The landmark UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter was signed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
This charter was signed on the sidelines of the UAE Cabinet meeting held on March 6.
The UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter aims to enable the objectives of the National Net Zero by 2050 pathway, launched at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in line with the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative, according to a report published by the Dubai Media Office.
The UAE government, which was represented by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and local governments of the seven emirates will collaborate and cooperate to carry out and monitor initiatives and measures to mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity, environment, biosecurity and public health, the report stated.
The governments of the seven emirates assured their commitment to contribute to achieving the National Net Zero by 2050 Pathway, and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Report.
UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter: Focused objectives
The charter underscores the development of action plans, policies and strategies aimed at climate action.
It relies on measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions in each of the seven emirates, in addition to identifying the activities and procedures that generate those emissions.
Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said, “With the UAE hosting COP28 later this year and in line with the Year of Sustainability, we sign the ‘UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter’, as part of our efforts towards achieving net zero by 2050, and contributing to global climate action in order to ensure a more sustainable future for humanity.”
As part of the UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter, local governments will be able to exchange experiences, practices, technologies and innovative solutions.
Governments will also be responsible for spreading knowledge and educating society on climate change issues, to engage them in addressing this global issue.
The charter will focus on areas and opportunities of the utmost importance in the National Net Zero 2050 Pathway, including the transport sector, construction, industry and other sectors.
Affirming support
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, said that the signing and adoption of the UAE Governments Net Zero by 2050 Charter “represents a milestone commitment to consolidating the efforts of all local and federal stakeholders to advance government climate action in the UAE”.
“This is not the beginning, but a continuation of our nation’s impactful efforts, regionally and globally, to tackling climate change, which is increasingly becoming a major obstacle to economic and social development around the world,” he added.
Abdulla Al Basti, secretary-general of The Executive Council of Dubai, noted, “The UAE has long been a pioneer in sustainability and in adopting environmentally conscious practices.
“It was the first country in the MENA region to commit to climate neutrality by 2050. By signing the Climate Neutral Governments Charter 2050 today, the UAE takes another significant stride towards securing a brighter future for the generations to come.”
Dr Saeed Saif Al Matrooshi, secretary-general of the Executive Council in Ajman, said: “The government of Ajman continues to work under the directives of its wise leadership to achieve the goal of transforming Ajman City into a sustainable, environmentally friendly city that preserves nature.”
Dr Mohamed Abdullatif Khalifa, secretary-general of Ras Al Khaimah’s Executive Council, highlighted that the UAE model of integration and joint national actions represents a pioneering civilised approach whose fruits are evident in various aspects of the nation’s journey.
“Unifying our efforts, aligning our actions, and rallying around a common national path and ambitious strategy to deal with the challenges of carbon emissions is a strong indication of the country’s firm commitment to dealing with climate and environmental issues efficiently and competently,” added Dr Khalifa.
Highlighting the importance of the UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter, Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, director of Fujairah Emiri Court, said that the UAE has succeeded in establishing its position on the world map as an ideal destination for living and working.
He added that it has established advanced communities that contribute to achieving steady economic growth by continuing to search for and use new energy sources and invest in renewable energy in building cities in line with the UAE’s climate ambition.
Source: Gulf Business
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today chaired a meeting of the Council, which explored opportunities emerging in the circular economy and adopted a new Green Procurement Policy for Dubai government and a Shared Services function designed to enhance the efficiency of government services.
Sheikh Hamdan highlighted that the Year of Sustainability announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, places greater responsibility on Dubai to support the environment.
He said: “Today, the UAE has created the ideal conditions for promoting environmental protection and sustainability, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We have also developed an agile legislative framework that allows us to keep pace with new developments and changes in the environmental sphere. The leadership’s support has also enabled us to raise our position as a business and investment destination that is at the forefront of promoting sustainability, encouraging green projects, and embracing the concept of the circular economy.”
