ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, announced the signing of a multi-year partnership agreement with ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative.
Launched in 2022 in the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ne’ma is a collaboration between the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Emirates Foundation that aims to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 12.3 to reduce food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030.
According to the United Nations, approximately 13 percent of food is lost between harvest and retail, while an additional 19 percent is wasted at the consumption level (retail, food services and household). Together, food loss and waste account for 8 to 10 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
ne’ma drives policy change and initiates projects to address the root causes of food waste. This collaboration allows ADQ to play a role in enhancing the resilience of the local food system and strengthening its comprehensive investments in the food and agriculture sector in the UAE and abroad. ADQ’s partnership with ne’ma also aligns with its broader commitment to accelerating the socioeconomic development of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.
Mansour AlMulla, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at ADQ, said, “As a major investor in the local food and agriculture sector, we believe it is critical to ensure that enabling and upscaling the production of adequate, affordable and nutritious food goes alongside the preservation of food as a precious natural resource. Our partnership with ne’ma reflects our dedication to ensuring that the remarkable activities that ne’ma has brought underway in the past two years receive the attention and community support they need to initiate lasting, fundamental change of the food system here in the UAE.”
Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer Emirates Foundation, and Secretary-General ne'ma Committee, added, "This partnership with ADQ underscores the critical role of public-private sector collaboration in meeting the UAE’s ambitious goal to halve food loss and waste by 2030, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. Through these partnerships, we are harnessing the most innovative solutions to transform our food systems, ensuring that safeguarding our food resources is at the core of our national food security strategy. By joining hands, we maximise our efforts and create lasting impacts for our communities and our planet."
As part of the agreement, ADQ and ne’ma will explore the development of joint initiatives, alongside collaboration opportunities with third parties, to reduce food loss across the entire value chain, from production to consumption, and promote responsible consumption habits. ne’ma will also provide ADQ with data identifying food loss hotspots and systemic gaps to address challenges and find solutions.
ADQ’s Food & Agriculture cluster works towards closing supply chain gaps and scaling production sustainably by driving investments in agricultural technology solutions and expanding domestic farming capabilities.
Source: Staff Writer, WAM (Emirates News Agency)
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched the second cycle of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, to recognise hotels in the city with the highest levels of adherence to DET’s ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’, a set of mandatory standards to support the ongoing drive to position Dubai as a leading sustainable tourism destination.
Serving as a validation of a hotel’s dedication to sustainability, and showcasing its eco practices to guests and the global community, the DST Stamp was launched in 2023 and contributes to Dubai’s broader sustainability agenda. It is awarded under a three-tier scheme – gold, silver, and bronze – and validated by a committee of senior industry professionals to ensure integrity and independence. The window for hotels to submit their applications opened today (15 August) and will close on 15 September, with the announcement of the hotels receiving the DST Stamp for 2024 set to be made in January 2025.
Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector at DET, and Head of the DET Environmental Sustainability & Social Responsibility Committee, said: “The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp is more than just an accolade to recognise excellence in sustainability – it is a testament to the support and guidance of our visionary leadership to position Dubai at the forefront of global efforts in sustainable tourism. As we launch the second cycle of the DST Stamp, we invite hotels across Dubai to showcase their commitment to sustainability and contribute to our shared vision for a greener future, aligning with a key goal of the D33 Agenda to transform Dubai into the best city to visit, live and work in. This initiative continues to inspire enhanced collaboration between the government and private sectors in Dubai, further underscoring our resolve to set new standards in environmental stewardship within the hospitality industry."
The ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’ were introduced in 2019 to guide hotels in implementing eco-friendly practices, and are part of the wider Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative, developed by DET to drive the tourism sector's transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and sustainable industry model. It is part of DET's broader commitment to fostering sustainable tourism in Dubai and is aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure.
Encompassing a wide range of criteria that hotels must meet, the ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’ include taking steps to achieve energy and water efficiency, implementing waste management programmes, guest education, and employee training initiatives, all designed to enhance environmental performance and ensure compliance with sustainability standards.
In the first cycle of 2023, the DST Stamp received 278 hotel applications, resulting in 70 winners – 11 gold, 28 silver, and 31 bronze – demonstrating the hospitality sector's enthusiastic commitment to adopting sustainable practices. Hotels recognised in the first round have highlighted the importance of the initiative, detailing the benefits their participation brought.
Nila Pendarovski, General Manager at Rove Expo City, said: “At Rove Hotels, we're not just committed to providing exceptional hospitality, we're also deeply invested in running our operations in a sustainable manner. We were honoured to be part of the first round of the DST Stamp certification process, an initiative we view as crucial to our growth as responsible hoteliers. This process has guided us in refining our operations from A to Z, enabling us to find more sustainable ways to serve our Rovers (guests). We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to participate in this process again, as we continue to champion sustainability in every aspect of our business.”
Luciano Fontana, General Manager, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, added: “Receiving the Gold Tier from the prestigious Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp was a remarkable honour for Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. This recognition reflected our unwavering dedication to sustainable luxury, ensuring that every guest’s experience contributes positively to environmental and social responsibility. We are proud to lead the way in sustainable tourism and look forward to setting new benchmark for excellence in this field.”
Inspired by global objectives such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and country-wide strategies including the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiatives, the DST initiative and DST Stamp align with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, which was extended into 2024. Another key initiative under DST has been the rollout and ongoing development of the Carbon Calculator tool, which measures the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. The tool tracks real-time data for carbon emission sources, allowing hotels to identify and effectively manage their energy consumption.
Additionally, DST complements the citywide ‘Dubai Can’ sustainability movement, which through its ‘Refill for Life’ campaign has seen the reduction in the usage of an equivalent of more than 23 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles and 11.5 million litres of water dispensed via 50 water fountains located throughout the city. Dubai Can has followed this up with a second initiative, Dubai Reef, the world’s largest marine reef development project, with 20,000 modules set to be deployed across 600 square kilometres of Dubai’s waters by 2027.
Hotels can contact dstsupport@dubaidet.ae for further details about applying for the DST Stamp.
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) today announced the introduction of Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) for energy generated by the UAE's utility-scale Wind Programme.
The wind energy CECs are available for purchase for the first time and further enable entities to achieve their sustainability goals by certifying their clean energy consumption and reducing the carbon emissions of their operations.
The introduction of wind CECs follows the launch of the UAE's first utility-scale Wind Programme, under which EWEC signed a power purchase agreement in Q4 2023 with Masdar, one of the world's leading renewable energy companies, for power generated from wind farms.
EWEC procures the electricity generated from the wind farms located at Al Sila, Sir Bani Yas Island and Delma Island.
The wind farms have a total combined capacity of 99 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power approximately 22,000 homes and displace 115,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, said, "This new offering further enables organisations to verify their renewable and clean energy consumption and make tangible progress towards achieving their sustainability and decarbonisation goals. The UAE Wind Programme was a pioneering step in diversifying the country's energy mix, and we are proud to now be able to offer wind energy CECs to businesses and organisations across Abu Dhabi."
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar's CEO, stated, "Masdar's collaboration with EWEC strengthens our goal of delivering bold, ambitious action in the battle against climate change and supporting the UAE's net-zero vision."
CEC auctions are open to all businesses and organisations interested in decarbonising their energy consumption and lowering their Scope 2 emissions.
Source: Rola AlGhoul, WAM (Emirates News Agency)
In line with its social responsibility and its ongoing efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) provides innovative digital tools to engage customers in the efforts to support climate action and reduce their carbon footprint by increasing the efficiency of their electricity and water consumption at home. DEWA utilises innovation and the latest technologies to enable customers to monitor and manage their consumption proactively and digitally, detect leaks instantly, and help customers to limit waste and adopt sustainable practices through easy and simple daily habits.
In line with the UN’s ‘Your guide to climate action: Home Energy’, which recommends reducing the global average individual carbon footprint from 6.3 tonnes (2020) to 2.1 tonnes by 2030, DEWA is committed to raising awareness about consumption patterns. This allows individuals to fulfil their responsibilities of protecting the environment and natural resources and supports efforts to make Dubai homes more efficient and sustainable. This aligns with the goals of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to increase individual and institutional energy consumption efficiency by 42-45 per cent. This supports the Demand Side Management Strategy to reduce energy and water consumption by 30% by 2030 to achieve a sustainable future.
DEWA is maximising its efforts through its “Welcome Summer with Green Habits” campaign to raise awareness of sustainable lifestyle practices and protect precious natural resources.
Self-Assessment tool:
Through the Self-Assessment Tool, DEWA allows customers to easily assess and understand their electricity and water consumption. To benefit from the tool, customers must log in to their account through DEWA’s smart app or website and fill out the consumption assessment questionnaire, to learn about various ways to increase consumption efficiency. After completing the assessment, customers receive a detailed report on their consumption, along with customised tips to reduce waste.
Innovative Digital Services and Tools:
DEWA provides many digital services and tools to help residential customers better understand and manage their electricity and water consumption. Through DEWA’s website and smart app, customers can access the Smart Living dashboard, which enables them to monitor their consumption and obtain annual, monthly, and daily consumption reports. The ‘My Sustainable Living Programme’ allows customers to compare their consumption with that of similar highly efficient homes in their area.
The ‘Away Mode’ feature enables them to monitor their consumption while they are away or travelling. The Self-Assessment Tool includes a survey for customers to assess their electricity and water consumption. Customers can also benefit from exclusive discounts on the latest smart home technologies available at the DEWA Store. Additionally, DEWA provides the ‘High Water Usage Alert’ service, which helps customers detect leaks in water connections after the meter. The system sends instant notifications to the customer if there is an unusual increase in consumption.
For more information about consumption management, tips, and instructions, please visit the following link:
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, managed by Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), proudly announces the official handover of its end-of-life linens and uniforms to Dr. Linen’s 360 WeaveTM Textile Recycling Initiative. This collaboration is a big step in our commitment to sustainability and managing textile waste responsibly.
Dr. Linen’s 360 WeaveTM Textile Recycling Initiative focuses on transforming old linens and uniforms that can no longer be used. Through advanced recycling techniques, the initiative transforms discarded linens and uniforms into new, useful materials, ensuring that they are repurposed effectively and contributing to a reduction in textile waste.
“Our partnership with Dr. Linen’s 360 WeaveTM Textile Recycling Initiative shows our dedication to environmental stewardship,” Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah. “We are excited to support a program that not only addresses textile waste but also transforms it into valuable resources, promotes circular economy and reduces waste for a more sustainable future. I encourage all the hoteliers to join this initiative to support our environment.”
This initiative highlights Coral Beach Resort Sharjah’s dedication to sustainable practices and responsible waste management.
Having recently secured B Corp certification for his PR agency CYLKA, committee member Saad Alrubaian reflects on the journey and provides insights to other agencies interested in gaining certification.
Climate change is a pressing issue, and CYLKA, as a purpose-driven PR agency, wasn't content with just talking about it. We wanted to walk the talk. While we've always focused on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and communication for governments and social entrepreneurs, we realized it wasn't enough to design campaigns for others without implementing sustainable practices ourselves.
Sparked by Change
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst. We embraced remote work, becoming a 100% virtual agency with a small team spread across six cities. This not only improved work-life balance but also reduced our environmental footprint. CYLKA has also invested in Letswork, a platform that offers access to co-working spaces globally, further minimizing our physical footprint.
Building a Sustainable Foundation
As a small business, navigating sustainability initiatives initially felt overwhelming. However, we decided to start local. We approached MAJRA UAE, the government body regulating CSR and sustainability, to participate in their Impact Seal program. This six-month process of documentation and audits helped us establish proper governance to measure our sustainability impact based on: 1) The Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) princples, 2) UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 3) and national priorities.
Recognition and Growth
Earning the prestigious Golden Impact Seal, alongside companies like Unilever, Citi bank and Emirates Airlines, was a significant milestone, but it wasn't the finish line. This recognition prepared us to qualify for a sustainability acceleration program by HSBC entitied “Living Business”, a program designed to help businesses take sustainable action. This year-long sustainability acceleration program, kept us accountable and provided valuable coaching.
B Corp: A Global Benchmark
With a strong foundation in place, we set our sights on the B Corp certification. Awarded by B Lab, B Corp certification signifies a company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The rigorous assessment process covers five key areas, transforming businesses into forces for good. After a nine-month journey, CYLKA became one of only 10 B Corps in the UAE and 24 in the MENA region.
Beyond the Badge: A Commitment to Action
While achieving these milestones is rewarding, sustainability goes beyond chasing accolades. Greenwashing – focusing on reputation over genuine action – is a trap we strive to avoid. The key is a cultural shift, where sustainability is embedded in our core values.
Sharing the Knowledge
Sustainability is a collaborative journey. We actively participate in global initiatives such as the WeatherKids campaign, an innovative campaign that features children meteorologists forecasting the 2050 weather in a joint effort by the UNDP and ICCO to raise awareness on the climate action. CYLKA also took part in the Green Impact program by Students Organizations for Sustainability (SOS UK) and involved in auditing selected facilities and centers at the London School of Economics (LSE), helping them improve campus sustainability.
The Takeaway for PR Agencies
Should your PR agency pursue certifications such as the B Corp certification? Absolutely – with caveats.
- Genuine Commitment: Sustainability must be a core value, not a marketing tactic.
- Collaboration is Key: Engage stakeholders to maximize your impact.
- Advocate & Promote: Champion the causes you care about – learn how "Green Marketing" can support your efforts.
- Knowledge Sharing: Share your expertise! Offer talks, write-ups, and mentorships to inspire the industry.
Sustainability isn't a badge; it's a way of doing business. By maintaining our green commitments and continuously improving, we can all contribute to a better world.
Saad Alrubaian (Chart.PR, MCIPR, MPRCA) is a Chartered PR practitioner. A Kuwaiti professional who has served previously for both private and government sectors in Dubai and is now running a B corp boutique agency, CYLKA. A mentor, judge, board member and writer on social entrepreneurship and communication matters.
GMG, a global well-being company retailing, distributing, and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands in sectors including sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties, and logistics, marked a significant milestone in its sustainability strategy with the launch of its first-ever Sustainability Report. The report reveals that the company achieved 89% green energy usage in its logistics operations between 2022 and 2023 – avoiding over 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions, underscoring its commitment to embedding sustainability into its core business strategy and operations.
The report catalogued GMG’s remarkable progress in meeting the goals underlined in its corporate sustainability strategy, ‘Make a Difference’. This strategic framework is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UAE’s Green Agenda-2030, which aim to reduce the country’s emissions to less than 100 kWh by the decade's end.
Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG, said: “Guided by our vision, we believe that a robust ESG framework is essential for driving business evolution, mitigating risks, and creating a positive and responsible impact on both people and the environment. This inaugural Sustainability Report reflects our commitment to transparency and our ambition to lead by example in corporate sustainability.”
The report provides a detailed overview of the company’s efforts across three key pillars: Planet Forward, Inspire People, and Own Change.
Achieving Clean Energy Integration and Significant Waste Reduction
Under the Planet Forward pillar, GMG achieved a 13% reduction in fuel usage by its logistics fleet through efficiency route mapping, with 7.5% of its energy mix now coming from clean energy sources. The company also saved over 1 million plastic bottles by installing water filters in its Dubai offices. Additionally, GMG’s logistics operations utilised 89% green energy through rooftop solar installation at its Dubai warehouse.
GMG also demonstrated its contribution to Dubai’s target of recycling 100% of the emirate's wastewater by 2030. The company successfully treated and repurposed over 685,000 gallons of wastewater, representing 20.8% of its total water consumption. Through awareness and activations, the company also reduced paper usage by over 85,000 papers or 428 kgs. In addition, GMG replaced 35,000 sq.m. of plastic tape—equivalent to about 83 basketball courts—with paper tape, contributing significantly to its long-term goal of zero-waste-to-landfill.
Advancing Gender Equity and Employee Health and Safety
In the Inspire People pillar, GMG made substantial strides in gender equity, achieving near pay parity at executive and senior levels with a 47:53 female-to-male pay ratio. The company extended maternity leave to 90 days for all female employees and provided health and safety training to over 12,000 employees and contractors. GMG also organised 86 well-being initiatives for its employees and trained 800 frontline staff through its WoW initiative to enhance customer experience. The company’s workforce now represents over 80 nationalities, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
GMG considers a safe and healthy workplace an essential factor for the well-being of its employees. The company has conducted over six hundred health and safety inspections across its logistics and retail operations, underlining its focus on maintaining safe working environments. GMG is also aligned with ISO 45000 standards and is actively pursuing additional certification to bolster occupational health and safety.
Supporting Local Agriculture and Ethical Business Practices
The Own Change pillar saw GMG forge partnerships with 1,143 UAE farms to support local agriculture. The company started working on its responsible sourcing policy, forming a task force that included all the private label teams and indirect procurement.
It also ensured that 100% of its private label Basic Collection teams were trained on responsible sourcing and implemented a third-party grievance hotline for employees and suppliers, reinforcing its commitment to ethical business practices. Additionally, the collection line uses High IQ Lasting Color eco and Lasting Black eco, which reduces the environmental footprint by lasting longer and using less water and energy during production.
The company's commitment to community engagement was exemplified by its participation in the Dubai Fitness Challenge and its partnership with Dubai Can. Over 226,000 participants joined the Dubai Run, while over 294,000 plastic bottles were saved through the Dubai Can partnership.
Razan Akrouk, Chief People Officer of GMG, commented: "This first edition of our Sustainability Report is in reference to the GRI Standards, focusing on identifying and reporting on the most critical aspects that reflect our significant impact on sustainability. It provides a transparent, balanced, and detailed overview of our sustainability initiatives and outcomes."
The launch of this Sustainability Report aligns with UAE’s declaration of 2024 as the Year of Sustainability and demonstrates GMG's commitment to supporting national and global sustainability goals. As GMG continues to expand its operations across the globe, the company remains dedicated to positively impacting communities, fostering employee well-being, and minimising its environmental footprint.
To download or view the full report, please use the following link: https://shorturl.at/xsNrA
For more information about our sustainability activities, please visit https://www.gmg.com/about/sustainability/
-Ends-
About GMG
GMG is a global well-being company retailing, distributing, and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sports, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties, and logistics sectors. Its vision is to inspire people to win in ways that make the world better. GMG's investments span across five key verticals: GMG Sports, GMG Everyday Goods, GMG Health and Beauty, GMG Properties, and GMG Logistics.
In line with its 'farm-to-fork' vision, GMG covers the entire food consumption chain with its state-of-the-art food manufacturing facilities, expanding food retail network, and distribution of popular international brands. The company entered the food retail industry by acquiring Géant operations in April 2022. In February 2023, GMG acquired aswaaq LLC, including its companies operating in retail, trading, and properties, positioning the group as one of the UAE's largest community mall operators.
Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years, GMG is a valued partner of choice for the world's most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include notable home-grown brands such as Sun & Sand Sports, Dropkick, Supercare Pharmacy, Farm Fresh, Klassic, and international brands like Nike, Columbia, Converse, Timberland, Vans, Mama Sita's, and McCain.
Please visit our website and social media channels for our latest updates:
https://gmg.com/
https://www.instagram.com/gmgvoice/
https://twitter.com/gmgvoice
https://www.facebook.com/GMGVoice/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/10077935/
For more information, please contact: gmg@bcw-global.com
Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (PJSC), The Green Certificate was presented by Sultan Al Ali, Director, Digital Business at Moro Hub to Saleh Alsharif, Head of General Adminstration at Al Madallah Healthcare Management. Pioneering initiative acknowledged the efforts of the company for choosing Moro Hub's Green Data Centers for their IT workloads.
Al Madallah Healthcare Management is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 137,357KgCO2e by opting for Moro's Green Data Center to host their IT workloads.
Moro Hub’s Green Data Center is certified as the largest solar-powered data center by the Guinness World Record and is home to cutting-edge and sustainable Smart Cities Command and Control Centre that enables government and enterprise clients to fast track the adoption of new-age digital technologies.
“In the realm of sustainable innovation, Moro Hub proudly extends a Green Certificate to Al Madallah Healthcare Management. Recognizing their commitment to eco-conscious computing, this certificate symbolizes the harmonious synergy between environmental responsibility and cutting-edge technology, exemplifying the transformative power of Moro Hub's Green Data Centers in shaping a greener, digital future,” said Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub.
The Green Certificate serves as a noteworthy accolade, representing the concerted efforts of businesses in embracing eco-friendly practices and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. This initiative aligns with Moro Hub's unwavering commitment to minimizing carbon footprints and contributing to the United Arab Emirates Green Agenda-2030
“We are pleased to receive this award. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, acknowledging the pivotal role played by Moro Hub's Green Data Centers in advancing our journey towards environmentally conscious IT solutions,” said Saleh Alsharif
As an integral part of Moro Hub's mission to foster a greener future, the Green Certificate underscores the significant role played by Al Madallah Healthcare Management in supporting renewable energy initiatives. By acknowledging the efforts of organizations that have chosen Moro Hub's Green Data Centers for their IT workloads, the initiative solidifies the collective commitment to environmental preservation and the advancement of sustainable practices within the digital landscape.
About Moro Hub:
As part of 10X, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (PJSC) mobilised its innovation unit to create a new entity called Digital DEWA, which uses innovation in artificial intelligence and digital services to meet the current and future requirements brought about by the 4th industrial revolution. This entity required an innovative, agile data hub, and thus Moro Hub was established. Forming the backbone of Digital DEWA, Moro Hub was introduced to fulfil the need for an innovative and agile data centre. Through its purpose-built, industry-accredited data hub, Moro Hub uses its expertise, capabilities and alliances to contribute to the digital transformation of society. Trusted to secure, manage, and integrate data, Moro Hub is committed to providing value through customer-centric innovation, creating new opportunities now and in the future. For more info, please visit www.morohub.com.
Aster Pharmacy's retail outlets around Dubai launched a new 'Go Green Carry Clean' initiative, introduced in response to the UAE government's latest mandate, prohibiting single-use plastics from June 1st, 2024. The campaign encouraged UAE residents to swap plastic bags with sustainable and reusable bags and bring it with them for any shopping expedition. The widespread initiative promoted a larger cultural shift encouraging UAE residents to start using sustainable bags which are environment friendly, reusable and becomes the standard whenever customers make their purchase.
The initiative saw over 280,000 reusable bags being given to customers free of cost. This also included the pharmacy staff actively encouraging the customers entering the store with plastic bags to replace it with free durable and sustainable Aster Pharmacy branded sustainable bags. Based on the success of the pilot findings, Aster Pharmacy will look at expanding these low-cost, easy-to-implement tactics, potentially catalysing a national cultural change towards reusable bags.
