Congratulations
Dubai
Issue 40 | december 2013
Awards of the year
souvenir editioN celebrating the best in sustainability at the BGreen awards 2013 Publication licensed by IMPZ
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INSIDE >> does sustainability need a certificate? | good vibes boost solar output | pros and cons of fracking SUPPORTED BY:
EDITOR’S PAGE
Publisher Dominic De Sousa COO Nadeem Hood Founder Liam Williams Editorial Senior Editor Gary Wright gary.wright@cpimediagroup.com Contributing Editor Anoop K Menon anoop.menon@cpimediagroup.com Reporter Lorraine Bangera lorraine.bangera@cpimediagroup.com Advertising Director Harry Norman harry.norman@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9131 Manager Junaid Rafique junaid.rafique@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9134 Senior Director Jude Slann jude.slann@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9136 Marketing Manager Jasmine Kyriakou jasmine.kyriakou@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5676 Cesar Ypil cesar.ypil@cpimediagroup.com Design & Photography Senior Designer Marlou Delaben marlou.delaben@cpimediagroup.com Designer Cris Malapitan cris.malapitan@cpimediagroup.com Web Development Troy Maagma Maher Waseem Shahzad Production and Circulation James P. Tharian, Rochelle Almeida Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC Published by
Head Office PO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 Web: www.buildgreen.ae __________ © Copyright 2013 CPI. All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.
Expo 2020: time to get serious about sustainability I
Gary Wright Senior Editor Sustainability Division
write this as we go to press at the end of an exciting week with the announcement of Dubai’s successful Expo 2020 bid and our successful BGreen Awards 2013 the following day. Expo success was the key topic of conversation at our awards night, and you can read a full review of the glittering evening in this issue starting on page 32. As the initial euphoria of the 2020 announcement dies down, the reality will take over and everyone will begin planning for the next six years. Dubai’s Expo bid was based on three central pillars: opportunity, mobility and…sustainability. Dubai’s green credentials were at the heart of its bid, which included for the first time measurable sustainability targets as well as visible resource management for each event. Those companies, and individuals, with sustainable expertise and knowledge are going to be in short supply and will be vital to the event’s success. We need to begin planning for the Expo now – not tomorrow, right now. Suppliers, exhibitors and event managers will have to collaborate from the outset with environmental solutions companies. There is no choice. Any company that has been guilty of greenwashing or presenting lies about its environmental credentials will be found out by Expo 2020 and the government will be on the case. No private outfit looking to take a slice of the $8.8billion spend over the next six years will be allowed to get away without doing the job properly. At a visitor level one suggestions that looks set to be in place from the start will be an Expo site served by recyclable products. Nothing will be sold that is not fully recyclable, from the cups and cutlery at food outlets right through to the packaging materials used. Organisers will probably go one step further and ban certain types of plastics, insisting on a standardised range of materials across Expo. That way recycling is easier and more efficient. And at the level of the buildings and infrastructure, Expo 2020 signals a new chapter in Dubai’s growth. The best will thrive and unlike the Qatar 2022 World Cup, every new build will be carefully scrutinised for its green credentials. We face an exciting six years and there are companies in the UAE, which will thrive and grow… many of them were at our awards ceremony.
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS december 2013
News
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10 UAE 12 WORLD 20 Really? How loud music boosts solar cells
Comment 26 Sustainible business equals growth Paolo Cervini explains the importance of using energy efficiency as a key enabler for economic growth
ENERGY AND WATER 22 Dubai’s solar agenda How Phase 1 of the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park adds momentum to Dubai’s clean energy programme
CONSTRUCTION 30 EGBC Annual Congress and Awards EmiratesGBC recognises innovation in ‘green’ construction in the region as part of its two-day congress
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CONTENTS
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66 LEISURE
22 awards review 32 BGreen Awards 2013 Meet the winners of the biggest sustainability awards evening in the UAE. Our 10-page special report of the gala celebration
BUsiness 50 Sustainability is more than a certificate Thousands of dollars is spent annually on green building certifications. But is it necessary? Krishna Kumar, CEO of The Green Office Company, considers it
TECHNOLOGY 52 Dubai’s air quality investigators School and government building will undergo strict assessment as Dubai Municipality focuses on indoor air quality at its buildings in the emirate 54 Panasonic gifts 100,000 solar LED bulbs The initiative aims to light up areas in the world without electricity
56 Slow but sure Laura Allais-Mare speaks about the Slow Food movement, which aims for a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet 58 How Green SMEs could lead the way Tamara Withers talks about the importance of the private sector’s role in a growing ‘green’ economy
oil & Gas 60 Fracking on the rise Will this new alternative cost the Earth more than we have already lost?