“Dubai has taken initiatives to ensure we are at the forefront of global efforts to overcome the challenges of climate change. In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai seeks to set an example for an environment and people-friendly city that is committed to preserving the planet for future generations. We aim to strike a balance between economic growth and sustainability, as the UAE prepares to host COP28,” His Highness added.
His Highness stressed that Dubai leads global cities in promoting sustainable development focused on providing the highest levels of service for its citizens and residents. Dubai also benchmarks itself with the best in the world to continuously enhance economic growth and the quality of life of its people.
He further said: “The government is not alone today in this journey. The private sector is a strategic partner that significantly contributes to Dubai’s efforts to build an environment-friendly city and create an attractive business destination. We are all working hand-in-hand to serve our society and advance inclusive and sustainable development.”
Circular Economy Opportunities
The Executive Council approved plans to take advantage of opportunities in the circular economy by reducing the total demand for consumables, and limiting the disposal of these materials so that they can be reused on a regular basis. In addition, the meeting explored how the environmental footprint of various industries and key sectors like construction, food, packaging, and waste management can be reduced.
These efforts will build on the significant progress Dubai has made in reducing its environmental footprint and contributing to the circular economy. Since 2012, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s initiatives have helped raise the contribution of renewable energy sources to total production capacity to 9%. The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy adopted the 2016-2021 Carbon Emissions Strategy to reduce emissions by 22%, and reduce energy and water consumption by 30%. In addition, the implementation of the single-use bag reduction policy was implemented in mid-2022, resulting in positive outcomes, apart from various other initiatives introduced by various government and private entities.
The Executive Council also approved the Green Procurement Policy, a key initiative to support the circular economy, which aims to stimulate the local supply chain, adopt more sustainable practices, broaden the use of sustainable materials, create a competitive environment, reduce the environmental footprint, and enhance financial efficiency, all of which will raise Dubai’s reputation as a city that uses its resources sustainably.
The Policy, which was piloted with several government entities to assess its practicality ahead of implementation, includes the development of measurable environmental and technical standards for procuring green products in line with Dubai’s efforts to boost environment protection and encourage the private sector to adopt green technology, green products, and green services, as well as high sustainability standards in all government procurement.
The Green Procurement Policy will focus on four categories for government purchases in its first phase of implementation: construction materials, information technology devices, lighting materials, and the waste management sector.
The Executive Council also approved a Shared Services function designed to improve the government's efforts to enhance Dubai’s business attractiveness. The concept focuses on providing proactive, specialised, and seamless services for customers and government entities, leading to enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of the government. The platform features a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the level of support services.
The Executive Council also directed all government information to be provided through a single communication channel. This move reflects the objectives of the 360 Services Policy, which the Council adopted in 2022 to further raise Dubai’s status as a leader in government services, strengthen quality and coordination mechanisms and raise the government’s financial efficiency.
Source: Hatem Mohamed, WAM (Emirates News Agency)
e& enterprise, part of e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group) today announced the implementation of a unique Microsoft solution powered by cutting-edge data technologies that enables companies of any size to define and implement their sustainability agenda and reduce their carbon emissions. .
The solution called ‘Microsoft Sustainability Manager’ is an extensible solution that unifies data intelligence and offers organisations an increasingly automated and comprehensive view into the emissions impact of their entire operations and value chain. It enables organisations to record and more accurately report their emissions, and continually test and optimise reduction strategies to reach their goals
Sustainability is one of the major pillars of the multi-year strategic partnership between e& enterprise and Microsoft. As part of the overall commitment of e& enterprise, it is focused on accelerating the implementation of sustainability services and solutions in the geographies, markets, and communities it serves.
e& enterprise has selected Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability solutions as the foundation for their Sustainability-as-a-Service offering, citing the platform's functionality, coverage of ESG topics, and flexibility. The synergies between e& enterprise wide ranging Smart City solutions portfolio, sustainability consultancy and the data-focused aspects of sustainability management position the company as a competent leader in the field.
