A new circular economy framework has been unveiled to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s transition towards a smart and sustainable economy, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) said.
The Industrial Circular Economy Policy framework aims to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in industrial process waste, at least 40,000 tonnes annually and will cover key sectors to ensure 100 per cent compliance by 2030, with 100 per cent compliance within the plastic manufacturing sector by 2025.
“The pivotal role of the industrial sector in fostering sustainability underscores the need for a heightened commitment to implementing circular economy principles across all sectors,” Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, said after the official announcement of the policy during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 at COP28.
The new framework, part of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy’s (ADIS) six transformational programmes, will guide industrial businesses to use resources more responsibly by minimising waste and environmental impact while maximising the value and lifecycle of products and materials by utilising resources more efficiently. It is poised to revolutionise the industrial landscape and foster sustainable economic growth.
The policy includes a 100 per cent scrap recovery and reuse in the metal and plastic industries, which will positively impact subsectors such as electronics, electricals, assembling products, machinery, fabricated metal products, and more. As a regulatory requirement, the IDB ensures 100 per cent compliance within the plastic manufacturing sector by 2025.
“Abu Dhabi currently surpasses global averages in the reuse of industrial waste, and our progressive circular economy framework, coupled with other initiatives in various sectors, ensures we become a truly ‘Green Falcon Economy’,” Al Zaabi said.
The circular economy framework, a departure from the conventional ‘take-make-dispose’ linear model, emerges as Abu Dhabi is transforming towards a diversified, smart, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
“We are determined to deliver lasting change and ensure businesses in the Emirate adopt a more responsible approach to resource utilisation, integrate ESG principals into their operations, qualify and upskill talent, and embrace green procurement and technology. This strategic direction aligns with our overarching philosophy which places human development and sustainability at the core of socio-economic strategies and plans.”
The framework, supervised by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), the ADDED’s arm to develop and regulate the industrial sector, is expected to be implemented in the second quarter of 2024.
To encourage industrial entities to adopt the circular economy principles and policies, ADDED is offering incentive schemes and arranging programames to enhance awareness. Specialised monitoring, reporting, and verification schemes, including audits, inspections, and enforcement, will be implemented to ensure all industries adopt circular economy practices.
Source: Ashwani Kumar, Khaleej Times
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), a Masdar initiative, will host a dedicated program of youth-focused activities and events at COP28 in Expo City, Dubai, from November 30 to December 12. The Y4S program promotes meaningful, youth-led action on sustainable development and climate change, while amplifying the voices of future sustainability leaders.
On December 6, Y4S will host the final of the Innovate 4 Climate Challenge (I4C). This annual competition invites young people to collaborate to develop innovative solutions to accelerate sustainable development in order to foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Taking place at Masdar’s Pavilion located in the Energy Transition Hub in COP28’s Green Zone, all solutions will be showcased during the final pitch day at COP28. The final of I4C will now see a select group of competitors pitch their climate mitigation-focused solutions to an expert panel of judges.
On December 8 – COP28’s day for Youth, Children, Education and Skills – Y4S will host the Y4S Forum in the Masdar Pavilion under the theme of “Advancing Youth Participation in Climate Mitigation”. The Forum will provide an important engagement platform and voice for young people and showcase the vital role youth can play in addressing climate change. Through panel discussions, and interactive workshops, participants will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Panelists include: H.E. Awaidha Murshed Ali Al Marar, Chairman, Department of Energy; Alan Smith, CEO, Aghtia; Esther Wanjiru Kimani, CEO, Farmer Life Technologies, and Maryam Al Mansoori, General Manager, Rebound Plastic.
