Tabreed, the world’s leading district cooling company, today reported that its operations reduced overall energy consumption by 2.52 billion kWh – equivalent to powering more than 143,000 homes – which, in turn, prevented 1.5 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, which equates to removing 330,000 vehicles from the road.

According to its fourth annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report for 2023, published today, Tabreed had an overwhelmingly positive environmental impact during 2023, with renewable energy becoming a permanent fixture in the company’s operations.

In partnership with ADNOC, Tabreed designed, built and commissioned G2COOL, the region’s first district cooling plant to be powered using renewable geothermal energy from deep underground. The plant plays an important new role in decarbonising the way buildings are cooled in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, while diversifying the country’s energy mix in support of the UAE National Energy Strategy 2050.

In a further renewable energy initiative, in 2023, Tabreed purchased 116,000 MWh of solar-sourced Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) from the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), demonstrating its commitment to a diverse energy mix. These CECs are equivalent to the amount of energy required to cool prominent locations such as Masdar City, Raha Beach, and key attractions on Yas Island.

The report further highlighted that Tabreed joined a highly anticipated carbon credits trading pilot by Dubai Financial Market (DFM), which saw 24 of the UAE’s most esteemed companies and developers taking part, including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), DP World, Dubai Municipality, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Emirates NBD and Majid Al Futtaim. The carbon credits traded on DFM were supplied by DEWA, First Abu Dhabi Bank and MyCarbon, coming from internationally certified carbon projects around the world.

Tabreed spent 2023 being increasingly active in the community, through a range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. For instance, assisting startups and young entrepreneurs working on climate solutions, the company sponsored and partnered with HUB71+ climateTECH and, during the Holy Month of Ramadan, Tabreed partnered with Emirates Red Crescent to provide many thousands of meals to underprivileged members of the community. Closer to home, in a move designed to improve the work/life balance for Tabreed’s staff, remote workday allowances were increased by 50 percent and a ‘personal hours’ policy was introduced.

“In short,” said Khalid Al Marzooqi, Tabreed’s CEO, “this incredible, visionary company spent 2023 reaffirming its reputation as an undeniable force for good. Good for our customers, our investors, our staff, our communities and our environment. I am immensely proud to lead Tabreed and look forward to even greater achievements in the years to come.”

Source: WAM

In support of the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and commemorating World Environment Day, the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation has launched the first fixed air quality monitoring station in the Jebel Ali area. The initiative is part of broader efforts led by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, to adopt and implement projects aimed at improving the overall quality of life in Dubai.

During the opening ceremony at Jebel Ali, attended by key officials including Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, and Abdulla Al Hashmi, COO of Parks and Zones, DP World GCC, Nasser Al Neyadi, CEO of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), emphasised the PCFC’s commitment to enhancing quality of life and environmental sustainability.

Al Neyadi highlighted the importance of adopting smart solutions and innovative technologies to support sustainable development, contributing to economic growth while at the same time helping protect the environment and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources.

The station, built on a 16-square-metre area at a cost of approximately AED 2 million, is equipped with 11 sensors capable of measuring 101 types of air pollutants. The choice of Jebel Ali for the station's location aims to improve air quality across Dubai, particularly in areas overseen by the corporation, ensuring a clean and healthy business environment through continuous air quality monitoring and assessment.

“This initiative underscores the essential role of the environment in our future development strategies, aligning with the emirate's efforts to achieve environmental sustainability and provide a healthy and sustainable environment for residents and expatriates," Al Neyadi said. “The establishment of this station reflects Dubai's commitment to balancing economic development with the conservation of natural resources, furthering its position as a global leader in quality of life and sustainable environment.”

Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of the Department of Planning and Development (Trakhees), said that the air quality monitoring facility represents a significant step towards protecting the environment and public health. It supports sustainable development by continuously monitoring air quality and providing necessary data to inform state decisions aimed at enhancing air quality for a safe and healthy environment, thus boosting quality of life.