With its Sustainability Consultancy practice, e& enterprise will help customers to comprehensively analyse their greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint across the value chain and develop a strategy of services and solutions to implement reduction measures and achieve certified reduction targets.
e& enterprise offers a wide range of solutions from its Smart City portfolio, including Solar Energy, Energy Management, apart from various other IoT solutions like Smart Buildings, Waste Management, etc. which focus on delivering outcomes like reducing operating costs and utility consumption.
e& enterprise also brings to its customers a Sustainability Center of Excellence, which helps govern and continuously operate all the services and solutions deployed, in order to ensure the fulfilment of sustainability objectives, while enhancing the strategy as the business of our customers grows.
"As a company we are committed to sustainability and innovation, specifically with our plans and ambitions aligned to support the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This offering aligns with our long term sustainability goals as well as those of our customers. By bringing this cutting-edge solution to market we will enable enterprises and government agencies to understand their carbon emissions and make a positive impact on the environment." said Alberto Araque, CEO, e& enterprise IoT and AI.
“With Microsoft Sustainability Manager, we're enabling organisations to gain continuous visibility into their emissions activities, reliably report their impact and progress in near real time, and access the intelligence required to collaborate with others to refine and scale sustainability initiatives and transform their business, end to end,” said Paco Salcedo, Enterprise and Commercial Lead, Microsoft Middle East and Africa.
The new solution will enable organisations to take a more data driven approach to sustainability management. By bringing together disparate data sources and providing near real time access to information, organisations can analyse, visualise and report impact and progress toward their goals at any stage of their sustainability journey.
Etisalat Group has changed its brand identity to e&, effective February 2022. Its strategy aims to accelerate growth through the creation of a resilient business model represented by group’s main business pillars.
The telecoms business currently continues to be led by etisalat by e& in the group’s home market and e& international markets, upholding the group’s rich telecoms heritage, bolstering the strong telecoms network and maximising value for the group’s various customer segments.
Ramping up the digital services for individuals to elevate their digital-driven lifestyle, e& life brings next-generation technologies through smart platforms in entertainment, retail and financial technology. e& enterprise focuses on maximising value through its end-to-end solutions in cybersecurity, cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as deploying mega projects, in order to enable the digital transformation of governments, large-scale enterprises and corporates. e& capital allows the Group to focus its efforts on driving new investments while maximising shareholder value and strengthening the group’s global presence.
Source: WAM, Tariq Al Fahaam/ Hatem Mohamed
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has, for the first time, met 80 percent of total power demand in Abu Dhabi using renewable and clean energy from its solar and nuclear energy plants.
In the process, EWEC supplied approximately 6.2 gigawatts (GW) of the total 7.7GW system power demand.
The significant achievement to meet 80 percent of total power demand using renewable and clean energy reflects the realisation of the future vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to develop world-class systems and energy infrastructure.
EWEC is accelerating the strategic implementation of Abu Dhabi’s energy transition to reduce the reliance on hydrocarbons and decouple water production from power generation by investing in the development of utility-scale solar power and low-carbon intensive reverse osmosis (RO) water desalination projects.
By 2030, EWEC aims to raise Abu Dhabi’s solar power generation to approximately 7GW and produce more than 90 percent of its water using RO plants. EWEC’s strategy supports the realisation of the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Strategic Targets 2035 and UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, ultimately contributing to the achievement of UAE Net Zero by 2050 goals.
Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said, “EWEC is very proud to have successfully delivered such a high proportion of power demand from renewable and clean energy. Having supplied 60 percent of total power demand in December 2022 using renewable and clean sources, now meeting 80 percent in February 2023 is indicative of our at-pace deployment of sustainable energy and an example to the world of the UAE’s strategic net-zero ambitions in action in advance of COP28.
“Growth in our diverse portfolio of world-leading utility-scale renewable projects will play an integral role in accelerating the country’s energy transition and decarbonisation of the energy sector. We look forward to continued collaboration with our project partners as we pursue the advancement of a sustainable, efficient water and power supply in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE.”
