Charge being introduced in July covers paper and other biodegradable materials, as well as plastic bags, officials say
As Dubai gears up to introducing a 25 fils ($0.07) charge for single-use bags, authorities have clarified that this is not limited to plastic bags.
From July 1, the mandatory tariff will be applied to all single-use bags — made of plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic and plant-based biodegradable materials — that are 57 micrometres (1 micrometre is one thousandth of a millimetre) thick, Dubai Municipality said on Friday.
All stores must levy the charge for each single-use bag, and a different tariff can be applied to reusable alternatives, if provided by the store.
Stores are not obliged to provide free alternatives, as the goal is to push a change in consumer behaviour to protect the environment, the municipality said.
The charge, which will be added to the customers bill, is the first step towards a complete ban on single-use plastic bags in Dubai in two years. Retailers will get four months to roll out the charge.
There will be no limit on the number of bags sold to customers at the checkout counters but staff will be trained to rationalise the use of carrier bags when packing and delivering purchases, officials said.
Dubai recommends that private sector retailers donate the money to support sustainable initiatives, either through the company or local environmental and community associations.
Disposable bags are a major source of litter and pollution in the environment.
“It should be noted that alternatives often have a larger environmental footprint than plastic bags but are easier to manage at the disposal stage and cause less environmental and health damage, provided they are used properly,” the municipality said in a release.
“For example, the production of paper bags is also harmful to the environment and leads to the cutting of a large number of trees and consumes great resources and energy, and therefore its use also requires paying the imposed fees.
“Single-use plastic bags have a lower environmental footprint than paper bags in the manufacturing stage, but their damages lie in the disposal stage.
“We need to use paper bags at least three to seven times to have a lower environmental impact than non-recyclable plastic bags.”
Retail giant Majid Al Futtaim Carrefour announced last year that it would stop providing single-use plastic bags at the checkout counters of two of its Dubai branches — Carrefour Hypermarket at Cityland Mall and Carrefour Market at Arabian Ranches 1.
A study last year found that hundreds of camels across the UAE have died as a result of eating plastic over the past decade.
Of 30,000 postmortems carried out on camels since 2008, in the field or in a laboratory by staff from Dubai’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, about 300 had died because of polybezoars — stone-like lumps of indigestible material including plastic, rope and other litter that block the digestive tract.
It means about one per cent of camel deaths in the UAE is due to the animal eating plastic waste left behind by people.
Worldwide, almost 300 million tonnes of plastic pollution is produced each year — equivalent to the weight of the entire human population, according to figures released by the UN Environment Programme.
Only nine per cent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, dumps or polluting the environment.
The UN says that if current trends continue, the ocean could contain more plastic than fish by weight by 2050.
Source: The National News
The project will capture and store between 25,000 and 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually
Egypt and Italian energy company Eni plan to develop a project to capture and store carbon dioxide in the Meleiha field as the North African country moves to reduce emissions.
The project, which will entail an investment of $25 million, will capture and store between 25,000 and 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, said Tarek El Molla, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, according to UAE state news agency Wam.
Carbon capture, and storage refers to a method where carbon dioxide is captured from industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere and is compressed and transported to be used elsewhere or injected into deep geological formation, according to the International Energy Agency.
The project is unveiled as the Arab region’s most populous country prepares to host the UN’s Cop27 climate change conference and summit in Sharm El Sheikh in November this year. The UAE will host the Cop28 summit in 2023.
Egypt accounts for only 0.6 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad said at a petroleum conference in Cairo in February this year.
Removing carbon will be crucial to achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal of capping the rise in global temperatures at 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels, according to energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. About 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over the next 30 years need to be actively removed to reach the mandated 1.5°C target, the consultancy said.
Globally, about 33 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted in 2019. Carbon capture and storage projects across the world are able to capture only a fraction of the emissions, at about 40 million tonnes annually.
Egypt’s first carbon capture and storage project will focus on the extraction of algae oil to be used in biofuel production. It will have an annual production capacity of 350,000 tonnes for an investment of $600m, Mr El Molla said.