SOCIETY 62 Green Personality Jonathon Porritt, Britain’s green icon, has made a substantial difference after dedicating his life to the green movement since the 1970s 65 Diary dates Events, conferences and roundtables 66 Sustainable past What the Romans did for us: Using gravity aqueducts, built in 312BC, water was efficiently transported across the vast empire
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Expert Panel
Saeed Alabbar
Thomas Bohlen
LEED AP, Estidama PQP Vice Chairman Emirates Green Building Council Director Alabaar Energy and Sustainability Group
NCARB,LEED AP, BD +C, ESTIDAMA PQP Chief Technical Officer Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development
Dr Michael Kr채mer
DR Mutasim Nour
IVANO IANNELLI
Senior Associate Taylor Wessing (Middle East) LLP Legal Counsel Emirates Solar Industry Association
Director of MSc Energy Heriot Watt University, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence
William Whistler
Abdulrahman Jawahery President Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company Chairman GPCA Responsible Care Initiative
His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi
Environmental Advisor Ajman Government Chief Executive Officer Al Ihsan Charity Centre Chairman International Steering Committee Global Initiative Towards a Sustainable Iraq, UAE
The BGreen Expert Panel provides a platform for those across a wide sector of industries who are active in encouraging sustainable practices. real experts who can share their views, analyses, and research with our informed readers. Our panellists meet every few months to discuss news, strategies and solutions on focussed topics related to sustainability. OUR Panellists write for the magazine - opinions and analyses - as well as on our website in a portfolio format documenting their contributions.
Roderick Wiles
TANZEED ALAM
Managing Director Green Building Solutions International
Director - Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania American Hardwood Export Council
POLICY DIRECTOR EWS-WWF
Alan Millin
JosE Alberich
PAOLO CERVINI
The Panel is growing as we seek to form the ultimate taskforce of decision makers, academics, consultants and engineers that contribute and encourage a sustainable watershed across industries. If you would like to nominate an expert to join our panel, please email Gary.wright@cpimediagroup.com
STRATEGIC ICT PARTNER
December 2013
LEED AP, Chartered Engineer consultant/trainer Middle East Facility Management Association
PARTNER AT Kearney
innovation partner
Vice president & General manager Philips Lighting Middle East & Turkey Philips
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NEWS | UAE
Sustainable Building conference series in Dubai Sustainable Building 2013 (SB13) conference will be held in Knowledge Village Dubai from December 8-10 this year. It is part of a major series of international conferences taking place around the world. The conferences in this series are designed to promote all aspects of the cause of sustainability. SB13 Dubai will be an International, full-paper peer-reviewed conference with focus on different aspects of sustainability including, Guidelines & Regulations,
Building Material, Renovation of Existing buildings, Energy Modeling and Conservation, Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources, Smart and Advanced Active Systems, Indoor Environmental Quality and Comfort, Waste Reduction and Management, Sustainability at the Urban Level including Transportation and Social Issues, and Financing Green Projects. The conference will deal with issues facing both the developed as well as the developing worlds in an attempt to
bridge the gap between the two and identify best practice strategies that are best suited to distinct markets. This is intended to help speed up the adoption and transition into a sustainable lowcarbon future. This conference is part of the SB13 regional sustainability conference series taking place around the world. The conference is supported by international organisations such as the UN-UNEP Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative, iiSBE, FIDIC and CIB.
summit examines tough rules for water recycling in the UAE
The second International Water Summit (IWS), a platform for promoting global collaboration on water sustainability to be held next year on January 20-22 at ADNEC, has confirmed the participation of Nick
December 2013
Carter, Director General of the Regulation and Supervision Bureau, in one of its highly anticipated panels. Entitled ‘Water Security and Future Water Sustainability’, the panel discussion
will highlight future opportunities for the UAE and discuss how improved water sustainability, regulation, technology and governance will enable the region to keep pace with commercial development and population growth. Carter said: “We have issued regulations to ensure that recycled water from Abu Dhabi’s wastewater treatment plants is used effectively, safely and in applications appropriate for its quality. Other stakeholders, including the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and the Food Control Authority are working with sectors such as agricultural and farming communities looking at best practice in irrigation technology and crop selection, reducing the pressure on native aquifers and water resources.” The Bureau’s Powerwise and Waterwise offices, launched in January 2013, champion effective water and electricity consumption in Abu Dhabi.