Belhoul added that the station boasts an advanced design, featuring a steel frame and insulated panels, and is equipped with the latest devices for constant air pollutant analyses. Advanced data collection and transmission systems link up the facility to a specialised central office for data processing and report generation.

The station is expected to play a crucial role in monitoring environmental impacts and assessing the effects of industrial and logistical activities on air quality in the area. It will help ensure compliance with UAE's air quality standards, identifying harmful pollutants and enabling preventive measures to protect the health of residents and workers in Jebel Ali and surrounding areas.

Elaborating on the supportive role the station is expected to play in the context of environmental policies, Belhoul added: “The station provides precise data and periodic reports essential for implementing and developing local and national environmental policies, including the necessary legislation and measures to maintain air quality. The data can also be used to assess the environmental impact of companies and industries, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and reducing harmful effects”.

Source: WAM

UAEV, the first electric vehicle (EV) charging network fully owned by the government, has been officially launched in Abu Dhabi with a network covering all seven emirates.

The joint venture between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) aims to install 100 charging units by the end of this year and scale it to 1,000 by 2030.

The initiative expects to reduce 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030, which is equivalent to planting 1.8 million trees.

UAEV will offer 160kW fast-charging points, which will be publicly accessible to community members, including taxi drivers, with its strategic locations spread across the UAE.

It will be free of cost to use until the end of the year, and later price points will be finalised. The JV will support those who have already purchased an EV and make the prospect of switching to EVs attractive.

“EVs are the future of global mobility. Our communities are becoming more and more environmentally and ecologically conscious. They want greater choice and they want to play an active and positive role in a more sustainable future,” Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI and the chairman of UAEV told reporters during the launch event at the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit at ADNEC.

Globally, the transition to EV is gathering pace. EV car sales have reached 10 million units in 2022 — five times higher than sales in 2019. The new partnership will ensure the UAE can meet the current demand for EV infrastructure and make it easier for UAE residents to go green.

“As we have embarked on a journey towards the widespread adoption of EVs, the availability and accessibility of charging stations become part of the infrastructure.”

Al Olama said that EV charging stations will be deployed in public spaces, workplaces, shopping centres, and residential areas. “We will ensure that drivers from all walks of life have easy access to charging facilities. These charging stations will also be fast and reliable.”

Badr Mohammad Rabia Al Awadhi, head of sustainability at EtihadWE, and UAEV programme lead, noted that the deployment of EV infrastructure presents significant economic opportunities, including job creation.

Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity and board member of UAEV, underlined that the JV’s goal is to roll out 100 EV chargers by the end of 2024 and reach 1,000 units by 2030.

“We are convinced that the EV market in the UAE needs this momentum,” Eng. Al Ali said and revealed plans to install the charging units in malls, supermarkets, and governmental buildings.

“We will make it easy for users to charge their vehicles while they go about their daily activities. We will focus on fast and ultra-fast charging solutions. We believe this is crucial for accelerating the adoption of EVs in the UAE. These advanced charging options would meet customer demand for speed and convenience, making EV ownership more appealing and practical,” Eng Al Ali said and underlined that there will be a 24X7 customer service call centre and an app with all needed information of locations.

According to the International Energy Agency, the sales share of EVs is expected to grow from 15 per cent in 2023 to almost 40 per cent in 2030. The first set of EVs from UAEV have been deployed in Ajman, and more will be installed in the coming months across the country. The sustainable transport infrastructure is designed to unlock economic growth and support the nation’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy.

“Together, we will get things done and help pave the way for a cleaner future,” Eng Al Ali noted.

Source: Ashwani Kumar, Khaleej Times

DP World is working with Swedish electric vehicle (EV) company Einride to deploy electric and autonomous vehicles at Jebel Ali Port, with the first autonomous pilot slated for use at the port in 2025.

