast each nation’s government. Tonga, Vava’u is expected to result of Mahe. Five turbines are located on The country’s philanthropic commitment is aligned with the vision of UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Romainville Island and three at Ile du to the UAE’s long-standing support for demand of approximately 10,000 Port. economic and social growth projects homes. The plant, which consists in developing countries. of 29,826 micromorph thin-film Before the wind farm began panels, was built using innovative and operations, the Seychelles was entirely Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy sustainable construction practices. dependent on imported fossil fuels for company, delivered the Sheikh Zayed In particular, project engineers its energy generation. The integration Solar Power Plant in the capital city designed the support structure for of clean, sustainable wind energy is of Nouakchott. The largest solar PV the PV modules to be piled into the helping the island nation decrease its plant in Africa, the Dh 117.5 million ground instead of using a concrete power outages, address its long-term (US$31.99 million) facility accounts foundation, which reduced the energy security and reduce its carbon for 10 per cent of Mauritania’s energy project’s carbon footprint and cost. footprint. The project produces nearly capacity and will displace approximately 7GWh of clean energy per year, 21,225 tons of carbon dioxide annually. The UAE’s policy of aiding developing displacing approximately 10,000 countries was first established tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and Mauritania’s electricity grid, which is by the late founding father Sheikh powers more than 2,100 homes. powered mostly by expensive diesel Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Today, generators, currently has an installed the nation continues to carry out his Africa’s largest Solar Power capacity of only 144 megawatts, vision and legacy in helping create Plant in Mauritania resulting in severe energy shortages. a more sustainable future. The The Sheikh Zayed Solar Power Plant, With energy demand increasing by 12 country’s philanthropic commitment a utility-scale, 15-megawatt solar percent annually, the addition of solar is also aligned with the vision of UAE photovoltaic (PV) facility in the Islamic power will help meet future electricity President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Republic of Mauritania, is testimony shortfalls and supply the energy bin Zayed Al Nahyan. September 2014 Society & Environment

Exhibition 18 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

WaterWorld Middle East holds keys to efficient and sustainable water infrastructure

Scheduled to be held from 12th to 14th October at Abu Dhabi, the upcoming WaterWorld Middle East conference and exhibition equips attendees and delegates with the skills and knowledge to overcome the technical water/ wastewater challenges in the Middle East.

he upcoming WaterWorld The WaterWorld Middle East are growing at between 14 and 20 Middle East conference and Conference and Exhibition will run percent. exhibition will play a key role in tandem with POWER-GEN Middle T Freyberg said: “To meet growing helping governments in countries East from 12 to 14 October at Abu such as the UAE to meet the Dhabi National Exhibition Centre demand, there’s more focus on infrastructure demands of booming (ADNEC). The event will bring sustainable practices, wastewater populations, the Honorary Vice- together the region’s leading plant reuse and asset management – Chairman of the World Energy owners and operators, consultants, these issues will all feature strongly Council said today. utilities, investors and academics, in WaterWorld Middle East 2014. with representatives of over 80 There are opportunities for domestic “A dependable supply of water is companies from 30 countries. and international companies, including not only crucial for life, it’s essential small to medium Original Equipment for building a healthy and vibrant “WaterWorld Middle East comes at a Manufacturers (OEMs), local economy,” said Dr Hisham Khatib, the crucial time for the Gulf Cooperation fabricators, EPC contractors, and Honorary Vice-Chairman who is one Council, when local governments design and engineering companies of the keynote speakers at the event are looking to invest over US$130 and consultants.” this year. billion over the next decade to meet future water and energy demands,” In Abu Dhabi, driven by population “By bringing cutting-edge technology said Tom Freyberg, the Conference growth, demand for potable water together with industry experts, Director of WaterWorld Middle East. and subsequent sanitation services WaterWorld Middle East is a superb are expected to double from now forum to promote sustainable water Segments of the water and until 2030. Three major desalination infrastructure development.” wastewater industry in the GCC projects are in the works, as are creating green communities for a better tomorrow

WATERWORLD MIDDLE East is the region’s premier water event and features a dedicated conference programme developed in conjunction with ADWEA and other industry practitioners.

plans to reduce distributed losses East, the ADSSC’s Managing Director East country developments, practical of desalinated water. Four major Alan Thompson will be a keynote case studies will provide experience wastewater treatment works in speaker, presenting an update on the on how innovation is being applied and Abu Dhabi and Al Ain have been STEP project and give delegates a deployed. commissioned to replace and expand chance to see the visitor centre as a the capacity of existing plants, technical tour. which are coming to the end of their working lives. Other local organisations speaking in WWME 2014 include the Abu Dhabi Major projects underway include National Energy Company (TAQA) Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services on the Al Zawra reverse osmosis Company’s (ADSSC) Strategic Tunnel desalination project and also the Enhancement Programme (STEP), Regulation and Supervision Bureau which will have the capacity to treble (RSB) on Abu Dhabi’s Water Reuse the capital’s current collection Framework. capacity. WaterWorld Middle East’s high level When complete, STEP will be one multi-track conference programme of the largest tunnelled sewerage has been devised by industry systems in the world, supporting practictioners showcase how the Abu Dhabi’s growth and reducing latest technology developments are operation and maintenance costs. As being applied. As well as strategic Event Partner for WaterWorld Middle presentations outlining various Middle September 2014 Society & Environment

Recycling 20 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

UAE becomes second country in the world to introduce light bulb recycling vending machines

Bee’ah to collect and recycle domestic light bulbs and batteries across the U.A.E. in line with its mission to build a greener, more sustainable future.

n line with its mission to build a reVend - an industry leader in reverse Bee’ah to bring new, state-of-the-art greener, more sustainable future vending design and innovation - to reVend ‘Reverse Vending’ Recycling Iin Sharjah, Bee’ah is installing the help diminish the hazardous effects Technologies to the Middle East. Middle East’s first Reverse Vending of waste on both human health and reVend has over 28 years of reverse Machines - supplied by UK-based the environment,” said Khaled Al vending experience: we invented the Reverse Vending Corporation reVend Huraimel, Group Chief Executive very first Reverse Vending Recycling - designed to collect and recycle Officer, Bee’ah. Machines for domestic light bulbs. domestic light bulbs and batteries across the U.A.E. “The introduction of these ground- “Now, we are proud to say that these breaking Reverse Vending Machines machines will be exclusive to Bee’ah The integrated environmental and is set to help Bee’ah further advance across the Middle East- a top, award- waste management organization its goal of achieving zero-waste to winning integrated environment and is only the second company ever to landfill in Sharjah - an objective which waste management company.” spearhead this powerful initiative will catapult the emirate into the -making the U.A.E. the second Environmental Capital of the Middle In recent years, with the amount country in the world, after the UK, East and make it the first Arab city of untreated waste growing at an to adapt and apply this cutting-edge ever to divert 100% of its waste from alarming rate, recycling solutions for technology. landfill.” the lighting industry have garnered strong international interest. After Bee’ah will be installing reVend Carol Hall, Managing Director of all, used light bulbs often end up in Reverse Vending Machine units Reverse Vending Corporation reVend, landfills, which pose a significant across the Emirates. “We are also added: “We are pleased to have danger to the environment and honoured to be joining forces with formed a strategic partnership with prove costly. The light bulb recycling creating green communities for a better tomorrow

IN RECENT YEARS, with the amount of untreated waste growing at an alarming rate, recycling solutions for the lighting industry have garnered strong international interest.

machines from reVend will help domestic batteries. points to charity organizations; to increase the U.A.E.’s recycling they can also be rewarded for their rates, keep hazardous waste out The reVend Reverse Vending positive environmental efforts with of the nation’s landfills and help Machines accept all domestic light redeemable points - as part of the my companies meet their environmental Bulbs, including incandescent ones, Bee’ah Loyalty programme. performance targets. CFLs, LEDs as well as any domestic batteries which contain valuable and Light bulbs that are not energy scarce natural mineral resources or efficient will be banned across the harmful materials such as lead and United Arab Emirates by the end of mercury. this year as the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (Esma) Each light bulb is recognized by has expanded its range of efficiency the machine’s Video Recognition standards to cover more electrical Technology; from there, an easy-to- equipment and appliances. follow touch screen menu helps to guide the recycler through his/her The new standards will require eco-journey. all light bulbs sold and used in the country to be eco-friendly as per the Once the user completes the recycling rating system. This would lead to an process, he/she will receive a increased demand for CFL and LED reward incentive voucher. Through light bulbs, in addition to an increased the machine, recyclers will have demand for recycling light bulbs and the option of donating their loyalty September 2014 Society & Environment

Conference 22 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Sustainable Cities to take centre stage at key green building event in Dubai

The third Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC) Annual Congress in October to discuss ‘Sustainable Cities for the Future’.

he third Annual Congress of the region will attend the Congress. The second day of the Congress Emirates Green Building Council Several eminent international subject includes tours of sustainable buildings T(Emirates GBC), an independent experts will present technical papers in the UAE and short seminars that forum aimed at conserving the at the event. highlight the role of various sectors in environment by strengthening and creating sustainable cities. promoting green building practices, The Annual Congress will include will be held on October 21 and 22, keynote addresses by UAE Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of 2014, in Dubai, under the theme, government representatives on Emirates GBC, said: “The first two ‘Sustainable Cities of the Future.’ diverse aspects of the country’s editions of the Annual Emirates GBC sustainable development initiatives. Congress set a strong platform The largest of its kind gathering of Local, regional and international for strengthening awareness and experts representing the sustainable perspectives on sustainability will promoting innovative initiatives in built environment, the Emirates GBC be highlighted at the Congress in the sustainable built environments Annual Congress will be held under addition to the latest technologies and of the UAE. Now, we are moving to the patronage of His Excellency Dr. policies that enable the development the next realm of discussion, with a Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE of sustainable cities. focus on creating sustainable cities, Minister of Public Works. in line with the vision of the regional A number of case studies on urban governments.” Stakeholders representing the planning and sustainable built entire building industry supply chain environments from across the world He added, “The UAE, for example, including high-ranking government will be presented in addition to insightful is at the forefront in creating officials as well as educationalists and discussions on meeting the challenges sustainable cities for the future, with sustainability experts from across of a sustainable urban future. several ambitious developments creating green communities for a better tomorrow

THE EMIRATES GBC Annual Congress is expected to influence sustainable practices in the UAE’s built environment and catalyse innovation in green building practices.