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NEWS | world
Saudi prince calls on GCC oil producers to innovate The GCC’s petrochemicals and chemicals industry is at a crucial juncture and must address four key areas in order to meet future challenges, said HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister for Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources on the opening day of GPCA’s 8th Annual Forum in Dubai. HRH Prince Abdulaziz said the industry must invest in innovation to ensure competitiveness and enhance efficiency; align itself to international rules and regulations; create local and regional demand for petrochemicals products to counteract the adverse effects of protectionism; and develop industrial parks and R&D laboratories and integrate refining and petrochemicals operations.
“In these dynamic, uncertain times, many opportunities emerge. This cannot be truer than for the petrochemicals and chemicals industry in the GCC,” he said. “The GCC has achieved much over the last three decades but we are at a crucial juncture; we must collaborate to meet future challenges and play a bigger role in local economies,” he added. However, the prince also noted that challenges are plenty including global competition; increased protectionism and trade barriers; small local market for petrochemical products; and a limited contribution of the industry to GDP.
DEWA backs smart city conference HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) inaugurated the ‘Power to Cloud’ conference and exhibition organised by Schneider Electric in Dubai. The conference showcased the future of smart cities, ways to implement best international practices to manage energy consumption, ambitious plans to fulfil growing energy requirements, and the concept of green cities for a better future. Al Tayer said: “The initiative aims to establish Dubai as a smart city by developing Smart Grids that enhance the performance of utility providers, upgrade the services provided and ensure that supplies and services contribute to environmental protection and reduced carbon emissions. “DEWA has set its strategy and roadmap for smart power and water grids, totalling AED7 billion to support the efficient and reliable infrastructure of communication to support the Demand Side Management programme and connect to sources of renewable energy. DEWA also has proceeded with the smart meters project, and plans to install 72,000 smart meters per year for new connections.”
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NEWS | world
KOrean motor giant targets usa with next generation electric cars
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yundai announced plans to offer its next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle for the US market. John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said: “Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles represent the next generation of zero-emission vehicle technology. “The superior range and fastfill refuelling speed of our Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle contrast with the lower range and slow-charge characteristics of competing battery electric vehicles.
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“We think fuel cell technology will increase the adoption rate of zeroemission vehicles, and we will all share the environmental benefits. “When we spoke to customers interested in driving a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, many wondered what the cost of hydrogen would be. To ease those concerns as we buildout the hydrogen refuelling network, covering this cost for early adopters in the monthly payment was the best approach. It’s our way of saying: ‘This is another thing you don’t have to worry about, we’ve got your back.’”
Tucson Fuel Cell alleviates the limitations of traditional battery electric vehicles. The Tucson Fuel Cell maintains the day-to-day flexibility of the gasolinepowered Tucson so that its driver is able to immediately enjoy the next generation of electric vehicles without range or rechargetime compromises to their lifestyle. The Tucson Fuel Cell begins mass production for the U.S. market in February 2014 at the Ulsan, Korea assembly plant that also manufactures the Tucson gasolinepowered CUV. For more sustainability news visit www.buildgreen.ae
LONDON
TORONTO
DOHA
DUBAI
ABU DHABI
MUMBAI
PERTH
SYDNEY
BRISBANE
MELBOURNE
GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION
BROOKFIELDMULTIPLEX.COM
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NEWS | world
Saudi beach resort landS Green Globe award
M
ovenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia, has been awarded Green Globe certification after a comprehensive sustainability audit, which was carried out by Farnek Avireal Middle East, the leading sustainable consultancy in the MENA region. Following Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ corporate responsibility strategy, this upscale hotel is dedicated to preserving the environment. Sustainable practices have been implemented at all levels of the business, say hotel group bosses. “We are delighted about our achievement and the prestigious
December 2013
Green Globe recognition,” said Resort Manager Prashant Sharma. “The certification is testimony of our ongoing commitment to sustainability initiatives, creating a better environment for today – and for future generations to come. The feedback I get from our guests is overwhelmingly positive and supportive of our sustainability programmes. These days, visitors are increasingly aware, and they would like to be active partners in promoting a better environment. It is our goal to continuously improve our efforts to achieve the best possible results.”
The Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar works with a number of social and fund raising organisations, contributing to a positive community and environment. In collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the property recently hosted an educational event for local orphans. For the children, this was a ‘oncein-a-lifetime’ opportunity to visit a 5-star resort and learn about the hospitality industry. For more sustainability news visit www.buildgreen.ae
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OSRAM ADVERTORIAL
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OSRAM’s backs DEWA’s conservation campaign Lighting manufacturer Osram has joined DEWA’s Neighbourhood Campaign, helping to spread the message with simple steps to boost conservation of resources
December 2013
ubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched its Neighbourhood Campaign for the third year running. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of electricity and water conservation to protect the environment. It has received widespread positive response from residents in Dubai, and is now expanding to other parts of the Emirate. Lighting giant OSRAM has joined the campaign with its Energy Saving presentation, conducted by its technical experts including videos, live demonstrations and leaflets, free lamp samples and gift items. Through the neighborhood initiative, DEWA’s conservation team along with OSRAM technical experts are offering a valuable advice and simple tips to families and children encouraging them to protect the environment by using electricity and water responsibly. Residents are invited into the specially-designed Neighbourhood Bus, to attend interactive presentations from DEWA and OSRAM on practical means of conserving natural resources. During the programme, DEWA is distributing free samples of energysaver lamps and water-saving devices to the public. “This initiative falls under DEWA’s strategic plan to educate Dubai’s
OSRAM ADVERTORIAL
Understanding OSRAM’s Global Care promise
inhabitants about the importance of energy consumption by explaining how we all can protect our resources to build a sustainable future for generations to come,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. “In order to achieve sustainable development, it is essential to manage our natural resources responsibly, using environmentallyfriendly techniques as part of a comprehensive system that improves both energy and the environment. Therefore, we must enlighten everyone about the importance of conserving energy and improving efficiency based on international best practices, which create real tangible improvements.” The Neighbourhood campaign is intended to help educate Dubai’s inhabitants about the importance of energy consumption by explaining how we all can protect our resources to build a sustainable future and to guarantee a safe, successful and sustainable future for generations to come. DEWA has put in place a time table for visits around Dubai, in order to reach the maximum number of residential communities, mosques and shopping malls. The Neighbourhood Campaign includes a variety of programmes aimed at reaching a large number of the community on ways of managing energy consumption.
“Global Care” represents OSRAM’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility worldwide. Artificial light accounts for around 19 percent of the worldwide consumption of electricity and for a considerable proportion of CO2 emissions. Those emissions can be reduced by replacing inefficient technologies with sustainable products like energy-saving bulbs, innovative lighting systems and intelligent management systems. As an international company it is of utmost importance to take responsibility for all its activities around the globe. OSRAM aims to make sustainability an integral part of the company that is implemented into the entire value chain and therefore into all aspects of the company. To ensure this, sustainable performance is actively managed at OSRAM. In this respect, environmental protection has a top priority.
OSRAM’s comprehensive environmental approach focuses on environmentally conscious, innovative and creative solutions in all areas of the company, from product engineering to recycling. To OSRAM, abiding by laws and official rules is the basis for successful and sustainable business and it ensures adherence to all relevant laws and regulations. Corporate Responsibility has a wide spectrum for a global company doing business in many cultures and societies. On a local level, OSRAM is engaged in neighborhood activities with Corporate Volunteering, support for fine arts and local donations. On the other hand, the global sourcing of materials, goods, and services is both an opportunity and a responsibility in dealing with suppliers. Find out more about OSRAM’S sustainablility initiatives at www.osram.com
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NEWS | Really?
Can pop music help save the planet? New research shows good vibrations can help extract more electricity from solar panels, report by Lorraine Bangera Sir Elton John is among pop musicians whose music boosts the output of solar panels
effect on the power output,” James Durrant, Professor of Photochemistry at Imperial College London told Click Green, a UK-based news agency. Researchers covered the nanorods, that are made from zinc oxide for solar panels, with an active polymer to form a device that converts sunlight into electricity. Just 75 decibels was enough to significantly improve the solar cell performance, which is equivalent to the noise from vehicles on a nearby road, or a computer printer. The use of zinc oxide material to get a voltage output has been successfully tested by scientists before, it is called the piezoelectric effect.