The Dubai-based port operator aims to save 14,600 tonnes of CO2 and 158 tonnes of nitrogen oxides annually using heavy-duty electric vehicles in its operations.

From the end of 2024, 1,600 container movements per day will be done using the 100 connected electric trucks managed by an Einride digital operating system, which is designed to maximise efficiency of electric and autonomous road freight operations.

An autonomous pilot is expected to be used for the first time in 2025.

Source: Zawya (Writing by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Brinda Darasha)

imogen.lillywhite@lseg.com

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change and COP28 President, said that the UAE leadership is committed to upholding the legacy of sustainability established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

“We highly value today's announcement of the pioneering initiative to launch the Blue Residency for Sustainability Experts, which represents an important step towards strengthening the UAE's leading global role in the fields environmental protection and conservation,” said Dr Al Jaber in a statement marking the launch of the initiative today.

The minister added that this innovative initiative serves as a powerful catalyst, attracting pre-eminent global talent and expertise to contribute to sustainable economic and social development efforts. “By fostering the strategic application of advanced technology and artificial intelligence, this initiative empowers the development of practical and impactful solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change. Embracing a forward-thinking mindset, this programme positions us to transform these challenges into opportunities, ultimately building a more sustainable future for humanity and our planet.”

He added: “This initiative coincides with the extension of the Year of Sustainability into 2024. The UAE's distinguished success in hosting COP28 served as a prime example of its leadership in international multilateral action. The conference strengthened international cooperation and unified global efforts to find practical solutions for the challenges of climate change.”

Source: Hatem Mohamed, WAM (Emirates News Agency)

The Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced today, at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2024), the launch of its Carbon Calculator, designed to support all hotels across the emirate in tracking and quantifying their consumption of various carbon emission sources.

The Carbon Calculator will support the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, a national drive aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

With the aim of lowering the carbon footprint of the industry over time, the Calculator will provide hotels access to a dashboard to identify key areas of high consumption, especially within energy and water consumption.

The Calculator’s methodology has been developed in consultation with representatives from the hotel industry as well as several government stakeholders including the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Department of Energy Abu Dhabi (DoE). EAD played an advisory role on the GreenHouse Gases (GHGs) accounting methodology and tools, and this initiative is consistent with the EAD’s Green Business Network.

By tracking indicators such as consumption of fuel, gas, electricity, and water and converting this data into a standardised unit of measurement (kgCO2e), the tool facilitates analysis across the industry. The Calculator will aid DCT Abu Dhabi in recognising top-performing hotels and supporting those with higher consumption to gradually reduce emissions.

This initiative aligns with emirate-wide decarbonisation efforts, as well as incentivizing the adoption of solutions such as retrofitting. It also provides a blueprint for expanding carbon footprint accounting in the tourism industry for other sectors, such as events, cultural sites or entertainment attractions.

Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Director=General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The launch of the Carbon Calculator is a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi's hospitality industry and will help shape a greener future for our tourism sector, in line with our leadership’s vision of transforming the emirate into a carbon-neutral destination by 2050. By empowering hotels to assess and own their environmental impact, we are encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly tourism practices to ultimately attract a higher number of environmentally conscious tourists."

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, said, “We are always pleased to see the industry playing a proactive role in reducing their carbon footprint in their path towards low carbon sustainability. The Carbon Calculator of DCT is a tool that showcases how this important entity is adopting digital technology for the greater good of an eco-friendly tourism sector. The calculator will support climate action and enable the reduction of GHG emissions in Abu Dhabi as it will help touristic facilities understand their emissions and design science based mitigation plans and strategies to fight climate change and enhance air quality.”