Y4S’s COP28 program will culminate on December 11 with the Y4S Climate Talk, a 45-minute panel discussion at the Children and Youth Pavilion, under the theme “Reimagining the Climate Narrative Through Storytelling for a Positive Youth Impact.” The event will showcase the outcomes of the Forum and inspire young people to take an active role in building a more sustainable future. Speakers include Mohamed Luqman, President of Mubadala Youth Council & Co-founder of Seven Dawgs; AlDhabi AlMheiri, the youngest Emirati entrepreneur and publisher and founder of Rainbow Chimney; Toby Gregory, Founder and Project director, the Plastic Pledge and the Arabian Ocean Rowing Team.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, emphasized that the role of youth in tackling climate change has never been more important. His Highness highlighted that as the UAE hosts and participates in discussions that will help drive decisive global action, it is imperative that young people are empowered with the skills to lead on climate solutions. Youth 4 Sustainability, he added, is preparing future sustainability leaders who will harness their talents, engage their communities, and build a sustainable future.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar Chief Executive Officer, said: “As the world’s leaders convene in COP28 in the UAE for the United Nations summit to shape climate policy, the next generation will also have a global platform to play their part through Y4S. Young people are a driving force for promoting meaningful action, which is why Y4S and Masdar are hosting a dedicated program of events at COP28, providing a unique and inclusive opportunity for young people to have their voices heard.”
Climate change risks inflicting a heavy toll on future generations. In some parts of the world, it is already limiting access to healthcare or education, damaging food and water systems and affecting air quality. Given the disproportionate impact on young people, it is critical to use platforms like COP28 and Y4S to empower young people as agents of change and innovators working to protect lives, livelihoods and the planet.
Applications are also now open for Y4S’s prestigious programs to start in January 2024 – Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors - supporting the growth of the next generation of pioneers and innovators. Participants benefit from real-world skills, as well as developing the knowledge and networks needed to accelerate their academic and professional careers in sustainability.
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About Y4S
Y4S is aligned with the UAE’s Principles of the 50, UAE Net-Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, and UN SDGs for mitigating climate change by building youth capacity, resilience, and adaptability. The Masdar platform hosts two year-long education and skill-training programs: the Future Sustainability Leaders (FSL) and Sustainability Ambassadors (SA) programs – both of which aim to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders by connecting them with global policymakers, corporate decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and technology pioneers to learn about best sustainability practices and leadership. FSL targets university and postgraduate students aged 19 to 35, whereas SA targets students aged 15 to 19 in high school.
Young people can also apply now to join Y4S’s year-long 2024 programs, which start in January 2024.
- The Sustainability Ambassadors program is open to senior high school students aged between 15 and 18, who can apply by visiting: https://masdar.my.salesforce-sites.com/SustainabilityAmbassadors
- The Future Sustainability Leaders program is open to university students and young professionals aged 19 to 35, who can apply by visiting: https://masdar.my.salesforce-sites.com/FutureSustainabilityLeaders
For more information please visit: masdar.ae/en/strategic-global-initiatives/y4s and connect.
With buildings representing some 40 per cent of global emissions , decarbonising the built environment is one of the fastest paths to meeting net zero targets globally, and essential for many businesses with 2030 carbon reduction goals, a study by Johnson Controls has shown.
“For leaders looking to quickly advance their net zero journey and make a real impact on global carbon reduction, buildings are the key enabler,” said Johnson Controls chairman and CEO George Oliver. “Our whole approach is not only the electrification of the equipment, but then also deploying that with digital capabilities, the use of data, that then gives us an opportunity to take the built environment upgraded, consume all of the data and fundamentally change how the building operates. We can up to 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption this way,” he told Khaleej Times in an interview on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
Johnson Controls is a 140-year-old global diversified technology and multi-industrial company that specialises in building efficiency, batteries, and automotive seating. With a history dating back to 1885, Johnson Controls has evolved into a leader in intelligent buildings, efficient energy solutions, and integrated infrastructure. The company’s building technologies & solutions segment offers systems for controlling heating, ventilation, air conditioning, security, and fire management.
Committed to sustainability, Johnson Controls actively promotes eco-friendly practices and solutions. Their focus on innovation, technological prowess, and dedication to environmental responsibility has solidified their position as a prominent player in the global technology and industrial landscape.
The company entered the UAE in 1975, and its business in the Middle East is now valued at around $1 billion, Oliver said. “It’s a business that we have been growing significantly and is making sure that not only do we have the appropriate technology for the applications here with the products, but understanding the applications,” he added.
At an event at the Museum of the Future last week, the company signed some major agreements. Etihad Energy Services Company partnered with Johnson Controls to provide energy-efficient and sustainable solutions to Dubai Police. Leading real estate developer Al Fattan Properties in Dubai has awarded Johnson Controls a 10-year cooling as a service agreement. The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority has been registered as a Johnson Controls OpenBlue Pioneer, and has received the ‘Blueprint of the Future’ award, which recognises outstanding models of visionary thinking and digital transformation.
In its decarbonisation journey, Johnson Controls has been working with both public and private sector. “We are trying to understand supporting their journey to get to net zero, and emphasising that you don’t get to net zero without addressing the buildings and the infrastructure,” Oliver added.
There is an increased awareness among the global community about the urgency to address climate change, Oliver said. “I think what I see happening over the last three years, Glasgow, Sharm El Sheikh and now Dubai, is that we have moved on from just the public commitment to a significant increase from the private sector, in line with the commitments that have been made to be able to get to net zero,” Oliver said. “It begins to get more focus on efficient use of capital, that ultimately gets deployed to make sure that we’re achieving what we think is possible to be able to solve the problem,” he added.
There is also increased focus on the part of the private sector to act on climate change, Oliver noted. “As far as climate change is concerned, the prediction of the cost of not solving the problem is going to be far greater than what it’s going to take to solve the problem. And so I think there’s a true recognition of that and companies are realising that in their business, if they don’t incorporate decarbonisation and sustainability as core strategy and future economics, depending on what their business model is, they’re going to be left behind,” Oliver said.
Source: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Khaleej Times
As the world's attention converges on the UAE, which is set to host the upcoming COP28 later this month, DSV has announced the adoption of an innovative and fully electrical long-range heavy load road transportation for the first time in the country.
The new move is set to reinforce the global conglomerate to achieve its net-zero goal by 2050.
DSV has been an active partner with prominent environmentally conscious government and private sectors in the Emirates, including ADNOC L&S, as well as key players from the public and private sectors in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates.
DSV's introduction of the latest and cleanest technology to the Middle East's transportation sector - fully electric, digitally integrated, fast charging, long-range, double-trailer electric vehicles (EV) with zero carbon emissions - is poised to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of road transport in the UAE.
Ranked as the third-largest global logistics and forwarding conglomerate, DSV has deeply integrated sustainability into its corporate vision by making substantial investments in solutions that mitigate the environmental impact of its operations.
H.E. Khadim Al Daree, Chairman of DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi), commented: "The launch of our state-of-the-art electric transportation trailer trucks couldn't have come at a more pivotal moment, as the UAE's government and business community intensify their focus on emissions and environmental concerns & climate change.
"We are proud to be at the forefront at scale of applying this groundbreaking solution in the country in road transport sector, with plans to extend it across the MENA region. This endeavor will undoubtedly surpass the expectations of our esteemed UAE partners."
Manufactured by SANY, and Sany’s UAE Agent EGME, these heavy-duty trucks boast an impressive and completely unprecedented 80-ton Gross Combined Weight (GCW) capacity.
Unlike any other options in the UAE market at the time, these trucks offer battery ranges of 250 to 800 kilometers, coupled with the convenience of fast charging and battery swapping within just seven minutes.
DSV is committed to developing an extensive charging network throughout Abu Dhabi and the other emirates.
Elias Monem, EVP Solutions and Road MENA region and DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) Board Member said: "We are resolutely dedicated to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across all our operations by 2050.
"To this end, we collaborate with global partners such as Good Shipping, Clean Cargo, Eco-Skies, and others within the business and academic communities to foster solutions that benefit both our planet and our enterprise.
"At the UAE level, this initiative underscores our commitment to our partners, customers and the local community, demonstrating our shared determination to align with the UAE's ambitious net-zero target by 2050."
The UAE stands as a regional frontrunner in adopting EV solutions and establishing the necessary charging infrastructure across the country, contributing to its significant success in the Arthur D. Little Global E-Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX).
The UAE proudly clinched the top spot in the Arab world and ranked 7th globally on this index.
DSV's innovative solution will further fortify the nation's leading position regionally and worldwide, DSV MENA will benefit from implementation and look for further implementation in the region.
The company targets to diminish greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2025
UAE’s IFFCO, the leading FMCG multinational, has allocated AED 77 million to sustainability initiatives over two years, with ten programmes comprising 156 projects in the pipeline.
The company has identified six crucial areas in which it aims to make tangible efforts to boost its environmental performance – climate change, energy management, water management, forests, circular economy, and biodiversity.
To contribute to the global fight against climate change, IFFCO has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its own operations and energy consumption by 17% by 2025, in comparison to its 2021 figures.
The company has analysed its corporate footprint, determining hotspots and key measures to be taken. It will announce detailed targets for 2030 at COP28 (the 28th UN Climate Change Conference), scheduled in Dubai.
Sustainable value-added products
“In line with our vision to become the preferred provider of sustainable value-added products and services for everyone, everywhere and every day, we have adopted a holistic approach to sustainability,” noted Shiraz Allana, Supervisory Board Member at IFFCO.
As part of its Zero Deforestation ambition, IFFCO has achieved 100% traceability to mill (TTM) and 85% traceability to plantation (TTP) for palm oil products.
In the UAE, the company launched the first plant-based meat alternatives factory in the Middle East under the THRYVE™ brand. This 100% greenfield investment aligns with IFFCO’s mission to lead the much-needed diet shift towards more sustainable plant-based proteins.
The company is also working to reduce waste generation and introduce packaging with a reduced environmental impact.
Aligning with COP28, the Year of Sustainability launched the UAE House of Sustainability, located in the Green Zone and open to the public from 3rd to 12th December.
The House of Sustainability will present a multisensory guest experience that will showcase the breadth of the UAE’s journey towards a net-zero future, drawing on the nation’s deep-rooted values and legacy of collective progress to encourage inclusive climate action.
Speaking on the importance of inclusive collective action in impeding climate change, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Commissioner-General of the UAE Pavilions at COP28, said, “There is much we can learn for the future from the past and the natural world around us. The UAE House of Sustainability will be a space that celebrates these ideas and sparks conversations. When delegates and the public come to the UAE House of Sustainability at COP28, they will be inspired by the steps we have taken to date to tackle climate change and have a clear sense of our vision for the future.”
The space offers an interactive storytelling experience for delegates and guests of COP28, the private sector, NGOs and the public with three main areas: Sustainability Oasis, Our Journey of Collective Progress, and Our Future of Sustainable Flourishing.
The UAE House of Sustainability will host public activations during COP28, including PopCOP sessions that will be located in the Sustainability Oasis. This series of dynamic climate action workshops will allow registered participants to participate in activities and meditative experiences, conduct a personal stocktake of their sustainable behaviours, and learn design principles and application methods to achieve climate impact.
Participants will be able to share their reflections and hopes for the future with the climate leaders and negotiators at COP28.
The UAE House of Sustainability building was originally designed to serve as the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The LEED Platinum-certified building was designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava and inspired by the UAE’s national bird, the falcon.
The UAE President announced 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, a nationwide initiative encouraging the public to adopt sustainable practices at the individual and community level through activations focused on responsible consumption, conservation and climate action.
All visitors can access the UAE House of Sustainability by registering for the COP28 Green Zone through https://www.cop28.com/en/green-zone.
Source: ZAWYA
More than 80% of the 170,000 buildings in Dubai will still exist in 2050, so finding ways to decarbonise them is important for the journey to net zero.
The UAE’s journey to net zero has real estate at its heart, and using advancing technology to find ways to be more energy efficient will be a key part of that, JLL experts told a roundtable.
Louise Collins, JLL’s head of project and development services, UAE, and head of engineering and energy, MEA, said as an example that chillers produced today are far more efficient than they were just three years ago from the same manufacturer.
She said 35% energy bill cost reductions were possible through improvements such as window rehabilitation and insulation. Onsite renewable energy production is another way to make buildings more energy-efficient and create lower carbon emissions.
Older buildings will not necessarily perform less well, she said, noting that Mashreq Bank’s 40-year-old building in Abu Dhabi is one of the best performing JLL had ever seen.
That real estate accounts for 40% of global carbon emissions and 36% of energy consumed was one of the key statements at JLL’s launch of its white paper, "The Green Revolution: A Call for Sustainability in Real Estate", held one week before the UAE hosts the UN climate summit, COP28.
James Allan, MEA CEO, JLL, said the discussion around sustainability in the industry had come a long way in 20 years and was now in “a very good place”.
Just two decades ago, sustainability was a short conversation, he said, with a “circle of blame” of developers saying occupiers would not pay increased rents to allow for sustainable building and occupiers blaming developers for not building sustainably.
“We are very much through that journey,” he said, with regulation being the key to making sure the industry continues on the path to sustainability.
“The UK is definitely in the front and that is purely down to regulations that have come out from the government on that.
“Australia is leading the charge in APAC, and regulation is very important for that, and that’s why COP28 is very important. The more legislation we are going to get in that space, the quicker we are going to move through,” he said.
Every CEO has a carbon net zero goal key performance indicator (KPI) against their name, no matter what industry they are in, he said, with real estate often the first port of call for those trying to reduce emissions.
Occupiers are starting to demand sustainable buildings and legislation is coming in, he said, and that is driving developers to retrofit existing portfolios.
The audience heard that Dubai had committed to upgrade 30,000 buildings by 2030 to make them more energy efficient and has upgraded 8,000 so far. Abu Dhabi has committed to save around 2.7 terawatt hours of electricity by 2030, or 22% of its energy used.
Carbon offsets
However, Collins said carbon offsets should always be a last resort.
When it comes to sustainable real estate, the first step is trying to find ways to make it perform with the lowest carbon footprint, then look to using onsite renewable energy and as a third option look to carbon offsets.
“What people seem to do is skip point one and point two and say: My buildings is using twice as much energy as it should be, but I’m just going to buy carbon credits to offset that and I’m certified,” she said.
JLL was reducing its own emissions and is being held to account by its work with HSBC, she explained, holding a global account with the bank, under which it is targeted to reduce global emissions by 3% every year.
Source: ZAWYA (Reporting by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Seban Scaria)
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced that nearly 80% of the work has been completed on the Hatta Hydroelectric Plant being set up at an investment of AED1.421 billion ($381 million) in the emirate. The project is scheduled for completion by early 2025.
Once fully operational, the Hatta project will boast a capacity of 250 MW and a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh along with a lifespan of 80 years, said Dewa in a statement.
The hydroelectric plant is a key component of Dewa's sustainable project portfolio, incorporating cutting-edge technologies. Such initiatives are integral to Dewa's commitment to delivering world-leading services and actively seeking sustainable solutions for current and future challenges, particularly those associated with climate issues.
By embracing these advancements, Dubai aims to strengthen its position as one of the most innovative and future-ready cities globally, while significantly contributing to the realisation of Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy 2050, it stated.
"Dubai's qualitative achievements in the clean energy sector, and its ability to transform innovative ideas into giant national projects, embody Dubai's spirit of leadership and vision of comprehensive and sustainable development," said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, after an inspection tour of the Hatta plant site.
He pointed out that Dewa's progress in implementing sustainable projects underscores the efficiency of its national workforce and the agility of its organisations in executing projects efficiently.
"This advancement is evident in the completion rates of the hydroelectric plant, which have reached approximately 80%. Slated to be operational by the beginning of 2025, the project helps realise the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Net Zero Strategy 2050, aiming for 100% of energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050," he stated.
"Such achievements reinforce our country's positive role in addressing the effects of climate change and its influential global position in climate action, as exemplified by its hosting of COP28 in Expo City Dubai," he added.
Sheikh Hamdan was later briefed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dewa, on the progress of the hydroelectric power project.
Al Tayer pointed out that Dewa's sustainability projects support the UAE’s preparations to host COP28, with the hydroelectric power plant in Hatta being a pivotal component of its initiatives to diversify energy sources and invest in the energy storage sector.
The COP28 presents an opportunity to promote the UAE as an ecotourism destination and to showcase the nation's success story in the field of sustainability, he added.
Source: TradeArabia
Ras Al Khaimah Municipality held a launch event to unveil plans for the first sustainable community of Ras Al Khaimah, on November 11, 2023, at Movenpick Resort, Al Marjan Island, in Ras Al Khaimah.
The Sustainable District of Awafi in Ras Al Khaimah is the first community designed with the standards of Rafah, the sustainable community guidelines of the emirate. The Rafah guidelines were developed in partnership with the Public Services Department and the Environment Protection and Development Authority and designed to foster thriving communities populated by responsible residents. Through this project, Ras Al Khaimah aims to cultivate an attractive and environment-friendly community for residents by promoting increased use of outdoor spaces, healthy mobility, lower consumption of energy and water, and reduction of waste.
On the occasion of the launch, H.E. Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said, “The Awafi Sustainable District reflects the emirate’s vision to develop and cultivate communities designed to ensure higher standards of living for the current and coming generations, while pursuing broader sustainability goals. The district was designed to emanate the kind of modernity, peace, and warmth people would look for when deciding where to live a happy and healthy life with their families.”
Currently, the Awafi Sustainability District has 190 private residential plots and more than 13,000 m2 of gardens & open spaces, with an additional 28,000 square meters of commercial services available. The strategic location of the community allows residents to be close to critical highways and allows easy access to key surrounding facilities and attractions, such as the airport, shopping centres, restaurants, and beaches.
The district is designed for a sustainable, healthy, and comfortable lifestyle of its residents. Planned facilities include an exclusive community park with a play area, swimming pool and fitness corner, retail shops, mosques, a community farm and children’s nursery, a dedicated footpath, and cycleways with storage facilities, landscaped public areas and sikkas, LED street-lit roads, shade structures and jogging tracks, parking for people of determination, EV charging points, communal waste collection points and recycling hubs.
About Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and Reem
Ras Al Khaimah Municipality was established in 1959 by an Emiri decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and since then, works on providing a comfortable environment in which people can live and work
Dubai-based Dulsco Group, a leader in People Solutions, Environmental Solutions, Talent Solutions and Energy Recruitment Solutions, is in the driving seat when it comes to environmental sustainability, saving up to 200,000kg of CO2e a year by using greener, cleaner biofuels in company vehicles.
Under a new partnership with the Middle East’s biggest biofuel producer, Neutral Fuels, Dulsco People is powering 75 per cent of its vehicles in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with a special biodiesel blend fuel.
Launched in the run up to COP28 UAE as part of Dulsco Group’s commitment to supporting the UAE fight against climate change, the initiative currently saves 4.5 per cent in greenhouse gases. Dulsco People is aiming to increase the savings to over 6 per cent by the end of 2023 by switching to an even more effective biofuel blend – and expanding the scheme to its operations in Ras Al Khaimah. Dulsco saved 17,600kg of CO2e – equivalent to taking four fossil-fuelled cars off the road for a year – in the first 10 weeks of the initiative, which was launched in late July 2023.
Neutral Fuels, the only biofuel producer in the UAE with Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) certification, collects waste cooking oil and transforms it into various blends of green fuel. Currently, 135 Dulsco People vehicles use biofuel, with plans to phase out fossil fuel across the entire fleet.
Meanwhile, sister company Dulsco Environment is helping to produce the fuel itself, by providing more than 450,000 litres of used cooking oil to Neutral Fuels. Neutral Fuels collects the waste cooking oil on behalf of Dulsco’s environmental solutions arm. The environmental arm provides world class recycling, treatment and processing waste management services which, in turn, help thousands of businesses, industries and residential communities meet their green goals.
Antony Marke, COO, Dulsco People said: “Dulsco Group is 100 per cent committed to supporting government initiatives on climate change, including the Net Zero 2050 agenda. With 2023 being the Year of Sustainability, COP28 is fast approaching and businesses and consumers becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, the spotlight is on sustainability like never before.
“Under our pledge to operate a sustainable business and lead by example, we are proud to work with like-minded organisations and entrepreneurs who share our vision to help communities thrive and make the world a better place. We are delighted to partner with Neutral Fuels through a unique, 360-degree, win-win system where we not only use their products in our vehicles, but help them to produce the fuel, too – a shining example of Dulsco’s positive contribution to the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy.”
Neutral Fuels is committed to promoting environmental sustainability by producing high-quality, low-carbon biodiesel from locally sourced, waste-based raw materials. Neutral Fuels currently produces over 35 million litres of biodiesel locally each year, resulting in the remarkable reduction of over 60 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions to date. To put that in perspective, that is the equivalent to carbon sequestered from more than 990,000 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
Charles Gardner, General Manager, Neutral Fuels, added: Neutral Fuels is delighted to partner with Dulsco. This partnership showcases the shared dedication of both companies to implementing sustainable business practices and supporting the UAE’s circular economy policy. Dulsco will succeed in substantially reducing their carbon emissions by contributing waste material for recycling and transitioning to biofuels. This partnership is a significant step towards a more sustainable future and Neutral Fuels is proud to be a part of it.