in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These diversifying energy resources.” capacity building among the various smart, green cities focus on various stakeholders in the building industry. aspects including energy and water “The built environment has a critical efficiency, as well as the integration role to play in achieving energy Emirates GBC regularly hosts and of mobility and sustainability factors efficiency. While this will be a central participates in multinational events, across their design, construction and factor of our discussions, we are also conferences and forums. Emirates management. This year’s Congress, highlighting how various other sectors GBC has also developed a suite of therefore, presents a comprehensive – especially healthcare, retail and activities, inclusive of networking overview of how to approach urban hospitality, which are core economic events, technical workshops, focus planning for the future.” sectors of the UAE – can contribute days and facilitated training based to sustainable cities,” he added. around specific issues related to Al Abbar said, “The Congress’s theme the built-environment that meet the also reflects two fundamental pillars The Emirates GBC Annual Congress needs of its members, of the UAE of the UAE’s development strategy is expected to further influence community, and the wider Middle East. including the ‘green economy for sustainable practices in the UAE’s sustainable development’ announced built environment and catalyse by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed innovation in green building practices, bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice as well as lead to new business President and Prime Minister models that place emphasis on the and Ruler of Dubai, and the Dubai interests of the future generations. Integrated Energy Strategy, which By sharing best practices, the aims to reduce energy demand Congress will facilitate a new by 30% by 2030 in addition to channel for learning, networking and September 2014 Society & Environment

Conservation 24 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Ford commits $100,000 for environmental projects in the Middle East

Since its inception in 2000, the GCC/Levant chapter of the Ford Conservation & Environmental Grants programme has supported at least 150 projects with more than $1.3 million granted to date.

ord Motor Company will projects to study and conserve the in Oman received nearly $160,000 award a total of $100,000 region’s rich biodiversity, to support in funding, while UAE-based projects Fin Conservation and recycling schemes and green were given $149,500. Environmental Grants to help fund building initiatives, as well as to raise existing environmental projects in conservation awareness. The Ford “As we look back on the programme’s the Middle East region. For the first Grants is one of the largest corporate heritage in the region, we are time, the programme is extended initiatives of its kind in the region, increasingly aware of the impact to environmental projects in Yemen created to empower individuals and the Ford Grants could have had on in addition to the GCC, Lebanon, non-profit groups that are donating the local communities where we Jordan and Iraq. The deadline to send their time and efforts to preserve serve our customers, supporting applications is on September 14, the environmental well-being of their environmental groups and helping 2014. communities. educate the public on important issues,” said Kalyana Sivagnanam, Ahead of its 15th anniversary next In terms of monetary contributions, director of Ford Middle East & North year, the Ford Grants, which help the Grants programme has had a Africa. grass-roots level projects in the significant impact in Lebanon, where Middle East, are already looking back a total of 37 projects received In 2013, 17 environmental projects on more than 150 successful green grants worth $322,500 to date. In from Lebanon, Jordan, the UAE, Saudi initiatives. the Gulf, green projects from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq also received Arabia received the largest amount various grants. All of the entries Over $1m has been allocated of support with a total of $193,000 awarded this year showed diverse since the initiative first started given to organisations in the Kingdom methods in promoting environmental in 2000 and the support helped since 2000. Environmental projects awareness and conservation across a creating green communities for a better tomorrow

THE FORD GRANTS support ongoing and non-profit projects focused on Conservation Engineering, Protection of the Natural Environment and Environmental Education.

broad spectrum of communities in the simple composting program that uses governmental and non-governmental region. Themes ranged from awareness the coffee grinds from the pantry to environmental authorities from campaigns on saving water and amend the soil on the campus. around the Middle East, including sorting waste, awareness campaigns the World Wide Fund for Nature, on renewable energy, a smartphone Individuals, community and non-profit the Emirates Wildlife Society, the app allowing users to conduct simple groups that have projects currently Arab Forum for Environment & energy audits at home and share with running in the areas of preservation Development (AFED) and UNESCO neighbours, and many more. of the natural environment, Doha. environmental education or From Qatar, one project was conservation engineering can apply via Winners are chosen by an selected as recipient of the Grants the online form (http://fordmegrants. independent panel of jurors consisting last year. Georgetown University’s com/en) until September 14, 2014, of academics, as well as experts from project entitled Georgetown Recycles for a chance to share the total grants environmental organisations. The received $7,500 for its recycling and of $100,000. judges – who are carefully selected in composting programs in school. In association with UNESCO Doha, based 2011, Georgetown University was Eligible countries include: Saudi on geographical coverage, age and determined to start a functioning Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, gender equality – look for initiatives program for the university to reduce, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, that demonstrate a well-defined reuse, and recycle. Since then Jordan, Iraq and Yemen. sense of purpose, a commitment to Georgetown University had been maximizing available resources, and a recycling paper, metal and plastic The Ford Motor Company reputation for meeting objectives and and collects batteries for future Conservation & Environmental Grants delivering planned programmes and recycling. The campus also has a has seen support from various services. September 2014 Society & Environment

Sustainability 26 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Smart initiatives worthy of the world’s smartest city

DEWA launches smart initiatives in preparation for Expo 2020 in Dubai.

ubai Electricity & Water economy, smarter lifestyle, smarter increase in demand on electricity and Authority (DEWA) has transportation system, smarter water, and to meet all the requirements Dlaunched a number of governance, smarter environment of Expo 2020 in Dubai. DEWA has smart initiatives that confirm its and smarter generations within 3 outlined plans for the next ten years to readiness to achieve the Smart Dubai main themes, namely: communication, raise its production capacity. initiative announced by HH Sheikh integration and cooperation. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, It annually upgrades its transmission Vice President and Prime Minister The initiative aims at creating a new and distribution grids and their of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to reality and contributes to achieving a supplements based on current transform Dubai to the smartest city qualitative shift in the services offered and expected demands. Data is in the world over the next three years to partners and customers. The city’s drawn from the Government’s through 100 initiatives and 1,000 services and facilities will be managed comprehensive development plans, smart services to enhance the quality through interconnected smart as well as details of projects by of life in Dubai. systems to enhance the quality of life developers and development plans of for Dubai’s residents and visitors. the business sector. DEWA’s efforts integrate with those of other government organisations DEWA is currently upgrading “In support of the wise vision of HH in the areas of transport, the efficiency and capacity of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al communications, infrastructure, infrastructure to generate, transmit Maktoum, we have laid out a clear economic services, and urban and distribute electricity and water strategy to support Dubai’s efforts planning. The Smart Dubai initiative’s to secure the needs of customers, in hosting Expo 2020. Our plans and plan is based on 6 main sectors developer and other business preparations include launching smart that focus on achieving smarter categories in light of the ongoing and pioneering initiatives that create creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Smart initiatives worthy of the world’s smartest city

DEWA IS CURRENTLY upgrading the efficiency and capacity of the infrastructure to generate, transmit and distribute electricity and water to meet all the requirements of Expo 2020 in Dubai.

opportunities to support sustainability create a better future for its citizens Solar Energy to Houses and as a main theme on Expo’s agenda,” and residents.” Buildings said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, The initiative encourages households MD & CEO of DEWA. “We seek to achieve that by focusing and building owners to install our efforts on setting up an excellent photovoltaic solar panels to generate “We will focus on diversifying the energy infrastructure that meets electricity, which can be consumed energy and water resources on the the Emirate’s development needs, within the premises with the surplus long run, with special focus on smart reflecting our vision of providing to be exported to DEWA’s grid. This services and systems. state-of-the-art, world-class services. encourages the use of renewable Expo 2020 in Dubai will be a unique energy and increase its share in the “The strategy is in line with the Expo opportunity for us to show the world energy mix. theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating our excellence in the public utilities and the Future’ and the three subthemes infrastructure sectors,”added Al Tayer. Second Initiative: Smart of Sustainability, Opportunity, and Applications through Smart Mobility. Our smart projects and In preparation for hosting Expo 2020 Meters and Grids initiatives will help in improving the in Dubai, DEWA has launched new By introducing smart meters and quality of life in the coming years. initiatives that are aligned in their applications, DEWA will provide content and objectives with the various benefits and new applications “We will be able to provide the best sustainable development directions to its customers, including fast to our Expo guests including smart in Dubai. These initiatives include the service connectivity, quick response services and utilities at the highest following: through instant re-connectivity international standards to help of electricity, and rationalising achieve the Emirate’s objectives to First Initiative: Connecting consumption by using smart meters September 2014 Society & Environment

Sustainability 28 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

to achieve happiness of citizens and DEWA has installed 70,000 smart Authority (RTA), hotels, car parks, etc. residents and support sustainability of meters so far. 200,000 meters will resources. be installed in the first phase. 100 charging stations will be installed in various areas of Dubai, like malls, The benefits of smart meters include Third Initiative: Infrastructure airports, commercial buildings, providing automatic and detailed and Electric Vehicles Charging residential complexes, and petrol readings for consumers to monitor Stations stations. This stage is expected to be actual consumption for a specific This project includes establishing completed after one year of the date period of time to better understand advanced infrastructure and electric- of commencement, in coordination and manage their bills. Smart vehicle charging stations. DEWA with Dubai Municipality and other meters help identify energy efficiency supports the introduction of electric stakeholders. solutions. They send readings vehicles in order to decrease air automatically using advanced pollution and protect the environment DEWA is currently working on communication media such as fibre against the impact caused by enhancing the energy and water optic cables and storing the entire transport sectors in the Emirate. infrastructure of Dubai, with a core history of all consumption indicators focus on sustainability and rational and customer-related operations. DEWA endeavours include consumption of natural resources. establishing the required DEWA also strives to promote Additionally, smart meters will support infrastructure in collaboration with alternate energy solutions and build renewable sources of energy in several stakeholders, including car a smart infrastructure and systems residential, commercial, and industrial manufacturers, airports, Dubai to support Dubai’s efforts in its sectors by comparing supplies from Municipality, shopping malls, petrol preparations to host Expo 2020 to be consumption and generation sides. stations, Road and Transport the best in the history of the exhibition. creating green communities for a better tomorrow29

Online platform to boost Arabian Oryx conservation efforts in the region

he General Secretariat for the conservation efforts have achieved restoring Arabian Oryx herds to their Conservation of the Arabian international recognition and have native habitats a priority that is in TOryx, has launched its revamped resulted in a major success for the line with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin website www.arabianoryx.org, in a species, when its threat category Zayed’s Arabian Oryx Reintroduction bid to enhance cooperation efforts was changed from “Endangered” Project which was launched in 2007. across the region to help protect the to “Vulnerable” by the International species. The enhanced website aims Union for Conservation of Nature “This region is the only native habitat to provide researchers, members (IUCN) in 2011. of the Arabian Oryx. This unique of the General Secretariat and the antelope species used to roam freely general public with a platform to The bi-lingual website features in the plains and deserts and is connect on matters related to the the latest Arabian Oryx statistics, capable of adapting to the unique and Arabian Oryx. history, physical characteristics, diet, arid environment.” behaviour, habitat, and distribution The General Secretariat for the range and conservation initiatives in “This website has been designed to Conservation of the Arabian Oryx was the region. Its interactive blogs and assist countries including Bahrain, established in 2001 following the forums allow users to engage and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, International Abu Dhabi Conference contribute to discussions about this Qatar, Syria, the UAE and Yemen, all of for the Arabian Oryx hosted by the iconic species. which have committed to unifying their United Arab Emirates. It is a regional efforts to protect the Arabian Oryx. It initiative aimed at coordinating and Dr Majid Sultan Al Qassimi, Director will provide them with updates on the unifying the conservation efforts of Terrestrial Biodiversity at the status of their Arabian Oryx populations, of the Arabian Oryx in the Arabian Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi and allow them to share their Peninsula. So far, the region’s (EAD), said, “The UAE considers conservation projects and initiatives.” September 2014 Society & Environment ENOC CEO Saeed Khoory

Green Fuel 30 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

ENOC joins hands with government stakeholders to ensure usage of ‘Green Diesel’

Stakeholder meeting outlines measures to implement UAE Federal Cabinet decision mandating the use of the Euro 5 standard environment-friendly diesel.

mirates National Oil Company need to take concerted action to (ENOC) has joined hands with ensure the security of supply and Egovernmental stakeholders to usage of the new ‘Ultra-low Sulphur implement the UAE Federal Cabinet Diesel,’ which is more environment- decision no. 37 of 2013, on making friendly and helps in reducing toxic the use of the environment-friendly vehicle exhaust emissions. The new ‘Ultra-low ‘Green Diesel’ mandatory across the United Arab Emirates. “The stakeholders agreed on a Sulphur Diesel’ is more roadmap and timelines to take A stakeholder meeting led by ENOC collective action to promote ‘Ultra- low environment-friendly Industrial Products Marketing (EIPM) Sulphur Diesel’ usage, which is a far at ENOC Headquarters was attended cleaner fuel than the diesel used in and helps in reducing by representatives of Emirates the region. toxic vehicle exhaust Authority for Standardisation & Metrology (ESMA), Dubai Department Saeed Khoory, Chief Executive Officer emissions. of Economic Development (DED), of ENOC, said: “We are thankful to Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality all governmental agencies and our and Emarat. The meeting resolved key stakeholders for their support to promote awareness on the in ensuring the implementation of importance of the new greener fuel the UAE Federal Cabinet decision standards. number 37 for year 2013 regarding making the use of environment- The stakeholders emphasised the friendly ‘Ultra-low Sulphur Diesel’ creating green communities for a better tomorrow

INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TO drive the usage of Green Diesel to commence on September 7, 2014.

compulsory in the UAE. We have used in the UAE going towards the reduce the carbon footprint of the been working with the authorities to transport sector and its demand UAE, promote safe usage of diesel implement a mechanism to regulate growing by at least four per cent and bring value to the industry supply the diesel market to limit irregularities annually, it is important to take strong chain, which has been impacted and illegal activities. The use of low- measures to ensure quality and adversely by illegal diesel vendors. standard diesel, often sourced from environmental standards.” illegal vendors, not only impacts the “In addition to the economic and safety economy negatively but also leads to The stakeholders decided to formally benefits of using the environment- environmental degradation and health inform all relevant organisations, friendly diesel, adhering to the law & safety hazards.” including diesel distributors, fleet will also bring long-term advantages owners and commercial diesel-vehicle to users as it will help reduce costly He added: “The UAE Federal Cabinet users, urging them to register their maintenance and extend vehicle and decision is a landmark move that products and obtain a certificate equipment life. To achieve these wide- underlines the ‘green economy for of compliance from ESMA in ranging benefits, it is important that sustainable development’ vision collaboration with DED. An inspection we have the full and continued support announced by His Highness Sheikh campaign will be held to ensure that of the community. The campaign aims Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the diesel used conforms to the new to engage the community with the UAE Vice President and Prime Federal standards from September 7, ‘Green Vision’ of our country.” Minister and Ruler of Dubai. For 2014. the first time in the region, the UAE In preparing for the inspection has now set a clear guideline on the Khoory explained that the concerted campaign, DED and ESMA will standards to be followed in using efforts by the governmental work jointly to clearly underline the diesel. With 90 per cent of the diesel stakeholders and ENOC will help specifications to be followed and also September 2014 Society & Environment

Green Fuel 32 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

High-ranking officials of ENOC, Dubai Department of Economic Development, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Civil Defence, Emirates Authority for Standardisation & Metrology and Emarat at a stakeholder meeting hosted by ENOC to identify a clear roadmap to drive the usage of the environment-friendly ‘Green Diesel.’

set firm guidelines reflecting the UAE in implementing the Federal conserve the environment and meet Federal Cabinet decision. Cabinet decision no. 37 of 2013. the needs of our customers,” he The inspection campaign, which added. The Dubai Civil Defence will inspect fuel commences on September 7, will limit tanks, equipment and fuel tankers to the irregularities and illegal activities As of July 1, 2014 ENOC has been ensure that they meet the security and conducted by a number of companies the first organisation in the region safety requirements, with fines to be that distribute diesel fuel without to commence the sale of ‘Ultra-low levied on violators. Dubai Municipality consideration for safety and not Sulphur Diesel’ across its retail and will also join in the inspection of diesel following the required standards.” commercial networks. The service storage sites and ensure that all station staff members also advise permits are in place in relation to the “The joint cooperation between customers on the benefits of the new installation and use of fuel tanks. government entities and national diesel fuel. oil companies is very important to All diesel samples collected will be regulate the diesel market, and to As part of its commitment to the inspected at laboratories certified by limit irregularities and illegal activities community, environment, health, DED and ESMA. The diesel that does that have a negative impact on the safety and quality, ENOC is currently not conform to the standards will be economy and environment as well as absorbing the additional cost involved confiscated. on public safety. in distributing the low-emission diesel. Set by the European Union, the Euro 5 Nader Al Fardan, Senior Manager “Since 2008, ENOC was one of the standard ‘Green Diesel’ ensures that of EIPM, said: “We thank DED first companies in the region to emissions from vehicles are limited and and participating governmental provide the ultra-low-sulphur diesel are significantly less than emissions stakeholders for their support (50 ppm), as a part of its strategy to when using conventional fuels. creating green communities for a better tomorrow33

Dusit Thani Dubai retains EarthCheck Silver Certification four years in a row

usit Thani Dubai, Dusit said: “This maintains your place efficient lighting, the minimization of International’s flagship in as leader in the unique worldwide water consumption, recycling of solid Dthe vibrant city of Dubai, group of sustainable tourism waste products and use of recycled has been awarded for the fourth operators that are certified to the products whenever possible. This has time with a Silver Certification by internationally recognised EarthCheck resulted in a decrease in Greenhouse EarthCheck, a global recognition for Company Standard with the exclusive gas emissions (GHG) for the hotel’s its commendable and high standard EarthCheckTM science inside.” operations. of environmental efforts. To gain EarthCheck Certified status, “After continuously certifying with EarthCheck is an internationally the five-star hotel was required to EarthCheck for four years, the entire recognized environmental submit a year’s worth of operational team of Dusit Thani Dubai celebrates management and certification data to EarthCheck for Benchmarking this success with a strengthened program designed for the Travel and purposes. This was then compared enthusiasm to aim for Gold Tourism industry. It helps determine a to the operational data submitted by Certification in 2015,” said Sebastiao company’s standard of environmental, similar organizations, before being Ferrao, Chief Engineer, Dusit Thani social, and economic performance rated against Baseline and Best Dubai. and requires compliance to Practice levels. internationally recognized standards. “This recognition is a true testament Dusit Thani Dubai was also required to Dusit Thani Dubai’s commitment Congratulating Dusit Thani Dubai in to submit to independent, third in adhering to the highest science- successfully retaining EarthCheck party auditing, to verify the accuracy based standards to enhance the Certification, Judy Williams, of their sustainability claims. Their environmental, economic and social Certification Manager of EarthCheck, policies require the use of energy- sustainability of our initiatives.” September 2014 Society & Environment

Conservation 34 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Oman launches Phase 2 of Egyptian Vulture Conservation Project

The Environment Society of Oman has embarked on a conservation programme to survey the population of the Egyptian Vultures in Masirah Island and around the dumpsites of Muscat.

he Environment Society of an Iraqi wildlife expert with a wide Oman (ESO) has launched regional experience, will act as the TPhase 2 of the Egyptian Vulture lead consultant for the project. ESO Conservation Project. staff members started the survey by The Environment Society conducting a field visit to Al Amerat Sponsored by Shell Development landfill, which has a high number of of Oman initiated the Oman and with the support of individuals, to observe the attitude Muscat Municipality, Ministry of and behavior of the birds. conservation project Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, Ministry of Environment According to Dr. Hamed Al Gheilani, in early 2012 with the and Climate Affairs and Office for ESO Outreach Manager and Mrs. expectation of identifying Conservation of the Environment, the Maïa Sarrouf Willson, ESO Project project assesses vulture populations Manager, “ESO initiated this project just 12 pairs of Egyptian in the Sultanate and implements in early 2012 with the expectation of conservation measures that counter identifying just 12 pairs of Egyptian Vultures at their main the prominent threats to the species. Vultures at their main feeding grounds on Masirah Island. feeding grounds on This phase will focus on extending the Masirah Island. research study to cover the breeding Our research determined there territories of the species in different were an estimated 65-80 breeding areas of Oman in the governorates of pairs, over four times the amount Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Ah Sharqiya, last estimated in the 1980s. The Dhofar and Muscat. Omar Al Sheikhly, next phase of the project will identify creating green communities for a better tomorrow

THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE is listed under IUCN’s Red List as ‘Endangered’ and recent reports suggest its population has been globally declining in the last years.

potential nesting sites for Egyptian rising in Oman but we must continue International Union for Conservation Vultures across the country and to identify potential threats and of Nature (IUCN) and reports suggest center itself on capacity building collaborate to discover solutions that its worldwide population has declined among ESO’s field assistants, a goal provide safe habitats and a lasting by 90% in the last 50 years. of central importance in raising impact.” public awareness of the species and The main threat to the species their habitats through community Also called the scavenger vulture, is inadvertent poisoning through engagement activities.” the Egyptian vulture is found from veterinary drug Diclofenac, used southwestern Europe and northern as an anti-inflammatory treatment Muna Al-Shukaili, Social Investment Africa to southern Asia. It is the only for livestock, which has since been Advisor & Deputy External Affairs living species in its genus Neophron. phased out in Europe, India, Nepal, Manager at Shell Development Oman, Pakistan and Bangladesh. said, “Our aim is to bring benefits to It has an unmistakable appearance, local communities and to reduce the possessing white plumage with some Worldwide vulture populations have human and industrial impact on the black feathers in the wings and tail increased following the ban. As this natural environment. In partnership and a yellow to orange face (in which drug is not of use in Oman, the Omani with ESO, we have contributed to the the coloration shifts during breeding vulture population have been relatively continuation of a key research project seasons). Due to its habits of hanging unaffected by these threats. for the Egyptian vulture, one of the around dirty carcasses, its plumage world’s endangered species. often appears to be brown in color. Through its program, ESO is currently working with its partners to determine “Efforts to date have shown that The Egyptian Vulture is classified the key habitats in which the birds can Egyptian vulture populations are as an endangered species by the live with minimal disturbance. September 2014 Society & Environment

Innovation 36 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Dandelion Rubber Project wins GreenTec Award 2014

Scientists from Fraunhofer - in collaboration with Continental - have transformed the ordinary dandelion from a weed into an agricultural crop that produces an abundance of natural rubber.

he premium tyre manufacturer large quantities of rubber within its and International automotive white latex sap. The dandelion also Tsupplier, Continental, has has a number of decisive advantages been honored with the GreenTec over the rubber tree: Its vegetation Award 2014 for a co-development period only lasts one year, not A new research project project for rubber that can be several years; the plants can be industrialized from dandelion plants harvested immediately, and be further has proven that rubber for tyre production, “RUBIN- Industry optimised by breeding. At the same can be industrialized Emergence of Natural Rubber from time, it is less vulnerable to pests, Dandelion.” and can be grown on marginal land from dandelion plants for and in temperate conditions, unlike The project, in partnership with the traditional rubber trees which require tyre production and that Fraunhofer institute for Molecular tropical conditions. Biology and Applied Ecology at the these are able to produce University of Muenster in Muenster, The development means that rubber the same quality of Germany (IME), has taken several can be produced more easily and years of experimentation, and has readily, with less of an impact on the rubber as rubber trees. proven that dandelion plants are able environment. Using dandelion rubber to produce the same quality of rubber will help shorten transport routes to as rubber trees. Continental’s production sites, helping to reduce the energy required to The project uses a Russian variety produce tyres and help meet rising of the domestic plants, which include demand for rubber without sacrificing creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Dandelion Rubber Project wins GreenTec Award 2014

ONCE REGARDED AS pesky intruders in gardens, dandelions are now touted as a promising source of rubber for tyres.

the rainforest to support production. environmental technology. enable us to further improve our tyre production in the long run. This is When nominated, Continental’s Commenting on the award, Nikolai because the production of rubber from project was one of the top three in the Seltzer, Member of the Executive dandelion roots is far less weather- ‘Automobility’ category. This category Board of Continental and Head of Tire dependent than production from recognizes technological innovations, Division, said: “We are delighted to rubber trees. Furthermore, the new eco-friendly mobility concepts, and receive this award for our dandelion system is so undemanding in terms of mobility services in particular. In the rubber project. At Continental, agricultural requirements that it opens process, the nominated projects we are constantly striving to find up a whole new potential – particularly are judged not only on the results ecologically, economically and socially for areas of land in Europe that are achieved to date, but also on their viable solutions to meet the growing currently uncultivated. By growing the future potential. demand for our product. We are crops much closer to our production convinced that the use of rubber from sites, we can also significantly reduce First presented in 2008, the Green the dandelion root will make our tyre the burden on the environment and our Tech awards, of which there are 14 production considerably more efficient outlay for logistics.” different categories, are Europe’s and sustainable, and the full potential biggest environmental and business of this technology will become clear This crop can be grown in numerous awards. A 60-member jury panel over the next few years.” countries in Europe, including consisting of experts from industry, Germany. Continental’s aim is to academia, trade associations, and the He further added: “Continental is develop its dandelion rubber tyre media praised the project for being an investing in this promising material production, and begin testing the first outstanding example of commitment development and production project prototype tires on public roads over to the environment and pioneering because we are convinced that it will the next five years. September 2014 Society & Environment

Sustainability 38 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Building buzz -worthy bee health

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts creates a rooftop respite to help pollinator bees flourish; introduces its first pollinator bee hotel at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York.

ith research indicating project to protect pollinator bees is to persevering and protecting the solitary bee populations an extension of our ongoing efforts destinations it calls home. continue to show signs of to support bees of all kinds, including W Across North America, the overall decline, and loss and fragmentation nurturing honeybees with hives at of habitat cited as a leading factor, more than 20 of our properties number of pollinator bees has been Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is around the world.” on a steady decline for decades, stepping up to provide solitary bees which has impacted the health of Fairmont’s latest project to support with a place to rest their wings with ecosystems, the reproduction of bees is part of a larger partnership the introduction of its first pollinator the majority of flowering plants and with Burt’s Bees and its annual WILD bee hotel at Toronto’s landmark pollination of food. This is a great FOR BEES campaign. The two leading Fairmont Royal York. concern, as bees are responsible for companies, along with Sustainable. pollinating more than 80 per cent of “Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is TO Architecture + Building and flowering plants, fruits and vegetables. extremely excited about the addition Pollinator Partnership Canada, have A primary cause of this decline is the of our new pollinator bee hotel and we teamed up to design and construct loss and fragmentation of habitat. look forward providing these pint-sized five sustainable bee hotels: four in ‘guests’ with the five-star treatment Toronto and one in Guelph, with “One out of every three bites of they so deserve for keeping our the first hotel launching at The food humans eat is the result of ecosystems resilient,” said Alexandra Fairmont Royal York. This Toronto animal pollination,” says Vicki Wojcik, Blum, vice president, public relations, pilot program, which Fairmont Research Director of Pollinator FRHI Hotels & Resorts. “The Fairmont plans to roll out at more hotels Partnership, a not-for-profit brand has a long history of being next year, supports the luxury hotel organization dedicated to supporting a sustainability pioneer, and this brand’s decades’ long commitment pollinators across North America. creating green communities for a better tomorrow

ACROSS NORTH AMERICA, the overall number of pollinator bees has been on a steady decline for decades, which has impacted the health of ecosystems, the reproduction of the majority of flowering plants and pollination of food.

“Raising money and awareness for and is the perfect spot for the new created a feature Pollinator Menu for pollinator research and breeding pollinator bee hotel. The high-rise June in EPIC Restaurant. programs is vitally important and will herbarium features 17 four-poster aid in limiting future losses and boost beds and surrounding planter pots “Sustainability isn’t a buzz word here bee health in the present.” filled with herbs such as rosemary, at Fairmont, it’s a core element of lavender, lemon thyme, chives, parsley, our operations and an area that A pollinator bee hotel is a collection of tarragon and basil. Lemon Verbena, our colleagues and hotels soundly nesting materials (wood, twigs, fallen alpine strawberries and mojito mint embrace,” said Jane Mackie, vice branches, soil and pith-filled holes) also have their own beds. Established president, Fairmont Brand. “Through designed to attract, support and in 2008, the apiary produces over its bee programming, rooftop herb protect native, lost and solitary bees 800 lbs of award-winning rooftop and vegetable gardens, waste and by replicating their natural nesting honey each year, that is used in the water reduction efforts, and countless sites. This allows the bees to breed, hotel’s kitchens and its local micro- other environmental initiatives, The lay eggs and seek protection from brew called “Royal Stinger”. Fairmont Royal York supports its predators. Fairmont’s bee hotel, which broader ecosystem and is responsible is designed to reflect the Toronto Executive Chef Collin Thornton and tourism brought to life.” skyline, will provide a sustainable his team of sous chefs maintain The nesting site for local pollinator bees. Fairmont Royal York’s rooftop garden and apiary, and use the garden as The Fairmont Royal York’s rooftop a teaching tool for apprentice chefs garden, which already houses an in how ingredients are produced. To apiary of six honeybee hives, has been showcase the amazing powers of the in bloom for more than 15 years pollinator bees, Chef Thornton has September 2014 Society & Environment

Conservation 40 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Celebrating the majesty of one of the world’s most threatened animals

August 12 marked World Elephant Day, an international event dedicated to the preservation and protection of this endangered animal.

orld Elephant Day was UNEP and partner research reveals Extinction is not, however, a foregone created in 2012 by that large-scale seizures of ivory conclusion. If we pool our resources WCanadian filmmaker and (consignments of over 800 kg) and renew our commitment to saving elephant advocate Patricia Sims, destined for Asia have more than this most magnificent of species, we and the Elephant Reintroduction doubled since 2009 and reached an can end the illegal trade in ivory and Foundation in Thailand. Now over 65 all-time high in 2011. reverse the heartbreaking slaughter, wildlife organizations across the world capture and imprisonment of support the event, which is meant to To meet this insatiable demand elephants. spread awareness and knowledge for ivory, approximately 20,000 to about the plight of both African and 25,000 elephants are killed per The World Elephant Day website Asian elephants. year, out of a population of between presents a list of practical steps that 420,000 and 650,000. individuals can take to help elephants. World Elephant Day, now in its third year, should be an opportunity to Poached African ivory may represent These include studying elephants celebrate the majesty of the planet’s an end-user street value in Asia of in their “keystone” role in the largest land animal. Instead, it is a US$165 to US$188 million of raw environment and their relationships reminder that if poaching continues ivory. with plants and other animals; at current rates, we face a future learning about and supporting in which one of the environment’s The Asian elephant is now organisations that are working to keystone species may be driven to endangered, with less than 40,000 protect habitat for wild elephants; extinction by rising demand for illegal remaining worldwide, and it is not buying ivory or other illegal wildlife ivory in the rapidly growing economies estimated that one in every three goods; and, supporting organizations of Asia. elephants in Asia lives in captivity. that are working to stop the illegal creating green communities for a better tomorrow

ON WORLD ELEPHANT DAY, UNEP raised awareness at the political and societal level of the grave impact of poaching on elephant populations and the environment.

poaching and trade of elephant ivory collaboration with countries and O’Criodain, WWF’s Policy Analyst and other wildlife products. agencies such as UNEP, has created on International Wildlife Trade. “The a more effective structure to provide country hosted the last global meeting Through the publication of support to countries in the fields of of governments on wildlife trade, but such important reports as The policing, customs, prosecution and the has made no progress in shutting down Environmental Crime Crisis, A Rapid judiciary. its domestic markets despite a national Response Assessment, released commitment from the highest level.” during the first United Nations Major increase in Thai ivory Environment Assembly in June market shows need for action The TRAFFIC report shows that the 2014, UNEP is raising awareness at say wildlife experts number of retail outlets selling ivory the political and societal level of the The report, Polishing off the ivory: in Bangkok jumped from 61 to 105 grave impact of poaching on elephant Surveys of Thailand’s ivory market between January and December of populations and the environment. released by the wildlife trade 2013. monitoring network TRAFFIC, found Many organisations around the world an increase both in the number The number and size of specific ivory are also collaborating to address the of locations selling ivory as well as products indicated that larger-sized growing threat to elephants. the quantity of ivory available since elephant tusks are reaching the Thailand pledged to eradicate its market in Thailand. This, along with One example of international domestic ivory trade in 2013. seizure data, confirms illegal attempts enforcement collaboration is to move large quantities of African the International Consortium on “The level of improvement made elephant ivory into the country. Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). in Thailand since 2013 is bitterly The ICCWC, along with increased disappointing,” says Dr Colman The report also provides evidence September 2014 Society & Environment

Conservation 42 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

that the quantity of ivory available Poaching in Africa a detailed assessment of the impact for purchase far exceeds the limited Africa’s elephants have reached a this is having on Africa’s elephants. supply available from domesticated tipping point: more are being killed animals, meaning the vast majority each year than are being born, The researchers have found that of ivory being sold is illegal under a recent study published in the between 2010 and 2013, Africa international laws. Proceedings of the National Academy lost an average of 7% of its entire of Sciences says. elephant population each year. Because elephant births boost the The latest Convention on International Researchers believe that since 2010, population by about 5% annually, Trade in Endangered Species of Wild an average of nearly 35,000 elephants this means that overall more of the Fauna and Flora (CITES) figures show have been killed annually on the animals are being killed than are being that African elephant poaching rates continent.They warn that if the rate of born. remain above 20,000 per year, well in poaching continues, the animals could excess of the reproduction rate of the be wiped out in 100 years In Central Africa it is estimated that population, while the growing number elephant numbers have fallen by about of seizures of ivory shipments over The illegal trade in elephant tusks 60% in a decade. 500kg indicate the increasing role has soared in recent years, and played by organised criminals in the a kilogram of ivory is now worth illegal trade. thousands of dollars. Much of the demand has been driven by a rapidly Thailand’s domestic ivory market is growing market in Asia. While the biggest unregulated market in the conservationists have long said the world. outlook was bleak, this study provides creating green communities for a better tomorrow43

20% energy savings for leading water manufacturer after upgrading to innovative solutions

n line with the UAE’s eco-friendly reduce carbon footprint and energy water line fitted with a Combi (SBO initiatives, Al Ahlia Gulf Line, the consumption in line with the ecological 20, Eurotronica filler and a Rollquatro Ilicensed bottler and distributor initiatives of the local government,” labeller) from Sidel. of Coca-Cola brands in the UAE said Ravikanth Uppaluru, Factory and Oman, announced that it had Manager at Al Ahlia Gulf Line. In 2013, the consumption of bottled achieved 20% in energy savings, after water in the UAE registered growth upgrading its water production line “We are committed to produce in in both total volume and current with Sidel’s innovative solutions. an environment-friendly manner, value estimated at 6% and 11% reduce our environmental impact and respectively. This increase was due With the installation of the ECO use resources efficiently. With the to high amounts of water consumed BoosterTM, a comprehensive service integration of innovative technology for health reasons and because of the based on the measurement, advice and advanced solutions from Sidel increasing tourism inflow. This trend and continuous improvement of the into our equipment, we were able to is expected to continue growing in blower, Al Ahlia Gulf Line has been able achieve remarkable results embedded line with the population and tourism to improve the performance of the in the improved performance and growth. Per capita consumption is also blow-moulder to significantly reduce the savings of energy and costs,” expected to keep rising. the energy consumption. he added.

“Being a certified plant for ISO Al Ahlia Gulf Line started in-house 14001:2004 and the ADEHSMS production from Al Ain Plant in 1990. (Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and The plant operates 2 SBO8 Universal’s Safety Management System), we have for the production of CSD products, set ambitious plans for ourselves to in addition to 1 can line and 1 PET September 2014 Society & Environment © Mikael Ullén

World Water Week 44 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

World Water Week: Energy and water communities must cooperate to meet global challenges

World Water Week provides a unique forum for the exchange of views, experiences and practices between the scientific, business, policy and civic communities.

lobal leaders gathered in Addressing the opening session of the Stockholm on 1st September Week, Torgny Holmgren, Executive Gfor the 24th annual World Director of World Water Week Water Week, urging the energy and organiser Stockholm International In over 100 seminars, water communities to work together Water Institute, said: “The challenges to face some of the main challenges are immense. With the global demand workshops and events of our time, providing clean drinking for water projected to grow by 55 spread throughout water and energy for a growing world per cent between 2000 and 2050 population. and electricity demand expected to the week, delegates increase by 50 per cent in the next The theme of 2014 World Water two decades, there is an urgent need Week is “Energy and Water”. Water discussed ongoing for a closer relationship between the and energy are interdependent in energy and water communities if we and future work and more ways than not. We need energy are to provide solutions for all peoples for pumping, storing, transporting collaboration between to prosper.” and treating water, we need water for the energy and water producing almost all sorts of energy. Professor John Briscoe, 2014 An increase or decrease in one will Laureate of Stockholm Water Prize, communities. immediately affect the other. The two spoke about water as a platform resources are also inseparable from for growth, both of other sectors sustainable development and must be and society as a whole, and said tirelessly promoted in global decision- that “developing countries face big making. challenges. They have yet to mobilise creating green communities for a better tomorrow

World Water Week: Energy and water communities must cooperate to meet global challenges © Mikael Ullén

THE WORLD WATER Week in Stockholm, hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), has been the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues since 1991.

those resources.” He added that there United Nations Under-Secretary- Durban Metropolitan Area, for its is “no eternal solution [to the water General and Special Representative of transformative and inclusive approach crisis], neither here nor there. Instead, the Secretary-General for Sustainable to providing water and sanitation there is a cycle of challenges and Energy for All. services, and the Stockholm Junior responses.” Water Prize which, on Wednesday 3rd On Thursday 4 September, the September, is given to one national In over 100 seminars, workshops and prestigious Stockholm Water Prize team from 29 competing nations events spread throughout the week, will be awarded to Prof. John Briscoe by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of delegates will discuss ongoing and of South Africa, for his unparalleled Sweden. future work and collaboration between contributions to global and local the energy and water communities. water management, inspired by an unwavering commitment to improving “One of the major challenges that our the lives of people on the ground. world faces today is providing modern The prize will be awarded to Prof. energy services and water for billions Briscoe by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf without both. As global demand for of Sweden, during a ceremony in both energy and water increases, we Stockholm City Hall. must think about the way we produce and use both to ensure shared Other prizes that will be presented prosperity for all citizens, protect the are the Stockholm Industry Water environment, achieve socio-economic Award, which will be awarded, on development and secure peace and Tuesday 2nd September, to eThekwini stability, said Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Water and Sanitation serving the September 2014 Society & Environment

Award 46 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

‘Nobel Prize of Water’ awarded to John Briscoe

Professor John Briscoe, a native of South Africa, and a giant in global water management wins the 2014 Stockholm Water Prize.

rofessor John Briscoe, a native organizations, or institutions to Briscoe’s genius lies in his fusion of of South Africa, was named “recognize outstanding research, science, policy and practice, giving Pthe 2014 Stockholm Water action, or education that increases him unrivalled insights into how water Prize Laureate for his unparalleled knowledge of water as a resource and should be managed to improve the contributions to global and local protects its usability for all life.” lives of people worldwide. water management, inspired by an unwavering commitment to improving In its citation, the Stockholm “At the end of the day, it is what the lives of people on the ground. Water Prize Committee states happens on the ground that matters. that Professor John Briscoe “has All policies must be judged by whether John Briscoe currently lives and combined world-class research with they make a difference on the ground. works in the United States, where he policy implementation and practice I believe that the years I spent working is visiting professor of environmental to improve the development and at the micro level is what enables me engineering at the School of management of water resources as to be an effective policy maker,” said Engineering and Applied Sciences, and well as access to safe drinking water John Briscoe upon receiving the news. visiting professor of environmental and sanitation.” health at the School of Public Health at In the mid-1970s Briscoe lived Harvard University. Today’s world is beset by daunting in a small village in the interior of water challenges – human water Bangladesh, and learned first-hand The Stockholm Water Prize, known security and biodiversity are at risk, how infrastructure for protection informally as the “Nobel Prize of global demand for water is soaring, from floods and droughts could water,” and awarded annually since and droughts and floods cause deadly transform the lives of the poor. Later 1991 by the Stockholm International disasters. These challenges cannot in the 1970s Briscoe worked as an Water Institute, is given to individuals, be met on one front alone. Professor engineer in the government of newly creating green communities for a better tomorrow

‘Nobel Prize of Water’ awarded to John Briscoe © Mikael Ullén PROFESSOR BRISCOE IS known for his courage and pragmatism in tackling controversial issues, ranging from conflicts on international waters to novel approaches to integrating infrastructure, institutions and environmental sustainability in river basins.

independent Mozambique, learning of the biggest of the World Bank’s account of all of their people and who that you were a credible policy maker borrowers, and John Briscoe was have to make difficult choices among only if you could help resolve basic praised for bridging the divide between competing priorities.” problems of building and running sound environmental management infrastructure. and economic development objectives H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, in the Amazon and other parts of this Patron of the Stockholm Water Prize, At the other end of Professor Briscoe’s rapidly developing nation. will present the prize to Professor John spectrum of accomplishments is the Briscoe at a Royal Award Ceremony 2003 Water Strategy for the World Professor Briscoe has become known during 2014 World Water Week in Bank. This strategy provided a new, for his passionate commitment to Stockholm on September 4. creative and enduring benchmark sustainable economic development, his for global understanding of the need disrespect for constructed boundaries for both better infrastructure and between sectors and people, and for improved institutions. The strategy his insistence that the voice of people has had implications far beyond the who are affected – from the poorest water sector, helping to ensure that of farmers, to the private sector, to developing and emerging countries get political leaders – be heard. a stronger voice in global governance. “It is vital to give primary attention to Professor Briscoe brought his the effect on people who will live with experience of high-level policy with him the consequences of policies and to Brazil as the World Bank Country projects. Equally important is the voice Director in 2005. Brazil was one of political leaders who have to take September 2014 Society & Environment © Cecilia Östberg, Exray

Award 48 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

“Most progressive water utility in Africa” wins 2014 Stockholm Industry Water Award

eThekwini Water and Sanitation is a unit of the eThekwini municipality and is responsible for the provision of water and sanitation services to all customers in the municipality.

Thekwini Water & Sanitation, centres, expanded its administrative basic services to a large and serving the Durban metropolitan boundaries to include 3.5 million diverse population, eThekwini Water earea in South Africa, has been people, some of them living in poorly and Sanitation is at the forefront named the 2014 winner of the serviced rural areas with huge water of exploring technical and social Stockholm Industry Water Award, and sanitation challenges. solutions. One example is a mini for its transformative and inclusive hydro-power project: instead of using approach to providing water and The eThekwini municipality decided to pressure reducing valves in pipes sanitation services. face these challenges head-on. running down steep hillsides, the company is installing mini turbines “This recognition reflects the work In the past 14 years, 1.3 million using the excess pressure to of our whole team over the past 22 additional people in greater Durban generate electricity for the city’s low years and is a tremendous honour have been connected to piped water tension grid. for all of us here in Durban,” says Neil and 700,000 people have been Macleod, head of eThekwini Water provided with access to toilets. In The eThekwini municipality is also and Sanitation. respecting the constitutional right pioneering solutions to convert urban to water while maintaining financial wastewater challenges to agricultural South Africa’s constitution from sustainability, access to basic water opportunities as well as harvesting 1996, praised as a model for supply and sanitation is provided at rainwater. inclusion of social rights, enshrined no cost to poor families, while higher the human right to water. Local levels of service and consumption are The combined result is one of the government was tasked with putting charged at full cost. most progressive utilities in the world. it into practice. Soon after, Durban, The open approach to experimenting one of the country’s main urban In addition to successfully providing and piloting new solutions across creating green communities for a better tomorrow

eThekwini Water & Sanitation © Cecilia Östberg, Exray eTHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY was established in 1992 and it manages the water and sanitation services for the 3.5 million people living in the Durban area.

both technical and social aspects of challenges,” states the Stockholm disseminating their findings and service delivery has made eThekwini Industry Water Award (SIWA) jury in working methods. a forerunner in the world of utility-run its citation. services. Initiatives such as free basic water, Water and Sanitation unit of flow limiters, the use of plastic bodied One partner comments that “leaders eThekwini Municipality was established water meters, polypropylene water at eThekwini have already been in 1992. It manages the water and piping, ground tanks and semi- betting on new and risky approaches sanitation services for the 3.5 million pressure water service levels, urine to test innovation that will ultimately people living in the Durban area, and diversion toilets, anaerobic baffled have a long term benefit for the has worked with some of the world’s reactors, the use of grey water for population, most municipalities refrain major actors and knowledge hubs urban agriculture, customer services from exploring ideas out of the box, in water and sanitation as well as agents, condominial sewerage and focusing on business as usual.” development, such as the Bill and a customer water debt repayment Melinda Gates Foundation, the World policy were first introduced to South “eThekwini has championed the Bank, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Africa, here. approach to provide sufficient water Borda, Eawag, the Renewable Energy to sustain human life, as expressed and Energy Efficiency Partnership in the South African constitution, (REEEP) and DHI. now embedded in national policy. The methods used and results achieved by Its methods have been replicated eThekwini Water and Sanitation serve across the country and region, as a sterling example for the many and eThekwini representatives communities worldwide facing similar are successfully sharing and September 2014 Society & Environment

Sustainability 50 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Trillions of dollars of public spending to be directed towards greening global markets

Under the Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Programme, governments will be guided to redirect public spending into goods and services that bring significant environmental and social benefits.

new global programme, procurement in 2011, while in some knowledge of sustainable launched early this year, will developing nations this can hit 20 procurement’s benefits and A harness the power of the per cent. This adds up to trillions supporting implementation through trillions of dollars that governments of dollars globally, demonstrating access to experts and tools. spend on public procurement each the scale of the opportunity ahead,” year towards a shift to a more said Achim Steiner, United Nations “If public money is spent on resource-efficient world. Under-Secretary-General and UNEP products and services that reduce Executive Director. environmental impacts, encourage The Sustainable Public Procurement social improvement and achieve (SPP) Programme - the first action “Governments can use this potential financial efficiency, a huge step to get underway as part of the 10- to lead markets onto a sustainable forward could be made towards Year Framework of Programmes path by demanding goods and services sustainable development,” said Gino on Sustainable Consumption and that conserve natural resources, Van Begin, ICLEI Secretary General. Production (10YFP) - will assist create decent green jobs, and improve “This is what the 10-Year Framework governments to redirect public livelihoods around the globe.” Programme on Sustainable Public spending into goods and services that Procurement aims to achieve.” bring significant environmental and The SPP Programme - co-led by social benefits. the UN Environment Programme Existing initiatives from around (UNEP), ICLEI - Local Governments the globe prove that sustainable “The Organization of Economic Co- for Sustainability, and the Korea procurement transforms markets, operation and Development nations Environmental Industry and boosts eco-industries, saves money, spent an average 13 per cent of Technology Institute (KEITI) - will conserves natural resources and Gross Domestic Product on public enable this shift by improving fosters job creation. For example: creating green communities for a better tomorrow

SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC procurement is a tool which allows governments to leverage public spending (between 15 to 25 % of GDP) in order to promote the country’s social, environmental and economic policies.

• Indian Railways replaced more full-time jobs for disabled people. Government has incorporated than one million incandescent sustainability requirements into light bulbs with energy-efficient Many other nations, including the purchasing regulations. fluorescent lamps in 400,000 Republic of Korea, have created employees’ homes, saving more sustainable public procurement Additionally, an Executive Order than 100,000MWh of energy and policies that will bring further such stipulates that 95 per cent of all new reducing carbon dioxide emissions benefits in the near future. contracts use products and services by 90,000 tonnes each year. that are energy- and water-efficient, “The Republic of Korea has environmentally preferable, non- • In Brazil, the Foundation for gained strong expertise in the ozone depleting, and contain recycled Education Development saved implementation of green public content. 8,800 cubic metres of water and procurement based on an electronic 1,750 tonnes of waste by using monitoring system over the past ten Chile’s public procurement and notebooks made from recycled years,” said Yongjoo Kim, President contracting bureau set a target of paper in Sao Paulo schools. of KEITI. “We wish to contribute to 15 per cent of procurement orders the programme, in close partnership meeting sustainability targets by • In France, a contract for the with UNEP and ICLEI, by identifying and 2012. This goal was fulfilled a year purchase of toner cartridges disseminating good practices.” ahead of schedule: 17.2 per cent of was awarded to an organization orders included sustainability criteria that, between 2009 and 2011, In the United States - where the by the end of 2011. The bureau recovered 11,500 kilogrammes of federal government procures oversees US$8 billion in transactions, waste, saved the government 30 more than US$500 billion a year accounting for more than 3.2 per per cent in costs and created nine in goods and services - the Federal cent of GDP. September 2014 Society & Environment

Sustainability 52 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

In Japan - where a 2010 study consumption and production. Environmental Protection Agency. found that government bodies spent US$672 billion (17.6 per cent of GDP) “A rapid transformation, which will The 10YFP is a global framework for - green purchasing laws now require support the post-2015 Sustainable action that enhances international ministries, provisional governments Development Agenda, is eminently cooperation to develop, replicate and and an increasing number of cities to possible,” said Mr. Steiner. scale up Sustainable Consumption make 95 per cent of their purchases “Governments from across the and Production (SCP) and resource from designated “green product” globe signed up to the UNEP-led efficiency initiatives around the world. categories. Sustainable Public Procurement It was established after Heads of Initiative at Rio+20, and are backing State at Rio+20 agreed that SCP The programme, by working to ensure this commitment with action. This is a cornerstone of sustainable such purchasing decisions are the demonstrates that the political will is development, and an important norm rather than the exception, aims already in place.” contributor to poverty alleviation to play a vital role in transitioning the and the transition to low-carbon and globe to an inclusive Green Economy. The programme is also supported by green economies. the European Commission, the Swiss The launch comes just a few months Federal Office for the Environment, ahead of the first United Nations the China Ministry of Environmental Environment Assembly, when the Protection, the Republic of Korea, world’s environment ministers will ISEAL Alliance, the Organization meet to discuss the post-2015 for Economic Co-operation and Sustainable Development Agenda, Development, the Swedish Ministry of with a special focus on sustainable the Environment, and the United States creating green communities for a better tomorrow53

DEWA extends its 24° Celsius campaign to the commercial sector

ubai Electricity and Water also known as the Carbon Footprint. for Sustainable Development Authority (DEWA) has initiative launched by HH Sheikh extended its annual campaign This move enables commercial Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, D consumers to achieve sustainable ‘Set your AC to 24°C’ to raise Vice President and Prime Minister awareness amongst commercial financial savings, especially as air of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and consumers about the importance of conditioning consumes a large the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy rationalising consumption to preserve percentage of energy in commercial 2030 to reduce energy demand by natural resources. The campaign properties. The campaign enables 30% in 2030, and in accordance complements DEWA’s efforts to users to support DEWA’s efforts to with DEWA’s strategy for sustainable support environmental sustainability promote environmental awareness development,” said HE Saeed in Dubai. and reduce carbon dioxide emissions Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of to protect the environment and DEWA. The ‘Set your AC to 24°C’ campaign support the Sustainable Development encourages consumers to adopt of Dubai. “DEWA’s awareness campaigns environmentally-friendly lifestyles have achieved remarkable results. at their homes and workplaces by “DEWA consistently organises Between 2009 and 2013, we setting their air conditioning to 24°C, awareness campaigns and initiatives managed to reduce electricity which is the optimal temperature to promote a culture of conservation consumption to about 1,012 GW/h for the human body. Setting the air and minimise the excessive use of of electricity, and 4.9 billion gallons conditioning thermostat to 24°C also natural resources. This enables us of water, eliminating the release helps to keep the environment by to sustain our natural resources, for of 466,000 tons of carbon dioxide reducing power consumption and also generations to come. These efforts emissions. This helped save about carbon dioxide emissions, which is are in line with the Green Economy AED 622 million,” added Al Tayer. September 2014 Society & Environment

Campaign 54 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

7 Seas Campaign highlights need to put Marine Protected Areas on the global agenda

In his most daring challenge yet, Lewis Pugh has given voice to the UN’s call for 10% of the world’s seas to be declared marine protected areas.

enowned ocean swimmer and - through habitat destruction in but less than 3 per cent of the environmental campaigner the Red and severe bleaching in ocean’s surface is protected - nearly RLewis Pugh, a United Nations the Arabian Sea. The Black Sea is all of that in coastal areas. The United Environment Programme (UNEP) dreadfully polluted. And the rich Nations is urging all nations to set Patron for Oceans, has become wetlands of the Adriatic no longer aside at least 10 per cent of their the first person to swim the world’s provide a safe haven for thousands of waters as a network of well-managed seven seas, drawing attention from migrating birds,” said Pugh. and well-designed MPAs by 2020. around the globe to the importance of creating dedicated Marine Protected Reflecting on his expedition, Pugh In his final swim, Pugh overcame the Areas (MPA). said: “When you’ve had your head cold waters of the North Sea and the under water for four weeks, you get fierce tides of London’s River Thames Pugh, who has previously pioneered a good idea of what the health of the to deliver a petition to United Kingdom swims in the most hostile waters ocean is like.” Prime Minister David Cameron, on earth including the Antarctic, urging him to do more to support the North Pole and the Himalayas, “My message for policymakers MPAs. crossed each of the seven seas over around the whole world is that we a period of four weeks. stand at a monumental moment in Pioneering Campaign the history of this world, and unless Pugh’s pioneering campaign has The seven seas are some of the we take effective action right now we sought to encourage policymakers most at risk waters in the world. “The will miss the tide,” he added. in each of the countries he visited North, Aegean and Mediterranean to meet the 10 per cent target, as Seas have been drastically overfished. Approximately 13 per cent of the well as educate the public and media Many coral reefs are in decline world’s land lies in a protected area, about MPAs and their benefits. creating green communities for a better tomorrow

A MARINE PROTECTED Area is a geographically defined area that is regulated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives.

“The establishment of Marine their continued support for his efforts for us humans. We rely on the health Protected Areas is a critical to raise awareness among the world’s of our oceans to survive. MPAs component of global efforts to reverse public and policymakers on the need improve the health of our oceans the degradation of our oceans,” for more MPAs. by protecting and restoring marine said UN Under-Secretary-General habitats, they protect species and and UNEP Executive Director Achim Many swimmers also rallied to his help rebuild fish stocks and they Steiner. “UNEP applauds Lewis side through extreme conditions, increase resilience to environmental Pugh’s latest expedition, which has braving choppy and heavily polluted changes,” he added. spotlighted the importance of MPAs waters, to show their support for his and increased global attention to the mission and to urge him along on his Speaking of his long-distance swim in plight of the world’s oceans.” journey to becoming the first person the Seven Seas of the ancient world, to swim the seven seas. Pugh said: “I’ve experienced some “Land-based pollution, poorly managed things I will never forget. And seen coastal development, overfishing and Ambitious Expedition some things I wish I could erase from climate change are all major threats “This has been my most ambitious my memory, but which will haunt me which can be reduced if governments expedition yet,” said Pugh. “The for the rest of my days. work together and set ambitious logistics were complex. The challenges targets,” he added. were many. But the aim is simple: to “I will never forget the people I protect our wonderful seas and their met along this journey, the literally Pugh drew the attention of many high precious marine wildlife.” hundreds of people from all walks of profile dignitaries during his challenge, life who helped us and supported us including Prince Albert II of Monaco “MPAs are great for fish, great for and jumped in the sea to swim with and Desmond Tutu, who expressed tourism and least we forget it, great us, just to be part of this mission.” September 2014 Society & Environment

Campaign 56 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

The sixth swim in the Arabian making their way into the sea. There impressive range of beautiful, yet Sea were birds diving down and grabbing vulnerable, species and habitats. On 25th August in Rass Al Hadd, them; fish darting in and out; and Oman, Lewis Pugh, completed local artisan fisherman catching fish The diverse and productive coral his sixth swim for his Seven Seas for their families.” reefs of this sea have suffered Campaign. On the penultimate leg of severe coral bleaching – up to the campaign, Lewis swam 10km off Lewis’s campaign has seen 80% in some areas – from global the coast of Rass Al Hadd to raise him become the first person to warming. This is set to intensify as awareness of the decline in coral undertake a long distance swim sea temperatures rise with climate reefs through severe bleaching. It in each of the Seven Seas: the change. It’s a bleak outlook for coral took him three hours and 15 minutes Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, reef habitats, and urgent action is in what he described as: “Literally one Black, Red, Arabian and North Sea. needed to reduce climate change of the highlights of my life.” These seas are amongst the most at a global level, combined with polluted and overfished in the world. protection at the local level. Pugh continued: “In 27 years of swimming I have never seen so many Lewis’s swim in the Arabian Sea Well-managed MPAs can reduce turtles – over 300 Green Turtles. In raises the call to action to protect stressors and may improve the some places the whole sea bed was and restore coral reefs, so that ability of corals to withstand and covered in turtles. At the start of the this delicate habitat might survive. recover from the temperature swim there were turtles laying eggs. Spanning from East Africa to spikes that cause coral bleaching There were little turtles hatching and West India, the sea is home to an episodes. “Everywhere water is under threat. It is our most precious resource. And there is no alternative to it.”

creating green communities for a better tomorrow

“And then there are the things I would “In the entire four weeks I did not see looked like an underwater desert. If I rather forget. Such as the sea floor one shark, anywhere. had needed more proof that Marine under me as I swam the Aegean, Protected Areas really work, that was which was covered with litter; I saw “As I was about to jump in the water it. Everything I knew about how MPAs tyres and plastic bags, bottles, cans for the Red Sea swim I asked the allow marine life to recover, how shoes and clothing – but absolutely boat’s skipper whether I should keep they protect and restore fish stocks, nothing that qualifies as ‘sea life’. a look out for sharks. He told me not how they provide income-generating to worry, because the sharks have all livelihoods for local people, how they “In the Arabian Sea I swam through been fished out. That’s exactly what boost ecotourism and ensure long- vast shoals of turtles, which was DOES worry me. A healthy ocean is an term sustainability, was all there in spectacular. They do belong there. But ocean with sharks. front of me. so do many, many other fish species, and those were nowhere to be seen. “But I did see something astonishing “Many of the people I met along the in the Red Sea. It was when I swam way have experienced it too. They “I never saw any fish bigger than the size through a Marine Protect Area, and have seen their seas changing. They of my hand, in any of the seven seas. experienced a sea as it was meant know that there is a serious problem. The larger ones had all been fished out. to be: rich and colourful and teaming And they have seen that the problem The Black sea was full of jellyfish. This with abundant life. is reversible, WHEN we take urgent is not a good thing, because they don’t action and create Marine Protected belong there – they were brought in “And then, just two kilometres on, Areas.” with the ballast on visiting ships and outside of the protected area, the wrought havoc on an ecosystem that picture changed again. There was “I don’t want to imagine what the was already unbalanced. no coral and there were no fish. It world will be like in 30 years time if we September 2014 Society & Environment

Campaign 58 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

don’t protect our marine resources environment, and a large part of that happen. To reverse the rampant today. The world’s waters are is what is happening in our seas. devastation of our marine resources, changing. to provide them safe havens that allow “When Desmond Tutu came to wish them to regroup and recover. Too “The seas and oceans are in a state me well at the outset of this expedition, many species are dying out, hunted to of crisis. And we rely on these seas he reminded me of something near extinction, slipping through our and oceans - all of us on this planet, fundamental. He reminded me that so fingers, like sand. wherever we live - for our very many of the world’s conflicts are over livelihood. resources. When we fail to protect “Let’s stop fighting. And start giving our resources, we set the stage for our seas a fighting chance.” “I am well aware that the world is conflict. But when we protect our caught up in a number of serious resources, we foster peace. Lewis Pugh is a leading figure in global global political and humanitarian efforts to protect the world’s oceans. crises right now. It is certainly not “I dream of a peaceful world of Over a period of 27 years, he has my intention to trivialise any of these. well-managed Marine Protected pioneered swims in the most hostile But in focusing solely on the current Areas, protecting our coastlines and waters on earth. In 2007 his swim state of global hyper-conflict, we run extending across our high seas. Of across an open patch of sea at the the risk of losing sight of something abundant oceans teeming with fish, North Pole to highlight the melting of that is going to affect our children and big and small, with turtles and whales the Arctic Sea was global news, as was grandchildren. and sea-birds. Oceans filled with his 2010 swim across a newly formed sharks. glacial lake on Mount Everest, which “The biggest risk the world faces drew significant attention to the impact right now is what is happening to the “Now is the time to make that dream of climate change in the Himalayas. creating green communities for a better tomorrow59

Abu Dhabi sets beach water quality management guidelines for hotels & resorts

bu Dhabi’s tourism and is. This guideline sits within the pressure on Abu Dhabi’s marine environmental sectors have tourism sector’s Environment, waters by implementing the Marine Aco-operated to enhance Health and Safety Management Water Quality Protection Plan. This management of the emirate’s resort System framework and is focused on year, by unifying the monitoring waters, to safeguard guest health. protecting guest health,” said Nasser procedures and sampling methods Al Reyami, TCA Abu Dhabi’s Director across the emirate through these Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Standards, Regulations & Licensing. newly published guidelines, we all now Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), with the have more reliable and consistent data support of Environment Agency- “It will provide a higher standard for about our beaches to base decisions Abu Dhabi (EAD), has published a public health than the privately-run on,” said Eng. Shaikha Ahmed Al guideline – Management of Beach ‘Blue Flag’ programme which some Hosani, Director of Environmental Water Quality for Human Health at hotels have voluntarily adopted,” Monitoring & Analysis at EAD. Abu Dhabi Hotels – which outlines he added. procedures now mandatory for the The 28-page guideline clearly lays emirate’s 24 beachfront resorts. Monitoring of the quality of Abu out the management approach to Dhabi’s recreational beaches to pollution incidents, identifies specific “Abu Dhabi is blessed with many protect ecosystems and public roles and responsibilities and details beautiful beaches. As with other health is an EAD priority and the new a nine-step procedure for developing beaches around the world, there guidelines will assist in making better a beach water quality monitoring is the possibility that they may be informed decisions. programme. TCA Abu Dhabi is now affected by pollution, and so we planning to roll out the guideline must be prepared to deal with this “In 2013, we worked alongside our training to the emirate’s 24 beach situation, however uncommon it partners to reduce and mitigate properties. September 2014 Society & Environment

Report 60 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Renewable energy market share climbs despite 2013 dip in investments

Renewables account for 44% of 2013’s newly-installed generating capacity despite global investment dropping for second year.

enewable energy’s share of in fossil fuel generation in 2013. gas emissions,” said Achim Steiner, world electricity generation UN Under-Secretary-General and continued its steady climb Globally, renewables excluding large Executive Director of UNEP. “The R hydro accounted for 43.6 per cent last year despite a 14 per cent drop fact that renewable energy is in investments to US$214.4 billion, of newly installed generating capacity gaining a bigger share of overall according to a new report released in 2013. Were it not for renewables, generation globally is encouraging. early this year. world energy-related CO2 emissions To support this further, we must re- would have been an estimated 1.2 evaluate investment priorities, shift According to Global Trends in gigatonnes higher in 2013. This incentives, build capacity and improve Renewable Energy Investment would have increased by about 12 governance structures.” 2014 - produced by the Frankfurt per cent the gap between where School-UNEP Collaborating Centre emissions are heading and where “While some may point to the fact for Climate & Sustainable Energy they need to be in 2020 if the world is that overall investment in renewables Finance, the United Nations to have a realistic prospect of staying fell in 2013, the drop masks the Environment Programme (UNEP) and under a two degree Centigrade many positive signals of a dynamic Bloomberg New Energy Finance - the temperature rise. market that is fast evolving and investment drop of $US35. maturing,” he added. “This should give “A long-term shift in investment over governments the confidence to forge 1 billion was partly down to the falling the next few decades towards a a new robust climate agreement to cost of solar photovoltaic systems. cleaner energy portfolio is needed cut emissions at the 2015 climate The other main cause was policy to avoid dangerous climate change, change conference in Paris.” uncertainty in many countries, an with the energy sector accounting for issue that also depressed investment around two thirds of total greenhouse In recent years, Global Trends in creating green communities for a better tomorrow

GLOBALLY, RENEWABLES excluding large hydro accounted for 43.6 per cent of newly installed generating capacity in 2013

Renewable Energy Investment has of some leading manufacturers, the estimated to have come on stream become the standard reference for phenomenon of unsubsidized market in 2013, equivalent to approximately global renewable energy investment uptake in a number of countries, and US$35 billion of investment. figures. The 2014 edition was a warmer attitude to renewables showcased at the Bloomberg New among public market investors, were Although investment in renewable Finance Initiative “Future of Energy hopeful signs after several years of energy capacity, including all hydro, Summit” in New York from 7-9 April painful shake-out in the renewable in 2013 was once again below gross 2014. energy sector.” investment in fossil-fuel power, at US$227 billion compared to US$270 Ulf Moslener, Head of Research of the The report points to the end of a four- billion, it was roughly double the net Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating and-a-half year 78 per cent decline in figure for investment in fossil-fuel Centre for Climate & Sus-tainable clean energy stocks, which bottomed power excluding replacement plant. Energy Finance, agreed that the out in July 2012 and then gained 54 overall decline in investment dollars per cent in 2013 - an improvement The year marked a deepening had been disappointing. However, he that took place as many companies involvement of long-term investors said, “foundations for future growth in in the solar and wind manufacturing such as pension funds, insurance the renewable energy market fell into chains moved back towards companies, wealth managers and place in 2013.” profitability after a painful period of private individuals in the equity and over-capacity and corporate distress. debt of wind and solar projects. Part Michael Liebreich, Chairman of the of their new engagement was through Advisory Board for Bloomberg New Large hydro-electric projects were clean energy bond issuance, which set Energy Finance, said: “Lower costs, another important area of investment a new record of US$3.2 billion raised a return to profitability on the part with at least 20 GW of capacity in 2013, as well as via new types of September 2014 Society & Environment

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financing vehicles including North billion, the lowest since 2005. Hydro-electric has for decades American ‘yield companies’ and real competed head-on with coal and gas. estate investment trusts. The Americas, excluding the US Now, in an increasing number of and Brazil, increased investment locations wind and solar are doing the But the star performer among in renewables by 26 per cent (to same. For instance, in Chile a 70MW investment types in 2013 was public US$12 billion) in 2013. Japan’s PV plant and three wind farms totaling market equity-raising by renewable solar boom helped to drive an 80 per 213MW have been constructed as energy companies, which jumped 201 cent increase in re-newable energy merchant plants that compete openly per cent to US$11 billion. This was investment to US$29 billion in 2013. on the spot power market. the highest since 2010, spurred on by the rally in clean energy share prices Installed solar jumped 26 per Renewables excluding large hydro and institutional investors’ appetite for cent - from 31 Gigawatts in 2012 accounted for 8.5 percent of global funds offering solid yields. to a record 39 GW in 2013 even electricity generation in 2013, up as investment in solar capacity from 7.8 per cent in 2012, and have Last year was the first ever that China decreased 23 per cent from seen cumulative investment of over invested more in renewable energy US$135.6 billion to US$104.1 billion. $1.5 trillion since 2006. than Europe. China’s total was down by 6 per cent at US$56 billion, while A trickle of significant projects - many Europe’s dropped 44 per cent to of them in Latin America but others US$48 billion. The US saw a fall of 10 in the Middle East and Africa, are per cent to US$36 billion. India moved taking place in wind and solar without 15 per cent down to US$6 billion and any subsidy support, or in preference Brazil 54 per cent down to US$3 to more expensive fossil-fuel options. creating green communities for a better tomorrow63

‘Hunger will never be eradicated without better rainwater management’

he world is missing a chance to Malin Falkenmark of Stockholm challenging. However, over time these eradicate hunger and poverty for International Water Institute/ areas do receive enough rain, and Tbillions of people living in regions Stockholm Resilience Centre and with better methods of using the with variable and scarce rainfall. ProfessorJohan Rockström of rainwater, food production could be Without improved management of Stockholm Resilience Centre, are drastically improved. rainwater, the future development “deeply concerned that sustainable goals currently being discussed are management of rainfall in water Attempting to eradicate global unrealistic, say leading scientists. scarce regions of the world is missing poverty and hunger without in the goals and targets proposed addressing the productivity of rain Some of the world’s leading water, by the UN Open Working Group “is a serious and unacceptable environment and resilience scientists on Sustainable Development Goals omission”, and the Sustainable and experts published a call to the (SDGs) on Poverty (Goal 1), Hunger Development Goals as currently UN on 31st August, saying that rain, (Goal 2) and Freshwater (Goal 6). proposed “cannot be achieved without and the way it is managed, is what a strong focus on sustainable and will determine whether hunger and More than two billion people live in resilient management of rainfall poverty can be eradicated in the world. some of the driest and poorest areas for resilient food production” the of the world, also home to the fastest scientists say. The call was made at the onset of growing populations. World Water Week in Stockholm – The signatories call upon the United the leading annual meeting place for These regions depend on highly Nations to add a target on rainwater water and development issues. variable, unreliable and unpredictable management to any Hunger Goal in rainfall. When it rains, it pours, the Sustainable Development Goals, The scientists, including Professor making agriculture extremely which are to be agreed on in 2015. September 2014 Society & Environment

64

Empower to kick off operations in region’s first green district cooling facility

mpower, the world’s largest The plant is Empower’s second Bay network will provide residential, district cooling services provider, facility in the Business Bay area retail and commercial real estate Ehas begun commissioning the and increases the geographic developments with up to 300,000 RT region’s first district cooling plant built scope of the company to include of cooling services.” in line with green building principles, it buildings from Sheikh Zayed Road was announced on 20th August. The to Al Khail Road. Construction of At one million RT, Empower operates facility provides 45,000 Refrigeration plant has been completed in just the world’s largest district cooling Tonnes (RT) of cooling services to over a year and includes state of the portfolio. The company’s existing developments in Dubai’s Business Bay. art infrastructure such as pumps, network covers landmark real estate chillers, water tanks, cooling towers developments like Jumeirah Beach “The commissioning of the new and office space. This is the fastest Residence, Dubai International Business Bay plant is a demonstration commissioning of a district cooling Financial Centre, and Business of how seriously Empower takes facility of its size in the Middle East. Bay, among others and is also set sustainability,” said Ahmad Bin Shafar, to construct the district cooling Chief Executive Officer, Empower. “The completion of the Business infrastructure for the upcoming Dubai Bay plant reflects our continued Design District (d3). “The facility has been planned commitment to providing secure according to international and reliable cooling services to an and regional benchmarks in expanding base of customers,” sustainability—the design is in line with continued Bin Shafar. “This plant will LEED building principles, as well as be an integral part of a multi- facility Dubai Executive Council’s directives district cooling network in Business on environmental sustainability.” Bay. On completion, the Business 65

Canon moves up in Interbrand’s Best Global Green Brands ranking

anon, world-leader in imaging and consumers’ perceptions of that corporate philosophy of Kyosei, a solutions, has risen to 26th performance. Japanese word that means living and Cplace on the latest Interbrand working together for the common Best Global Green Brands list, up In Canon’s case, that perception has good.” from 30th place in 2013. The improved considerably and the Gap Interbrand report highlights Canon’s Score has narrowed to +3.8 from Only companies featured on implementation of sustainable +6.56 in 2013. Interbrand’s annual Best Global practices in 2012, including Brands list are considered for the reducing CO2 emissions over entire Susan Stuart, Sustainability Director, Best Global Green Brands report. product life cycles by nearly three Canon Europe, Middle East and To become one of the top 50 Best times the company’s target, and Africa, said: “Our commitment to Global Green Brands, organisations collecting 310,000 tons of used sustainability helps us add value to must perform well in terms of both toner cartridges globally since 1990, customers in meeting their own sustainability performance and consequently reducing CO2 emissions business and sustainability goals. It consumers’ perception of it. by approximately 450,000 tons and connects us to society by enabling avoiding the need for 201,000 tons of people to capture, document and new resources. record the world around them.” The annual Interbrand Best Global “Sustainability is a strategic imperative Green Brands report is based on for Canon which is embedded deeply consumer research designed to within our culture, as well as in our examine the gap that exists between strategy and how we do business. a brand’s environmental performance Our approach is based on the Canon September 2014 Society & Environment

66 creating green communities for a better tomorrow

Floods ring no bell! Flooding inundated hundreds of villages and damaged roads, buildings, bridges and crops in India and Pakistan. This was the worst monsoon flooding in several decades. In India alone, around 170 people have reportedly been killed and more than 15,000 others evacuated from flood-hit areas. In USA, record rain produced dangerous flash floods that swamped freeways and residential areas in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson. In the UK, 1,135 homes have been flooded during the wettest January since records began in 1766. Actually, around 5.2m (one-sixth) of properties in England are at risk of flooding. Floodwaters submerged villages, destroyed roads and spread diseases among flood victims in Sudan this year. Climate Change is an important factor in these floods and it is getting worse as greenhouse gas emissions rise. We are not doing enough to adapt to the effects of a warming climate. This familiar news may trigger no response from most people, but this is now a pattern of disaster that can happen anywhere, at any time. Serious floods occurred in the Gulf Region not very far back and such natural disasters can attack anytime as a result of climatic instability and unpredictability due to climate change. We have to prepare ourselves in advance. Floods are causing serious socio economic instability in so many regions including rich countries of the west. Yet, most industrial countries are still resisting any international conventions or agreements to cut down Green House emissions. The resulting disasters will not differentiate between rich and poor but the industrial lobbies are strong enough to avoid any commitments. It is about time that people, governments and organizations put serious pressure on industrial countries to cut down their emissions and abide by the international conventions so that we can prevent serious future disasters. This is important for the coming 2015 Global Climate Agreement. Finally, there are important facts about floods that we all need to know: 1. Flooding, which can occur anywhere, is one of the worst types of natural disasters in terms of economic and human losses worldwide. 90% of all natural disasters declared by the U.S. President involve some sort of flooding. 2. Flash floods can bring walls of water from 10 to 20 feet high. 3. A car can be taken away in as little as 2 feet of water. Nearly half of all flash flood deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. 4. If your skin comes in contact with flood water, make sure to wash it with soap and disinfected water because the contents are unknown. 5. In preparation for a flood, it is important to stock up on first aid items, non-perishable foods, 3 gallons of water per person for 3 days, battery operated radio for weather reports, extra batteries, personal hygiene necessities. 6. To stay safe during a flood, go to the highest ground of floor possible. 7. Communities particularly at risk are those located in low-lying areas, near water, or downstream from a dam.

Dr. Eisa M. Abdelllatif Chief Technical Advisor Zayed International Foundation for the Environment