Ahmed Juma Al Falasi, Energy Efficiency Sector Executive Director-Acting at DoE, said, “The carbon calculator rolled out by DCT to the hospitality sector will greatly support our efforts to meet the energy and water efficiency targets of our Abu Dhabi Demand Side Management & Energy Rationalization Strategy 2030. This groundbreaking tool reinforces our commitment to environmental stewardship, empowering hoteliers in Abu Dhabi to make informed decisions that reduce their carbon footprint and pave the way for a greener future. The DoE is ready to collaborate with DCT and the hospitality sector in developing and implementing future energy and water efficiency initiatives that will help reduce hotels operating costs, while enhancing their carbon footprint performance."

With an emphasis on collaboration and collective action, all Abu Dhabi hotels are mandated to use the Carbon Calculator and submit their consumption data, with mandatory monthly reporting being implemented across the industry. By logging in and submitting their emissions data, hotels will gain invaluable insights through dynamic dashboards, which will help inform and prioritise sustainability efforts.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi are mandated to register themselves on the Calculator and verify their data, with DCT Abu Dhabi aiming to onboard all hotels in the emirate. The tool is available to access on http://www.carboncalculator.dct.gov.ae.

Source: WAM (Emirates News Agency)

Dubai Investments, a leading diversified investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), has showcased significant advancements in sustainable practices and responsible resource management across its operations. The company achieved a 12% reduction in electricity consumption and a 9.5% decline in overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to 2022 levels. Proactive measures aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to alternative energy sources enabled the sourcing of 25% of total energy consumption from such alternatives, underscoring the Group’s commitment to sustainable energy practices.

Other notable initiatives, such as transitioning security patrolling vehicles to hybrid models at the Group’s subsidiary Dubai Investments Park (DIP), have yielded considerable results. This includes a significant 58% reduction in petrol consumption and a notable 42% decrease in diesel usage. These updates are reflected from the Group’s Annual Sustainability Report for 2023 and is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and DFM ESG Reporting Guidance.

Mohammed Saeed Al Raqbani, Head of the Sustainability Committee at Dubai Investments and General Manager of Dubai Investments Industries and Masharie, said, “The Group’s relentless pursuit of sustainability is fundamental to Dubai Investments’ operational ethos. The significant strides documented in the 2023 report reflect the Group’s active engagement in environmental management and the commitment to shaping a sustainable future. These efforts are critical to minimizing the ecological impact while aligning with the UAE’s sustainability goals."

The report also underscores significant achievements in wastewater treatment, with over 1.75 million cubic meters treated before discharge, marking a notable 27% increase from the previous year. This milestone reflects the Group’s intensified focus on efficient wastewater handling, complementing ongoing efforts in energy and water conservation. The Group’s wholly owned subsidiary like DIP has significantly contributed to sustainable practices by processing over 0.6 million cubic meters of wastewater at its effluent treatment plant, underscoring the scale of wastewater management practices within the company's operations. Globalpharma another wholly owned subsidiary on the other hand demonstrated leadership in responsible waste disposal by treating more than 45% of the total wastewater.

Advancements in renewable energy have also played a pivotal role in Dubai Investments' sustainability efforts. Emirates Glass, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments has integrated rooftop solar panels, generating approximately 2,800 MWh of green energy annually. This initiative is complemented by a 33% decrease in electricity consumption, reflecting the company's proactive measures towards energy efficiency.

In line with the Group’s commitment to environmental preservation, Dubai Investments planted almost 34,500 trees in 2023, contributing to a cumulative plantation of approximately 370,000 trees over the years. Tree plantation initiatives play a crucial role in maintaining a sustainable environment by providing oxygen, reducing carbon dioxide levels, and preventing soil erosion.

The report also highlights over 7,900 hours of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) training, strong local supplier engagement with 72% local sourcing, and a commitment to empowering woman, with 12.5% of total managerial roles held by women.

In the next year, Dubai will get more than 30 new parks. Although no details on their locations were disclosed, officials said some of these will be big mega parks.

“The parks will range from mega parks to neighbourhood parks to smaller community play areas,” said Ahmed Ibrahim AlZarouni, Head of Public Parks and Recreational Facilities Department at Dubai Municipality.

