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.