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)
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:
- A 62% reduction in overall food waste, translating into significant annualized savings in meals and CO2 emissions.
- Pre-consumer waste saw a dramatic 76% reduction, while post-consumer waste decreased by 55%.
- Bread and pastries emerged as the most wasted items post-consumer, leading to specific interventions like portion and size reductions.
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)
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has inaugurated the landmark Dubai Reef project with the launch of the pilot reef modules.
A sustainable initiative by Dubai Can, Dubai Reef is the world’s largest marine reef development project and marks a pioneering step in Dubai’s efforts to promote ecological sustainability. Working around a plan to deploy 20,000 purpose-built reef modules of various sizes over a four-year period, Dubai Reef marks a significant endeavour for the city that will span a staggering 600 square kilometres across Dubai’s waters. The meticulously crafted design of the reef units will see them exceed 400,000 cubic metres in volume.
In line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan and The Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai Reef project is a city-wide collaboration uniting key partners to support the wider strategic goals and ambitions of Dubai and the UAE, including the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the UAE's Green Agenda – 2030, and the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy.
Sheikh Hamdan said: “The landmark Dubai Reef initiative is a testament to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Reef ecosystems are unique life sources and vital components in the protection of marine life. Dubai Can’s Dubai Reef project will inject vitality into our coastal waters and contribute to global conservation efforts. The project’s significant long-term environmental and socio-economic impacts will serve Dubai’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.”
With an initial proof of concept championed by Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani and contractors HaejooX in 2021, the first modules have now been activated as part of the Dubai Reef pilot project. Working alongside the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the newly formed Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA) will be a critical partner in ensuring successful project delivery. As Director General of DECCA, His Excellency Bin Thani will continue to play a key role in supporting the Dubai Reef project and further strengthen the emirate’s advocacy in the realm of environmental protection and climate action. DP World; Dubai Chambers; Nakheel; the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation; and Emirates join DET as strategic partners in the Dubai Reef project.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, said: “Aligned with the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and guided by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai Reef project showcases the emirate’s enduring commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. This collaboration between public and private sector entities will see each partner bring their expertise to drive Dubai’s sustainable future and contribute towards achieving the ambitious goals set forth in the D33 Agenda.”
Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Director General of DECCA, said: “The Dubai Reef project will provide diverse environments to attract and stimulate fish and marine life. In 2021, we partnered with leading reef developer HaejooX to launch a two-year proof of concept, analysing the effectiveness of purpose-built reefs in Dubai. The study used advanced technologies and utilised a three-dimensional scanning system to understand the quantities and types of fish present. Preliminary data showed an abundant expansion in marine life.”
The Dubai Reef initiative is a strategic investment set to leave a lasting legacy in terms of protecting marine life and environmental sustainability. The project’s key drivers include enhancing biodiversity, safeguarding Dubai’s coastal and marine habitats, supporting fish populations, and increasing ecosystem resilience. The project will also encourage environmental stewardship, strengthen socio-economic prosperity and ecotourism, and preserve Dubai’s marine heritage.
The project has won over renowned investor Ray Dalio who is involved in various philanthropic initiatives and takes a keen interest in ocean exploration and conservation. “I love this audacious Dubai Reef project because it will be a remarkable contribution to the world’s understanding of the benefits of ocean restoration and as well make the Dubai environment healthier and provide an incredible recreation park. Once again, Dubai is pursuing an ambitiously great project, this time under the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan. It is an amazing project in an amazing place under amazing leadership,” he said.
Source: Hatem Mohamed, WAM
The United Arab Emirates is making continuous progress in the renewable energy sector and the country is expected to add 6.34 gigawatts to its power capacity from green projects between 2024 and 2030, through 12 planned projects, an expert has said.
The country ranks advanced among regional countries in terms of clean and renewable energy production capacity, said Ryan McPherson, Regional Director (Middle East, Africa, Russia & CIS) for the Energy Industries Council (EIC), according to an Emirates News Agency (Wam) report.
MacPherson was speaking on the occasion of the council's celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of its regional office in Dubai, that according to data from the Energy Industries Council.
MacPherson explained in statements to Wam that these projects reflect the UAE's commitment to enhancing the sustainability of its energy resources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, noting that the country has been investing heavily for decades in new technologies and developing infrastructure to enhance its leading position in the field of renewable energy, which is part of its vision for a greener and more sustainable future.
He pointed out that since the opening of the council's regional office in Dubai, it has significantly contributed to expanding the council's activities in the Middle East and Africa region to serve the energy sector and assist companies operating in it to expand their activities.
ECI's office in the free zone at Dubai Airport, launched in 2004, has organised more than 300 events and hosted more than 50 trade missions, in addition to its continuous growth, with its membership exceeding 300 companies headquartered in the UAE.
Source: TradeArabia
ADNEC Group has partnered with Terrax Environmental Limited at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) to develop TerraTile, a 100% recycled modular flooring system for events.
Made from 100% waste and 100% recyclable, TerraTiles are a fully sustainable circular product. Each TerraTile is equivalent to over five kilograms of recycled waste and represents a breakthrough in event sustainability, offering a practical and sustainable alternative to conventional flooring solutions. Crafted at Terrax's facility in Abu Dhabi, TerraTiles provides a durable and improved flooring design that actively contributes to environmental conservation. Additionally, when TerraTiles reach the end of their life cycle, they can be recycled to produce new ones.
The versatile TerraTile product, designed and manufactured in the UAE, was showcased at ADNEC Group's stand at the WFES, illustrating its potential to support sustainability in the events industry. ADNEC Group will begin to implement TerraTiles at all their organised events at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, with Trident Trackway providing the option for exhibitors to rent on an ongoing basis, contributing to the Group’s pledge of making its events net zero.
At the signing of the contract, Humaid Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADNEC Group, said: "TerraTile is a revolutionary product that underscores ADNEC Group's commitment to sustainability in the events industry. By prioritising sustainability in our events, we not only reduce our ecological footprint but also inspire others to join us in building a greener future for the industry. This innovative product reinforces our ongoing efforts to make events more sustainable while delivering exceptional experiences for our clients and attendees."
Theresa Wernery, General Manager at Terrax, said: “Terrax is delighted to have partnered with ADNEC Group on this groundbreaking circular product. Through this collaboration, single use exhibition carpet, along with other ordinarily non-recycleable waste, will be transformed into durable raised exhibition flooring. TerraTile will also significantly reduce the use of plywood at ADNEC Group and enable more efficient and less wasteful stand building.”
The project is supported by an AED 100 million R&D fund launched in 2022 by ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company. The fund forms part of ADQ Growth Lab, a community of innovators across ADQ’s portfolio that realises the company’s commitment to accelerating innovation and R&D with a focus on unlocking growth opportunities and driving value creation and sustainability across priority sectors of the UAE’s economy.
Through initiatives such as this, ADNEC Group is actively contributing to the global effort to achieve net-zero emissions, showcasing a firm commitment to sustainability. As part of its environmental responsibility efforts, ADNEC Group has committed to making its events net-zero carbon, aligning with its proactive approach to addressing climate change. This initiative not only underscores its dedication to sustainability but also represents a proactive step towards mitigating its carbon footprint and fostering a greener future.