The details were revealed on the first day of the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM) which began at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday. Held over four days, the exhibition attracts travel and tourism industry experts from all over the world.

In addition to the numbers, AlZarouni also revealed some details about the designs of the upcoming new green areas.

“The parks will have a new generation design,” he said. “If you have seen the new parks that we opened in Al Nahda, Qusais and Al Warqa, these are some of the new generation parks. These parks have more elegant designs and more play areas.”

Dubai is home to more than 190 parks that are dotted across the emirate. These are diverse, and include many facilities and services such as sports fields, playgrounds for children and people of determination, in addition to barbecue areas.

INCREASING PARKS AND GREEN AREAS

AlZarouni further revealed that the number of parks to be opened in the emirate will cross 70 in the coming three years.

“By 2026, we will have more than 70 parks across the emirate,” he said. “These will serve various communities and not just families.”

According to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the areas dedicated to recreational areas and parks will double. These will serve a growing population and will act as green corridors that link service areas, residential areas, and workplaces. They will also facilitate the movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and sustainable mobility means across the city, in coordination with developers and government departments.

Accodring to AlZarouni, each park is designed with the needs of its community residents in mind.

“Not all parks are made with kids play areas and family needs,” he said. “We do a study to find out the demographic of the people in that area. We then design a park that will benefit the majority there. In some areas, we see a lot of men playing cricket. We will build a cricket ground in the parks in that area. In some places, there are people who play basketball, so we include a basketball court. Each park is designed uniquely to meet the need of its community.”

Source: Nasreen Abdulla, Khaleej Times

Strong ROIs and rising guest expectations encourage hotels to prioritise investments in more sustainable operations. We present three case studies:

Hot water

The Radisson Blu's diesel hot water boiler was expensive to operate and highly polluting. The hotel replaced it with a thermodynamic solar system.

The hotel used an approximate 20-square-meter section of roof space to install 80 thermodynamic solar panels. Thermodynamic specialist Energie supplied the panels and created a tailor-made structure to fit the space. By placing the panels in front of the existing cooling towers, Energie was able to create a symbiotic relationship between the cooling towers and the panels, improving the operational efficiency of both.

The thermodynamic solar system is now producing all the domestic hot water needed for the hotel whilst assisting the chiller by reducing the temperature and the humidity level of the inlet air being pulled by the cooling tower.

This is possible because the byproduct of the thermodynamic solar panels heat exchange is cooling, which is then transferred to the surrounding air, which in turn is the inlet air for the cooling towers. This has led to a significant decrease for this inlet air when compared to the original condition of the ambient air temperature.

The switch from a diesel boiler to the thermodynamic solar system allowed the hotel to reduce water heating costs by 82%, giving a payback of 1.5 years.

To measure the results/performance, monitor the operation and enhance the system, a smart system was installed comprising of the following elements:

Drinking Water

Guests are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their travel. Single use products are common in hospitality and many hotels are looking at ways to reduce them. For example, many hotels have replaced soap and shampoo bottles with wall mounted dispensers which can be refilled by housekeeping.

Tackling water bottles is more challenging but JA Resorts and Hotels has successfully made the change.

JA Resorts and Hotels installed a reverse osmosis water treatment system, a bottle cleaning and filing system, and water dispensers at three Dubai properties - JA The Resort, JA Ocean View Hotel and JA Hatta Fort Hotel. By producing its own drinking water, the Group has removed 3 million plastic bottles per annum from its waste and is delighting guests with its complimentary filtered water and access to refill stations across the resorts. On top of that, JA Resorts and Hotels' branded water flasks are a popular guest purchase.

The Group invested just over AED 1 million and expects to achieve an ROI over 4-5 years. They obtained HACCP certification and test the water three times a day.