"As we roll out these reusable bag solutions throughout our Aster pharmacy locations and learn about customer behaviours, we realize the potential of collective retail action. With everyone's motivation, devotion, dedication and teamwork, we will continue to make a difference in creating a more sustainable environment for both the present and future generations," said Mr. N.S Balasubramanian, CEO of Aster Retail.
“This is also a part of our long-term effort over the years to transition to zero-plastic at all our stores which saw us transition to paper bags and even turn our stores into eco-friendly stores through interiors being built with sustainable and recyclable materials,” added Mr. N.S Balasubramanian.
Aster Pharmacy, a part of the Aster DM Healthcare Group and a leading retail chain in the GCC, sees an annual footfall of 10 million people across its 250+ stores. Over the last five years, in alignment with the UAE Government’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution, Aster Pharmacy had undertaken various efforts to introduce eco-friendly policies in its retail stores with interiors built with sustainable and recyclable materials. Aster pharmacy’s proactive efforts to replace plastic bags with recyclable paper bags is now complete with 7.4 million paper bags being used annually to serve the pharmacies customers – a practice that has been in existence for the past four years.
This is also in alignment with Aster DM Healthcare’s ESG policy to reduce the group’s carbon footprint. Waste recycling for the last year included 76,555 kilograms of plastic waste, 446,977 kilograms of paper waste, and 5,506 kilograms of e-waste. The organization's waste management practices encompass various categories, including biomedical, plastic, food, metals, paper, and cardboard. Aster prioritizes waste segregation at the source, enabling efficient recycling of recyclable materials.
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has launched the National Green Certificates Programme, which aims to promote environmentally friendly building practices in line with the objectives of the National Demand-side Management Programme and the National Green Building Regulation.
The National Green Certificates Programme sets specific standards for building classification in regard to energy efficiency, water management, indoor air quality, and the use of sustainable building materials.
MoEI will offer technical support and consultations for participating businesses to ensure the highest level of sustainability.
Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, "The Programme is a framework for classifications and requirements for enhancing sustainability and cutting down the carbon footprint of commercial buildings through identifying unified basics that ensure the latest world-class criteria for sustainable buildings are applied. We at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure are committed to advancing sustainable, environment-friendly practices across the board. The Programme is another step in our journey to drive a green economy and sustainable development."
For his part, Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, said that the Programme aligns with the ministry's keenness to integrate environmental sustainability and decarbonisation measures in the building sector. It will help reduce energy and water consumption and slash the sector's carbon footprint. This will contribute to the UAE's net-zero by 2050 target and will help build an infrastructure that can meet the development needs of the future.
To support the Programme, the ministry signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). The first MoU was with First Abu Dhabi Bank, where they agreed to explore potential collaborations in green finance solutions to enhance the UAE's built environment sector. This includes participation in the National Green Certificates Programme and supporting the UAE's energy efficiency targets through innovative financing solutions. It also includes the development and promotion of green finance products for the built environment sector and the execution of joint initiatives to promote energy-efficient practices and technologies in the industry.
The second MoU was with Aldar Properties to implement green finance solutions specifically tailored to enhance the built environment sector in the UAE. This includes Aldar Properties' participation in the Programme, discovering the potential to finance this Programme, and providing technical services. They also agreed to implement joint initiatives to promote energy-efficient practices and technologies in the built environment sector.
The third was with Pact Carbon, where the company joins the Programme and supports other participants access global markets to sell carbon credits.
The fourth MoU was with Meagle Energy to establish a framework of cooperation between the parties to provide energy auditing and Measurement and Verification (M&V) services to the Ministry for the National Green Certificates Programme. Meagle Energy will conduct energy audits in accordance with the standards and guidelines set forth by MoEI.
Source: Esraa Esmail, WAM (Emirates News Agency)
