TAKING ACTION TODAY FOR A LIVING PLANET TOMORROW

Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) is a national environmental NGO established in February 2001 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan to implement conservation actions for the protection of local biodiversity

VOL 16 WINTER EDITION 2007 & VOL 17 SPRING EDITION 2008 THIS ISSUE: The UAE is addressing, head-on, the Al Basama Al Beeiya, an initiative to measure and understand the UAE’s ecological footprint, is the lead story, followed by EWS- issues of world resources, consumption Masdar City - Flagship of WWF One Planet WWF project news and selected conservation activity updates of WWF International. Our Corporate Club Member, Sabban Property patterns, environmental health and, Living Programme Investments, tells us how and why it is becoming carbon neutral; plus there are some interesting office news snippets. importantly, environmental recovery. As demonstration of the nation’s Located near Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar concern, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Masdar Al Basama Al Beeiya (Ecological Footprint) Initiative Company was established in April 2006 City will be the world’s first to create and execute the Masdar zero-carbon, zero-waste, car- Ecological assets vs. expenditure Initiative, global cooperative platform free city, aiming to exceed the The Ecological Footprint tracks demand on nature in terms of the biologically for dialogue towards practical solutions 10 sustainability principles productive land and water required to provide natural resources and services to to energy security, climate change and of “One Planet Living™”– a support a , an individual, or an activity. The Footprint is then compared sustainable human development. The global initiative launched to the total amount of biologically productive area on Earth (supply of nature) that World Future Energy Summit followed by BioRegional, a UK based is available to support that population, individual or activity. This analysis answers (January 2008), bringing together the Environmental NGO, and the some important questions: Who is using how much? Do we all fit on one planet? collective interest and efforts of global World Wide Fund for Nature. Model of Masdar city experts and decision makers - venture Masdar City’s electricity will Are we running out of planet? capitalists, businesses, renowned be generated by photovoltaic waste wherever possible, recycling, Using this accounting tool the international NGO, Global Footprint Network, has scientists, energy and environment panels, while cooling will be provided composting, waste to energy) estimated that humanity’s Ecological Footprint exceeds the Earth’s biological ministers and senior officials, to share via concentrated solar power. Water will SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT: Zero capacity. For the past 20 years, mankind’s demand on ecological resources has their pioneering experiences in the field be provided through a solar-powered carbon emissions from transport within exceeded what the Earth can renew. We are on an unsustainable path. of future energy. desalination plant. Landscaping within the city; implementation of measures The global average demand on nature equals 2.2 global hectares per person. Yet the city and crops grown outside the to reduce the carbon cost of journeys there are only 1.8 global hectares available per person worldwide, not leaving Consolidation of the Summit’s spirit city will be irrigated with grey water to the city boundaries (through anything for the other creatures that share our planet. We are in a state of ecological and Future Energy Company’s dream and treated waste water produced by facilitating and encouraging the use . the city’s water treatment plant. The of public transport, vehicle sharing, Humanity’s growing ecological footprint © Martin came when the world’s first carbon- It takes one year and three months to regenerate what we use within one year. HARVEY/WWF – Canon neutral, fully sustainable city, Masdar, city is part of the Masdar Initiative, supporting low emissions vehicle In other words, globally we are demanding 1.3 planets to support our lifestyles. broke ground in February 2008 in Abu Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted investment initiatives) Looking at the figures nation by nation, if everyone on Earth consumed at the same level as a Swede, we would need about three Dhabi. “Masdar will be a city where in the exploration, development and SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS: Specifying additional planets; as a Canadian, four more planets; as an American, five; and as a resident of the UAE, six and a half! residents and commuters will live the commercialisation of future energy high recycled materials content highest quality of life with the lowest sources and clean technology within building products; tracking and Tackling spiralling consumption environmental footprint,” says Dr. solutions. The six square kilometre- encouraging the reduction of embodied The UAE has amongst, if not the, highest Ecological Footprint in the world. There is undoubtedly an urgency to address its Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. city, growing eventually to 1,500 energy within materials and throughout consumption pattern. But, at the outset, the data used for the nation’s Footprint calculation must be authenticated because, as businesses and 50,000 residents, will the construction process; specifying Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Director, EWS-WWF, points out, “Its not just a question of lowering the UAE from its Ecological Footprint EWS-WWF has been a proud and be home to international business and the use of sustainable materials such lead rank; but being able to 1) determine with certainty, the accuracy and robustness of the UAE Footprint; 2) understand the privileged working partner towards top minds in the field of sustainable as Forest Stewardship Council certified sustainability of the prevailing lifestyle; and 3) in doing so, plan a proactive approach to tackling issues that result from present each and all of these developments. and alternative energy. timber, bamboo and other products consumption patterns, urban planning and infrastructure. “ The vision of One Planet Living is a SUSTAINABLE FOOD: Retail outlets world where people everywhere can to meet targets for supplying organic State of the world’s natural systems Masdar lead happy, healthy lives within their fair food and sustainable and or fair trade share of the Earth’s resources. The One products Since 1998, the World Wide global state of the environment, deriving Network, tracks the pace of human Planet Living programme is based on SUSTAINABLE WATER: Per capita Fund for Nature (WWF) has been from information based on two indices: consumption and waste generation 10 unique principles of sustainability. water consumption to be at least 50 publishing the Living Planet Report to the “Living Planet Index” and the in terms of the area of biologically Masdar City will meet and exceed each per cent less than the national average; attempt a wholesome, realistic and “Ecological Footprint”. The Living Planet productive land and water needed of these, as detailed below. all waste water to be re-used straightforward presentation of the Index, a diagnostic tool to understand to provide ecological resources and These targets are to be achieved by the HABITATS AND WILDLIFE: All valuable the health of services – food, fibre, and timber, land time the Masdar City is completed and species to be conserved or relocated our ecosystem, on which to build, and land to absorb fully functioning in 2015.One Planet with positive mitigation targets measures trends carbon dioxide (CO2) released by CULTURE AND HERITAGE: Architecture

NASA Living Principle Masdar target: in the Earth’s burning fossil fuels. And, since 1998, ZERO CARBON: 100 per cent of to integrate local values biological diversity. every alternate year the Report, drawing energy supplied by renewable energy EQUITY AND FAIR TRADE: Fair wages The “Ecological from the Living Planet Index and the – Photovoltaics, concentrated solar and working conditions for all workers Footprint”, a Ecological Footprint, has shown that power, wind, waste to energy and other (including construction) as defined by concept developed our natural systems are suffering as the technologies international labour standards and continually Earth’s regeneration capacity is unable ZERO WASTE: 99 per cent diversion HEALTH AND HAPPINESS: Facilities upgraded by the to keep up with pressures of human of waste from landfill (includes and events for every demographic Global Footprint consumption and waste generation. Rendering of Masdar city waste reduction measures, re-use of group

2 3 research into the Ecological Footprint. becomes more and more significant for Looking into the future of this Initiative, Besides, the Initiative upholds the nations to understand, with some sense tangible and measurable indices late HH Sheikh Zayed’s celebrated of accuracy, how much ecological of its success will be represented environmental legacy. capacity a country has at its disposal by the creation of a proactive link With three quarters of the UAE Footprint and how much it takes to support its to the environment in all major arising from CO2 emissions, and an population.” he said. economic and policy decisions taken apparent underestimation of the UAE in the UAE. Other outcomes would population, the immediate commitment The Initiative, alongside its data be integration of the principles of the partners was to validate 2005 verification tasks is making an and mechanisms of conservation data on the UAE population and CO2 entry into the global review of the and resource management into all emission from fossil fuel use. This Footprint, particularly to enhance the sectors of business and society; would enable them to effectively and methodology’s robustness in adequately an environmentally aware and appropriately contribute to the Living representing countries (like the UAE) active resident community; and Planet Report 2008 due for release that are arid lands with oil wealth. environmentally conscious future later this year. Research on other Biological capacity (productive land generations. component parameters contributing and water areas) in such countries to the UAE Footprint, namely built-up is low compared to others. They are, One Planet Living Dr. Mathis Wackernagel, Executive Director, Global Footprint Network, addresses Al Basama Al Beeiya stakeholders workshop in Abu Dhabi , October 2007 land, fishing ground, forest–timber- nonetheless, put at par with them in Our Footprint determines our level pulp-paper, crop-land and grazing the Footprint ranking. “The results of of pressure on the Earth’s available Al Basama Al Beeiya- the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi home, personalising it to the UAE and land, will follow. The first report on the Initiative and these discussions bio-capacity. Whereas the current UAE Partnership with UNEP and other agencies) signed its people. population and energy, officially are expected to resonate across the lifestyle translates to a high Footprint, a Memorandum of Understanding submitted to Global Footprint Network, Gulf where such environmental and the country does aspire actively to A complementary, collaborative venture with the Global Footprint Network, Launched on October 18, 2007, was applauded by Executive Director, economic conditions are not unfamiliar. create lifestyles that fall within the was launched in the summer of 2007. creating a alliance to verify the UAE’s Al Basama Al Beeiya stands for the Dr. Mathis Wackernagel, who thanked Our success in improving or even in means of the one planet we have - Under the auspices of the Ministry of Footprint calculation and to assist historic national effort to measure and the Al Basama Al Beeiya partners for merely highlighting this peculiarity rendering to the concept of “One Planet Environment and Water, EWS-WWF and Global Footprint Network in its Footprint understand the country’s Ecological their thorough research. “We have while working towards striking the Living”. the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental review and development from the UAE Footprint, making UAE the third country been able to revise the population right balance between nature and The outcomes of the Al Basama Al Data Initiative (a partnership for perspective. Naming this data initiative in the world, after Switzerland and number. This has allowed us to bring development, is of immense scientific Beeiya Initiative feed into core values of the Al Basama Al Beeiya, brings the issue Japan, to undertake such in-depth clarity to the various contradictory interest to not just, the Global Footprint of all what the UAE is striving towards numbers that were quoted in a number Network, our international partner, but through the Masdar and similar Says Masdar about the Al Basama Al Beeiya intiative… of international statistics. The energy also the UAE decision-makers and enterprises across the UAE. Needless “UAE’s initiative to sign a footprint of its development to less as photovoltaic panels, concentrated report is very valuable as well and the region at large, where similar bio- to say, it takes drops of water to make memorandum of understanding with than one planet (i.e. less than 1.8 solar power arrays, wind and waste to moves us in the right direction. We are geographic characters exist,” comments the mighty ocean. These maybe small the global environmental footprint global hectares). This also includes energy plants. The amount of energy looking forward to seeing the complete H.E. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary beginnings; but constitute significant network represents an important and working alongside WWF, Bioregional used within the development will be report shortly. Clearly, in a world that General Environment Agency – Abu and bold contributions to a global brave step by the UAE government (WWF’s One Planet Living partner) and reduced by maximizing the efficiency is moving into ecological overshoot, it Dhabi. societal trend. to try to better understand the the Global Footprint Network. both of design and of the material country’s ecological footprint. Living This involves minimizing the amount of selected for use. Transportation within

within a hyper-arid climatic zone in waste generated by its residents and the city will be through a Personal Masdar a region dominated by nutrient poor reducing the amount sent to landfill Rapid Transport Network – using soil presents an enormous challenge to less than 2% - this target also driverless electric pods that will use in terms of survival and it is only applies to the construction process, energy generated from the onsite reasonable to accept that additional where the Development team will photovoltaic power generation facility. resources are required to live under work with contractors to minimize the There are numerous other initiatives, such harsh conditions. The Al Basama amount of waste produced and to all of which are contained within Al Beeiya initiative will provide UAE maximize the re-use and recycling of Masdar’s Sustainability Action Plan, with the opportunity to reduce its any waste that is generated through developed through consultation with footprint to the maximum extent their activities. Infrastructure and Bioregional and WWF. possible through identifying areas for processes will be provided that will Only through quantifying our ecological improvement and establishing the significantly reduce water consumption footprint in UAE can we drive the means by which reduction can be by at least 50% and allow all waste behavioural changes necessary to brought about. water to be recycled to a very high reduce our impact on the environment Masdar has taken this to the highest quality level. All energy used within and as such this initiative by WWF is achievable level by stating that it the Masdar Development will be a critical first step on the pathway of wishes to reduce the ecological supplied from renewable sources such improvement.” Rendering of Masdar city

4 5 EWS-WWF in the UAE PROJECT NEWS FLORA MARINE

Save the ghaf tree campaign Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar This EWS-WWF and Al Fahim campaign to save the ghaf tree has The project, sponsored by Dolphin come to a close with the distribution Energy, has successfully concluded Surveying a coral reef of certificates to winners of the with mapping of corals in the Oud ©Nick Crawley ghaf competition. These were in the study area having been completed, stations in Qatar and Abu Dhabi has categories of photograph, sketch, conservation master plan for reefs also been established. The project Hard work, dedication and commitment and short story. As an ultimate produced, and scientific personnel ascertained that coral reef resources from not only EWS-WWF, but also campaign activity, a petition book trained. Other outputs have been: on offshore islands and banks of Abu government agencies and Customs asking for ghaf to be recognised as a coral reef monitoring and training Dhabi and eastern Qatar are some of officials have made the CITES Project ‘natural treasure’ is being created for manual and documentary film (under the most extensive and biologically an immense success. The final stage submission to the federal authority. finalisation). A network of monitoring important. Halul (Qatar) and Ras of this project will see the Arabic Ghanada (Abu Dhabi), being hotspots of CITES Identification manuals officially healthy corals, their protection is vital. entrusted to EAD for their distribution to Foot print © Chris Martin BAHR/WWF-Canon UAE Customs Authorities. This project SPECIES has also drawn much interest from and understand the UAE’s ecological data verification areas at a technical other Arabic speaking countries that footprint. Data from sectors such as workshop held on October 22, 2007, CITES training manuals are party to the CITES Convention, as population, energy, trade, fisheries, the team followed up with a series well as the CITES Secretariat itself. agriculture, water and urban planning of meetings with local and Federal The CITES Capacity Building project will be collated and analysed. government across the Emirates will come to a close in the first quarter SUSTAINABILITY Partners in the initiative are the UAE to facilitate data collection. A first of 2008 with a press conference Ministry of Environment & Water, draft report on population and CO2 and official hand-over to the UAE Al Basama Al Beeiya (ecological Abu Dhabi Global Environmental from fossil fuels was submitted to government. footprint) initiative Data Initiative, EWS-WWF and Global the Global Footprint Network with Canon Middle East , EWS-WWF Corporate Club member at the ghaf planting event Footprint Network. Population and endorsement by the Ministry of Launched in Abu Dhabi on October carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel Environment & Water. 18, 2007, this initiative will measure emissions being identified as key FRESHWATER

Mountain protected area in Wadi Wurayah Promoting corporate environmental responsibility

EWS-WWF is helping Fujairah building and training of project staff EWS-WWF Corporate Membership development commitment. Platinum Package AED 50, 000 per Municipality and the Government of constitute an important component Programme EWS-WWF offers three types of annum Fujairah to create a mountain protected of the programme. It was with this We seek a future in which business Corporate Memberships: Gold Package AED 15, 000 per area in Wadi Wurayah. Support for the purpose that EWS-WWF arranged for makes a positive annum project has come from HSBC. Capacity Fujairah Municipality to participate contribution to the Silver Package AED in the conference “Mountains of the well-being of society 5, 000 per annum World – Ecology, Conservation and Inspecting a nesting turtle at Ras Al Hadd, Oman and the planet that For more Sustainability” (February 10 – 14, ‘08 sustains it. Our information Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Wadi al Sareen Reserve (not open to partnerships with about the EWS- Oman). Two lectures and poster the public, this reserve protects the the private sector WWF Corporate presentation on Wadi Wurayah were critically endangered Arabian tahr), and not only provide Membership made by the Fujairah Municipality turtle nesting beaches of Ras al Hadd conservation benefits Programme, call Ida and EWS-WWF delegation. Post- and Ras al Jinz Reserve, where they which help us carry Tillisch on +971 conference excursions took the team participated in tagging a green turtle. out our mission, but 4 3577761 or email Fujairah Municipality and EWS-WWF to Jebel Shams – Jebel Akdhar (an The delegation thus gained first hand also allow us to work her at itillisch@ participants in front of the poster on the area of international conservation experience of protected area creation with businesses wwfuae.ae or Fax Wadi Wurayah project presented at the and management in Oman, a country Conference by Mariam Al Mahmoodi interest with ecotourism facilities to demonstrate her on + 971 4 (extreme left) atop Oman’s highest mountain), that is a pioneer in this field. their sustainable 3537752

6 7 WWF in the world reductions targets and agree to transboundary conservation project Wildlife Institute of India which has independent verification of emissions for which saving the endangered resulted in producing the most reliable reduction achievements. mountain gorillas of Africa will be a key picture yet of the state of the Indian Earth Hour Signatories to the Tokyo Declaration component. tiger. This is the most complete census are Allianz, Catalyst, Collins, Hewlett Mountain gorillas are the main tourist ever undertaken of tigers in India, or At 8pm on March 29, 2008 millions Packard, Nike, Nokia, Novo Nordisk, attraction in Congo, Rwanda and indeed of wild tigers anywhere. of people in some of the world’s Sagawa, Sony, Spitsbergen Travel, Uganda, earning these countries about Tigers are threatened by a combination major cities used the simple action Tetra-Pak and Xanterra. US$ 5 million every year, and are of poaching, habitat loss from of turning off lights for one hour to thus a critical element of livelihood development, the loss of corridors deliver a powerful message about the United to save mountain gorillas programmes in the region for local between areas and retaliatory killing of need for action on global warming. communities. tigers for preying on cattle or attacking Major participation took place in more Borders will matter less to central humans. The existence of international then 25 major cities, on 6 continents, Africa’s mountain gorillas, following the India’s tigers at risk markets for illegal tiger parts in spite including Chicago, Copenhagen, launch of a strategic conservation plan of the fact that the countries where Manila, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Dublin and and an associated project which covers The long-awaited India Tiger majority of illegal trade in wildlife Toronto. In total, more than 400 cities adjoining areas of Rwanda, Uganda Estimation, released on February takes place are signatories of the signed up to support this event. and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 12, 2008 by the government of CITES (Convention on International Dubai too joined the worldwide There are only about 720 gorillas India, shows the country more at Trade in Endangered Species of Wild campaign by switching off external left in the tropical mountain forests risk of losing its national symbol to Fauna and Flora) is indeed a matter of lighting at the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. shared by the three countries, the poaching and habitat loss. The census, grave concern. WWF is working at the Lights also went out in skyscrapers, Central Albertine Rift Area Network. The conducted in 2006/ 2007 estimates grassroots level in these landscapes businesses and homes as thousands an Indian tiger population of between by supporting the forest department of people took part in a lantern parade 1165 and 1657 tigers. But drastically for better protection of tigers, providing along a section of Dubai’s Jumeirah improved survey methods including habitat management initiatives for Beach Road where street lights were the introduction of camera traps better management of prey dimmed. Dubai Electricity and Water means the result cannot be directly and reducing the human-animal Authority reported that electricity speak, illustrate and video present and CEO Sir Howard Stringer at the their concerns on subjects important opening of the annual WWF Climate compared to the 2002 population conflict to nullify chances of retaliatory consumption 100,000 KWh during the estimate of 3642 tigers, viewed as killings of tiger or its prey. It is also city’s first Earth Hour. to them, and share environmental Savers Conference at Sony Corporation ideas and solutions. Each month, users headquarters in Tokyo on February inflated by WWF India tiger experts. working to curb poaching by developing will vote for a winner who will receive 15, 2008. The Declaration is the Further counting, particularly in the an informer network and better A new platform to start Sunderbans area adjoining Bangla equipping and training staff engaged changing the world a Nokia mobile phone. A panel of most far-reaching call to action yet to prominent conservationists will elect emerge from the business community, Desh, is expected to add around in anti-poaching activities. Above all, another 100 tigers to the total. WWF it is working very closely with local Forget Facebook, MySpace or You Tube: an overall winner who will get the emphasizing that world’s greenhouse chance to participate in the IUCN World gas emissions must be reduced by complimented the Indian government’s communities to reduce their pressures here comes www.connect2earth.org a National Tiger Conservation Authority on the forest resources on one hand, new online community where young Conservation Congress in Barcelona more than 50 percent by 2050, and Mountain gorilla, Virunga National Park, The next October. She or he will have the that emissions must peak and start to Democratic Republic of the Congo copyright for its decision to undertake a scientific while providing them with better people can upload videos, pictures Martin HARVEY/WWF – Canon opportunity to present some ideas decline within the next 10 to 15 years assessment of tiger population through livelihood opportunities to help them and comments about the environment. an independent research agency, the become “partners in conservation.” Users and visitors will be able to write, directly to leaders from around the in order to stay below the threshold. world. All of the signatories have pledged gorillas’ natural habitat is threatened And how do you connect to earth to match their call to action with by the destruction of these forests and through connect2earth? The site, commitments to reduce their the great apes themselves are victims not surprisingly, is particularly suited own emissions in line with the of poachers. to uploading short films, photos and commitments, to urge or in some cases Protected area authorities of the three comments from mobile phones. require business partners to reduce countries launched their 10-year climate and to promote and Transboundary Strategic Plan for Leading brands call for action enable a low-carbon lifestyle among the Central Albertine Rift Protected on climate change their customers and consumers. Area Network on 20 February 2008 Many of the signatories already have in Kampala. The new transboundary Some of the world’s leading businesses impressive records of achievement strategic plan aims to improve have come together to call for the in reducing their emissions as community livelihoods and contribute world to take all necessary action members of the WWF Climate Savers to the stability of the region. It will also to keep global warming below the Programme, a business initiative assist in strengthening and making dangerous threshold of 2o C. The Tokyo introduced by WWF International to similar the three countries‘s policies Declaration, signed by 12 companies mobilize action on climate change. and laws on the conservation and including Allianz, Sony, Nokia and Nike, Under the programme, companies management of the protected areas. Connect2earth website was presented by Sony Chairman commit to sector leading emissions Also launched was a 4 million euro Indian tiger copyright Martin HARVEY/WWF – Canon

8 9 CORPORATE INTERVIEW SPI’s commitment to limit CO2 Responsibility (CSR) programmes. its capability and financial resources, emissions as a company extends Through the partnership with EWS- has an even greater obligation to Corporate Interview with Nicola Clarke, Environmental advisor, Sabban Property beyond property development. Clarke WWF, SPI is aiming to utilise the group’s facilitate environmental protection. Investments, LLC points out that SPI is also a carbon extensive local and global knowledge. Our partnership with EWS-WWF is in neutral company on its operational “Our partnership with EWS-WWF will line with our commitment to protect Sabban Property Investments (SPI) measure it scientifically. We did this for projects are side. Together with Edinburgh Centre of enable us to remain informed of relevant and safeguard the environment and is the real estate investment and both the construction emissions and the conducted Carbon Management, SPI has measured regional and global environmental we guarantee our full support to their development arm of the Sabban Group ongoing life cycle energy emissions,” as long as the CO2 emissions of its Dubai office issues, thereby giving us valuable initiatives. Local and international of companies. SPI’s headquarters are says Clarke they are well and reduced it by cutting down on information so that we can adjust our environmental groups play an important unnecessary travel (for example; policies and practices to become even part in any society and need support in Dubai, but their main development is In the second step: reducing Carbon managed Nicola Clarke in Qatar. Their current flagship project, Dioxide (CO2), Sabban Property and audited.” conducting more online meetings), more environmentally sustainable. “This and backing of companies such as the Sabban Towers on The Pearl-Qatar’s Investments focused on the use of The final recycling and buying recycled goods, speaks of our desire to help protect ourselves,’ concludes Mrs. Clarke. Porto Arabia, Doha is, according to Ms. concrete and steel, which was identified step of the process is communication. saving on water and electricity. and safeguard the environment for the Sabban Property Investments’ CSR Nicola Clarke, the Middle East’s first as being the largest contributing factor SPI is communicating its actions and Everyone in the office is involved and future, as we believe that responsible programme involves more than Carbon carbon neutral development. to the Sabban Towers’ . encourages other developers to follow according to Clarke, “It has been a good corporate practice means integrating Neutrality. Workers welfare, health and Clarke explains, SPI came up with this With the use of clever engineering, the suit. SPI sees itself as a forerunner for exercise and has brought awareness to environmental issues into everyday safety are high on the list of priorities ambitious goal, not to increase sales but construction-related emissions were sustainable development here in the all employees.” business activities and is essential for SPI’s corporate social responsibility. because SPI is a socially responsible reduced by 14.4%. Middle East and hopes other developers Sabban Property Investments joined in halting damage to our natural “CSR is so much more than company and wants to focus on The unavoidable emissions were then will listen and learn. They believe that EWS-WWF Corporate membership resources,” says Clarke. philanthropy and SPI are developing combating climate change instead of offset through projects in Uganda, the communication process is just as programme last year with the hope of The responsibility of protecting the their CSR strategies with long term adding to the problem. Mongolia, India, New Zealand, China important internally as it is externally, increasing environmental awareness environment falls on each and every goals and commitment,” adds Clarke. In order to achieve carbon neutral and Jamaica. Explains Clarke, “Initially, and so conduct workshops for the and intensifying its Corporate Social one of us. The corporate sector, with status SPI is working together with UK- SPI wanted to offset in the Middle East management, staff and sales agents, based ‘The CarbonNeutral Company but this proved difficult. Furthermore, thus making sure everyone understands CORPORATE NEWS Wadi Wurayah clean up (TCNC)’ in a four-step process involving global warming and climate change what the aims are and how they can March 8, 2008 measurement, reduction, offset and are a global problem and the climate be achieved. Furthermore, policies are New Corporate Club Members communication. “Before you can deal has no boundaries. So it does not passed on to contractors and they pass “The wadi clean up went with your carbon emissions you have to matter where in the world the offset it on to their workers. Hill & Knowlton invited to join extremely well,” writes Dr. EWS-WWF Corporate Membership Christophe Tourenq, of EWS- Sabban Towers , Doha Programme WWF. “We had a smaller EWS-WWF has appointed Hill and group than expected (9 out Knowlton to assist with the management of 20), but they were very of public relations. Hill & Knowlton was interested (and interesting). founded in 1927 by former journalist We got the opportunity to the results of the trash and water John W. Hill. Today, the company plays exchange information with them. Being samplings and will forward them to me a significant role due to its global reach. later in the day than planned and when done.’ EWS-WWF is looks forward to learning because of man-power restrictions, Dr from the expertise and experience of Sandra Knuteson from the American a dedicated Hill and Knowlton team. University of Sharjah, and I decided The company’s generosity in offering to concentrate on the main waterfall their services partly pro-bono is greatly area only. This might sound like a small appreciated. EWS-WWF extends a special scale operation, but as per the latest thanks to Hill & Knowlton. news from Dr Sandra, we managed to collect a significant amount of trash Denton Wilde Sapte & Co invited - both qualitatively and quantitatively. to join EWS-WWF Corporate Dr. Sandra is currently analysing ‘Despite a busy agenda (occurrence Membership Programme of other official events), the Fujairah In appreciation of the legal advice offered Muncipality provided helpful logistical pro bono by Denton Wilde Sapte & Co for support and also man-power. As the Enviro-Spellathon Project contract, the conclusion, I would say that the firm has been offered membership of the volunteers did a great job in not only EWS-WWF Corporate Club. A very special cleaning, but also helping us collect EWS-WWF Corporate Members in the UAE are: thank you to Peter Sawaqed for seeing valuable scientific information that will benefit all partners involved in the Al Fahim Group, AME Info, Booz Allen Hamilton, Canon Middle East FZ-LLC, us through a trying phase; and for his extreme patience. Many thanks to Patrick project.” Consolidated Contractors Co. (CCC), Denton Wilde Sapte, DHL, Dolphin Energy Ltd., HSBC, Oufi, who made it all happen. 10 Khaleej Times, Sabban Property Investments LLC, Viola 11 ©1986, WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) ® WWF Registered Trademark owner Printed on recycled paper [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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Sufyaan Campbell and Lehhaan Dawood Sufyaan

Endless appreciation Endless Campbell Sufyaan to you thank big A yrs), (4 Dawood Lehhaan and yrs) (7 supporters! youngest two EWS-WWF’s Media City in – December 2007. December – in City Media EWS- and Municipality Fujairah exhibition at glow projects WWF mountain Wurayah Wadi of Images monitoring reef coral and area protected are projects (both coast, Fujairah’s along and Municipality Fujairah by jointly run Fujairah at attention drew EWS-WWF) 2008 WETEX the at stand Municipality’s Technology Energy, Water, the - exhibition on ran that Exhibition Environment & Dubai. in 2008 March, 17-19 March

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Al Mubarak, Razan Khalifa Razan Mubarak, Al Hend Sinawi, Al Tanzeed Alam, Tillisch, Ida Tillisch, Christophe Dr. Tourenq,