Masdar City’s Masdar Park has achieved the “Exemplar” design rating under the Estidama Public Realm Rating System, becoming the second community park in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, and the region to achieve this rating.
This recognition signifies that plans for Masdar Park have met or surpassed the Estidama system’s economic, environmental, social, and cultural standards for sustainability.
“This second ‘Exemplar’ rating affirms Masdar City’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating solutions to climate change,” said Mohamed Al Breiki, Masdar City’s executive director of sustainable real estate. “Our parks are intended to be innovative, sustainable, and future-focused while meeting cultural needs and contributing to improved quality of life—all factors that contributed to its Estidama rating.”
Masdar Park is a key component of Masdar City’s “greenprint” for sustainable urban development, which is designed to increase open green spaces, public recreational facilities, and sustainable social infrastructure projects that position Abu Dhabi as a preferred destination to live, work, and play. Park facilities use recycled materials and include a multi-purpose sports playground, beach volleyball courts, badminton and basketball courts, and various leisure attractions and amenities.
The park also features a food hall that will provide a one-of-a-kind experience for residents and visitors with different styles of cuisine, from local favorites to international brands. The space also offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for dining and events.
Furthermore, in celebration of the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, Masdar Park will host Abu Dhabi’s first LEED Platinum-rated community mosque, which is designed to enhance social cohesion and quality of life in the emirate. LEED ratings, delivered by the U.S. Green Buildings Council, are the international standard for green buildings. LEED Platinum is the highest rating available.
“The mosque was designed as a true contemporary interpretation of traditional Arabic architecture to the highest standards of sustainability in the UAE,” added Al Breiki. “Receiving the LEED Platinum certification confirms that the mosque has met the highest international sustainability standards and achieved high levels of efficiency.”
“We used the most advanced sustainability practices in the design of Masdar Park, making it not only a wonderful outdoor destination for the people of Abu Dhabi, but also an opportunity to learn about and experience sustainability in action,” said Sebastien Miller, Masdar City’s public realm manager. “The latest Estidama rating will certainly increase community awareness of the sustainability benefits of Masdar Park. We look forward to welcoming people very soon.”
In 2022, Masdar City’s Central Park also received the Estidama PRRS “Exemplar” rating for public realm—the first park in the region to do so. It has also been designed to support a 4-Pearl rating under Estidama’s Pearl Community Rating System. While the public realm system rates public gathering spaces such as parks, the community system rates urban communities as a whole.
Source: Hatem Mohamed, WAM (Emirates News Agency)
Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has unveiled a new first-of-its-kind Solar Energy Finance Programme aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (mSMEs) across diverse sectors within the UAE. The programme will allocate AED100 million to bolster the adoption of green energy solutions, focusing on solar energy initiatives.
The new programme aims to support the shift toward cleaner energy sources, addressing cost barriers that may have hindered the adoption of sustainable practices. With convenient application processes, the programme offers medium- and long-term loans and working capital of up to AED5 million, particularly directed at solar energy projects.
This includes support for technology providers, equipment suppliers, energy consumers across various sectors, and other related energy endeavours such as electricity, hydrogen production and use, waste management, and water plants.
Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Development Bank, said, “It is timely that we have chosen the year we are proudly hosting the crucial COP28 climate talks to launch our solar energy financing package. EDB is now offering a competitive source of financing to help UAE companies transition towards clean and sustainable energy solutions. This will reduce dependence on non-renewable sources and address climate change. By partnering with key government authorities and approved renewable energy consultants and contractors, we also aim to provide comprehensive support throughout the process. Our goal is to encourage businesses of all sizes to transition to more sustainable energy solutions and help develop major new renewable energy projects. In the Race to Net Zero, no one can be left behind.”
EDB’s newest offering comes with the Bank's usual highly beneficial terms and conditions, offering up to 8 years-long tenor loans for structured finance projects and solar panels, with grace periods of up to six months. Under the new scheme, EDB is offering a 100 percent Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio and will be providing finance for the full appraised value or purchase price of the asset.
Financing is offered for CAPEX finance for solar panels, and Greenfield and Brownfield structured project financing is available for other renewable energy sources, enabling the development of larger-scale clean energy initiatives.
EDB is also allowing approved contractors of solar panels to access finance by leveraging EDB’s receivable finance solution. This helps contractors manage cash flow, invest in new projects, or cover their operating expenses while awaiting customer payments.
By offering renewable energy financing, EDB aims to play a pivotal role in accelerating the transition towards a cleaner and greener future. Aligned with government priorities, EDB continues to deliver on its mission of fostering a healthy, sustainable, and self-reliant economy, with a mandate to approve AED30 billion in financing support to 13,500 companies within its five priority sectors - renewables, food security, manufacturing, technology and healthcare - by 2026.
Source: WAM, Muhammad Aamir / Ahlam Almazrooi
VOLTS UAE produces home energy storage systems and has opened its first showroom in May 2023 in Masdar City (Abu Dhabi). Now company is launching a manufacture in Abu Dhabi airport Free Zone.
The product
VOLTS is first energy storage made in the UAE. System provides a reliable power supply, providing houses with electricity when they are cut off from the grid or with clean solar power. VOLTS can be charged by any power source. It has 4 – 45 kW power (the configuration of the required power individually and can be expanded) and up to 24 hours of self-contained operation. VOLTS also forms an independent solar station in one box in combination with solar panels, so house can be supplied with clean electric energy for various purposes.
VOLTS is the only one on the energy storage market that offers customization of the device case. VOLTS customers can choose any color or print for the case: a traditional ornament or even a poster of their favorite rock group. Due to its compact size, VOLTS can be easily integrated into the interior of any home. VOLTS is 100% eco-friendly and clean: It doesn’t produce any noise or emissions so it can be installed in any room of the house.
New production site at Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone
Today VOLTS UAE is launching a production site: the first energy storage inhouse manufacture at Middle East with the support of Masdar City, Catalyst and Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone. Products will be fully assembled in the UAE and will be fully certified. Today the new production site has made a technical opening and the first assembled VOLTS energy storage systems can be bought in Masdar City (Abu Dhabi). In November 2023, a grand official opening will take place as part of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP 28) the UAE host.
Vladimir Mlynchik, VOLTS UAE Founder: "VOLTS manufacture is just the first step in our ambitious plans for energy storage technologies development in the Middle East. This year we decided to launch the project of the energy storage Gigafactory, which will produce not only energy storages, but also battery cells used both for our prime product, home energy storages, and also for commercial energy storages up to 200 MWH.
"Gigafactory production will be based on the work of an extensive R&D center that will research the operation of batteries and energy storage systems in extreme temperature conditions, which are typical for the Middle Eastern countries. We intend to develop a powerful technological center that will become significant throughout the whole world. The today manufacture opening is the beginning of an important work."
Source: Gulf News
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is honouring the outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions of remarkable Emirati women working to build a sustainable future for all.
A new campaign, launched by Masdar in celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, features prominent Emirati sustainability pioneers at the forefront of the UAE’s global sustainability mission, alongside several young Emirati women who are set to be amongst the next generation of sustainability leaders.
The campaign also spotlights the work of WiSER (Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy), Masdar’s global platform that champions women as leaders of sustainable change.
WiSER is dedicated to empowering current and future generations of women sustainability leaders to tackle climate change.
The high-profile Emirati sustainability leaders showcased in the campaign are all members of the WiSER Advisory Council.
Source: Rola AlGhoul/ Esraa Esmail, Emirates News Agency
One company’s trash can be another one’s treasure. That’s the premise behind industrial symbiosis, a kind of industrial collaboration that promises environmental, economic, and societal benefits for countries in the Middle East region and beyond.
An industrial model for the circular economy, industrial symbiosis involves exchanging various types of resources between companies located near each other or operating in allied sectors. These resources include energy and water resources as well as industrial by-products, waste and raw material that might normally be imported.
“This kind of exchange makes it financially convenient for the sourcing company and saves the selling company waste management costs,” said Rana Hajirasouli, founder of The Surpluss, an online business-to-business platform that aims to enable such synergies for companies in the UAE. “Sustainability adoption remains critically low regionally and globally. The best way to get it off the ground is to incentivise companies, to enable them to realise a profit as soon as they start collaborating with other industries.”
“The Surpluss helps negate and demystify circular economy adoption gaps and gives companies a payoff for sharing resources,” she added.
The start-up offers a platform where companies can advertise or look for available industrial materials. Members see different kinds of materials on a map, including industrial by-products, waste, surplus resources, and knowledge (such as technical expertise) and can immediately contact each other.
The company launched in 2021, and the platform went live last October.
In the nine-odd months since, it has diverted one million kilos of all kinds of waste from the landfill, Hajirasouli said.
Its launch follows efforts by the UAE and Saudi Arabia to strengthen non-oil sectors such as manufacturing in attempts to diversify their economies.
HOW COMPANIES BENEFIT
Through The Surpluss, UAE manufacturer Al Rawabi offloaded excess stock to companies in the food service industry, reducing dairy waste, and making a profit from savings in waste management costs. Similarly, the retailer Pakistan Supermarket provided surplus fruit and vegetables to a social enterprise serving affordable meals to blue-collar workers.
Hajirasouli believes industrial symbiosis could contribute to the GCC nations’ various targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions between 2050 and 2070. Noting that the UAE is one of the world’s top 10 aluminium producers, she said.
“Recycling aluminium chips into high-density raw materials known as briquettes can drive gains of up to $33 million per year and reduce thousands of metric tonnes a year in waste.”
Integrating multiple circular business models across several verticals offers a $4.5-trillion dollar opportunity globally, according to Accenture.
According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation and Swedish sustainability firm Material Economics, transitioning to renewable energy can address 55% of global GHG emissions. Circular economy applications, including industrial symbiosis, in just five industries—cement, aluminium, steel, plastics and food—can eliminate half of the remainder. That’s about 9.3 billion tonnes of CO2 by 2050, the equivalent of cutting current emissions from all transport to zero.
In June, The Surpluss brought together global sustainability leaders at the UAE’s first Industrial Symbiosis Symposium for a discussion of how industrial collaboration and technology can support the circular economy and tackle climate change in the region.
Source: Keith J. Fernandez, Zawya
Dubai Chambers has contributed to the emirate’s drive for sustainability by saving a total of 72,239 litres of water between June 2022 and June 2023, equivalent to 3,822 five-gallon bottles. The savings were achieved as part of the chambers’ participation in ‘Dubai Can’, a sustainability initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
‘Dubai Can’ is aimed at educating and mobilising all segments of society to reduce waste and protect the environment. Dubai Chambers has introduced a series of measures to implement best practices in sustainability through its Centre for Responsible Business. These include installing water filters and providing employees with refillable water bottles to discourage the use of single-use plastic water bottles.
The chambers has installed a total of 23 filtered drinking water dispenser units on all floors at its Dubai headquarters, which are connected to DEWA’s potable water supply. These measures positioned Dubai Chambers as a positive example for companies that are keen to adopt sustainable and responsible business practices.
The measures adopted come as part of the chamber’s strong commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable practices and raising awareness on how small changes in daily habits can have significant impacts on the environment, society, and health.
‘Dubai Can’ seeks to reduce single-use plastic water bottle waste in the city by encouraging individuals to use refillable water bottles, enabling access to free and safe drinking water through the installation and use of water stations across Dubai, and creating a culture of conscious living by driving awareness on plastic alternatives and sustainability issues.
Source: Zawya
The World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) announced that the 9th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) will be held on 28th-29th November 2023 at Madinat Jumierah Conference Centre. This will be right before the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be hosted by the UAE at Dubai Expo City from 30th November to 12th December 2023.
“Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the World Green Economy Summit has established itself as an ideal platform that brings together experts and specialists in various areas of the green economy from around the world to exchange experiences and knowledge and discuss new ideas and initiatives.
"The aim is to stimulate investments in the green economy, develop sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, and encourage innovation to support sustainable development and balance economic growth and environmental sustainability. The 9th World Green Economy Summit is significant, as it was held just before COP28 in the UAE. Under the vision and directives of the wise leadership, the UAE has become one of the pioneering countries in climate action and the transition towards a green economy, supporting global efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainable development,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council Energy, MD and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGEO.
“WGES supports the UAE’s efforts in promoting a green economy worldwide, encouraging international cooperation and partnership between the government and private sectors, and facilitating investments for sustainable projects. WGES also aims to discuss the acceleration of green ecosystems and smart cities as well as explore the impact of technology on the green economy as well as support innovations across different industries,” Al Tayer added.
Al Tayer highlighted that the participation of policymakers, the corporate sector and other participants plays an important role in shaping the global climate agenda and accelerating progress on the delivery of the Paris Climate Agreement through negotiations, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and partnerships. He noted that WGES supports dialogue and strengths partnerships to face global challenges and accelerate the transition towards a sustainable green economy.
The 8th WGES, which was held last year with the theme ‘Climate Action Leadership through Collaboration: The Roadmap to Net-Zero’ featured over 20 panel discussions and workshops, with the participation of global figures, key officials, decision-makers, thought leaders, and heads of international institutions and organisations. They shared insights and expertise on best practices to advance the transition to a sustainable green economy.
Source: Ahlam Almazrooi/ Amjad Saleh, WAM (Emirates News Agency)
AI-driven global cleantech company Sparklo has announced installing 1,000 reverse vending machines (RVMs) – known as Sparklomats – in popular public areas throughout the MENA, leading a sustainability wave in the region.
The company said its innovative solutions have inspired users to place 1 bottle every 3 seconds and 30,000 plastic bottles and aluminum cans daily in MENA.
The company said Sparklomats have already been installed in parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE as well as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and thousands of such machines will be installed in more cities and countries in the next few years.
Sparklo’s reward app incentivises recycling
In the UAE, Sparklo said its reward app already hit the 6thspot on the top 10 most popular lifestyle apps.
The company’s RVMs allow people to easily recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Users also receive rewards in the mobile app whenever they place an empty bottle or a can, which can be exchanged for discount vouchers for food, delivery services and other special offers.
“Our goal is to collect all the plastic bottles and recyclables in the MENA region,” said Maxim Kaplevich, owner and CEO of Sparklo.
Kaplevich said the company aims to revolutionise recycling and integrate it into the fabric of society’s lifestyle by incorporating elements of education and entertainment.
Sustainability wave in the MENA
The company said its commitment to sustainability and innovation has already garnered support from key industry leaders in the MENA region, enabling it to install its RVMs at retail chains, shopping centers, gas stations, and hotels.
The company began operating in the MENA region in the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ with its game-changing software and hardware solutions for waste management on a worldwide scale. With plans to tackle the ever-pressing challenges of plastic and aluminum waste head-on, the company is creating groundbreaking global infrastructure and paving the way for a sustainable and eco-friendly future in the Middle East.
The company has also developed an AI-powered software system for the Sparklomats which utilises machine learning algorithms to optimise the recycling process.
By leveraging artificial intelligence, the reverse vending machine can accurately identify and sort recyclables, improving efficiency and reducing contamination. This technology enables the maximisation of the recycling potential of each item.
Globally, with the help of the machine, the company has collected 35 million recyclables, 26 million plastic bottles and 8.6 million aluminum cans, making a significant positive impact on the environment.
According to recent data, 4 billion plastic bottles are consumed annually in the UAE and about 40 percent of all plastic in the country is single-use.
Source: Arabian Business
Emirates Global Aluminium today announced that its Al Taweelah alumina refinery has been certified for its environmental, social and governance performance by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.
All EGA operational assets around the world are now certified to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard V2 (2017).
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative is a global, non-profit organisation that brings together aluminium producers, end-users, civil society, and the public through consultation, to determine what constitutes good sustainability performance in the aluminium sector.
Al Taweelah alumina refinery has amongst the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in the alumina refining industry, due to highly efficient processes and operations.
The responsible management of bauxite residue, a by-product from the refining process, has been a key priority for Al Taweelah alumina refinery since before its construction. EGA’s Research and Development team has made a global breakthrough in the re-use of bauxite residue as a manufactured soil, and is advancing further potential uses including in novel construction materials. Finding viable re-uses for bauxite residue has been a challenge for the alumina refining industry for more than a century.
More broadly, EGA was the first company in the world to make aluminium commercially using solar power. Generating the electricity required for aluminium smelting using fossil fuels accounts for more than half of the global aluminium industry’s CO2 emissions.
Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, commented, “Aluminium has an essential role to play in the development of a more sustainable society, and it also matters how sustainably aluminium is made. Certification to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard is a transparent and independent verification of our commitment to sustainability, and I am proud all EGA’s operational assets are now certified. Our next goal is to start producing ASI-certified metal during next year, and to produce only ASI-certified metal by 2030.”
Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, said, “We warmly congratulate EGA on achieving Performance Standard certification at now all of its global operations. In 2019, EGA became the first company in the Middle East to achieve an Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Performance Standard certification, for its Al Taweelah smelter in the UAE. More recently, EGA’s subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation led the way by achieving the first certification of bauxite mining in Africa for their operations in Guinea, a country with globally important bauxite reserves and also one where the industry’s commitment to sustainability is tested.”
Source: Esraa Esmail/ Tariq Al Fahaam, Emirates News Agency
Rixos Hotels UAE has won certification by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), making it the first hotel brand in the region to attain such prestigious recognition.
This achievement underscores Rixos Hotels Gulf's commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism practices, aligning seamlessly with the UAE's initiative to declare 2023 as the "Year of Sustainability", the hotel said.
The GSTC is internationally renowned for establishing and managing global sustainable travel and tourism standards through its comprehensive GSTC criteria. This recognition signifies that Rixos Hotels UAE’s operations adhere to the highest social and environmental standards, contributing positively to local communities and the broader environment. The certification process involves rigorous assessment by an Accredited Certification Body, ensuring a transparent, impartial, and competent evaluation, it said.
"At Rixos Hotels UAE, we are honoured to be at the forefront of sustainable hospitality in the region, taking a significant step towards aligning with the UAE's visionary sustainability initiative," stated Ozgul Aktolga, Country Director of Quality and Sustainability for UAE. "This milestone reaffirms our dedication to not only providing exceptional guest experiences but also minimising our ecological footprint and enhancing the well-being of our communities."
The GSTC certification recognises Rixos Hotels UAE for its exceptional achievements in meeting key criteria across various domains. Rixos Hotels UAE’s effective and sustainable management approach is fundamental to this recognition. This reflects their commitment to responsible practices prioritising long-term sustainability while elevating guest experiences. Rixos Hotels UAE sets a perfect example for the wider hospitality industry by striking a harmonious balance between operational excellence and environmental consciousness.
Another significant facet of Rixos Hotels UAE’s recognition is its positive social and economic contributions. Their active engagement with local communities has yielded enriching outcomes, fostering social development and economic growth. In essence, Rixos Hotels UAE’s GSTC certification acknowledges its accomplishments and reinforces its position as a responsible and forward-thinking leader in the hospitality landscape.
As Rixos Hotels UAE secures this prestigious GSTC certification, it establishes itself as a leader in responsible hospitality within the UAE and sets a remarkable precedent for the entire region. This achievement is a testament to the brand's continued dedication to sustainability and its pivotal role in supporting the UAE's ambitious goals for a more eco-conscious and resilient future.
Source: Zawya