The project will contribute to the reduction of 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the minister said.
The second project will produce biodegradable plastics with a capacity of 75,000 tonnes at an investment of $600m. It aims to reduce 45,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, according to the minister.
The third project aims to convert plastic waste into oil to be used as a raw material in polyethylene production. It will have an annual output of 30,000 tonnes for an investment of $50m.
It plans to reduce 63,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, Mr El Molla said.
The North African country is also planning to include green hydrogen in its energy mix and plans to unveil a green hydrogen strategy by October.
Suez Canal Economic Zone offered H2 Industries preliminary approval for a $3 billion waste-to-hydrogen plant in East Port Said.
Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar and Hassan Allam Utilities also signed two preliminary agreements with Egyptian state-backed organisations last month to co-operate on the development of green hydrogen production plants in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Mediterranean coast.
In April, Egypt signed a $3bn agreement with a consortium led by French company EDF Renewables and Egyptian company Zero Waste to develop a green hydrogen megaproject in Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea that will produce up to 350,000 tonnes of green fuel annually for ships passing through the Suez Canal.
It also partnered with Norway’s Scatec in March to build the country’s first green ammonia plant at a cost of $5bn, with a production capacity starting at one million tonnes a year, increasing to three million tonnes.
Source: The National News
Averda, the leading international waste and recycling company headquartered in Dubai, has been awarded a three-year waste management contract for Discovery Gardens, one of Dubai’s most popular residential communities by world renowned developer, Nakheel.
The new waste management contract will transform the way waste from Discovery Gardens is managed. Averda’s services are designed to increase the amount of material recycled, reducing the proportion of the 60-70 tonnes of waste generated a day at the site sent to landfill, and to improve the overall quality of waste services.
Under the new contract, 50 large recycling cages will be provided, making it significantly easier for residents to recycle. Materials collected for recycling will include paper, card, cans and plastic bottles tubs and trays. The frequency of waste collections will double to six days a week, and bins will be regularly washed, keeping the community clean and pleasant.
In addition to the usual dry mixed recycling detailed above, Averda will also provide three dedicated bins for residents to recycle any old or broken electrical items. These will be sent for specialist recycling at a dedicated facility. Averda will be working closely with Nakheel on an integrated public education campaign to ensure residents are made aware of the new services and understand what items can be recycled, and what to avoid.
Commenting on the new waste management contract, Francis Giani, Chief Community Management Officer, Nakheel Community Management, said: “Discovery Gardens is a holistic residential community inspired by garden living. Sustainable waste management is not only important to ensure quality living experience, but also contributes to Dubai’s environmental efforts. We endeavour to instil a culture of conscious and sustainable living across our assets.”
Mohamed Salah, Averda’s Commercial Director said: “We are very proud to partner with Nakheel to support their sustainability efforts at Discovery Gardens. By providing the adequate infrastructure to enable source segregation in the community paired with community education and awareness drives, our aim is to further augment residents’ recycling practices. This initiative will make Discovery Gardens an even more sustainable community by diverting its waste away from landfills.”
-Ends-
About Averda:
Averda is the leading waste management and recycling company in the emerging world, operating in India and across the Middle East and Africa. The company provides a broad and specialised range of services to over 55,000 clients - large and small - across the private and public sectors. These include the municipal authorities of major cities and household names in a wide range of sectors including oil & gas, automotive, retail and hospitality.
Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Dubai, Averda increasingly focuses on providing sustainable solutions which extract value from waste, reducing use of the planet’s limited natural resources and driving the circular economy. The company’s portfolio of services ranges from collecting bins and cleaning city streets to sorting, composting, recycling and disposing of household waste as well as safely managing highly-regulated hazardous waste streams including medical waste and dangerous chemicals. Recent investments have further developed the company’s waste treatment capabilities, with the goal of providing circular recovery options in all markets.
The company currently employs over 15,000 people worldwide, helping to provide secure employment amongst the communities it serves. Protection of environmental and human health is the company’s highest priority, and it operates in full compliance with international standards for quality control wherever it operates, currently: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Morocco, South Africa, Congo and India.
Source: Zawya
The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, JBR is partnering with Green Container Advanced Farming (GCAF) to launch a hyper-local on-site hydroponic farm, one of the first-ever vertical farms in the city.
With a focus on food security and regenerative farming practices, the city’s latest vertical farm at The Ritz-Carlton Dubai is approximately 40 square meters in size and completely sealed to ensure it is pesticide and herbicide-free. The dynamic farm grows crops year–round with daily harvests of up to ten kilograms of produce.
The freshly-grown selection of herbs includes Italian basil, Thai basil, and rosemary, amongst others, while coast-line lettuce, salanova mix and kale will also be grown. The produce will enhance the skillfully prepared dishes served at the property’s dining establishments including Blue Jade, Splendido, Amaseena and more.
Jeroen Elmendorp, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, said: “ At The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, we are proud to be one of the first hotels in the region to provide our guests with sustainably grown, local produce from our innovative vertical farm, across our diverse F&B offerings. The significance of this launch is twofold; we are firstly supporting the UAE on its journey to increasing sustainability, while also enabling our guests to eat locally grown produce, which of course, is more environmentally friendly, but also superior in quality, as well as taste and freshness.”
As the first Marriott property in the region to establish a vertical farm, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai supports the UAE’s ambitious food security goals.
The hydroponic technique employed by the resort eliminates the need for soil to grow crops and reduced the amount of water needed by close to 90 percent when compared with traditional farming techniques. By having the farm located on the property, the carbon footprint is greatly reduced since logistics in bringing the produce to the hotel are eliminated while also enhancing the quality of freshness.
By harvesting a variety of herbs, microgreens, lettuce and other ingredients at the hydroponic facility, the hotel offers daily delivery of local produce.
Elmendorp added: “Looking forward, we aim to boost responsible operations, which involves placing sustainability at the heart of all that we do. I am confident the launch of our very own hydroponic facility will provide our guests with an incredible culinary experience, as we prepare cuisine bursting with flavour.”
Source: https://www.caterermiddleeast.com/news/ritz-carlton-dubai-vertical-farm
From raising awareness of plastic pollution to recycling polypropylene and turning used nappies into plywood, Trident Trackway’s Theresa and David Wernery are walking the sustainability talk
As a couple who spent four months driving their pickup truck across two continents through 26 countries to promote anti-pollution causes, sustainability has never been far off the minds of Theresa and David Wernery.
It was ten years ago that the pair travelled through countries including Bulgaria, Ukraine, Norway and Iran as part of their campaign, Plastic Not So Fantastic, to discuss the problem of plastic pollution with local environmentalists.
Fast-forward a decade and the couple are leading their own sustainability revolution through their UAE-based tech start-up Trident Trackway. The company makes heavy-duty portable flooring products from recycled plastic in the UAE, enabling the construction of temporary roadways and staging areas.
Three years ago, the Dubai-based couple started exploring the idea of sustainability in the construction and events industries.
Being based in the UAE, where the sector was thriving but relied heavily on trackway products that needed importing, the couple wanted to provide a homegrown solution.
“We decided to develop our own product here for the local market, made with locally sourced recycled plastic waste and mould,” explains Theresa Wernery, co-founder of Trident Trackway.
By late 2019 the couple had their first prototype of a product made from locally sourced, recycled post-industrial and post-consumer plastic. It not only aims to reduce the volume of plastic waste going to landfills but can also be recycled back into the supply chain.
The couple’s emerging businesses saw them make some deals with Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. But then COVID-19 hit.
Boom despite the pandemic
Many start-ups had to curb business in the pandemic. But Trident Trackway boomed – thanks to Dubai’s Expo 2020.
Given the pandemic’s impact on imports and exports, Expo 2020 wanted a local solution that could provide surface protection for the entire site during the construction phase, enabling all the heavy site traffic to cross the Expo venue daily. Trident Trackway were contracted for the entire project.
“That was a great, great project for us,” said Theresa. “For them, it was a locally-made product made with locally sourced recycled plastic.”
Since then, business has grown exponentially.
To date, Trident Trackway has recycled about 440 tonnes of polypropylene. Half of that was used for Expo, equivalent to about 30,000 square metres, or six football pitches.
The company is now in an expansion phase. The aim is to have a factory in Dubai in 2023, and further factories planned for Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The couple are now working on the prototype for a new product to create recycled plywood from everyday waste.
“We're looking at really taking everything that is non-recyclable, such as nappies, car filters, air filters and all that upholstery from when they break cars up and things like that. Now we can recycle that as we can take any waste and turn it into recycled plywood,” David Wernery says.
He credits being “in the right place at the right time” for Trident Trackway’s success, at a time when sustainability is firmly on the UAE’s agenda.
Towards more sustainable operations
Besides creating a recycled product, the company has worked to embed sustainability across its operation in association with Living Business. By replacing two manufacturers with one closer to its warehouse and facility, it was able to reduce carbon emissions between 56-93% respectively. Finding a new source of waste polypropylene led to a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. The two changes also had a social impact, leading to improved employee welfare measures.
"It was an excellent programme to be part of. They were fantastic at helping us connect with all of our value chain and it got us a lot of good exposure,” David says.
Now they hope to change existing misconceptions about recycled products: people often believe they are lower quality and more expensive.
“Our recycled products are a better alternative as compared to traditional products on the market. They last longer. They are recyclable. Plus, you’re helping the environment. There is value to waste, and they can be a very resourceful product.”
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced a bold new approach to sustainability: Balanced Tourism, a key milestone in its strategy to drive overall sector growth and become the regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025.
Unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market 2022, the region’s leading travel and tourism event, the vision underscores the Emirate’s leadership in conscious tourism and aligns with its identity as a nature destination with a desire to progress, grow and evolve.
Under the all-encompassing banner of Balanced Tourism, the Authority is shaping tourism in the UAE by placing all aspects of sustainability (environment, culture, conservation and livability) at the center of its investment and development strategy. By ensuring issues surrounding ‘over tourism’ – such as over development, crowding of heritage sites, and the spoiling of its unique natural environment – are avoided, it is creating a destination that will resonate with today’s responsible traveller.
Balanced Tourism follows the Authority’s announcement in September 2021 of its Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy to secure the Emirate’s long-term sustainability and drive overall growth through four key pillars: Sustainable Development; Cultural Conservation; Attractions Built with Purpose; and Community and Liveability.
Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “The need for good stewardship of our cultural heritage, environment, people and infrastructure has never been stronger, especially in post pandemic times. Balanced Tourism does exactly that as we become ever mindful of the economic, social and environmental impacts on tourism. Simply put, it’s time to move beyond just using less plastic to adopting an all-inclusive approach – from ensuring new projects such as hotels are developed at an organic pace to building new attractions with sustainability at their core.”
Sustainable Development
Known as the ‘nature Emirate’, Ras Al Khaimah boasts 64km of pristine beaches, mangroves abundant with wildlife, rolling terracotta deserts, impressive wadis and stunning mountains. These natural assets form the backbone of the destination’s key values, and their protection is a key focus. With this in mind, the tourism board has applied a mindful approach to new hotel developments, consulting with hospitality partners to ensure spacious venues, with thoughtful, sustainable landscaping, and maintaining a measured pipeline to avoid rapid, less well-planned expansion and overcrowding.
As the licensing authority for all new hotel developments, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is able to set guidelines and protocols to regulate sustainability standards and work closely with hotels to ensure sustainable practices. This includes the recently announced integrated Wynn Resort, scheduled to open in 2026, that will be developed as per the Barjeel Green Building Regulations. There is also Earth Hotels Altitude, an eco-based pop-up hotel concept set to open on Jebel Jais in Q4 2022 featuring 15 fully fitted accommodation units, an activation center and swimming pool, and Saij Mountain Lodge, opening on Jebel Jais in 2023, a protected and sustainably managed mountain resort featuring sustainable lodges made from natural and sustainable materials.
Cultural Conservation
The integrated approach also includes cultural conservation. In addition to being the most fortified Emirate, with over 65 forts due to its importance as a trade route, Ras Al Khaimah is home to four archaeological sites which are tentatively on the UNESCO World Heritage site list, more than any other Emirate. The Authority has established a long-term investment plan to protect and enhance these and other key cultural projects. This includes Suwaidi Pearls Farm, the only site in the UAE which still cultivates local pearls, all done by hand to preserve the Emirate’s culture and traditions. It has also embarked on a three phased restoration program at Jazirah Al Hamra, one of the last surviving pearl diving and seafaring towns of the Arabian Gulf. Scheduled to complete in 2025, experts are working in line with UNESCO guidelines to restore the village, using traditional and sustainable materials, to potentially make it accessible to the public as an attractive tourist destination.
Attractions with Purpose
Under the Balanced Tourism platform, all upcoming attractions will be purpose built with sustainability standards and processes. Visitors can expect environmentally conscious development around Jebel Jais as well as across the more than 20 new sustainable tourism initiatives being developed across the Emirate. One example is the planned Scallop Ranch at Al Hamra Marine, a first of its kind attraction in the UAE that will support and enhance understanding of the marine ecosystem, with seagrass and sea cucumber species within the farm.
Community and Liveability
In addition, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority is also embracing the concept of liveability as part of its Balanced Tourism ethos. This includes several progressive policies in place to promote employee well-being, leading to the Authority to be named the sixth best workplace in the UAE by Great Place to Work® for 2022 in the Small & Medium Organisations category, the highest placed government entity. It was also named one of the Best Workplaces for Women and a Great Place to Work in 2021, the first and only organization in Ras Al Khaimah to be awarded this certification. The Authority has also introduced RAKFAM, a series of initiatives aimed at enriching connectivity, community life and facilities for tourism sector employees in the Emirate.
Sustainability as a driver of growth
Led by the Authority in December last year, government entities, hotels and private sector industries came together at the 2021 Global Citizen Forum in Ras Al Khaimah to pledge collectively to deliver the Emirate’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy that will see it become the regional leader in environmentally conscious tourism by 2025.
For more details on Ras Al Khaimah, its attractions, developments and Balanced Tourism initiatives, please visit www.visitrasalkhaimah.com or www.visitjebeljais.com. Alternatively, check out the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority stand at Arabian Travel Market, ME3310.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is considered the Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2021 by voters at the World Travel Awards.
VERTECO, the region’s leading specialists in water conservation solutions, smart washroom technologies and smart water management, have been announced as the official distributors of the Smixin handwashing system, an innovative solution set to revolutionize the way we wash our hands in public places.
Smixin is the brainchild of Swiss inventor Elmar Mock, co-inventor of the Swatch watch. Recognising the considerable water-saving potential of something like handwashing, which we all do many times a day, the system was created to address not only global water shortage challenges, but to also address public hygiene concerns.
The mobile, fully automatic station makes hand washing accessible to everyone, wherever and whenever it is needed. From the counters in food courts and hotel buffets to school playgrounds and busy airport terminals, the free-standing system can be conveniently located in crowded places, promoting health and sustainability, and helping business achieve environmental and cost efficiencies at the same time.
VERTECO, regarded regionally as the pioneers of sustainability, already offer an award-winning portfolio of water saving technologies and smart washroom sensor-driven 3D IoT solutions. All of their products aim to promote responsible behaviours and lower the UAE’s collective water footprint, so the addition of the Smixin system was an obvious choice.
Hand washing is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of viruses. Bacteria and germs live on our hands and are easily transferred to the inside of our mouths, leading to illnesses and infections. Hand sanitizing before eating isn’t ideal and visiting busy washrooms isn’t always desirable or possible. But while handwashing remains an absolute necessity in life, it doesn’t always align with a sustainable use of natural resources.
In line with VERTECO’s water-saving solutions, the Smixin system guarantees the most ecological usage of water, soap and paper of any hand washing. With pre-set parameters, consumption of water, soap and paper towels is regulated, meaning only 0.2 litres of water is used, a saving of 90% water compared to the average hand wash. It also reduces soap consumption and paper towel use by 60%, compared to conventional dispensers.
The system delivers impeccable hygiene standards too, with a unique touchless handwash solution. You simply place your hands in the system and a mix of water and soap are dispensed, followed by a paper towel, with the entire process taking under 15 seconds. The highest standards of hand sanitation are delivered, with a minimum of resources, and without compromising on user experience.
James Fortier, Business Development Ambassador – APAC & Middle East, Smixin commented, “In the Middle East, one of the most water scarce regions in the world, reducing water consumption is crucial. We applaud the strategies some governments have already adapted to address this concern, including the adoption of technologies that increase water efficiency. Our systems are designed to significantly contribute to this environmental aim. But as well as focusing on limiting the impact hand washing has on the environment, we are also committed to promoting the importance of hand hygiene and making hand washing – a basic necessity – accessible to as many people, in as many places as possible. We are thrilled to partner with VERTECO to distribute our products in the region and to help us achieve a company goal of saving 10 billion litres of water by the end of 2022.”
David King, Managing Director of VERTECO for the MENA Region said, “We are delighted to offer Smixin products to local businesses and to be a part of a handwashing revolution that has already had a profound effect on sustainability and improving hand hygiene within facilities around the world. Post-COVID we are more aware than ever of the importance of hand washing, and by offering such a simple, yet effective solution that aligns with our sustainably ethos, we hope to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the region’s people.”
With water saving a major challenge for countries around the world, the Smixin handwashing systems have won international acclaim and can be found schools, business offices and well known places such as Shake Shack, McDonalds, KFC, Carnival Cruise Lines, Virgin Cruises and Marriott Hotels
Source cbnme.com
More than a third of leading Islamic Finance professionals expect dramatic growth in the number of investment funds combining ESG and Shariah compliance over the next two years, new research* shows.
The study among professionals working across a wide range of sectors found 36% expect dramatic growth while 49% expect a slight increase in the number of fund launches - but most believe the current Islamic Finance market underserves ESG demand.
The research was conducted by Maybank Islamic Berhad, the Islamic banking arm of Maybank Group, and IslamicMarkets.com, a leading platform that provides access to expert knowledge and financial opportunities, to support their upcoming forum entitled ‘Driving Sustainable Impact Through Islamic Finance.’
It found 73% of professionals working for organisations including asset managers, banks, insurers, fintechs and consultancies believe demand for ESG investment strategies is not being met by the Islamic Finance market.
They believe that if investment products were certified as both Shariah and ESG-compliant more non-Muslims than Muslims would buy them given the strong demand for ESG in Europe. Around 72% agree the introduction of a global standard for ESG and Shariah would boost demand.
However, 55% of those questioned believe the launch of a global standard is two years or more away and just 52% expect good progress or even dramatic progress in the next two years on the adoption of a unified global legal and regulatory framework for Islamic Finance to help end the lack of standardisation the industry has faced for decades.
Maybank Islamic Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Mohamed Rafique Merican said: “Islamic Finance is indeed growing strongly but we believe the growth could be further boosted if it was able to offer Shariah and ESG compliant funds globally. This study is showing that potential demand for such funds would rise from the traditional as well as the non-Muslim investors.”
Shakeeb Saqlain, CEO of IslamicMarkets added: “There is widespread agreement that the current Islamic Finance market is not meeting the potential demand for ESG and Shariah-compliant funds even though there is an expectation of a growing number of funds being launched. The issue remains, as it has for decades now, the lack of a global regulatory and legal framework.”
Source: Zawya
Responsible business practices discussed at Expo 2020 Dubai can show the way for innovators and entrepreneurs to help realise the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Expo 2020 could well be a turning point for sustainability in business. With the SDGs at the heart of the Expo 2020 agenda, attendees were constantly reminded of their role in building an inclusive, environmentally friendly future for everyone on the planet. Nowhere was this more visible than at the many business forums over the six months, where more than 14,000 members of the public and private sector from 192 countries came together to tackle the biggest challenges facing the global community.
The theme of responsible business dominated the event, offering an unparalleled opportunity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to learn from and be inspired by global best practices around environment, social and governance (ESG) principles. Here are some key takeaways for entrepreneurs around the world.
Unlock value from industrial waste
Everywhere at Expo 2020, participants from around the world demonstrated how they are developing the circular economy by repurposing waste into new products. The concrete-free Netherlands pavilion is being recycled for use on local farms and future construction projects. Living Business programme partner Trident Trackway recycled locally sourced polypropylene into temporary surface protection. USA-based Re-Nuble uses nutrient delivery technology to convert food waste into cost-competitive, controllable fertilisers.
And Max Donaldson, the teenage founder of GreenKiwi Supplements, showed how olive leaf waste is transformed into a high-value, immune-boosting health supplement rich in antioxidants. “In New Zealand, if you want to be a sustainable company, you can't just be environmentally sustainable. The values are interdependent; it comes down to enhancing people, place and profit. Those aspects can’t be in isolation,” he said.
Seek partnerships to innovate at scale
Partnership and collaboration offer synergies that can help social enterprises scale up to support the delivery of the SDGs within the next eight years, said Dr Alaa Murabit, Director, Programme Advocacy and Communications, Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, speaking at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Goals Week.
Sanergy, which provides sewer-free sanitation community solutions in Africa's informal urban settlements, is working to scale up its low-cost, hygienic solution in partnership with the Kenyan government with the aim of serving millions of people within the next five years.
Similarly, Pakistan’s UpTrade (Goats for Water), which enables communities to trade their livestock for solar energy products, has been able to expand into newer areas with the help of other NGOs. “Partnerships and collaborations have been key, starting with the first steps to now the growth steps,” said CEO Fariel Salahuddin.
See migrants as a human resources asset
Humanitarian assistance is one way to assist the estimated 82.4 million migrants, refugees or internally displaced people who have been forced to flee their homes. Integrating them into the workforce within their new communities improves their wellbeing while enhancing and growing the local society and economy, experts said during Expo 2020 Dubai’s Tolerance & Inclusivity Week.
Malaysia-based catering company PichaEats is one of several SMEs that see migrants as a human resources asset. “Many refugees are well-educated, highly-skilled, and had great jobs before their countries fell into war – and for those that aren’t, there are a lot of jobs in construction, restaurants and so on,” Co-Founder Sook Shian ‘Suzanne’ Ling said at the event. “Malaysia already brings in expats to join our workforce, so why not let [the refugees] work instead? They pay rent to Malaysian house-owners, utilities, buy from local businesses that pay taxes… so ultimately it all goes back into the Malaysian economy.”
Other SMEs working to upskill the displaced through education and entrepreneurship opportunities include France’s Meet My Mama and Australia-based Talent Beyond Boundaries.
Think beyond sustainability to regenerative systems
Global action has begun to coalesce around sustainable ways of living, but these may not be enough to achieve the critical mass required to safeguard the planet. Biomimicry or nature-inspired innovation could help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, argued Dr Dayna Baumeister, Co-founder, Biomimicry 3.8 and Professor of Practice, Arizona State University during Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods Week at Expo 2020.
Innovators must shift from an industrial to a regenerative mindset by creating solutions that impact entire ecosystems, she said. Homes shouldn’t just shelter people, they can also rooftop gardens. Parks can recharge groundwater and purify waterways in addition to promoting human mental health. And harvests could be designed to support women entrepreneurs. An onsite example at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Desert Farm, showed how tilapia – fast-growing fish that can survive high temperatures and salty waters – can enrich, produce nutrients and ultimately serve as a food source for plants.
In other words, multipurpose solutions are essential to addressing global sustainability challenges.
Getting your hands dirty may sometimes be the only way to drive lasting and sustainable change. That was quite literally the case with Future Architectural Glass.
The multinational conglomerate achieved its first major sustainability goal with a sewage treatment plant at its UAE facility. From the outset, the project clocked several circular economy gains. It delivered treated water for irrigation, reduced the amount of water being purchased from the local utility by 25 per cent, and helped green the campus.
The plant, which was operational by the second half of 2021, diverted sewage from staff accommodation for about 200 workers, says Firoz Kachwala, Director at Future Architectural Glass. “The project generated 5,000 gallons of water per day. Together with the reduction in water from the utility, we were able to save 1.65 million gallons of water in 2021,” he says.
In addition, says Maintenance Manager Ram Prakash, the treated water is being diverted to a farm for organic fruit and vegetables, while creating better living space for company staff. He says, “Certainly, there were challenges such as licensing formalities and in trying to buck convention. But we finished in time and are now reaping the fruit of our efforts.”
The sewage treatment plant was one of several recommendations from Living Business, a programme that helps businesses transition to more sustainable operations. The programme is organised in collaboration with HSBC bank.
Future Architectural Glass is part of a 45-year-old group of companies with offices and manufacturing bases in the UAE, India, Singapore and the UK. The company specialises in architectural glass for building facades and internal glazing requirements, covering the whole spectrum of life and fire-safety products as well as creating bespoke solutions for architects. Its products are exported to more than 30 countries.
“Our focus has been to incorporate sustainable manufacturing practices across our ecosystem. We have taken a two-pronged approach: reduce the use of natural resources and generate natural resources by incorporating efficient processes and machinery,” Kachwala says. Our resolve to achieve these goals – and with them, a lower carbon footprint – has been strengthened with the encouragement and support of the HSBC and Living Business teams.”
Future Architectural Glass also achieved two other sustainability victories in 2021.
Over the first half of the year, fitting wash taps with aerators has helped reduce annual water consumption by 90 per cent, saving nine gallons per person per day.
In addition, the company swapped their energy-inefficient window air conditioners (ACs) for 43 high energy-efficient split AC units. The upgrade cuts electrical energy by 53 per cent for each unit, Prakash says, while cutting annual energy bills by 2 per cent. The exercise will deliver a return on investment (ROI) within five years.
Strategy for sustainability
For this article, the team shared what they learnt from their sustainability journey so far. Ram Prakash frames these lessons as actionable takeaways:
1. Incorporate science-based metrics across the production process to determine the scope of improvement.
2. Collaborate with experts and stakeholders – internal and external – to generate ideas and frame an action plan.
3. Share target initiatives and successes with others in the industry to increase mutual benefits.
4. Redesign and reimagine current business models to incorporate the circular economy.
5. Improve employee awareness and help them build the skills needed to attain your sustainability goals.
6. Set interim targets to meet the ultimate goal of net-zero operations.
Now Kachwala and his team are looking ahead to similar victories in 2022. “Last year, we focused on water conservation and in 2022 we are aiming to conserve electrical energy,” he says. Gains from the split AC units could reduce electricity use by up to 53 per cent, he adds. The company has also reached out to equipment manufacturers to replace electrical furnaces at its plants with the latest energy-efficient heaters, with estimated energy savings of 3.9 per cent.
As businesses grow, Prakash says, they gradually draw on greater environmental resources – and must likewise focus on giving back to the planet.
“With growing production volumes, our consumption also increased, which has a strong impact on the environment. But we need to protect the planet in the same way we work to grow our business,” Prakash says. In his view, prioritising the circular economy is the only way to achieve our common goals of sustainable business and social development and net-zero carbon emissions.
Future Architectural Glass will continue to work with Living Business. “The Living Business programme has become part of our strategy and has helped us become a more responsible manufacturer of architectural glass products, besides giving us great recognition within the industry,” Prakash says.