JA Resorts and Hotels welcomes other hotels to visit the plant and learn from them (Atlantis, Jumeirah, Sofitel, Hayatt and others have visited). After their visit, Atlantis implemented their own on-site bottling plant ( https://gulfnews.com/uae/video-dubai-to-remove-27m-plastic-bottles-a-year-with-new-glass-bottling-plant-at-atlantis-the-palm-1.90712248)

Food waste

In an industry where every detail counts, the management of food waste stands as a crucial aspect of sustainable operations. Hilton, in a groundbreaking collaboration with Ne'ma (the national food waste initiative of the UAE), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia and Winnow, has set a new benchmark with its Green Breakfast initiative.

In order to serve large numbers of guests in a short period of time, most large hotels provide a breakfast buffet. But buffets come at a cost in terms of food waste. The Green Breakfast initiative aims to address three barriers to food waste reduction: lack of awareness, unhelpful social norms, and misaligned incentives. By collecting and analyzing consumer behavior data, the project sought to implement scalable, meaningful corrective actions, not just within Hilton but across the hospitality industry.

At the heart of the initiative was the deployment of waste measurement systems across 13 UAE-based Hilton hotels, which collectively serve 1.8m breakfasts annually. Each hotel was equipped with Winnow's AI technology and plate waste systems. 

These systems helped gather baseline data on pre-consumer and post-consumer waste, setting the stage for targeted interventions. These included regular review and coaching sessions with culinary teams, daily and weekly waste trend reports to inform production adjustments, optimized buffet designs, reduced plate sizes, strategic communication nudges, and comprehensive staff training.

The results of the Green Breakfast initiative were nothing short of remarkable:

Winnow's role in providing data-driven insights was pivotal. The data revealed critical waste trends, enabling Hilton to implement effective strategies such as batch cooking, surplus redistribution, and encouraging guests to take pastries in doggy bags. The insights also highlighted the challenges of diverse guest profiles and the effectiveness of communication strategies.

The project distilled several best practices in food waste management:

Staff training on efficient food preparation, menu adjustments to decrease high-waste items, and operational efficiencies like batch cooking and made-to-order cooking approaches. Reducing portion sizes, using smaller plates, and engaging consumers with options like doggy bags were also key strategies. 

Hilton's Green Breakfast initiative, in partnership with Winnow and other stakeholders, demonstrates the power of collaborative, data-driven approaches in tackling food waste in the hospitality sector. The project not only achieved significant waste reduction but also paved the way for broader industry adoption of sustainable practices.

For hospitality leaders, these insights and strategies offer a roadmap to implement similar initiatives, driving the industry towards a more sustainable, responsible future.

ISO 14001

These three case studies illustrate the very real financial and environmental opportunities for investment in the hospitality industry. ISO14001 is a great way to raise staff awareness, improve processes and tie initiatives together in an on-going programme of continuous improvement.

That's why all Millennium hotels in Middle East and Africa are mandated to implement ISO14001.

The majority of hotels in the group are now certified and the rest are in the process of applying for it. As a result, staff are more mindful of their impact on the environment and the processes that have been put in place ensure that 'what gets measured, gets done' to quote Samuel Njoroge, Regional Quality Assurance Manager at Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

The Group is building on ISO14001 with the first draft of a group sustainability policy now prepared and a sustainability committee into place at a corporate level.

Emaar Properties will start implementing a customised energy management strategy and programme from this year, Dubai’s largest real estate developer said in its integrated annual general report 2023.

The programme encompasses retrofit and control initiatives to reduce energy consumption and enhance energy efficiency.

Multiple tender packages have been developed for energy management projects across Emaar’s business units based on the overall age and highest potential for energy savings of buildings, the report said.

Top-tier energy service companies (ESCOs) have been invited to be strategic partners in these projects, it added.

The overall aim is to reduce energy consumption by 15-20 percent (21,000-22,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) in the next five years through energy retrofits and energy efficiency optimisation across Emaar’s operational portfolio, the report said.

Source: Zawya Projects (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon)