Chairman’s · Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates...

With the establishment of the UAE Space Agency in July this year, the nation entered the space race with the goal of sending an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021 in the Arab world’s first mission to another planet. The unmanned probe will travel more than 60 million kilometers in nine months and will be launched to coincide with the UAE’s 50th anniversary.

While the aim is to be among the top countries in aerospace by 2021, the setting up of the space programme also highlights the pivotal role of U.A.E. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan whose wise leadership and vision is fuelling the development march of the country.

What is a source of great pride is that the mission will be led by Emiratis and so will expand the nation’s human capital through knowledge transfer from international partners. Thousands of Emiratis will be inspired to pursue careers in the space industry, opening the door to new research bodies and university courses in aerospace engineering. It will inspire innovation, promote breakthroughs in the development of new technologies and spur further diversification of the nation’s economy.

The UAE has till date invested Dh20 billion in space technology, through the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology in Dubai, and Al Yah Satellite and Al Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE leadership has continually invested in nurturing human capital that is capable of achieving such ambitions and also creating an environment that not only encourages creativity and innovation but also attracts talent. Earlier this year in July, the UAE was ranked first among the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries in terms of performance in the 2014 Global Innovation Index clearly indicating that the UAE has been founded on the principles of innovation, creativity and knowledge.

This historic space mission places great belief in the talents of our youth and we are confident that the mission to Mars will be both a great Arab achievement and a valuable contribution to science and humanity.

Chairman’s Message

03

Prof. Mohammed bin FahadExecutive Editor

c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o w

Contents

Project 26Progress on Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park’s R&D Centre evaluated

Conservation 45110 flamingo chicks hatch at the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve following a successful breeding season

Marine Litter 56Ocean experts call for greater local government role in fight against marine waste

Report 62Global economy to lose billions without action to stop ocean acidification, UN report warns

Conference 38The 2nd Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association’s Sustainability Conference opened in Dubai under the theme “People, Planet, Profit”

Launch 16UAE launches State of Green Economy Report 2015

Exhibition 30Growth in demand for power in the MENA region expected to increase by seven per cent annually until 2020, say experts at Power Gen Middle East

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Zayed Prize 06Preparations in swing for the 2nd cycle of Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment

Cover Story 10UAE enters global race to explore outer space; scientific voyage of discovery to the red planet to be accomplished by 2021

Clean Air 14HH Sheikh Mohammed approves proposal for setting up pan-UAE air quality network

c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s

Society &Environment

Executive EditorProf. Mohammed Bin Fahad

Managing EditorDr. Meshgan Al Awar

AdvisorDr. Eisa Abdellatif

EditorSangeetha [email protected]

Design DirectorNash - [email protected]

[email protected]

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Declaring that “a healthy environment and clean air are among the good things the U.A.E. and its people deserve”, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved last month a proposal to set up a U.A.E.-wide air quality network that will monitor standardized environmental data gathered from across the country.

This decision, taken at a brainstorming session organized by the Ministry of Environment and Water, clearly highlights the top priority accorded by the leadership to the preservation and protection of a clean and safe environment.

This move will help provide an accurate and comprehensive understanding of air quality across the country and determine pollutant sources from different sectors. What makes the proposal praiseworthy is that the information now obtained can be used to assess the impact of air pollutants on public health and make policy decisions for the benefit of the public.

HH Sheikh Mohammed has also called for all government departments to embrace the experience of the ‘Government Innovation Laboratory’ as a standard practice in order to develop government services. The Innovation Lab is vital to fulfilling the aim of making the U.A.E. among the most innovative nations in the world within seven years. The innovation strategy is giving a vital push to support space technology, amongst several other sectors, and it is a matter of great pride that the UAE has joined the elite club of nine nations with space programme to explore the red planet and are confident of reaching Mars to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the emirate in 2021.

It is innovative ideas such as these that spur development and in this contextI would like to draw attention to the environmental stewardship of Lt. Gen. DahiKhalfanTamim, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and General Security, who mobilized efforts in the 1990s to ensure thatthe emissions standard was initially enforced at Dubai Police and later, across the UAE.I consider myself fortunate to have had the privilege of working with him in 1999 in the preparation of a report about Environmental Hazards of Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emissions which have now become the standard for the nation.

From the Managing Editor

Dr. Meshgan Al AwarSecretary General Zayed International Prize for the Environment

f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o wc r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s

P.O. Box 28399, Dubai, UAE.Tel: +971 4 3326666Fax: +971 4 3326777Website: www.zayedprize.org.aeemail: [email protected]

November 2014 Society & Environment

Zayed International Foundation for the Environment hosts meeting to garner support and attract nominations for the 2nd cycle of Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment.

06 c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o w

In preparation for the second cycle of the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment, the

Zayed International Foundation for the Environment organized an open meeting at the Dubai Police Academy in the presence of members of the Higher Committee of the Zayed Foundation and representatives from several environmental and educational institutes across the UAE.

In light of the UAE Vision 2021 launched by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment was founded by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to recognize and promote the values of sustainable

living and environmentally conscious initiatives among the UAE Society.

Speaking at the event, Col. Dr. Ghaith Ghanim Al Suwaidi, member of the Higher Committee of the Zayed International Prize for the Environment and Director of the Dubai Police Academy said that under the guidance of Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai’s deputy chairman of police and General Security and winner of the Environmental Personality award in the first cycle and HE Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, the Commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, and under the able leadership provided by Maj.General. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Bin Fahad, Chairman of the Zayed Foundation and Assistant Commander for the Dubai Police Academy & Training, the Zayed Foundation was actively

Promoting values of sustainable living andenvironmentally conscious initiatives in the UAE

Zayed Prize

The Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment rewards those who contribute to sustainable development through best environmental practice, research and innovation, capacity building, education and raising environmental awareness.


THE AWARD IS open for individuals, Government Institutions, Private Enterprise, and Civil Society Organizations that have substantial achievements in the field of environment.

participating in supporting the UAE’s environmental initiatives to achieve sustainable development and contributing positively to the UAE Vision 2021 that seeks to make the nation as one of the best countries in the world.

Statement by the Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Zayed International Foundation for the EnvironmentOn behalf of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Bin Fahad, Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, Col. Dr. Ghaith Ghanim Al Suwaidi welcomed the audience, pointing out that the Zayed Foundation had since its inception in 1999 recognized and encouraged environmental achievements by supporting and promoting the

implementation of Agenda 21, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation for Sustainable Development, in line with the vision and philosophy of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

It was to recognize and promote pioneering contributions in the field of the environment and sustainable development at the national level and to raise environmental awareness across all sectors of the UAE society that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai decided to establish the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment, said Dr. Ghaith. The Award is an extension of the continuous efforts of His Highness in stimulating excellence in the country

and his vision to remain at the forefront of nations that endeavor to promote environmental awareness locally, regionally and internationally, he added.

The launch of the Emirates Appreciation Award stems from His Highness’s support for the issues of sustainable development and his desire to recognize and promote the values of sustainable living and environmentally conscious initiatives amongst the UAE community, Dr. Ghaith further added.

At the first cycle of the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment conferred earlier this year Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security, Dubai, was named the Environmental Personality


for his outstanding contributions to promoting environmental conservation and preservation over the years. Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) was awarded the Industrial Enterprise Award, The Abu Dhabi Council for Education received the award for Educational Institutions, The Award for Innovation and Research was given to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and the Media and Public Awareness award was jointly awarded to the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah and Azza Yousif Mohammad Al Awadi from Ras Al Khaimah Education Zone.

In conclusion, Dr. Ghaith added that the aim of the meeting was to “strengthen the partnership between all institutions and to stimulate and support substantial contributions

to achieving the vision of our wise leadership for green development strategy in the UAE.”

He thanked all the members of the audience for attending the event and thereby showing support for the promotion of the prestigious award on a wider scale to attract nominations from all sectors of society.

Other attendees at the event were members of the Higher Committee of the Zayed Foundation including Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman Sultan Al Sharhan and Eng. Hamdan Khalifa Al Shaer, Dr. Meshgan Al Awar, Secretary General of the Zayed International Prize for the Environment, Dr. Eisa M. Abdellatif, Chief Technical Advisor, Zayed International Foundation for the Environment and Dr. Abdul Azim Mustafa Ahmed.

Amongst the environmental organisations present on the occasion included Eng. Ali Mohammed Qasim, Director General of Fujairah Natural Resources Authority; Ms. Asma Saif Al Suwaidi of Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority; Eng. Alya Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, director of Environment Department at Dubai Municipality; and representatives from the Fujairah Educational Zone and Umm Al Quwain Educational Zone.

Award CategoriesDetailing the description and terms of the Award, Prof. Abdul Rahman Sultan Al Sharhan, Secretary-General of the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment stated that the Award is a one million UAE Dirham biennial prize awarded by its patron, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in a public ceremony

08 c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o wZayed Prize

to be held in the city of Dubai. Each winner will also receive a Trophy and an Appreciation Certificate. The Award is divided into five categories: Environmental Personality; Industrial Enterprise - Large Industries and Small & Medium Industries; Educational Institutions - Universities & Institutes and Schools; Innovation/Invention and Environmental Research - Innovation/Invention and Applied Research; and Media and Environmental Awareness - Mass Media and Organizations.

He added that the main objectives of the Award were to recognize and promote pioneering contributions in the field of the environment and sustainable development at the national level; recognize outstanding achievements in the field of environment and energy conservation

across all sectors of United Arab Emirates society; support and encourage individual and collective national environmental initiatives that will contribute to the sustainability of development activities, research and innovation; highlight the initiatives and achievements of industrial and service enterprises which are committed to environmental standards and contribute to the promotion of a culture of environmental awareness among members of society; and to raise environmental awareness across all sectors of United Arab Emirates society.

The Award is open for individuals, Government Institutions, Private Enterprise, and Civil Society Organizations that have substantial achievements in the field of environment, he added. Dr. Abdul

Rahman Sultan Al Sharhan also explained that nomination documents should clearly highlight the excellence of achievements and demonstrate the direct involvement of the nominee and that the candidate must facilitate the work of the Jury and allow them to conduct field visits for validation of data and information mentioned in the nomination form and documents when it deems appropriate.



Mars probe a national pride, says HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid as he attends signing of agreement to build first Arabic-Islamic probe to the red planet under the supervision of the Emirati working group of the Emirates Space Agency.


His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President

and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the signing ceremony of an agreement at the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation in Dubai, between the U.A.E. Space Agency and the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), to build the first Arabic-Islamic probe to Mars under the supervision of an Emirati working group of the Emirates Space Agency.

According to the agreement, EIAST will implement all stages of the project under the supervision and direct funding from the Agency for a period of seven years.

Attending the signing ceremony

on 21st October, 2014, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the project will be implemented under the supervision of an Emirati working group in cooperation with international partner specialists.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “Today we embark on a seven year journey to develop the knowledge, skills and infrastructure needed to accomplish our goal to reach Mars,” adding that “the sky is the limit for our ambitions but that requires a team determined enough to attain this.”

He went on to say that the historic mission “lies ahead of us” and that such mission will be a national pride, a great Arab achievement, and a valuable contribution to science and humanity. The U.A.E. entered the global race to explore outer space in

Cover Story

UAE takes first steps in building Mars probe

The UAE seeks to build

the first Arabic-Islamic

probe to Mars under the

supervision of an Emirati

working group of the

Emirates Space Agency.


THE U.A.E.’S SPACE programme could inspire innovation and spur further diversification of the country’s economy.

July 2014 when UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan unveiled the space agency and announced plans to launch a scientific voyage of discovery to the red planet by 2021.

The announcements mark a turning point in the country’s development establishing space technology as a new drive for diversified economic growth. The Mars mission will enrich Emirati capabilities as well as increase human knowledge about space exploration and distant planets.

“We started today a seven-year journey with a national team; through it we will cross hundreds of millions of miles to build globally competitive Emirati individuals. We say to the people of our region join us in building a new history for our Arab nation,”

Sheikh Mohammad said on his social media account.

The probe will take nine months to make the journey to Mars. With this, the U.A.E. will be one of only nine countries with ambitions for Mars. The mission is scheduled to arrive in 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the U.A.E.

The U.A.E. Space Agency reports to the Cabinet and enjoys financial and administrative independence. It is responsible for organising, supervising and managing the nation’s space sector as well as supporting its contribution to the national economy. The agency works to raise awareness about the importance of space technologies, enhance national capabilities and encourage peaceful

application of space research. Moreover, the agency is to provide technical and advisory support for all stakeholders in the country.

U.A.E.’s investments in space technologies has already exceeded Dh20 billion including satellite data and TV broadcast company Al Yah Satellite Communications, mobile satellite communication company Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications, and Earth mapping and observation system Dubai Sat.

Globally, space technologies are becoming increasingly important to the security and economy of nations, in many cases backed by massive national programmes and establishments. The sector forms an integral part of telecommunications, navigation, broadcasting and


climatology. The industry is estimated to US$ 300 billion globally, with annual growth of 8%.

The event to mark the signing of the agreement was attended by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Khalifa Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Chairman of the Board and the Emirates Space Agency, Mohammed Ahmed Al Qamzi, Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai. Earlier on September 28, 2014, the U.A.E.

Space Agency had organised a symposium on its planned Mars probe mission where it introduced its goals and functions set in the federal decree issued earlier this year on the creation of the agency.

Stakeholders from academic, industrial and government bodies in the U.A.E. took part in the gathering in which the Mars probe team gave an outline of the project and explained how the involved parties will contribute to, and benefit from it.

The participants also discussed the role the agency plays in supporting and regulating the space sector as well as the importance of coordination with stakeholders on future cooperation and partnership. The participants emphasised that the establishment of the U.A.E.

Space Agency and the launch of the Mars probe project were among the important steps taken by U.A.E. to enter the space age and enhance its regional and international standing.

In July, the U.A.E. announced the project to send an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021 in the Arab world’s first mission to another planet. The U.A.E. Space Agency was then created to coordinate the U.A.E.’s growing space technology sector and to supervise the mission.

12 c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o wCover Story

The Carbon Abatement Committee held its first meeting on 22nd October, 2014 where

it discussed and approved the carbon reduction strategy for Dubai, which was presented by the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE). The Committee is chaired by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

The committee includes HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), HE Hussain Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, HE Mohammed Ahli, Director General of Dubai

Civil Aviation Authority, HE Abdulla Kalban, CEO and Managing Director of Emirates Global Aluminium, HE Ahmed Butti Al Muhairabi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Waleed Salman, Chairman of DCCE, and Ivano Ianelli, CEO of DCCE and Rapporteur of the Committee.

The strategy to reduce carbon emissions is the first of its kind in the region. It supports the UAE Vision 2021 and the national long-term Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative to enhance competitiveness and economic sustainability of the UAE. It also complements the Dubai Strategic Plan 2021 as well as Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy to reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2030. Waleed Salman presented the

executive plan to reduce carbon emissions until 2021, in addition to the green initiatives and programmes that government departments in Dubai will implement to reduce carbon emissions by about 16% by 2021.

The Carbon Abatement Committee reviews the objectives and mechanisms, and provides strategic direction and recommendations in terms of carbon reduction, with the support of the Technical Committee and a working group of stakeholders, experts and decision makers. The Committee comprises key public organisations in the Emirate of Dubai and focuses on achieving its goals for energy, the city, roads and transportation, and aviation, as well as the gradual empowerment strategy to promote innovation in reducing carbon emissions.

Carbon Abatement Committee holds first meeting

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Plans unveiled to reduce carbon emissions by about 16% by 2021.



The proposal was approved during a brainstorming session organised by the Ministry of Environment and Water at the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation.


His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and

Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved a proposal to set up a U.A.E.-wide air quality network that will monitor standarised environmental data gathered from across the country.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also gave directives for completing relevant studies on the proposal and preparing for launching it as a project in the near future.

The proposal was approved during a brainstorming session organised by the Ministry of Environment and Water on 14th October, 2014 at the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation. His Highness said, “A healthy environment and

clean air are among the good things the U.A.E. and its people deserve to be given by us. We have to race against time innovating more sustainable solutions.”

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the preservation and protection of clean and safe environment are among his priorities that he personally follow up as they affect the health and life quality of society and therefore are above any other consideration.

“My brother, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is walking in the steps of the founding father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the field of environmental preservation, and contributes to international efforts to execute

Cover Story

HH Sheikh Mohammed approves proposal for setting up pan-UAE air quality network

The new U.A.E.-wide

air quality network will

monitor standarised

environmental data

gathered from across

the country.


THE UAE AIR quality network project will collect unified data on the environment from all around the UAE to provide accurate information on the quality of air in the country.

a strategy for green economy and a national strategy for green development, as well as the launching of giant projects that serve our people and all humanity and conserve natural resources.”

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also noted the importance of the role of the private sector as a partner sharing this responsibility and supporting these environmental initiatives and projects aimed at achieving a pollution-free environment that preserves the health and safety of society.

Urging government departments and experts to put forth feasible proposals, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed said, “This requires you to go to the field, interact with people and get a firsthand experience of the

environmental challenges in order to find suitable solutions to them. We look forward to seeing an expansion of dialogue and your coming up with unprecedented ideas that encompass all environmental issues, the most important of which are U.A.E. citizens and our natural resources.” His Highness asked that all concerned communicate with experts, identify the challenges and work to resolve any issues.

Present at the brainstorming gathering were H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of Dubai’s Protocol Department, and

other officials.

Last year, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed gave directives to all federal government departments to embrace the experience of “Government Innovation Lab” as a standard practice in order to develop government services.


Vice Chairman of DSCE launches State of Green Economy Report during the World Summit of Regions for Climate in Paris, France.


Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Chairman of World Green Economy Summit has launched ‘The State of Green Economy Report 2015’, a key outcome of The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2014 held last April in Dubai in the presence of Former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will host the World Summit of Regions for Climate as Chairman of R20 in addition to the former prime minister of France, Manuel Valls, former United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton and UN Climate Chief, Christina Figueres, and others.

The event, held on 11th October, was attended by Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, Charge d’affaires of U.A.E. in France.

The articles have been authored by national and international experts in the field; speakers form the World Green Economy Summit 2014 and thematic leaders within the participating UN-entities. Dubai Carbon has managed the selection of authors and has curated the content in participation with UNDP and the World Green Economy Summit team, based on the relevance for the region and impact on green economic development of the respective topics.

The Report features one overview chapter on green economy, jobs and youth engagement and six thematic chapters on other relevant aspects: Smart City, Clean Energy, Sustainable Lifestyle, Responsible Tourism, Green Finance, Green Industry.

Other dignitaries at the event included

Report

UAE launches State of Green Economy Report 2015

The annual State of

Green Economy Report,

published by WGES, will

showcase all Dubai green

economy projects and

initiatives.


WGES FOCUSES ON promoting green economy in the world and seeks to enhance the position of Dubai as a hub for trade, finance, green economy, and sustainable development.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs , Saeed Al Tayer, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA),Mattar Al Tayer, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Hilal Al Marri; Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Essa Abdulfattah Kazim, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and Abdulnasser Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban; Dubal Holding Llc.

The publication follows a strictly participatory approach and received strong support from the United Nations network and other relevant supra-national bodies: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC),

United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN), International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) / Worldbank, International Labour Organization (ILO), and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Each chapter contains a group of initiatives and researches. Clean Energy chapter outlines Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, aiming to diversify the energy mix by 2030 to include 71% from natural gas, 12% from nuclear power, 12% from clean coal, and 5% from solar power, as well as reducing energy consumption by 30% by 2030.

On the subject of clean energy, population growth, urbanization and

economic growth have a significant impact on our resources.

IRENA predicts that global energy demand will increase by 60% within coming years. The report focuses on the economic benefits such as job creation and development of new sectors that are borne from renewable energy expansion.

On the theme of responsible tourism, there is a dedicated a chapter on how Dubai can reconcile the expected spike in footfall around the World EXPO 2020 with the need to combat high carbon emissions in the aviation industry. The Green Finance Chapter focuses on the importance of mechanisms of finance to encourage green investment.

During his speech at the Summit,


Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said: “In line with the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and in line with the UAE Vision 2021, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched the World Green Economy Summit 2015 under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE). This summit comes in continuation of the efforts made to position Dubai as a global hub for green economy, energy efficiency and security, investment in renewable energy, and demand side management to curb carbon emissions.”

“Dubai has always been open to the world as a hub for trade, but not only

exchanging goods and services, but exchanging ideas as well,” he added. “Dubai plays an important role as a trade-route bridge between the East and the West. Thanks to its global-level robust infrastructure in aviation, industry, finance, and business, Dubai has attracted the best leading names from across the world. This makes Dubai well placed as a nexus of global green economy in a geostrategic

region that needs to diversify its energy resources and move away from the traditional hydrocarbons, in addition to the need to find more efficient methods of delivering fresh water to its people, we have two of the great catalysts for enterprise and change – opportunity and imperative.”

“We are proud to be part of the World Summit of Regions for Climate here in Paris which gathers thought leaders and green economy experts from across the world. It is one of the main events that lead to the Road to Paris 2015. It is also the perfect platform to launch the Green Economy Report in the presence of world leaders to exchange knowledge and developments in this domain,” he added.

“We had key declarations at World

18 c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o wReport

The State of Green Economy Report

features insights and statistics on

the progress of green economic

development in the UAE and presents

international best practice and research.

Green Economy Summit 2014. Perhaps the most pivotal of them is the Dubai Declaration, which confirms our commitment to developing the World Green Economy Summit to be a platform to discuss the developments of green economy in the long run, and to develop Dubai as the capital of green economy.

The report is a true indicator of our commitment to implementing the initiatives and declarations the resulted from the Summit. It also emphasises Dubai’s position as a driver to the green economy agenda in the world.”

“As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “The word impossible doesn’t exist in our dictionary.” Dubai has been built upon ambition and achievements. One such

milestone is the upcoming Dubai EXPO 2020, which is being held under the banner of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

“These achievements support the notion that Dubai can become the capital of the World’s Green Economy, and this is a primary reason for organising the World Green Economy Summit, under the banner Global Partnerships, Sustainable Future,” added Al Tayer.

The World Green Economy Summit is an international platform and a strategic enabler for the global green economy agenda, bringing together the world’s most prominent green decision makers. Following the success of the inaugural event this year, which generated new partnerships, initiatives and projects

to develop a global green economy, WGES 2015 will expand to focus on new pillars and the introduction of further partnerships as well key initiatives.

WGES 2015 will bring together top speakers, including CEOs, business executives, entrepreneurs, and national leaders. It will include interesting and relevant session topics and well framed discussions with international panellists. The WGES Public-Private Platform, launched at WGES 2014 aims to become a unique and premier platform for solution oriented PPP’s between business, government and finance.

He added: “Dubai is committed to producing and publishing the annual State of Green Economy Report which will showcase all Dubai green



economy projects and initiatives. This report, published by WGES, and supported by major organisations such as Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, DEWA, Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence and the UN Development Programme is a knowledge product designed to further the debate that began at the Summit.”

The United Arab Emirates is one of the first countries that have endorsed the extension of the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, which limits the greenhouse gas emissions of industrialised countries. It was also the first Gulf nation to sign on to the Copenhagen Accord at COP15, supporting a long-term deal to reign in emissions.

“While many countries and cities around the world talk about adopting green economy, Dubai was among the

first cities to join the fight to curb its carbon footprint and combat climate change and is already leading by example and acting on its strategies.

“As a strategic initiative by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence was established in January 2011, through an agreement between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“This Centre is specialised in the Clean Development Mechanism along with the best practices in reducing emissions in the Emirate of Dubai. The first of its kind in the region, it enables the Government to establish a baseline on present-day emission levels and track changes in the years to come,” he added.

“The World Green Economy Summit 2015 will build upon the success of the previous summit. We will expand its focus to include more major developments needed to build a green economy. This will include engaging young people as a major catalyst for change, global partnerships between the public and private sectors, innovation, finance, and new solutions,” he concluded.


As part of the World Food Day activities on 16th October 2014, Eng. Hussain Nasser

Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality inaugurated the ‘Grow Your Food’ campaign through Facebook with the aim of seeding a culture of V

The campaign is organized by the food control department in collaboration with Eastern Masala and Jaleel Holdings under the World Food Day theme ‘Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth’.

Accordingly, residents can grow their own food garden and get rewarded with Dh10,000. Through this unique initiative, Dubai Municipality seeks to encourage its residents to convert spaces inside their homes to grow herbs, fruits and vegetables. The civic

body detailed that the food garden could be on the balcony, rooftop, courtyard or even a small space down the parking lot where one can sow seeds of greenery and freshness to inspire healthy living through home-made vegetables and herbs.

Eng. Khalid Sherif, director of food control department praised the efforts of Jaleel Holdings, a UAE based supply company with activities in wholesale distribution, metal fabrication and education sectors, for its strong social commitment and focused devotion to the environment promoting only natural products.

“A committee will be formed to oversee the household farming and assess the best plantations and the winners will be announced in February 2015 in conjunction with the Gulfood

Expo,” he said.

Participants can cultivate various types of fruits and vegetables in their home garden, or even apartments and send their pictures through the campaign’s Facebook page. The jury will select the best 100 images and 10 winners after a visit to the household. Winners will be honored during a ceremony during the National Day celebrations with a certificate and cash prize/coupon worth AED 5000-10,000 per person or institution.

‘Grow Your Food’ campaign launched in DubaiDubai Municipality opens competition to plant fruit and vegetable gardens in homes.

21c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o w


HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer signs partnership agreement with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chairman of the World Climate Region Summit R20, which will join World Green Economy Summit 2015 as an official partner.


As part of The Road To Paris - World Climate Region Summit R20, which was

recently organised in Paris, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Chairman of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES 2015), signed a partnership agreement with Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California and Chairman of the World Climate Region Summit R20, which will join WGES 2015 as an official partner.

WGES 2015 will be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai under the theme Global Partnerships for

a Sustainable Future. This Summit will be held on 22-23 April 2015 and will focus on the transition towards a global green economy as well as promoting Dubai’s position as a capital of green economy and sustainable development.

The event was attended by Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources, Abdulnasser Abbas, Senior Director of Treasury, and Ahmed Abdullah, Senior Manager of External Communications.

“This agreement comes in line with the initiative of the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,

Partnership

Partnership agreement signed to promote sustainability ahead of WGES 2015

WGES 2015 will focus on

the transition towards a

global green economy as

well as promoting Dubai’s

position as a capital of

green economy and

sustainable development.


WGES 2015 WILL be held on 22-23 April next year and will focus on the transition towards a global green economy and also promote Dubai’s position as a capital of green economy and sustainable development.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and in support of the efforts made to promote Dubai’s position as a global hub for green economy,” said Al Tayer.

“This agreement will contribute to involving the World Climate Region Summit R20 as a partner in supporting the WGES, and as a founding partner and supporter of the partnership platform between both the public and private sectors to ensure the success of WGES’ outcome and recommendations to achieve sustainable development,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer highlighted the vision of the UAE Government and the strategies and solutions it has developed to promote green initiatives and the transition to a green economy.

During the meeting, Schwarzenegger praised the efforts of Dubai throughout its ongoing efforts to become a hub for green economy and sustainable development. He also showed great interest in the efforts made by different sectors to conserve resources, preserve the environment and achieve sustainable development for the all the nations of the world.

Schwarzenegger also praised the initiatives of Dubai Smart Government to make Dubai an integrated, innovative and smart city based on knowledge in the 21st century to achieve welfare and happiness for all residents.

R20 aims to support governments all over the world to implement environmental projects with low carbon emissions and achieve economic

development by addressing climate change for a better future. It also aims to increase awareness on long-term political, technical and financial solutions that can contribute to achieving a clean and sustainable economy.

R20 also plays an effective role in facilitating communication and opening up new horizons among governments, non-governmental organisations, academics, and financial partners from both the public and private sectors, which makes R20 an important partner in the WGES 2015.

The WGES 2014 facilitated partnerships with over 20 organisations including the UNDP, OECD, State of Green, ICC, CDP, R20, FICCI and over 25 companies like Citigroup, HSBC, BMW, Veolia and TrueBlue.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES 2015) welcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger , Chairman of the World Climate Region Summit (R20), after (R20) joined WGES 2015 as an official partner.


ENOC CEO Saeed Khoory highlights visionary initiatives by the UAE and innovative approaches of ENOC at 4th Gulf Intelligence Energy Markets Forum.


Saeed Khoory, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), highlighted

the successful initiatives of Dubai in energy diversification to drive energy security for future generations at the fourth Gulf Intelligence Energy Markets Forum held in Fujairah on September 27, 2014.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al-Sharqi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, the Forum brought together C-level executives engaged in trading, storing, refining, marketing and shipping in the energy sector.

Addressing a panel discussion on ‘Deepening Global Fault Lines – Energy Security and the Middle East,’ Mr. Khoory, who is also a Board

Member of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, discussed the visionary initiatives being implemented to promote energy security and sustainability in the UAE, particularly in Dubai.

“The nation has set clear goals to diversifying the energy sector under the ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development’ strategy announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,” he said.

“The Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 is a strategic roadmap that will help us conserve our natural resources for future generations through the two-pronged approach of demand management and energy diversification. In addition

to reducing energy demand by 30 per cent by 2030, Dubai is also making significant investments in building a renewable energy infrastructure.

“The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which has commenced the operation of its first phase, is a model in leveraging solar energy. Dubai’s goal is to have a diversified energy mix of 71 per cent from natural gas, 12 per cent from clean coal and nuclear each and five per cent solar by 2030,” Mr. Khoory explained.

“To meet the growing energy needs of an increasing population and powering economic growth, pursuing a balanced energy mix with a stronger shift towards renewable sources is imperative,” said Mr. Khoory. “It is also important to shift energy

Forum

Dubai’s success in energy diversification highlighted


SAEED KHOORY ADDRESSED panel discussion on ‘Deepening Global Fault Lines – Energy Security and the Middle East’ at the Forum.

efficiency levels across the supply chain by adopting the most advanced technologies and investing in new infrastructure. Likewise, to manage energy demand and consumption, structural reforms in energy subsidies are to be considered across the Middle East region.”

Mr. Khoory also provided an overview of the LNG facilities in the UAE and the need to expand capacity to meet the needs of a growing population.

ENOC has been partnering in the UAE’s sustainable energy initiatives highlighted most recently by the introduction of eco-friendly green diesel blended to Euro 5 standards. ENOC is also supporting the nation’s green vision by popularising Compressed Natural Gas as a more cost-competitive and cleaner source

of automotive fuel.

Among the various initiatives of ENOC to promote energy sustainability is the Technical Services Agreement that the company has signed with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence to effectively manage the carbon footprint of ENOC’s operations and to develop the competencies of ENOC’s staff members in promoting Clean Development Mechanism projects.

One of ENOC’s pioneering sustainability initiatives was the opening of the first green service station in the Middle East in Dubai. It uses advanced technological devices to contain petrol fumes released at the pump and state-of-the-art systems such as solar-powered lighting, a ‘waterless’ car-washing system, new waste segregation systems and

design upgrades to reduce noise pollution.

The Global Intelligence Energy Markets Forum discussed various aspects of the energy sector including cross-over technologies, the geo-political challenges, the competitive landscape and IT efficiency, amongst others.


With a planned total cost of AED12 billion, the Solar Park will produce 1,000 MW of electricity when completed.


HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA),

visited the construction site of the Research and Development Centre that DEWA is building at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Seih Al Dahal in Dubai on 7th October, 2014. With a planned total cost of AED12 billion, the Solar Park will produce 1,000 MW of electricity when completed. The visit is one of a series of field visits by Al Tayer to evaluate the progress of projects undertaken by DEWA.

The MD & CEO of DEWA was accompanied by Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DEWA.

The project supports the

Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the directions of His Highness to enhance the research and development sector and promote Dubai as a role model in achieving the highest standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy as per the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030.

The Strategy aims to diversify the energy mix to include solar power to generate 5% of Dubai’s total energy output by 2030.

Al Tayer was briefed on different techniques used in producing electricity through solar power. He reviewed models presented by

global corporations that show the latest technologies in generating electricity from solar energy. Al Tayer also inspected a new technology to generate 120kV solar power using Stirling Dish, the first technology of its kind to be tested in the Middle East.

Al Tayer expressed his satisfaction about the progress of work in the Park which includes Research, Development, and Innovation, and a solar-energy test facility, which analyses and evaluates the performance of various power generation technologies such as PV laminates, concentrated solar power, and other innovative solar technologies including energy storage techniques.

Al Tayer emphasised the importance of adhering to health and safety in all

Solar Park

Progress on Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park’s R&D Centre evaluated


THE VISIT IS one of a series of field visits by Al Tayer to evaluate the progress of projects undertaken by DEWA.

aspects of work to achieve DEWA’s strategy to ensure the highest health and safety standards across all its projects.

The first project of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a 13MW plant that went live last October. The second project will have a production capacity of 100MW and will be based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.

The first project of the Solar Park uses photovoltaic technology and is the biggest of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. It uses pioneering technologies represented by over 152,000 photocells connected to 13 step-up transformers in inverter buildings.

“To support innovation and excellence

in DEWA’s projects and operations, and in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish the UAE among the most innovative in the world and make innovation a key element in daily government work, and an organisational culture, we adopt innovation and creative ideas in our projects.

“The R&D and Innovation centres at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park help to promote knowledge in the energy sector and the innovative sustainability techniques.

“They also support DEWA’s sustainability plans, develop its global capacity in the area of renewable energy, in addition to building national capabilities,” added Al Tayer.

“The Innovation Centre has a unique design that follows the highest standards related to environment and green buildings. It will help educate future generations about DEWA’s achievements and pioneering projects. It houses a museum where renewable energy technologies are showcased in interactive ways. Visitors can learn about the most important solutions and technologies in renewable energy through audio and video presentations. It is scheduled to be completed by end of this year,” concluded Al Tayer.


The Carbon Ambassador Programme, launched by Dubai Carbon, involves university students in voluntary efforts related to sustainable development and green economy.


A number of UAE university students, enrolled in the Dubai Carbon Centre for

Excellence’s (Dubai Carbon’s) youth engagement initiative, the Carbon Ambassador Programme, which is supported by Dubai Carbon in collaboration with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), have developed a plan to build sustainable bus stops by recycling 20ft industrial containers supplied by DP World. The programme is aligned to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Carbon Ambassador Programme, launched by Dubai Carbon, involves university students in voluntary efforts related to sustainable development and green economy. It provides them with training and capacity building

necessary to shape leaders of tomorrow.

The students will review this ambitious project with representatives from DEWA, DP World, and Dubai Carbon. This will help students to evaluate the direction, concept, project plan, and milestone goals to complete the project. The students will also be learning essential concepts such as energy balance, project timeline management, and budgeting.

“In line with the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to maintain Dubai’s position as a global hub for trade, finance, tourism, and green economy,

DEWA supervises this initiative in collaboration with Dubai Carbon. We have a clear strategy to develop National talent.

DEWA spares no effort to train and develop young leaders and enhance their knowledge and experience, especially in the energy sector, in collaboration with educational institutions. These efforts serve the national interest and benefit the country and its citizens.

“To support its vision to become a sustainable world class utility, DEWA exerts all efforts to keep the environment and save the resources by keeping up-to-date with international developments in environmental areas to support sustainable development, for generations to come,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and

Sustainability

Carbon Ambassadors completemodule 1 of the Sustainability Programme


THE CARBON AMBASSADOR Programme, launched by Dubai Carbon, involves university students in voluntary efforts related to sustainable development and green economy.

CEO of DEWA. “Empowering our youth is of paramount importance in building a sustainable future in Dubai and the UAE. The Carbon Ambassadors Programme is an excellent tool to educate the young generation, and encourage them to take part in public awareness efforts and come up with new initiatives that enrich both the present and future,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

The programme also combines a broad public awareness campaign and training programmes that enable young people to consciously interact with personal, local and global perspectives. Around 40 Carbon Ambassadors participate in the programme for one year. They are trained in sustainability, carbon

emission reductions, and climate change mitigation.

“Today, the students have successfully completed module 1 of the Sustainability Programme. They are now qualified to start training and activities for the next module: Carbon Emission Reductions. At Dubai Carbon, we are proud to sponsor this programme that can spotlight the talent and ingenuity of the region’s green pioneers of tomorrow,” said Waleed Salman, Chairman of Dubai Carbon.

“To secure a green future for the UAE, we must motivate our youth to adopt a green frame of mind. We have to start now to begin cultivating new sustainable industry leaders, and it is them who will lead us into the future. We have to guide them, and above all,

constantly promote them,” said Ivano Iannelli, CEO of Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence.

The Carbon Ambassador Programme, which was launched earlier this year, is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.


Growth in demand for power in the MENA region expected to increase by seven per cent annually until 2020.


On 12th October 2014, His Excellency Suhail Mohammed bin Faraj Al Mazrouei, UAE’s

Minister of Energy, officially opened the POWER-GEN Middle East (PGME) and WaterWorld Middle East (WWME) Conferences and Exhibition with a formal ribbon cutting.

Immediately after the ribbon cutting ceremony, His Excellency toured the exhibition floor. During his tour, His Excellency met with representatives from and visited the exhibitor booths of Russia’s Ministry of Energy, Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company, GE and Siemens.

Prior to the official ribbon cutting, Yury Sentyurin, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Dr. Hisham Khatib, Honorary Vice Chairman,

World Energy Council, Jordan, and former Jordanian Cabinet Minister and Alan Thomson, Managing Director of the event partner for WWME, Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC), gave keynote addresses.

“The main message of our presence here is still the same as it was before,” said Yury Sentyurin, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. “Russia is reliable, safe for investment and open for new partnerships.”

“There’s no doubt that the GCC countries punch above their weight when it comes to the water and energy marketplace,” said Alan Thomson, Managing Director, ADSSC. “The wealth from the oil and the willingness to go one step further for

UAE Minister of Energy officiallyopens POWER-GEN Middle East

Exhibition

The urgent need for

significant investment in

infrastructure and asset

management to satisfy

the growing demand for

power and water in the

MENA region was a key

focus at the POWER-GEN

Middle East Conference.


THE STABILITY and sustainability of the region’s power and water supply was the focus at leading conferences and exhibitions.

well supported and well investigated projects and programmes mean that not only do we invest but we innovate and that’s down to the leadership of our Ministries, of our government and our leaders who recognize that investing in infrastructure will give benefits on the medium and long term for the future of the country and indeed the region.”

“Growth in the demand for power in the region is three times the world average and the main culprit of this is subsidies,” said Dr. Hisham Khatib, Honorary Vice Chairman, World Energy Council, Jordan, and former Jordanian Cabinet Minister.

“The regional governments should make an effort to phase out subsidies whenever they can reasonably and socially do so.”

The urgent need for significant investment in infrastructure and asset management to satisfy the growing demand for power and water in the MENA region was a key focus at the POWER-GEN Middle East (PGME) and WaterWorld Middle East (WWME) Conferences and Exhibition.

White papers developed by Frost & Sullivan, a leading consulting firm, highlighting the significant gaps between water consumption and water production in the GCC region, and the demand for a further diversified power supply mix across the MENA region, featured prominently throughout the conferences.

Frost & Sullivan identified that around 43 per cent of the additional power capacity required to address the

growing demand for power across MENA will be created by GCC countries. This demonstrates the need to find regional solutions to address stability and sustainability challenges associated with the power supply.

“Ensuring the local power and water supply will continue to fuel and support the region’s economy goes beyond making strategic investments,” said Nigel Blackaby, Event Director of PGME.” “Maximizing the potential of assets and a commitment to conservation are important components of an effective power and water management strategy.

“As the host to these leading conferences, Abu Dhabi is well positioned to demonstrate its leadership towards stability and


sustainability and to share best practices in support of regional goals with leaders and decision makers.”

The conference topics and the list of high calibre speakers have encouraged thought leaders and decision makers from more than 65 countries around the world to attend this event.

The Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation also hosted a forum during the conferences as part of the Russian government’s commitment to providing global energy security, developing international energy cooperation and ensuring sustainable economic development of the MENA region.

“The international presence at this year’s event is an acknowledgment

of the potential of the regional marketplace from both an investment and leadership perspective,” said Tom Freyberg, Conference Director for WaterWorld Middle East.

“It also demonstrates a willingness to collectively tackle the challenges associated with rapidly growing demands for power and water. Delegates are spoilt for choice with panels featuring industry technical experts and with access to recently published white papers and research.”

Coinciding with the conference sessions, the joint exhibition also showcased the latest equipment and technologies by regional and international exhibitors. Companies represented included the likes of AAF, ABB, ADSSC, Crescent Middle East Trading & Oil-Fields Services,

Masaood John Brown, GE Power & Water, Siemens, Veolia, Wartsila and Xylem.

The 12th annual POWER-GEN Middle East provides the platform for the international power community to meet and receive vital information first hand. The event offers a unique forum to meet the region’s power needs by putting them face-to-face with key decision makers and providing the best possible opportunity to share ideas, meet new contacts and build business relationships.

For the third occasion, WaterWorld Middle East was held as a co-located event with POWER-GEN Middle East, establishing itself as an important regional event dedicated to strategic and technical issues in the water and wastewater industry.

32 c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o wExhibition

Green Hope UAE organized its first Eco Conference for Youth, which was held at Westminster

School on Saturday, 18th October 2014. The event titled ‘The Role of Youth in the Post2015 Agenda’ provided an unique platform for youth to voice their views, demands, aspirations and concerns regarding various prevalent issues including climate change, land degradation, carbon emissions, and gender bias. The event was attended by 200 students from across United Arab Emirates.

The conference featured panel discussions where several professionals and experts from marketing, social media, organic foods, natural farming and health enlightened the participants on the different facets of sustainable development.

As tree planting is the simplest and most effective way of combating land degradation and mitigating climate change, the summit commenced with a tree planting session which was held in Mushrif Park with the support of Dubai Municipality.

During the conference, the young speakers from Green Hope UAE spoke about pressing issues including climate change, gender equality, the urgent need to switch to renewable energy and the right to education for every child. The recently launched UN HeForShe campaign on gender equality was also emphasized upon during the discussions.

Kehkashan Basu, the founder of Green Hope UAE and UNEP’s (United Nations Environment Programme) Global Coordinator for Children

& Youth said, “The Millennium Development Goals are set to expire in less than a year and the global fraternity is yet to formulate a clear strategy which can deliver on the promise of ‘A life of dignity for all’. Young people are the “Future Generations” and they must have a defining say in developing the road map towards a sustainable, equitable and just world.”

The 200 participants also took part in the ‘My World’ survey which is designed to obtain insights from individuals about what issues they think would make the most difference to their lives.

The options range from demands for an honest and responsive government to actions taken on climate change and Equality between men and women.

Green Hope hosts Eco Conference for Youth in the UAEYoung speakers spoke about pressing issues on climate change, gender equality, the urgent need to switch to renewable energy and the right to education for every child.



Teams from Asia, Europe, Australia and America to compete in inaugural Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge scheduled to be held in January 2015.


The Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge took on a truly global flavor early last month as top university

teams from around the world confirmed their place in the Challenge at a conference held at Masdar Institute. This included the Petroleum Institute Team, who will fly the flag for the UAE, and confirmed its entry into the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge.

The Solar Challenge is sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and hosted by Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Representatives from as far afield as the US, Italy and Japan attended the conference and confirmed their place in the Middle East’s first International Solarcar Federation-sanctioned challenge which takes place from 16-

19 January 2015.

The Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge (ADSC) is a competition which brings together universities from across the globe in order to design, build and drive solar-powered cars across Abu Dhabi. Teams compete on a 1,200 kilometre course over a period of four days across the Emirate. This is the inaugural year of the event.

Although they are not competing in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, local universities including United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi University and the Higher Colleges of Technology also participated in the conference. They will also host competing international universities, such as Principia College from USA and University of Bologna based in Italy.

The partnerships between universities will create an environment for knowledge sharing and provide a stepping-stone for local and regional universities to explore their strengths in engineering with a view to entering future solar competitions.

Giuseppe Coia, team manager of Italy’s Onda Solare, said: “The partnership between teams and universities is important because it provides opportunity for students to get involved and take a lead in delivering a complex project. Working with team members, over time they are able to make the idea of a solar car a reality; gaining incredible experience along the way.”

“Our partnership allows my students to share all they know about designing, building, and racing

Top universities from around the world confirm their place in Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge

Solar Challenge


THE ADSC IS the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East and is open to solar car teams from countries all over the world.

solar cars,” added John Broere, representative of the Principia College Solar Car Team. “Taking everything we know into a new group dynamic can be incredibly stimulating for everyone involved. With the added perspective of our UAE partners, we should be able to make our entry better than it has ever been before.”

The other teams from across the wider Middle East region include HAVIN 2 from Qazvin Azad University, Iran, Fajer from Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and SOCRAT from Istanbul University, Turkey.

Japan is home to seven teams, the highest number participating from one country; the US has four teams entering the 2015 challenge. Two teams will come from Australia;

Arrow from Queensland University of Technology and Aurora. An additional three teams will come from Europe: Onda Solare from University of Bologna, Italy, SER from ZHAW School of Engineering, Switzerland and Punch Power Train from KU Leuven, Belgium.

The route is designed to provide teams with a great opportunity to demonstrate their solar cars under real world driving conditions and thoroughly test the reliability of all onboard systems.

The winner of the ADSC is determined by the total elapsed time to complete the cross-country route. Competing in the ADSC requires intense focus and hard work from every team that enters the race and there are no shortage of hurdles to overcome along the way.

The cars require not only the driver and mechanics, but intensive support teams similar in size to professional motor racing teams.

Throughout the challenge the solar car travels escorted by a small convoy of support vehicles including a lead vehicle that can identify problems or obstacles ahead of the race car and a mission control vehicle from which the race pace is controlled. Other vehicles carrying replacement drivers, spare parts, maintenance support, as well as supplies and camping equipment for the team can also form the convoy.

Teams must carefully monitor weather patterns and adjust driving strategy accordingly. The mix of city and highway driving on public roads of varying conditions makes careful energy management critical.


The two hours clean-up campaign resulted in the removal of 483 kg of waste which included plastic and wood waste, metal, glass and paper.


A clean-up campaign was held on October 15, 2014 at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve

for the participating students of the Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI).

The campaign was planned as a tribute to the Arab Environment Day (14 October) which was first instituted in 1986, by a meeting of Arab Ministers responsible for the environment, in Tunisia. This year’s slogan and emphasis revolved around ‘Cleanliness: A Collective Responsibility’.

The clean-up, which began at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 11:00 am, saw the participation of 161 Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI) students and more than 35 governmental and private organisations in Abu Dhabi, where they cleared the area from

marine debris and litter caused by neighbouring residents. The two hours clean-up campaign resulted in removing 483 kg of waste which included mostly of plastic and wood waste, metal and glass and paper.

Ahead of the clean-up, the students were given a brief and were provided with information on the roles and responsibility of the campaign and learned more about the different measurement tools used in collecting data. Also gloves, bags and water were also distributed.

Kicking off the campaign, Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of the Environmental Science, Information and Outreach Sector at The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), addressed the participants and highlighted the importance of

changing our behaviour and our attitudes to waste within Abu Dhabi’s community.

“At EAD, one of our priorities is to raise public awareness about the hazards of pollution. Through this clean-up campaign, we are directing people towards a positive attitude in maintaining a clean and sound environment by practice and participation,” he said.

Baharoon added: “The Sustainable Schools Initiative continuously encourages students to become involved in activities that will benefit their environment and community, SSI regularly attracts all Eco-clubs from registered schools to annually participate in projects that promote sustainability to the wider community. The SSI initiative embarked the

Campaign

Clean-up campaign held atAl Wathba Wetland Reserve


THE CLEAN-Up campaign resulted in removing 483 kg of waste which included mostly of plastic and wood waste, metal and glass and paper.

implementation of their second phase last year and decided to coordinate the initiative’s first clean-up campaign for 2014.

“The clean-up campaign will now take place on an annual basis and will provide a platform where SSI students, teachers and directors from different schools, along with partners and stakeholders, can collaboratively participate towards making concrete actions toward promoting sustainability in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

Nick Cochrane-Dyet, Special Advisor to BP UAE General Manager, said: “The Sustainable Schools Initiative has been a great success since its inception in 2009. BP is delighted to sponsor such a worthwhile initiative, and is particularly proud of the

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and its project team for their great efforts in implementing this successful and sustainable programme.

“The clean-up campaign is a great practice that brings responsible and enthusiastic people of different age groups, professions and nationalities from the school communities, government and businesses in a range of activities that positively improve local environments, aimed at creating greater environmental awareness to help reduce UAE’s carbon footprint in fun way.”

The Sustainable Schools Initiative encourages students to not only reduce their ecological footprint but also to increase their ‘ecological handprint’, by participating in the different activities organised by EAD

and other environmental related organisations, that lead towards achieving sustainability.

In addition to the students, participation in the campaign included representatives from EAD, BP, Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC), Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC), and Tadweer (The Centre of Waste Management – Abu Dhabi).


The 2nd Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association’s Sustainability Conference opened in Dubai under the theme “People, Planet, Profit.”


With growing population demanding more resources than the earth

can generate, contributing to the global sustainability agenda will be crucial for survival, said speakers at the 2nd Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association’s (GPCA) Sustainability Conference in Dubai.

“The United Nations expects worldwide populations to reach 9.6 billion people by 2050,” said Margaret Suckale, Member of the Executive Board, BASF, in her keynote speech. “To put this into perspective, if the world were a village of 100 people, population would grow to 136 inhabitants in the next 40 years, with a majority of growth coming from Africa and the Far East.”

Suckale explained that people are

demanding resources at a faster rate than the earth can regenerate reserves, making sustainability an absolute necessity for human survival. “BASF is involved by translating global megatrends into products that contribute to sustainability needs.”

Commenting on the progress of the GCC’s petrochemical industry, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Jawahery, President of GPIC, Bahrain and Board Member, GPCA said, “BASF is a leader in sustainability because they have been around for 150 years. The GCC petrochemical companies don’t need a 150 years. Petrochemical producers here have taken extremely important steps to contribute to the global sustainability agenda.”

Dr. Al Jawahery hailed the growth of the petrochemical industry in the

Arabian Gulf, stating that the sector has grown into a 100 million ton business in 30 years, and capacity is expected to grow to 170 million tons in the next 5 years.

“This is a lot of products,” continued Al Jawahery. “However, there are shortcomings. Our educational institutions have not kept up with industry growth. Also, aside from SABIC who have 13 research and development centres, we are frankly not investing enough in research and development either.”

The Middle East holds an estimated 45% of the world’s oil and gas reserves, but only 10% of the global petrochemical capacity, illustrated Dr. Al Jawahery. “Growth is a process. We will need to learn from companies through collaboration with

Conference

‘The time for GCC petrochemicals to contribute to the global sustainability agenda is now’


THE GCC CHEMICAL industry is a major supplier in various industries, among them electronics, food and transports.

international partners like BASF, Dow Chemical, Shell, ExxonMobil… We need to do more.”

According to the GPCA’s inaugural Sustainability Report, petrochemical producers in the Arabian Gulf have made great strides in improving their sustainability performance. For example, GCC chemical producers have reduced energy consumption per ton by 8% of the last two years, through technical renovations.

“The conclusion from discussions at this conference and our research is clear: in the GCC, sustainability has evolved from a concept to a business imperative,” said Dr. Abdulwahab Al- Sadoun, the GPCA’s Secretary General. “However, sustainability will require a buy-in not only from the company’s leadership but also from

company stakeholders, governing bodies, employees and the general, making it challenging to ‘sell’ this concept both within and outside the production facilities. This is a long journey and there is good news-- we are already well on our way to achieving respectable results.”

“The GPCA Sustainability Conference is a platform on which industry stakeholders can discuss ways to efficiently incorporate sustainability best practices into each and every element of their business,” said Al-Sadoun.

Sustainability is a key area of focus for the GPCA itself, which estimates that less than 10 percent of plastic is recycled in the Gulf region. Out of the 80 million tons of waste generated in the GCC each year, 26 million

tons is plastic waste due to the high consumption of consumer products.

Now in its second edition, the GPCA Sustainability Conference hosted over 200 delegates from 17 countries over two days. The program also featured presentations from industry experts at SABIC, Borouge and AT Kearney, focused on opportunities for petrochemicals companies to develop in way that is responsible to the environment, economy and society.


Workshop organised by DEWA in collaboration with EWS-WWF highlights international best practices and strategies on reducing consumption of natural resources and how to limit carbon emissions.


Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised the first Sustainable

Office workshop, which is an interactive workshop on efficient use of energy and water.

The workshop, organised in collaboration with Emirates Wildlife Society - Worldwide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF) on 22nd October, 2014, was held at DEWA’s Sustainable Building in Al Quoz. Organising the workshop supports DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable world-class utility, and its efforts to raise awareness on global warming and climate change.

A large number of DEWA’s stakeholders, partners, engineers, developers, as well as other utilities in the region attended the workshop,

which highlighted international best practices and strategies on reducing consumption of natural resources and how to limit carbon emissions.

The workshop built upon the success of the one DEWA organised for its strategic partners and stakeholders last year. Participants shared experiences and ideas on global trends in sustainability and its current and future challenges.

“In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to adopt the concept of sustainable development, rationalise energy consumption, and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of renewable and alternative energy in Dubai and the UAE, DEWA

works with leading local and regional organisations to highlight World Energy Day, which is an important occasion on which to raise awareness about the need to conserve energy and use it wisely,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy(DSCE) MD & CEO of DEWA.

“Through today’s workshop, we aim to develop future steps and goals to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of energy and water in the region, and develop a roadmap that will be the cornerstone in promoting sustainable development and protecting natural resources.

The workshop covers a number of topics such as sustainability, rational consumption, climate change, reducing carbon emissions,

Workshop

Sustainable Office interactive workshop promotes efficient use of energy and water


THE WORKSHOP BUILT upon the success of the one DEWA organised for its strategic partners and stakeholders last year.

environmental protection, and other topics that form the basis of World Energy Day,” added Al Tayer.

DEWA collaborated with EWS, an environmental organisation that works in association with WWF, to give presentations and hold discussion sessions on environmental issues, including climate change and sustainability in the workplace.

The workshop also included the Sustainable Office board game, which is an interactive team activity that helped participants to build measurable strategies for effective energy and water efficiency.

“We are glad to collaborate with DEWA and the Supreme Council of Energy in organising this event, which highlights the issues related to the

extensive use of energy and water. It proves that there are effective and economic solutions to this issue.

“We are pleased to work together to overcome the obstacles that face sustainable development in the region by raising awareness of regional organisations and companies, and by exchanging international best practices in this area,” said Ida Tillisch, Director General, EWS - WWF.

“The UAE’s carbon footprint is very high compared to many countries around the world. One of the most important measures to reduce the footprint is to combat the high use of energy and water.

However, the UAE’s leadership is determined to change that reality by launching initiatives and strategies

that are built around sustainability, such as the target to reduce energy consumption by 30%, which was set by Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy, and the steps Dubai has taken to improve energy efficiency. We hope to see more such initiatives that will help in building the sustainable future of the UAE,” added Tillisch.

During the workshop, there were a number of interactive activities. EWS-WWF organised the Sustainable Office board game where teams decided on retrofits and then calculated new consumption.

The activity raised awareness about the best practices to reduce energy consumption at offices and places of work. A large number of staff from participating organisations took part in the activity.


At the 3rd EmiratesGBC Congress, a carbon-neutral event held under the theme ‘Sustainable Cities for the Future’, international experts put spotlight on challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable built environments.


The third annual Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) Congress opened on 20th

October, 2014 in Dubai on a high note with the UAE Ministry of Public Works signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EmiratesGBC to promote green building concepts across the industry supply chain and to promote sustainable built environments nation-wide.

The Congress, regarded as the largest gathering of experts in green buildings, was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Public Works.

The event deliberated on wide-ranging topics related to sustainable urban environments on the first day. A number of international and regional

experts attended the two-day event which concluded on October 21 with tours of sustainable buildings as well as workshops.

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi said that the comprehensive strategy for the sustainable development of the UAE, led by the concerted efforts of various governmental departments and organisations, makes the country the place to live, work and grow.

He added: “Through its projects across the country, the Ministry is taking the lead in enforcing green building best practices and ensuring that sustainability standards are followed during the design, implementation and commissioning phases. The Ministry ensures that sustainable development parameters

MoU

MoU to promote sustainabilityacross entire building supply chain in UAE

The MoU serves as

a strong example for

the all building industry

stakeholders to

collaborate to achieving

the ‘green vision’ of

the UAE by adopting

sustainable building

systems and reducing the

UAE’s carbon footprint.


EMIRATES GBC IS an organisation that promotes and educates on green issues in the built environment and is the official body for the UAE endorsed by the World Green Building Council.

are met in the fields of environment, economy and the society at large by rationalising the use of electricity and water usage, encouraging the use of renewable energy, reducing carbon footprint, and implementing the ‘happiness meter’ by using technology and systems that are relevant to the environment.”

The MoU, signed by HE Engineer Zahra Salman Alaboodi, Undersecretary of Ministry of Public Works, and Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, serves as a strong example for the all building industry stakeholders to collaborate to achieving the ‘green vision’ of the UAE by adopting sustainable building systems and rationalising the use of electricity and water, and thus reducing the UAE’s carbon footprint. Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of

EmiratesGBC, said: “We are grateful to the Ministry of Public Works for their support to the built environment across the nation.

“The MoU is a strong testament to the vision of the Ministry to bring a positive change across the building industry supply chain. We are also thankful to all the subject experts, our members and stakeholders for their active participation in the 3rd EmiratesGBC Congress to make it the most successful edition so far.”

As per the MoU, the Ministry of Public Works and EmiratesGBC will leverage their networks to promote best practices in sustainable built environments. They will partner to host informative events on green buildings and establish a joint working committee to research and prepare

case studies on the UAE’s green building sector. Both organisations will also exchange best practices and share knowledge in the domain for the benefit of the entire building industry.

Organised under the theme, ‘Sustainable Cities for the Future,’ the Congress is billed as the largest of its kind networking event on sustainability challenges in the built environment in the region.

It is hosting a number of UAE-based, regional and international experts, who will share their outlook on the opportunities and challenges in driving sustainable development.

The Congress is a carbon-neutral event, with MyClimate Foundation, one of the world’s leading providers of voluntary carbon offsetting measures,

MoU to promote sustainabilityacross entire building supply chain in UAE


to offset the carbon generated through its international project portfolio of gold standard certified projects.

Among the highlights of the opening day included a keynote address by Dr. Salaheddine Issa, Estidama Expert at the UAE Ministry of Public Works, on the Ministry’s sustainability initiatives.

Other keynote addresses were delivered by Eng. Madiha Salem of Trakhees on Green Building Regulations; Adeel Aleem Khan of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and Faisal Ali Hassan Rashid of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

A discussion on ‘Sustainability at the Global Front: Local, Regional and International Perspectives’ featured a keynote on ‘UNEP: Global Action

Towards Resource Efficiency and Climate Mitigation in the Building Sector’ by Arab Hoballah, Chief, Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch. Sanjay Sridhar, Regional Director for West and South Asia, Sustainable Communities Initiative, C40, discussed ‘C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group – Cities Taking Action.’

A panel discussion on ‘Local Advances in Sustainable Cities: Technologies and Policies’ was addressed by representatives of Dubai Municipality and Masdar City, while a discussion on ‘Existing Policies and Regulations in the Region: Issues, Challenges and Need to Develop New Policies,’ was led by Abdel Aleem Khan of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council; Jagannathan Paravasthu of Trakhees, Bassam Saaloukeh of Emirates Authority

for Standardisation and Metrology and James Grinnell of the Dubai Regulatory and Supervisory Bureau. A panel session on ‘Meeting the Challenges of a Sustainable Urban Future’ was also held.

Osama Younan, Chief of the Green Building and Mechanical Engineering Section of the City of Los Angeles, presented a case study on advancements in sustainable cities.

Select Winners of the 2nd Annual EGBC Awards highlighted case studies on their local experience contributing to best sustainability practices in the UAE. They included: Gundeep Singh of The Change Initiative (EGBC award winner for the Green Building of the Year’ and Jeevan D’Mello of Emaar Community Management (winners of the EGBC Green FM Company of the Year).

44 c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o wMoU

One hundred and ten flamingo chicks have hatched at Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba Wetland

Reserve in June and July after another successful breeding season.This year, flamingos began building nests at two sites within the reserve, said The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in a press release. Scientists from EAD spotted the first eggs on 21 April at the first site, where 28 chicks hatched, and 31 May at the second, where 82 chicks hatched.

“The continued breeding of flamingos at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is a result of EAD’s effective management of this important wetland habitat,” said Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD. “Flamingos are the star attractions of the reserve, which will be open to

visitors in October. As these beautiful animals breed more and more, the area is of growing interest to both the public and scientists.”

Flamingos bred for the first time at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in 1998. Following this success, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established the reserve as a Protected Area. The reserve is a 45-minute drive from Abu Dhabi city and a safe refuge for many species of reptiles, small mammals and insects. Around 200 flamingo chicks hatched at the site last year.

EAD has undertaken a successful flamingo monitoring and management programme at the reserve, which also involves monitoring of water quality and brine shrimp to help ensure a suitable environment for

the flamingos to breed. In April 2013, the reserve became the first in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to be recognised as a Ramsar site.

The Greater flamingo’s range stretches from the western Mediterranean Basin to Sri Lanka and South Africa. It can be observed in the UAE throughout the year at locations including lagoons, fresh and salt waters of artificial wetlands. It can be found near highways, suburbs, industrial areas, salt pans, and sewage ponds.

Successful breeding streak continues with 110 flamingo chicks at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve



Thousands of Hilton Worldwide team members make a splash in third annual Global Week of Service.


More than 100 volunteers from Hilton Worldwide took to the coast of Ras Al

Khaimah for the ultimate Sea and Beach Clean Up, as the region’s hotels and corporate offices geared up for a mass cleanup effort; as well as other community supporting initiatives across the region.

The activities formed part of Hilton Worldwide’s third annual Global Week of Service, October 19 – 25, a week-long celebration of the company’s commitment to serving and enriching the communities where it lives, works and travels. This year, the company is building upon this community engagement and is striving to complete more than 3,000 service projects worldwide.

Speaking from the Sea and Beach

Clean Up in Ras Al Khaimah, Christian Grage, vice president of operations, Arabian Peninsula, Hilton Worldwide, remarked: “Global Week of Service is a fantastic opportunity for us to join together to make a real difference in our local communities, and this year, we hope to make a big splash in the Arabian Peninsula! We seek to empower visitors to Travel with Purpose – our global commitment to provide shared value to our business, the environment, and communities around the world.”

Equipped with dive equipment, trash bags and gloves, over 40 divers arrived on the Arabian Gulf to take part in Hilton Worldwide’s Arabian Peninsula signature Global Week of Service event and its biggest volunteer programme yet to help rid the sea off the Ras Al Khaimah

coastline of debris and trash.

With the support of Hilton Worldwide Team Members as well as over 40 RAK residents, over 100 kilograms was collected from two kilometers of the seabed during the two hour underwater clean-up effort. On land, volunteers cleared a remarkable one kilometers stretch of Marjan Island Beach, contributing 325 kilograms to the impressive haul of trash.

“Hilton Worldwide is a much valued corporate citizen in the emirate and through hosting the region’s signature Global Week of Service event in RAK; they are playing an integral role in our efforts to maintain this world-class tourist destination,” commented Steven Rice, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Land, sea and beach clean up in support of local UAE communities

Campaign


EQUIPPED WITH DIVE equipment, trash bags and gloves, over 40 divers arrived on the Arabian Gulf to take part in Hilton Worldwide’s Arabian Peninsula signature Global Week of Service event.

“With six properties welcoming thousands of tourists to RAK every year, the hospitality company is taking steps to minimize its eco impact through community wide engagement efforts to protect marine life and eliminate pollution.”

Meanwhile in Dubai, Hilton Worldwide Team Members returned to Dubai National School in Al Garhoud for the third year running in their bid to make an ongoing contribution to children’s education. Team members rolled up their sleeves and packed their tools to refurbish the IT lab – providing new furniture, and donating equipment to enhance the children’s learning environment.

Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide commented: “We place great

importance on ensuring sustainability is at the core of what we do to deliver real benefits to the communities in which we live, work and travel. From our work with Ana Al Masry in Cairo; to blood donations in KSA and supporting local schools in South Africa – we are celebrating this commitment and I commend our teams for their hard work for Global Week of Service 2014.”

“We have a fast growing portfolio of Hilton Worldwide hotels across the region, so we place great importance on ensuring sustainability is at the core of what we do to deliver real benefits to the communities in which we live, work and travel, and to visitors enjoying this exciting, world leading destination.”

Elsewhere in the region, teams

from Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Hilton Kuwait Resort and Hilton Fujairah descended on the desert, visited local beaches and took to boats to dive off the coast in a nationwide effort that is expected to protect, preserve and enhance the environment.

Teo Brambilla, PADI regional manager, Middle East, said: “Through this exciting, dynamic and hugely successful community effort Hilton Worldwide is setting the benchmark for sustainability best practice in the Middle East. This is just the beginning of a long-term partnership between the hospitality company and PADI’s Project AWARE, as we both seek to promote sustainability and promote marine life.”

Land, sea and beach clean up in support of local UAE communities


In a recent field survey, Dr.Reza Khan, Specialist, Wildlife And Zoo Management Public Parks and Horticulture Department, Dubai Municipality, has recorded 130 species of birds from the Al Qudra Lake situated in the middle of Saih Al Salam Desert.


The landscape of the Dubai desert is rapidly changing its face due to the economic

boom that is also taking over large parts of the desert towards biodiversity enrichment, said Dr. Reza Khan, specialist, Wildlife and Zoo management, Public Parks and Horticulture Department of the Municipality, who is conducting field research on the wildlife of Dubai vis-à-vis the UAE.

He, along with a couple of other zoo employees has been conducting field research from the coastal areas to the centre of the desert and up to the hilly areas of the country for the last two decades or so.

In his recent report he has already recorded 130 species of birds from the Al Qudra Lake situated in

the middle of Saih Al Salam Desert whereas another dozen species are waiting for the confirmation of their identities.

Dubai Municipality has created this lake in the center of Saih Al Salam where several institutions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai are busy greening the desert and creating freshwater wetlands to enrich the arid environment of the Emirate of Dubai. Al Qudra Lake is the only water body in the area managed by Dubai Municipality’s Public Parks & Horticulture, and Drainage and Irrigation departments.

Food for the birds and gazelles are provided by the Engineer’s Office of HH the Ruler of Dubai. The lake has

been stocked with Tilapia fishes while parts of the banks are covered with reed-beds.

Amongst the most notable birds spotted here was the flock of eight Lappet-faced Vultures soaring over Al Qudra Lake and its neighbourhoods on 22nd October.

During a routine weekly field survey, Dr. Khan and his two field helpers - Zarin and Amadul - spotted the eight vultures soaring over the desert belt for nearly two hours after 10am.

They saw the vultures often coming within 200 to 300 meters near the ground and looking down to spot any dead camel or cattle. This is the first time, he says, he has sighted such a large number of endangered vultures within the Bab Al Shams and Saih Al

Conservation

‘Changing face of Dubai desert attracting new wildlife’


AMONGST THE MOST notable birds spotted here was the flock of eight Lappet-faced Vultures soaring over Al Qudra Lake and its neighbourhoods.

Salam Desert of Dubai.

Other notable records he has made during his field survey include sighting of Glossy Ibis, Caspian Plover, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Gull-billed Tern, etc., that are partial to the coastal areas. Among the mainland and migratory birds that have been found in the area are Eurasian Wryneck, Rosy Starling, Common Starling, Shrikes, Wheatears, Eagles, Falcons, etc.

Since more than a square kilometer of the land surrounding the Al Qudra Lake have been heavily planted with nearly a dozen species of flowering and fruiting trees many species of birds started breeding here.

These include all the three species of doves, sunbird, house sparrow,

Little green bee-eater, shrike, etc. A good number of ground nesting birds were also found breeding on the bare ground and some under trees. These include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover and Little Ringed Plover that were found laying eggs on bare or shabbily built scrapped nests.

Indian Moorhen were found breeding in the reed-beds surrounding the banks of the lake. Little Grebes have also been discovered building nests on floating and decaying plant matter. Another bird that is suspected to be breeding in the area is the Caspian Warbler, although its nest has not yet been discovered.

Within the neighbourhood of the lake both species of Sandgrouse, Cream-coloured Courser, Hoopoe

Lark, Crested Lark and Black-crowned Finch-lark have also bred.

Apart from the birds, other wildlife including around 20 to 30 Sand Gazelle or Reem, 50 or more Arabian or Idhmi Gazelle and one or two stray Arabian Oryx were found visiting the lake for drinking water. Dr. Khan has also found tracks of Arabian Fox and Arabian Hare as well as small rodents in the area.

Other than birds and mammals the most notable record made by Dr. Reza Khan is finding out a pair of Least Semaphore Gecko Pristurus minimus living in the Municipality’s desert, some two kilometers south of the Bab Al Shams Hotel. The species was founded by noted herpetologist Arnold only in 1977. It is known to live in Yemen, Oman, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.


Adelegation headed by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai

Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Chairman of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES), at the Road To Paris - World Climate Region Summit R20, concluded the visit by holding a network briefing with over 150 high-level officials representing French government and private-sector organisations and companies. The event explored and enhanced collaboration opportunities between the two sides.

Participants at the event included the French Trade Commission (UBI), Union of Renewables (SER), the French Business Confederation (MEDEF), which includes 800,000

French businesses around the world. The meeting also included representatives of private-sector organisations and international banks such as the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and other development banks and international organisations.

In his inaugural speech, Jean-Louis Chaussad, Chairman of the Emirati-French Business Council, CEO of Suez Environment, welcomed the delegation on behalf of MEDEF, highlighting its short- and long- term plans to develop business and investment with the UAE in general and Dubai in particular. He highlighted the developments and achievements of Dubai in green economy, smart cities, and sustainability.

In his speech, Al Tayer welcomed participation by French companies in the projects carried out by the Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA, enhancing collaborationwith the French Government in energy, water, environment, and renewable energy.

He also discussed the growth of the energy sector in Dubai, and the current projects, and future opportunities for French companies in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

The meeting was attended by Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DEWA, who gave a presentation about the projects and investment opportunities provided by DEWA and the Supreme Council of Energy.

UAE explores partnerships and investmentopportunities with major French companies

50

51

Senior Officials of Abu Dhabi’s leading offshore company (ADMA-OPCO) recently visited

BP laboratories in the UK and signed an agreement to develop a new technology for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).

The visit included a tour of BP’s EOR laboratories in Sunbury and Pangbourne, and the Castrol research centre in Pangbourne. The visit to the EOR laboratories in Pangbourne was a first ever for visitors from outside BP.

The ADMA-OPCO officials were Chief Executive Officer Ali R. Al-Jarwan, and Ahmed Al-Hendi, Senior Vice President for Subsurface Technology, accompanied by Abdulkarim Almazmi, President and General Manager of BP UAE. They met with key

BP’s Upstream Heads of Function for Reservoir Development and Technology, Ian Cavanagh and Ahmed Hashmi, and the Vice President for EOR Technology, John Peak.

The new agreement for performing a Carbonate Ionic Design EOR study developing a technology similar to the LoSal® EOR technology which BP is deploying at the Offshore UK Clair Ridge field but applied to carbonate reservoirs will be a significant step forward.

Under the agreement, BP will provide support to ADMA-OPCO in conducting a Single Well Chemical Tracer Test (SWCTT) and carrying out laboratory tests to evaluate Carbonate Ionic Design EOR potential in ADMA-OPCO’s fields. BP has been in partnership with ADMA since 1953

and currently has a 14.67% share in the ADMA-OPCO JV.

ADMA-OPCO Chief executive Officer, Ali R. Al-Jarwan said: “EOR technologies will play a key role to meet the energy demand in Abu Dhabi in the years to come and we, at ADMA-OPCO, have an aspiration to reach a recovery factor of 70% for our fields by the end of the fields’ life.”

BP UAE President and General Manager Abdulkarim Al Mazmi says, “This partnership demonstrates BP’s commitment to Abu Dhabi and to ADMA-OPCO, and our interest to share our global expertise and technology with our partners for the long term and continue to play a key role in Abu Dhabi’s oil industry for many years to come in support of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision”.

BP develops EOR technology with keyAbu Dhabi partners ADMA-OPCO


Some 30 research papers and 10 industrial presentations were unveiled by researchers from the American University of Beirut at the first international efficient building design conference held in October where 15 countries were represented.


Researchers from the American University of Beirut (AUB) have released findings from

a series of research studies at the first international efficient building design conference held October 2-3 at AUB by ASHRAE, a global building technology society formerly known the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. Some 30 research papers and 10 industrial presentations were unveiled at the conference where 15 countries were represented.

Efficiency in the homeAmong the research that was unveiled at the conference is a cost-efficiency study which aims to provide practical solutions to households in Lebanon that suffer from rolling power cuts and that use energy-intense and polluting diesel generators.

Co-authored by AUB students Raghid Farhat and Ghaith Tibi as well as professors Nesreen Ghaddar and Kamel Ghali, the study uses a combination of locally available construction materials and solar energy as a substitute for imported materials and diesel generators. Relatively expensive building insulation material from outside Lebanon is first substituted with locally available resources such as natural stone, rammed earth hemp and straw. The materials are then modelled on a typical rural Lebanese two-story home.

Researchers found that using local materials reduced annual electric energy consumption by around half, saving homeowners $41 per m2. The study’s authors then transferred the cost savings to substitute diesel

Conference

Energy efficient buildings offer cost savings, eco-friendliness, and health benefits

Researchers found that

using local materials

reduced annual electric

energy consumption

by around half, saving

homeowners $41 per m2.


The ASHRAE International Conference on Efficient Building Design took place at AUB from October 2-3, 2014.

generation with solar energy systems for power generation and water heating. Finally, excess energy was fed back into the electricity grid.

When diesel generation was partially substituted by solar power at a total cost of $9,400, savings to homeowners came in at $2,933 a year, representing 47 percent of residential energy consumption. When solar power completely replaced diesel generation at a cost of $32,600, yearly homeowner savings totalled $4,472 a year, equal to a whopping 135 percent of residential energy consumption.

“Many people cannot afford renewable energy systems when they build their houses,” says Raghid Farhat, co-author of the study. “But if we employ the methods we

developed we not only save people money over the medium-to-long term, we also develop local industries over foreign ones, not to mention the environmental benefits related to slowing climate change and reducing pollution from generators in residential areas,” she says, adding that the cost saving estimates of the study are highly conservative, and real savings could indeed be larger.

Lighting up cleaner spacesAnother study conducted by AUB students Mohamad Kanaan and professors Ghaddar, Ghali and Georges Araj looked at how local air conditioning units can employ ultraviolet (UV) light to kill common infectious bacteria in the upper sections of living spaces before the air circulates into lower zones occupied by humans. Since UV

light is hazardous to humans, AUB researchers used ventilation tools and louvered UV lamps in the upper sections of rooms. The adjustable louvers, which can be directed at an angle, ensure that no UV light reaches human levels in the liveable space. Meanwhile, they subject the upper sections of the room’s air space to UV light.

In the process, AUB researchers also replaced the common duct system where energy is used to move air to another part of the ventilation system and subjected it to UV light. By doing so, AUB researchers have decreased the amount of energy needed for ventilation, which makes the method cost efficient and killed up to 70 percent of the bacteria used in the experiment. According to Kanaan, this method also saves energy because it


reduces the amount of power needed to clean air from 20 percent to 11 percent.

Reusing indoor airAUB master’s student Khoudor Keniar and professors Ghali and Ghaddar have also been looking at how to absorb humidity directly from an indoor space, dehumidify it and bring it back into a room. This method was used as a substitute for the more conventional energy intensive method of dehumidifying outdoor air before bringing it indoors or using cooling for dehumidification.

Indoor air is dehumidified through the use of strong liquid desiccants made of a salt solution which dries out the air. Using a novel vapor-permeable membrane material placed between the desiccant and the air, indoor

air moisture passes through the membrane which dehumidifies the indoor space.

In order for the system to stay effective, the moisture absorbed by the liquid desiccant needs to be continually removed. Heating the liquid desiccant allows the absorbed moisture to dry up, but conventional heating consumes a lot of energy. That’s why researchers came up with an energy-efficient solution: They resorted to solar energy to heat the desiccant and remove the moisture.

The dehumidified air is reused indoors and energy savings from the whole process reaches up to 35 percent compared to conventional air conditioners in a typical office space.

“You are reducing energy

consumption because traditionally you need to cool to dehumidify and now we are relying on the desiccant which is regenerated through solar power,” says Ghali. “The membrane also has further health and efficiency benefits because it separates the salt solution [the desiccant] from the air which can be otherwise hazardous to humans if the air comes back into the room. This is especially the case with effective desiccants which are more hazardous to humans.”

54 c r e a t i n g g r e e n c o m m u n i t i e s f o r a b e t t e r t o m o r r o wConference

Manz AG from Germany, a world-leading high-tech engineering company,

showcased the advantages of its CIGSfab, a fully integrated turnkey production line for the manufacture of CIGS solar modules at the Intersolar Summit Middle East 2014 that was held from 14th to 15th October at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC) in Saudi Arabia. Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenium (CIGS) represents the currently leading solar technology that guarantees lowest production costs coupled with highest efficiency levels.

CIGS thin-film solar technology generates electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity. The fully integrated turnkey production line, the Manz CIGSfab, can be installed in Saudi

Arabia. Its production capacity is scalable from 40 to 350 MW. In addition to setting up the production line, Manz will transfer knowledge in managing the technology to derive optimum utilization. The technology and knowledge transfer will also place long term control in Saudi Arabian hands to meet its dynamic power needs.

The enormous potential of CIGS has been reinforced by the new efficiency world record of 21.7% on cell level presented by the exclusive R&D partner of Manz, the renowned Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research. With the world record, the gap in comparison to multi-crystalline technology has increased to 1.3 percent, strengthening the attractiveness of CIGS technology.In the future, CIGS thin film solar modules are not only more powerful

than multi-crystalline solar cells but also significantly cheaper to produce. CIGS technology will, therefore, assume an important role in the next photovoltaic investment cycle.

The exclusive partnership between Manz and the ZSW, offers Manz CIGfab investors access to this mature German world-record technology.

The Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority estimates that power generation will see SAR335 billion, or 63.7% of the total SAR526bn investment, while transmission will account for SAR121 billion (23%) and distribution SAR70 billion (13.3%). Maximum power load will reach 71.940 GW by the year 2020 whereas the generating reserve will hit 15 percent, the report said.

Innovative CIGSfab Technology showcased atIntersolar Summit Middle East 2014



Fresh strategies to tackle pollution, plastics and climate impacts to be included in new plan to manage the world’s seas.


Leading scientists and policymakers meeting in Athens in the first week of October

2014 acknowledged that marine litter remained a “tremendous challenge” in almost all regions of the world, with significant socio-economic consequences and clear impacts on marine ecosystems.

The three-day 16th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans was held amid growing concern worldwide about the threat that widespread plastic waste poses to marine life, with conservative estimates of overall financial damage of plastic to marine ecosystems standing at US$13 billion each year.

Participating experts recommended a three-tier approach to marine litter, saying that the problem needed to be

tackled - not just at the regional and national levels - but at the municipal level, because in most cases it is municipalities that have responsibility for solid-waste management.

“If we are serious about reducing the amount of solid waste being dumped in oceans, or flowing through waterways into oceans and marine ecosystems, then we need to work at all levels, including with municipalities which deal with solid waste management at grassroots level,” said Julian Reyna, Secretary-General of the Permanent Commission on the South Pacific, Ecuador.

On the issue of microplastics - tiny pieces of plastic less than one millimetre in size that pollute the world’s waterways and seas - policymakers and experts agreed that

Marine Pollution

Ocean experts call for greater localgovernment role in fight against marine waste

Conservative estimates of

overall financial damage

plastic waste poses to

marine ecosystems is

said to be US$13 billion

each year.


MARINE LITTER AFFECTS communities and seas in every region of the world, and negatively impacts biodiversity, fisheries and coastal economies.

more work needed to be done so that their physical and biological impact could be fully understood.

The global gathering marked the 40th anniversary of the Regional Seas Programme, hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and provided a unique opportunity to set in motion the integration of regional seas and oceans governance into the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Regional Seas Programme is the world’s only legal framework to address the protection of the marine environment at the regional level, and is critical to reversing the rapidly accelerating degradation of the oceans.

“We are pleased to see that a Sustainable Development Goal on

oceans has been proposed, and we believe that it is an important step towards setting clear indicators to measure progress in addressing the key drivers of change in oceans,” said Victor Escobar, Chairman of the OSPAR Commission, Spain.

“The Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans are ready to provide technical and scientific support for the sustainable management of oceans,” said Angelina Madete, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Vice President’s Office, Tanzania.

“By playing our role, we hope to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people who depend on marine ecosystems for their food and incomes, and so contribute to poverty alleviation in some of the world’s poorest communities.”

The experts also began work on mapping out a way forward for oceans governance over the next decade. The “visioning roadmap” covers these priority areas: extraction (living and non-living resources), pollution, governance, impacts of a changing climate, and ocean acidification.

“Making change related to ocean governance or management, especially where the issues are transboundary, takes many years,” said Jacqueline Alder, Coordinator of UNEP’s Freshwater and Marine Ecosystem Branch. “Having the roadmap will help us stay focused on the outcomes we need to achieve.

“It is important to have a unified approach so that regional successes can translate to global success and contribute to achieving the SDGs.”


The illegal trade in wildlife is the world’s fourth largest illicit trade, topped only by the trade in narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking.


On October 4, 2014, citizens in over 120 cities across the world campaigned to

save the world’s elephant and rhino populations which have fallen victim to an illegal wildlife trade now worth up to US $213 billion each year.

The recent move by many countries to destroy their ivory stockpiles, the landmark 2014 London Declaration, and a recently adopted UN resolution has put the illegal trade in wildlife under a renewed spotlight and high on the agenda of the international community.

The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos will carry the voice of an ever-growing number of people on all continents who are calling for further concerted international action to end the senseless slaughter of these two iconic species.

The number of killed elephants in Africa is in the range of 20 - 25,000 per year, out of a population of 420,000 - 650,000, and poached African ivory may represent an end-user street value in Asia of an estimated US $165-188 million of raw ivory, in addition to ivory from Asian sources.

Rhinos have disappeared entirely from several Asian and African countries in recent years. Rhino poaching has increased by over 7000 per cent in South Africa since 2007, with over 1000 rhinos poached in 2013 alone in South Africa, home to over 80 per cent of Africa’s rhinos, which number around 25,000 in total across the continent. Rhino horn is now worth more than gold and platinum, and is more valuable on the black market than diamonds or cocaine.

“We must recognise that the illegal trade in wildlife forms part of an environmental crimes economy that is not only destroying species and habitats, but is also jeopardizing livelihoods, peace and security of local communities and nation states,” said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Environment Programme Executive Director.

The illegal trade in wildlife is the world’s fourth largest illicit trade, topped only by the trade in narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking.

Organized criminal networks are cashing in on the poaching crisis, frequently operating with relative impunity and with little fear of prosecution. Available evidence points to the clear involvement of transnational organized criminal

Wildlife

World marches to demandan end to illegal trade in wildlife


RHINO HORN IS now worth more than gold and platinum, and is more valuable on the black market than diamonds or cocaine.

networks and non-state armed groups, including terrorist groups, in the business of illegal trade in wildlife.

Ivory allegedly provides a portion of income to militia groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, and is likely a key source of income to the Lord’s Resistance Army and the Sudanese Janjaweed.

“In our search for solutions, it is important to realize that there is no “one size fits all” answer to the poaching crisis. Fast-track measures must be implemented to address the current poaching crisis, beginning at local and national level, but also mobilising concerted international efforts to take account of the diverse socio-economic, legal and market dynamics across range, transit and

consumer states,” added Mr. Steiner.

The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), convened in June this year for the first time at the UN Environment Programme’s headquarters in Nairobi, provided a landmark occasion in strengthening the political commitments to address the issue of illegal trade in wildlife.

With its universal membership of 193 Members States of the United Nations, UNEA adopted the first-ever UN Resolution focused on illegal trade in wildlife, which recognized, with deep concern, the increasing scale of illegal trade in wildlife and its products and its adverse economic, social, security and environmental impacts.

The Resolution called for reinforced actions and enhanced international

cooperation and coordination involving numerous UN agencies to implement existing commitments to address illegal wildlife trade, including those under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).


New training course enables knowledge sharing on green jobs creation; aims to strengthen partner links and commitments


More than 120 participants from over 20 countries gathered on 6th October,

2014 at the International Training Centre at Turin, Italy for a two-day policy forum and knowledge fair on the green economy.

The event marked the beginning of the first-ever “Academy on the Green Economy” - a two-week training and learning event organized within the framework of the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE). The Forum aimed to strengthen partner links and commitments, as well as accelerating action on the green economy.

The Academy (6-17 October) offers a unique opportunity to increase the knowledge and understanding on how to actively promote socially inclusive green economies.

UN Under-Secretary-General and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner said, “It is our hope that with this Green Economy Academy, with the support of the PAGE programme, we are constructing not only a narrative of a transition towards the green economy, but we are also beginning to create a community of practice.”

“I hope that participants will be champions and key actors in this community of practice of which we in UNEP are both partners and members,” he added.

The transition to a greener economy is becoming a reality in many countries, which implies that there is a shifting of investments and policies towards clean technologies

and energy and resource-efficient infrastructure.

But inclusive green growth also involves environmental protection and social inclusiveness, well-functioning ecosystems, a skilled labour force, strong institutions and good governance.

“Greener economies can be engines of growth in both advanced and developing economies. They can generate decent green jobs that contribute significantly to poverty eradication and to social inclusion.

“The Global Academy on the Green Economy offers a unique opportunity to facilitate global experience sharing and peer-to-peer learning,” said International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General Guy Ryder in a

Green Economy

First Academy on Green Economy kicks off with high-level policy forum


GREENER ECONOMIES CAN be engines of growth in both advanced and developing economies.

video address to participants.

“This initiative can also facilitate the adoption and implementation of effective national policies by creating a stronger global community with the common purpose of advancing the green economy. And I would say, with decent jobs,” he added.

Achieving the transition to a green economy will require strong commitment and cooperation at the national level among government agencies, the private sector and the civil society.

Up to 60 million additional jobsAccording to ILO research, the transition to a green economy could generate up to 60 million more jobs over the next two decades. Recent studies for Europe show that a gain

of just one percentage point in energy and material efficiency could generate up to 200,000 additional jobs.

Led by the ILO, the Academy brings together technical knowledge and experience from PAGE partners and other high-level experts on suitable approaches, tested tools and best practices at national and sectoral levels to build long term institutional capacities.

Participants include technical staff from government institutions or ministries, practitioners from the private sector and development agencies, as well as other public and private sector stakeholders.

The PAGE ProgrammePAGE is a seven-year programme launched in response to the appeal

made at Rio+20 for the UN system to support countries interested in pursuing the transition to a green economy within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

It uses the joint expertise of UN agencies - UNEP, ILO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNDP and others - to assist a total of 30 countries in their efforts to transition to environmentally viable and socially inclusive economies.

PAGE seeks to create enabling conditions in participating countries by: assessing investment options and formulating policies to encourage the creation of a new generation of assets such as clean technologies, resource-efficient infrastructure, well-functioning ecosystems, green skilled labour, job-rich growth, and good governance.


New study shows ocean acidification is already underway, and it is now near-inevitable that it will worsen, causing widespread impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems, and on the goods and services they provide.


A new international report “An updated synthesis of the impacts of ocean acidification

on marine biodiversity” shows beyond doubt that ocean acidification is an issue of serious environmental and policy concern.

“This timely synthesis has considered the impacts of ocean acidification across many levels of biodiversity, and as such represents an important resource for considering the future of our ocean,” explains Dr. Salvatore Arico, who acts as the principal focal point on biodiversity science and policy at UNESCO.

As carbon dioxide in the atmosphere goes up (and there was a record-breaking increase in 2013), the pH of the ocean falls. That chemical response is unavoidable; what has

been less certain is whether marine life will be affected. Ten years ago, only a handful of researchers were investigating the biological impacts of ocean acidification: whilst their results gave cause for concern, it was clear that a lot more measurements and experiments were needed.

Around a thousand published studies later, it has now been established that many marine species will suffer in a high CO2 world, with consequences for human society.

Evidence for such effects has been brought together by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations body committed to the conservation and sustainable use of all forms of life on Earth. An international team of thirty experts, led by UK scientists, has concluded

‘Global economy to lose billions without action to stop ocean acidification’

It has now been

established that many

marine species will suffer

in a high CO2 world, with

consequences for human

society.

Report


IT HAS NOW been established that many marine species will suffer in a high CO2 world.

that ocean acidification is already underway, and it is now near-inevitable that it will worsen, causing widespread impacts, mostly deleterious, on marine organisms and ecosystems, and on the goods and services they provide.

The exact magnitude of the ecological and financial costs is, however, still uncertain, due to complex interactions with other human-driven environmental changes. Risks to coral reefs are highlighted in the CBD, due in part to the crucial role they have in helping support the livelihoods of around 400 million people.

“As we consider how ecosystems (and species) are changing with ocean acidification, amongst the most important things to consider is how these changes may impact upon

food security in developing countries,” states Dr. David Obura, Director of Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean.

“A key feature of the CBD synthesis is that it acknowledges the complexity of biological responses to ocean acidification,” said Dr Phil Williamson, the Science Coordinator of the UK Ocean Acidification (UKOA) research programme, and co-editor of the report. “Changes in ocean chemistry interact with other stressors, and we now know the importance of such factors as exposure time, temperature, and food supply in determining physiological and behavioural responses.”

Laboratory and field studies by the UKOA programme, together with modelling, have made a major

scientific contribution to the report. “Our work at Heriot-Watt University and in the north-east Atlantic has given us a much better appreciation of the vulnerability of cold-water corals,” said Dr Sebastian Hennige, lead editor of the report.

“There is risk that their habitat will literally dissolve away, since living corals grow on structures made by their dead ancestors. These structures will be subject to chemical erosion over very large ocean areas if current trends continue.”

“Ocean acidification is not just a concern of the future, it is happening now,” explains Dr. Nina Bednarsk of NOAA. “Pteropods, which are often described as the potato chips of the sea due to the many organisms that eat them, live in shells which are


literally dissolving away in high latitude seas and upwelling regions along the continental shelf of the US west coast.”

“The speed of current ocean acidification is unprecedented,” said Dr.Carol Turley, contributing author of the report. “Past ocean acidification events happened much more slowly, and they still resulted in some species becoming extinct and being lost forever.” Such past events, due to natural causes happened about ten times more slowly, and the recovery in ocean chemistry took around 100,000 years.

“The threat of ocean acidification is serious,” said Se-Jong Ju of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology “and this is why we launched monitoring platforms off

the coast of Korea to assess exactly how quickly changes are occurring and their impact on our coastal ecosystems.”

“At the end of the day, the only way to deal with ocean acidification is to reduce CO2 emissions,” says Prof Murray Roberts co-editor of the report and Director of Heriot-Watt University’s Centre for Marine Biodiversity & Biotechnology. “But for this to happen people first need to be aware that ocean acidification is an important issue, and having it high on the CBD agenda is a huge step forward.”

The CBD report was subject to extensive peer review, with a near-final draft scrutinised by the 18th meeting of the CBD’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and

Technological Advice at Montreal in June. That body recommended that the report should be brought to wider attention, including referral to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, on account of the very close linkage between the future severity of ocean acidification and the global success (or failure) in reducing CO2 emissions.


Top policymakers, leading scientists, and representatives from major stakeholder

groups from around the world gathered in Berlin on 23rd October 2014 to formally launch the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) sixth iteration of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) report - the UN’s authoritative assessment of the state, trends and outlook of the global environment.

The fifth edition (GEO-5), launched on the eve of the Rio+20 Summit held in 2012, revealed that, of 90 of the most important environmental goals and objectives, significant progress had only been made on four. It was a crucial reminder to world leaders and nations of the need for urgent action to deliver on already agreed environmental goals.

The upcoming sixth edition, expected to be launched in mid-2017, will build upon regional assessment processes and create a comprehensive picture of the environmental factors contributing to human well-being, accompanied by an analysis of policies leading to greater attainment of global environmental objectives and goals.

The 133 delegates attending the GEO-6 Global Intergovernmental and Multi-stakeholder meeting in Berlin endorsed the guiding framework for the report, the methodologies by which it will be conducted, and the process for transparent engagement of authors and contributors to make the GEO-6 scientifically robust and credible.

The delegates embraced innovative technologies that UNEP has been pioneering to facilitate both the

preparation and presentation of the report.

The meeting gave importance to capacity-building in all facets of the assessment process, and to incorporating local and indigenous knowledge, in addition to using state-of-the-art technical analyses. As such, GEO-6 will provide a more inclusive assessment of the environment and will enable the creation of more locally appropriate policies.

GEO-6 will actively employ the perspective that the environment is inextricably linked to sustainable development. Therefore, the assessment will present policy perspectives that are not only good for the environment, but are at the same time aligned with sustainable development objectives more broadly.

Governments set in motion vital newassessment on the state of the world’s environment



Together for a Green PlanetIn 2012, we globally released 1,237 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide every second, 107 million tons every day, as we collectively burn carbon-based fuels every day. This is really hilarious and it is disrupting the natural balance of climate zones.

The 4th and latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released in October 2014, reiterated that most of the global warming of the last 60 years was due to emissions generated by human activity. They reached this conclusion with 95% confidence on basis of 30,000 studies done by 800 scientists over the last 25 years.

An interesting poll, taken in 39 countries around the world, found that Americans have the lowest level of concern about climate change despite the fact that they have emitted more cumulative CO2 than any other country in the world. In fact 60% of the Americans believe that climate change is occurring but only 40% think that it is a threat. This may explain why the USA is always lagging behind in commitment towards cutting down emissions and always delaying and resisting any serious negotiations to reach a clear cut scheduled reduction of GHG emissions.

The UN needs to put up more effort to reach out to the American people who can be of great help in pushing their government towards serious commitment. We need to link in their minds the association between global warming and the unusual rainfall patterns, the droughts and floods, the melting ice, the release of methane from Arctic permafrost, the unusually severe storms, the fact that plants are blooming earlier, birds and insects arriving sooner from migration or winter dormancy, the arrival of tropical diseases into temperate zones, and many other phenomena which are mostly invisible to most people.

Perhaps we need to convince those stars who are dominating the mass media and leave the rest to them. Scientists have little access to mass media and even if they are given the chance, they are not really equipped to make their message convincing. Mass media communicators need to know for sure that climate change is a reality and we are truly responsible for it, that it is going to get far worse, that the oceans are getting more acidic and that plants and animals are more vulnerable than we are.

Yes, developing nations will be hit the hardest, but everyone will be affected at the end. Accordingly, we need to switch to renewable energy sources by 2050 and to eliminate fossil fuels by 2100. The technology is already available and we need the will to develop it and use it.

The IPCC has not given up yet. They have assured us that controlling global warming is still possible at a reasonable cost if there is a political will to cut down GHG emissions 40 - 60% by the year 2050 and 100% by the year 2100. This IPCC report is going to be the main reference for the next negotiations to reach a new agreement by the end of 2015 and it really needs collaborated effort.

Dr. Eisa M. AbdelllatifChief Technical AdvisorZayed International Foundation for the Environment


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