Easa Alzarooni, System Operations Executive Director at EWEC, said, “EWEC is forging ahead in 2023, the ‘Year of Sustainability’, with yet another key achievement by meeting over 80 percent of total power demand from solar and nuclear energy sources. This was enabled by the flexibility of System Operations, coordinating with other control centres across the UAE to provide integrated, sophisticated real-time applications, and advanced analytical capabilities and operational planning to balance supply demand with our sustainability goals.”
The delivery of renewable and clean energy was enabled by solar power generation connected to the grid, which includes power from Shams CSP, Noor Abu Dhabi, in addition to power from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. EWEC’s current and future renewable energy projects, combined with Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, are forecast to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent, from more than 40 million tonnes in 2020, to approximately 20 million tonnes by 2025.
Source: WAM, Tariq Al Fahaam/ Amjad Saleh
Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) has inked a lease agreement with Yellow Door Energy for the development of a 4,382kW solar park project. Construction of the project is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2023, and the project is expected to be operational by the end of 2023.
Over 7,600 solar panels will be installed for both rooftop and carport applications; once completed, the solar park is expected to produce 7.1m KW/h of clean energy in the first year of operation, which is equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 5,000 metric tonnes, the statement noted.
The TIP move comes as part of its celebration of ‘Year of Sustainability’ in UAE and in line with COP28’s objectives.
The agreement was signed by Faiz Saleh Al Nahdi, Managing Director and CEO of TIP, and Jeremy Crane, CEO of Yellow Door, in the presence of several senior officials from both sides at the Tawazun Council Chalet at IDEX.
In early June 2021, Majid Al Futtaim and Yellow Door Energy signed an agreement to build Bahrain’s largest private solar plant.
Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of the Tawazun Council and Chairman of TIP, pointed out that sustainability was fundamental to the council and the Park’s strategies and operations.
He explained, “The initiative taken by TIP to expand the usage of renewable energy demonstrates our dedication to supporting the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy Plan and our keenness to strike a balance between industrial and technological progress and sustainable development.”
Al Nahdi added, “As the region’s premier defense and security park, we value security of all aspects and energy security is an integral part of our ethos. The 4.4MW solar lease with Yellow Door Energy will enable us to secure our energy supply from a clean and reliable source of electricity, lower our electricity bills and contribute to the Nation’s Clean Energy by 2050 Strategy.”
He noted that the plant project is a new milestone in the park’s sustainability strategy, promoting environmental preservation and reducing carbon emissions.
In late November 2021, Yellow Door Energy was awarded an ETG solar project in Dubai.
Crane remarked, “Yellow Door Energy is honoured to partner with TIP on this solar lease, in time to celebrate the Year of Sustainability and contribute to COP28’s objectives. Yellow Door Energy was founded in the UAE, and today we reaffirm our commitment to the nation by signing the solar lease in the capital.”
He concluded, “This is our first project in Abu Dhabi, and we look forward to providing more businesses in the emirate with affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for many years to come.”
Abu Dhabi has issued a general policy for managing and protecting the emirate’s groundwater, one of its main natural resources. Once implemented, the policy is expected to decrease groundwater extraction in the emirate by up to 650 million cubic metres by 2030. It is also expected to improve the groundwater quality index both locally and federally, and decrease the rate of water extraction compared to the feeding average, from 24-fold to 16-fold. The greater use of recycled water that is projected will also enhance feeding aquifers in areas that are used for irrigation – both in terms of quality and quantity.
Developed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the policy reviews the current state of groundwater in Abu Dhabi, while also looking at the challenges and implications of its depletion. In a statement, the EAD said the policy has been based on Law No. 5 of 2016 regarding the regulation of groundwater in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It aims to ensure the optimal use of groundwater while reducing waste, to build a comprehensive knowledge of groundwater resources, and to promote the use of sound irrigation techniques, methods and practices.
High consumption rate
Groundwater is one of Abu Dhabi’s major natural resources. The total percentage of fresh water that is used, which includes both surface water and fossil groundwater, is one of the indicators used to measure water scarcity. Scarcity measures also take into account non-conventional water sources like desalinated water and treated wastewater. Although the water scarcity index in the emirate is one of the lowest in the world, Abu Dhabi has one of the highest water consumption rates per capita. A large amount of groundwater resources are surface aquifers, which are the most common reservoirs in terms of use and productivity. Most of the groundwater reservoirs in the emirate are also non-renewable.
“Groundwater constitutes 60 per cent of the total water resources consumed in the emirate and is mainly used to irrigate crops in the agricultural sector, and – to a lesser extent – to irrigate crops in forests and parks. Depletion is one of most significant groundwater challenges, as it exceeds normal feed rates. This depletion causes a decline in groundwater levels and a deterioration in quality in many areas, as 79 per cent of water has become highly saline, 18 per cent of it being medium brackish water, while only three per cent is considered fresh water,” said Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD secretary-general.
Risks of depletion
“The deterioration of groundwater quality affects its use, especially in the agricultural sector, which plays an important role in achieving food security and stimulating relevant economic activities. Resorting to other water sources such as desalinated and recycled water induces other economic effects, requiring investments for transportation and distribution. In addition, the increase in groundwater salinity means the need to maintain and replace irrigation networks – adding further costs and burdens for farmers,” she explained.
From an environmental point of view, the deterioration of groundwater quality and levels increases the agricultural sector’s dependence on small desalination plants, which, in turn, causes various environmental impacts, such as increased greenhouse gas emissions. Dr Al Dhaheri said this new policy will help Abu Dhabi adopt and take necessary measures to ensure integrated and effective use of the emirate’s various water resources through sustainable management, regulation, management, and monitoring of groundwater.
EAD supervision
The policy will be implemented in Abu Dhabi under EAD’s supervision, supported by consultation, coordination and cooperation with other authorities in the public and private sectors. It will also be supported by analysis of the economic, social, environmental, technical, health, and organisational impacts, based on a systematic approach to help achieve its objectives.
Source: Gulf News, Samihah Zaman
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) announced that it had saved five million sheets of paper in 2022 through its ongoing Al Ghaf paperless programme. This initiative supported the bank in eliminating paper usage significantly at branches through digital banking solutions.
As part of ADIB’s 2025 growth strategy, Al Ghaf Programme underlines the bank’s commitment to pioneer climate action in Islamic banking, optimising banking operations, and enhancing customer experience.
ADIB reached the target without an additional budget by improving the bank’s operations, such as the ADIB’s private banking feature that allows customers to instantly open a personal bank account.
Speaking on the occasion, Samih Awadalla, Acting Global Head of Retail Banking Group at ADIB, said, “This initiative is a significant part of ADIB’s environmental and sustainable business strategy. It reinforces our commitment to reduce carbon footprint, enhance our customer experience, and ensure further security and efficiency in banking operations.”
“With the UAE’s focus on sustainability this year, this result is a timely step forward for ADIB in contributing to the national efforts to achieve net-zero. We are confident that through our strengthened business model, we will continue to build on this positive momentum in the year ahead.”
Al Ghaf initiative is an ongoing process to optimise the bank’s operations and make branches paperless.
Dubai Can, the citywide sustainability movement launched in February 2022, has reduced the use of an equivalent of more than seven million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles in its first year.
The exceptional success of the initiative is reflected in the fact that Dubai Can has been widely adopted in the city, with participation from homes, offices, hotels, schools, and the installation of 50 water fountains in different locations.
Dubai Can has placed water fountains in strategic places across the city, including public parks, beaches, and popular tourist destinations, with the help of its partners and sponsors. The fountains can be found in well-known neighbourhoods such as Kite Beach, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai.
Working together with talabat, a leading online food delivery service, Dubai Can has expanded its fountain locations and improved awareness. Fountains were recently added in four additional prominent locations: Hatta, Dubai Sports City, Port Rashid, and Dubai Internet City.
Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “We are extremely proud of the progress the initiative has made and we hope that during this year and beyond, the initiative will continue to encourage residents and tourists to adopt greener practices and lifestyle choices contributing to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s goal of consolidating Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three global cities.”
“The success of this initiative could not have been possible without the wholehearted support of our valued city stakeholders and partners, as well as the city’s public-private partnerships that significantly contributed to Dubai’s sustainability strategy. As we strive to achieve all of the city’s sustainability goals and position it as the best city in the world to live in, work and visit, we look forward to the continued success of Dubai Can, particularly in 2023, which has been declared as UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability,” said Lootah.
Changing mindsets and creating conscientious consumers
The Dubai Can initiative has inspired significant change at both the individual and community level over the past year, extending beyond the installation of fountains. Its objective is to increase awareness of the harmful effects of single-use plastics and promote the use of reusable bottles not only at water fountains but also in homes, hotels, and elsewhere, aiming to change people’s mindsets.
Many private companies in Dubai have been inspired by Dubai Can to install water fountains in their offices, reducing single-use plastics in the workplace. Above all, the movement has encouraged residents and visitors to the UAE to adopt more sustainable behaviours and become conscientious consumers.
Refill for life
As part of the UAE’s Year of Sustainability in 2023, the campaign has entered its second year and has become a driving force for the city’s sustainability strategy. The initiative’s momentum seamlessly aligns with the ban on single-use plastic bags, which came into effect on June 1, 2022, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to environmental protection and waste reduction.
Dubai Can’s environmental impact on the city remains significant, and the initiative is poised to continue its positive influence for years to come. All water stations throughout the city adhere to the highest hygiene standards and comply strictly with municipal, healthcare, and federal regulations. The stations provide clean and safe drinking water, which is tested in accordance with Dewa, GCC, and World Health Organization standards.
Source: Third Party Content
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, on Thursday inaugurated the green data centre of Data Hub Integrated Solutions LLC (Moro Hub), a subsidiary of Digital Dewa.
Recognised as the world’s largest solar-powered data centre by the Guinness World Records, the facility is located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world.
The opening event featured the signing of agreements between Moro Hub and its key technology partners and customers including Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Huawei, VMWare, Emirates NBD, Digital Dubai Authority, and Dubai Islamic Bank.
Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed at the site of the green data centre by His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dewa.
Following the inauguration, Sheikh Hamdan toured the green data centre. He was briefed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer on the facility’s integrated solutions designed to provide next-generation services in the areas of digital transformation, cloud and hosting services, cybersecurity, smart cities, IoT services and professional and managed services, as well as Moro services supported by ChatGPT technology.
“The development of the world’s largest solar-powered data centre was guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for advancing sustainable development, The new centre is yet another achievement that raises the UAE’s profile as a leading global player in advancing sustainability and the green economy. The centre provides an exceptional model for combining digital technologies with energy technologies. With a world-class low-carbon information technology infrastructure powered by solar energy, the data centre supports the goal of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050 to generate 100% of its energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.
“Moro Hub’s solar-powered data centre also supports our efforts to achieve the targets of the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. This initiative is particularly significant since it comes in a year in which the UAE is hosting the largest international climate conference, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28). The new data centre reflects our commitment to support the development of a sustainable economy and our efforts to transform Dubai into a global green economy hub. Moro Hub has always been a frontrunner in promoting digital transformation and sustainability as well as enhancing its integrated solutions to help organisations and companies reach net-zero carbon emissions,” added Al Tayer.
Moro Hub’s green data centre features ground-breaking solutions from Dell Technologies, Microsoft and Huawei including the latest advances in Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Digital Twin Technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Recovery as a Service, Consulting & Professional Services, Managed Services, Residency Services, Network as a Service, Moro Open Cloud and more.
Using 100% renewable energy, the Uptime TIER III-Certified data centre, has a capacity exceeding 100 megawatts (MW). Its area will exceed 16,000 square metres.
An exemplary model for combining cutting-edge digital and power electronic technologies to create an advanced green ICT infrastructure powered by renewable energy, the green data centre offers digital products and services using Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, such as cloud services, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), among others.
“Microsoft remains committed to leading the march towards sustainable digital transformation. Our partnership with Moro Hub is another endeavour to accelerate the growth of sustainable digitisation in the country, driven by our best-in-class technologies. Our digital solutions will enable businesses to avail greater flexibility for managing their operations and strengthen their infrastructure, thereby protecting them from any potential risks that arise from cyber threats,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE.
The introduction of Moro Hub’s new solar-powered data centre will further drive the digital transformation of government and private organisations in the UAE, reinforcing their efforts to upgrade their infrastructure to keep pace with new Fourth Industrial Revolution trends.
“Huawei has always been committed to supporting its partners with innovative solutions that will help them accelerate digital transformation across sectors. Our longstanding partnership with Moro Hub is an effort to enhance the experience for their customers, offer higher reliability and help contribute effectively to their vision of transforming the UAE business landscape into a sustainable digital model,” said Jiawei Liu, CEO of Huawei UAE.
Moro Hub’s solar-powered data centre aims to establish a global benchmark for energy efficiency and use of green technologies. By using smart and eco-friendly technologies, the facility will enable business enterprises in the region to unlock new efficiencies.
“It is a pleasure to collaborate with Moro Hub’s solar-powered data centre. At Emirates NBD, sustainable digitisation is the core of our operations, and by utilising the state-of-the-art technology available at the data centre, we will not only be able to enhance our operations, but also manage our customer expectations well. This also gets us a step closer to accelerating the UAE’s goals of net zero carbon by 2050,” said Hesham Abdulla Al Qassem, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Emirates NBD Group.
The new solar-powered data centre will help organisations in the country accelerate the pace of its progress and create innovative and productive work environments while ensuring high levels of productivity.
“We are glad to associate with Moro Hub’s largest solar powered data centre to host our IT workloads. As a leading provider of transformative digital solutions, this partnership will certainly fortify our drive to achieving sustainability, as well as position us a step ahead in the financial industry. We look forward to working together with them and are optimistic that this will be a new chapter that will bring positive results to both parties in the long run,” said Yahya Saeed Ahmed Nasser Lootah, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Dubai Islamic Bank.
Ahmed Auda, Vice President and General Manager, Middle East, Turkey and North Africa, VMware, said: “Through this collaboration with Moro Hub, VMware will help empower young talent with the cloud skills and training they need to support digitisation across the UAE in line with initiatives including UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai's economy over the next decade and strengthen its position as one of the top three global cities. As the UAE cements its position as a global technology leader, VMware and Moro Hub will give young people access to the technical skills they need to support the transformation plans of both public and private sector organizations.”
The solar-powered data centre will play a major role in developing a new sustainable ecosystem featuring the latest solar energy and storage technologies, AI systems, and sustainability practices. It will also enable global hyper-scalers to access carbon-free computing and help organisations reduce their carbon footprint.
Source: Third Party Content
Anticipating COP28 and the key role of the UAE in the global efforts to address climate change, ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste initiative, has partnered with the organizers of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and its key national contributors to talk the walk and involve national stakeholders in its goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50% by 2030.
Throughout ADSW, which was held on 14-19 January 2023, ne’ma and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) partnered in “ADSW: Towards Zero Food Waste,” a pilot initiative that is part of ne’ma’s goal for 2030 and the first-time initiative to be organized at such a large event.
The largest sustainability event in the region, ADSW brought together more than 30,000 attendees from 150 countries worldwide. It was visited by more than 60 heads of state, members of royalty, ministers, and senior global experts on the different aspects of sustainability. A dozen of specialized events were organized on the event’s sidelines, offering ne’ma’s team the chance to demonstrate its purpose of bringing key stakeholders together under its umbrella and proving that curbing food loss and waste is possible.
For the “ADSW: Zero Food Waste” initiative, ne’ma partnered with key national stakeholders, including Masdar, ADNEC - Capital Catering + Services, Emirates Red Crescent’s Hefz Al Nema, Reloop by Ecyclex, Pearl Rotana Hotel, and Tamkeen. Over three days of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), around 3 tonnes of food waste was collected and diverted from landfill, 400 kg of food surplus was redistributed, and around 1000 meals were donated.
Three tonnes of food waste could feed some 7,000 people. By diverting food waste from landfill, ne’ma prevented the emission of 7.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases. The food waste collected was turned into more than 500 kg of compost that was detoured back to nature as a fertilizer, covering more than 200 sqm of farmland.
“It’s only through collaboration with our national partners at every level that we can achieve our food loss and waste goals, maintain our national resources, and honor our national commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals ahead of COP28, due to be held later this year in the UAE. Engaging the whole community and raising public awareness about the significance of this issue are key components of our strategy,” commented H.E. Ahmed Al Shamsi, Emirates Foundation’s CEO and Board Member of ne’ma Committee, as he describes ne’ma’s presence and activities during ADSW.
Capital Catering + Services, a subsidiary of ADNEC Group with a forward-looking approach to sustainability, played a key role in the “ADSW: Towards Zero Food Waste” initiative. ADNEC and its catering arm have already invested in advanced technologies to reduce food waste.
“We are pleased to collaborate with ne’ma to support its national agenda and work on managing food waste, including segregation, collection, and diversion from the landfill, as well as redistribution of food surplus. Capital Catering + Services, part of ADNEC Group has been working on reducing food waste for years. We are happy to scale it up under the national initiative,” said Jonathan Dowse, CEO of Capital Catering + Services.
Hefth Al Nema team helped rescue and redistribute the initiative’s 1000 meals to communities in need. Red Crescent’s Hefth Al Nema is a project that has been active in liaising with UAE households and food outlets to collect edible surplus food, package it, and distribute it to disadvantaged people.
“We were excited to work with ne’ma on this initiative. We have been working on rescuing food for years now, and finally, we see everybody collaborating under this national umbrella that will hopefully mobilize the nation and orchestrate our collective efforts,” said Sultan Al Shehhi, Manager of Hefth Al Nema project at the UAE Red Crescent.
The food that was rescued during the 3-day initiative was collected by “Reloop’’; a mobile application developed by Ecyclex to facilitate the collection and segregation of waste from end users and organizations for various types of recycling. In this case, it helped segregate food waste and divert it for composting and reuse for agricultural purposes.
“We feel privileged to work closely with ne’ma on its goal of halving food waste in the UAE by 2030. We have been harnessing innovation and technology to develop solutions for tracking, collection, recycling, and disposal of all kinds of waste, and we are excited to help now in addressing the food waste issue, composting food waste and returning it to mother nature as a fertilizer” said Mohammed Abdulmoti, Co-founder of “Reloop”.
During ADSW, ne’ma contributed to the various activities of the event. It partnered with Tamkeen to cohost the FoodTech Challenge competition to encourage innovative startups to use technology and innovation to address the food loss and food waste issue. ne’ma helped introduce the competition finalists to key stakeholders at Zayed Sustainability Prize ceremony held during the event. To involve the various sectors of the community, ne’ma took part in the Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) forum and the Youth for Sustainability (Y4S) Hub, presenting in both events ne’ma’s mission and calling for active engagement of women and youth in the efforts for a sustainable future.
To raise public awareness of the size of the food waste problem, ne’ma installed an art sculpture that took the form of a large waste bin, full of discarded food, along with cubic blocks on which key messages were written to highlight the gravity of the problem. The sculpture aimed to engage ADSW’s visitors and the public in the national campaign to rationalize food consumption and to sign a pledge by scanning the QR code placed on the cubic blocks.
Along with Tamkeen, ne’ma co-hosted the Sustainable Networking Lunch and used the event to raise awareness about ADSW: Towards Zero Food Waste initiative, in collaboration with the Pearl Rotana Hotel and other stakeholders.
With ADSW, ne’ma has started a robust national drive and managed to put the issue of food loss and food waste not only on the agenda of major national stakeholders but also on the public realm where every member of society has a role in achieving its short-term and long-term goals. It will continue to work on creating and enabling an environment and an efficient ecosystem to reach its food waste reduction targets.
Source: Press release