Top 10 solar energy HITS
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nergy boffins claim heavy metal music can boost the performance of solar panels thanks to a little known scientific fact. Scientists at a top London university blasted solar cells with a range of music and made the amazing discovery – music appears to increase the efficiency of the cells which convert sunlight into electricity. But not all music has the same effect: upbeat pop record caused the solar panels to produce 40% more electricity than classical music.
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It’s early days but the discovery could transform the way solar power plants operate around the world. For example they could be placed next to nosy airconditioning units to increase output. Scientists say high sound frequencies cause the nanorods in solar cells to vibrate. And those sound vibrations, especially those that are higher pitched, can cause the tiny rods to work more efficiently. “We thought the sound waves, which produce random fluctuations, would cancel each other out and so didn’t expect to see any significant overall
1. Here Comes the Sun, Th e Beatles 2. Too Hot To Handle, Heatw ave 3. I’m Walking on Sunshin e, KC and the Sunshine Band 4. Soak Up The Sun, Shery l Crow 5. Sunny Afternoon, The Kin ks
6. In Five Years Time (Su n, Sun, Sun), Noah and the Whale.
7. Let the Sun In, 5th Dimens ion 8. Turn Up The Sun, Oasis 9. Don’t Let The Sun Go Do wn On Me, Elton John 10. Good Vibrations, Beach Boys
We create chemistry that makes compost love plastic.
Most plastics don’t biodegrade, but ecovio® plastics from BASF disappear completely when composted in a controlled environment. Using compostable bags for collection of organic waste makes disposal more hygienic and convenient. Rather than ending up in landfills, the waste is turned into valuable compost. When the plastic bag you use today can mean a cleaner future for the environment, it’s because at BASF, we create chemistry.
www.wecreatechemistry.com
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Energy & WATER
Dubai’s solar agenda The successful completion of Phase 1 of the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park adds momentum to Dubai’s clean energy programme, writes Anoop K Menon
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xactly 21 months and 16 days after he launched what was billed as one of the largest renewable energy projects in the region, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, inaugurated the Phase 1 of the AED12 billion plant. The 13 MWDC solar power plant is the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) plant operating in the region. During the inauguration of Phase 1, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed also launched Phase 2 of the Solar Park, a 100 MW solar PV plant. The AED120 million Solar Park was paid for by Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), who will also operate the project. “This plant represents an important step in the implementation of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to diversify the emirate’s energy mix,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the vice chairman of DSCE. “For the first time, we are harnessing the sun to power growth and prosperity in the emirate, which is a significant achievement.” Powered by 152,880 First Solar FS Series 3 Black PV modules, the plant will generate 24,000 MWh of electricity per year. The power generated by the plant will save 15,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to 2,000 cars.
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First Solar, which will also carry out maintenance, developed a waterless brush cleaning method specifically for the Middle East markets. Jim Hughes, CEO of First Solar says Phase 1 of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park sets new standards for designing and building solar power plants. The company’s first utility-scale project in the Middle East was completed on schedule and successfully linked to the electricity grid, 195 days after breaking ground in March 2013. “What you see today is a worldclass power plant, built to new worldclass standards,” said Hughes. “I am proud of the fact that our team delivered on our promises. The plant consumed over 1.4 million man-hours all of which were accident-free.” Phase 1 covers an area of 238,764 square metres, the equivalent of approximately 33 soccer pitches and is designed to operate for over 25 years. The Solar Park is planned to cover 40 square kilometres and
ENERGY & WATER
produce 1,000 MW of clean energy for the UAE, using both PV and solar thermal technologies. “We are proud to have been part of this initiative to demonstrate that solar PV, with its price and operational efficiencies, is the right fit for the Middle East’s energy generation needs,” said Hughes. “In addition to showcasing the effectiveness of our advanced thinfilm modules in hot climates, it has established a benchmark for the development of solar energy projects and define how solar power plants are engineered and built in the region.” The main advantages of thin-film solar cells (that define First Solar) are their light weight and resistance to heat. Unlike other technologies, thinfilm solar panels do not decrease in output when temperatures rise. First Solar claims the world record for cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell efficiency of 18.7%. In April, the company announced that it set a new world record for CdTe PV module conversion efficiency, achieving a record 16.1% total area module efficiency in monitored tests. Where to next? The Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 calls for cutting
dependence on imported gas for electricity production and the absence of wind and hydro means Dubai has to rely primarily on solar to meet its renewable energy targets. “While Phase 1 was owned by the government and instituted by members of the DSCE, Phase 2 will be developed and funded through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode,” said Ahmad Butti Al Muhairbi, secretary-general of DSCE. DEWA has announced a tender for Independent Power Producer (IPP) Advisory Services for Phase 2 of the park, which will close in December this year. Waleed Salman, executive vice president of strategy and business development at DEWA, said: “We are targeting to get Phase 2 at a lesser cost than Phase 1. With Phase 2 and its 100 MW capacity, we expect economics to be better as the scale is bigger. Being a PPP project, we expect participation from local and international banks and export credit agencies.”
Quick guide to Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park •
The largest operating solar PV plant in the Middle East & North Africa
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Generating capacity is 13 MW of clean electricity
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The project will generate 24 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year
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The project had a workforce of 1,280 with 1.4 million man-hours consumed - all of which were accident free; at its peak.
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The project will reduce 15,000 metric tonnes of CO2 per year
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Performance ratio claim of over 83% (The ratio describes the relationship between the actual and theoretical energy outputs of the PV plant. The closer it is to 100%, the more efficient the PV plant.)
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The entire project covers an area of 280,000 square metres
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Nestlé’s shared value
Creating Shared Value: the Nestlé way of doing business Nestlé believes that a company can only be successful over the long term if it creates value for shareholders, customers and employees on the one hand and for consumers,suppliers and for society at large on the other. Doing well by doing good is Nestlé’s credo. CSV is the way Nestlé defines it and that is built on a strong foundation of compliance, sustainability and environmental responsibility. It is an ethos that shapes its business at both a global and a regional level Creating shared value at Nestlé
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reating Shared Value is built upon fundamental commitments to society, both to achieve the highest standards of compliance with laws, codes of conduct and our own Nestlé Corporate Business Principles as well as to protect the environment for future generations,” explains Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé. “
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As a company, Nestlé is best positioned to create shared value in three areas; nutrition, water and rural development. Our rural development strategy supports farmer development in rural areas where the raw materials we need are grown, securing continued access to quality inputs and strengthening our customer base. We work directly with 690,054 farmers and in 2012
helped 44,000 farmers access support and assistance worth up to $37.5m, of which Nestlé provided $23m as direct financial assistance. In terms of water, we strive to protect scarce water resources by using water more efficiently in our manufacturing and distribution processes in ways that also benefit others in our supply chain. The Middle East accounts for 3% of the world’s population but only 0.9% of global water supplies. With this in mind, water is a natural area for Nestlé to innovate and make a real difference to the local society
NIDO factory in Dubai
Nestlé’s shared value Pictured left, Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme - Ajyal Salima in Lebanon
in which we operate. Over the last five years, our Middle East operations have significantly reduced water consumption. Between 2009 and 2012, our regional production volume increased 77% while our absolute water consumption increased by only 33% while successfully reducing specific water consumption by 25%. Other water saving initiatives in the Middle East also include the use of Waste Water Treatment Plant optimisation at our factory in Qazvin, Iran, whereby all waste water is reclassified to meet irrigation water requirements before being channeled back into the community’s irrigation system. When it comes to nutrition, we aim to provide nutritious products that deliver real health benefits to our consumers and by making our products more affordable and accessible through innovation and partnerships. In 2012, Nestlé renovated 6692 products specifically for nutrition and health considerations and in the Middle East sold nine billion servings of fortified foods in response to the widespread micronutrient deficiencies in our region. Our Healthy Kids Global Programme, which increases nutrition and health knowledge and promotes physical activity among school-age children, has reached more than 5.4 million children and
is currently active in more than 64 countries. In partnerhip with the American University of Beirut and in close collaboration with educational and health authorities, Nestlé Middle East has rolled out Healthy Kids – known locally as Nestlé Ajyal Salima – in schools in Lebanon and the UAE. The results of the programme have been promising and we plan to expand the programme further in the region in the near future. For many decades we’ve focused on making our own manufacturing sites more environmentally efficient. Worldwide, our onsite energy consumption for 2012 was 90.7 petajoules, equivalent to 1.9 gigajoules per tonne of product – a reduction of 4.7% compared to 2011. In total 413 Nestlé factories, including those in Dubai, and Qazvin, are certified ISO 140001, the internationally recognised standard for environmental management, and we have extended the environment
certification programme to include our distribution facilities and R&D centres. In addition, our KIT KAT® manufacturing facility in Dubai was constructed in accordance with LEED Green Building Certification, which recently saw it awarded the Environmental Sustainability Award by the local government. Packaging is crucial to prevent food waste, guarantee our quality standards and inform consumers. We optimise the weight and volume of our packaging and wherever commercially feasible manufacture it using recyclable materials. We also encourage our consumers to do the same. In September, Nestlé Middle East launched a UAE-wide initiative, as part of its Ecolaboration programme, which allows Nespresso users to return their used capsules to dedicated recycling points at our Nespresso boutiques. The service also offers an at-home collection service when a new order is delivered to their address. Nestlé has been delivering on the promise of “Good Food, Good Life” for more than 80 years in the Middle East. Yves Manghardt, Chairman & CEO of Nestlé Middle East said: Our commitment to sustainability and creating shared value is a core enabler of our business strategy, which will continue to delight our consumers for future generations.”
For more information on Creating Shared Value and sustainability visit www.nestle.com/csv
KIT KAT factory in Dubai
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COMMENT
Energy Efficiency – a key enabler for economic growth
Meydan VIP Bridge Lighting by Philips
Today’s cities face unprecedented growth: more than 50% of the world’s population live in urban centres and that is expected to reach 70% by 2050. For governments balancing resources with liveable cities, energy efficiency offers a solution that also drives economic prosperity, says Paolo Cervini, Vice President of Philips Lighting Middle East and Turkey
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onsidering the current narrative on sustainable development, it is impossible not to notice a fixation on the two Cs: climate and carbon. However, to stimulate economic growth, the primary concern of governments and city authorities has to change and focus on the two Es – energy and efficiency. There is no doubt that climate change and carbon reduction targets need to be met but if our cities are to prosper, we cannot wait another couple of years to agree on a global top-down treaty – which won’t actually come into force until 2020. By increasing their focus on the two Es and stepping up sustainable innovation efforts, cities can create value drive economic growth and ultimately boost prosperity.
Paolo Cervini Vice President Philips Lighting Middle East & Turkey
December 2013
A pathway to prosperity Energy efficiency and the savings created provide real bottom line benefits: reducing energy bills for consumers and businesses,
supporting green jobs and enterprises and boosting economies while, at the same time, combating climate change. The two Es can bring significant benefits as part of the energy mix of the future, putting us firmly on the pathway to prosperity. It’s a win-win for both the climate and the economy. With more ambitious action on energy efficiency, the positive economic impact could be significant as a recent Philips-commissioned Ecofys report The Benefits of Energy Efficiency – Why Wait? reveals. According to the research conducted by the leading energy consultancy, improved energy efficiency would result in significant savings on energy bills to the tune of $1,600 billion by 2030 and would reduce the need for capital investments in public energy infrastructure in the range of $1,300 - $2,500 billion by 2030. This would provide medium-term budget relief during a period of economic hardship, freeing up money for
investment in other critical areas such as healthcare and education. This improved energy efficiency has both a direct and indirect impact on employment in our cities as local authorities and businesses renovate buildings and city infrastructure with energy-efficient equipment. The report estimates that the net effect could be six million jobs created by 2030. Energy efficiency improvements can also avoid future greenhouse gas emissions – five billion tonnes of CO2 by 2020 according to the report – which is more than a third of the estimated greenhouse gas emissions gap. LED lighting offers environmental and economic benefits In these difficult economic times governments have limited means and feel the pressure of people’s high expectations. Lighting is one of the “low hanging fruits” when it comes to energy efficiency, and offers a practical solution.
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COMMENT Sunset Mall, Jumeirah Lighting by Philips
It might surprise you to know that the bill to light our cities’ streets, parks, schools and offices constitutes 50% of local council’s energy spend. But upgrading to LED-based lighting can have a significant positive impact when it comes to efficiency and reliability. In fact, switching to energy efficient LED lighting solutions coupled with smart controls can bring energy savings of 40% on average and up to 80% for individual projects. The switch could reduce the need for 640 medium-sized power plants and bring costing savings of approximately $170 billion. Equally important, LED lighting can help municipalities create safer cities – and the benefit of LED lighting in this respect has been recognised by citizens. A global LED trial by The Climate Group in 12 cities determined that citizens prefer LED lighting, with 90% supporting its rollout in cities, citing increased feelings of safety. LED-based solutions are fast and easy to implement. It brings significant energy savings and provide a range of proven social benefits such as improved safety and better working and learning environments in offices and schools. These solutions are a high impact route for city authorities exploring energy saving options. As the percentage of the
December 2013
population living in cities is largely driven by the developing world, city authorities in these regions have a unique opportunity to implement innovative zero-energy solutions – leapfrogging the developed world through use of solar LED rather than putting costly copper cables in the ground. With new city infrastructure needing to be built for three billion people between now and 2050, solar LED is particularly relevant to these energy-strapped cities experiencing massive urbanisation, and enabling ‘life after dark’ is essential to facilitating prosperity and growth.
Surely we would be well-served to focus on energy efficiency not as a Low-Carbon Pathway, but rather a ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ (P2P) – a pathway that many would welcome in these challenging economic times.”
Lighting a pathway to prosperity – what next? So, given that LED technology has proven its reliability, now is the time to accelerate adoption and to realise significant energy efficiency benefits. By stepping up actions to implement energy-efficient lighting and promoting behavioural change, governments have an opportunity to lower costs, improve competitiveness, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Surely we would be well-served to focus on energy efficiency not as
a Low-Carbon Pathway, but rather a ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ (P2P) – a pathway that many would welcome in these challenging economic times. Let’s change the narrative and start talking about energy efficiency as a driver for economic growth, and a key element of the energy mix of the future. We have a great opportunity ahead of us to save resources and create liveable cities.
nuuonLED are you ready to make the switch ?
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construction
EGBC honours sustainability excellence Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) is an independent forum which aims to conserve the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE. Its first EGBC Awards on December 11 will honour excellence in sustainable building and it will recognise innovative ideas that contribute to the ‘green’ construction sector in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa region initiative by the Council in line with the new government initiatives taking place in the UAE and throughout the Middle East. They mark the progress we have made and continue to make in areas of innovation and sustainable solutions.”
About Emirates Green Building Council
Adnan Sharafi Chairman Emirates Green Building Council
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ver the past years, EmiratesGBC has been aggressively promoting awareness on creating sustainable built environments, and we see tangible results in the strong interest of stakeholders and implementation across the construction and building sector supply chain,” explained Adnan Sharafi, EmiratesGBC chairman. The inauguration of the EGBC Awards will take place at the
December 2013
second annual EmiratesGBC Congress to be held in December 11-12, 2013. The awards will be presented in eight categories with seven honours for organisations that demonstrate implementation of sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings or structures. Sharafi said: “We are introducing the EGBC Awards to honour green champions and inspire them to continue the good work they do for the benefit of the environment, community and future generations. The objective of the Awards is to also create a strong benchmark against which green best practices can be evaluated and measured.” According to Sharafi, buildings account for a portion of energy consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions, incorporating sustainable building practices is imperative for reducing
the ecological footprint and promoting energy efficiency. The awards will be covering green building development which includes design for new buildings, retrofitting older buildings, and research on environment-friendly buildings. The awards will also feature a special award, the Dr Owainati Student Award, which will be presented to university students for their innovative and inspiring ideas that could contribute to sustainable development in the construction and building industry. Jeffrey Willis, vice chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The response to the EGBC Awards has been positive with entries received from across the MENA region. It demonstrates the strong interest across the region in promoting sustainable built environments, focussing on localised innovation to create and deliver ‘green’ building solutions. The Awards are a key
Founded in June 2006, the council was formed to address green issues in the built environment. It is an official body for the UAE endorsed by the World Green Building Council. Currently there are 260 members in the council who are interested and involved in promoting green building in the region.
EGBC Awards Categories •
Operational Green Building Award
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Carbon Savings/ Reduction Programme of the Year Award
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Green Building System Award
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Green Building Material/Product Award
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Green Building Research Award
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Training Initiative of the Year Award
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Refurbishment of the Year Award
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Dr Owainati Student Award
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BGreen Awards 2013
Celebrating the best in GCC sustainability The BGreen Awards 2013 recognised some of the leading organisations in the region on the glittering night
December 2013
BGreen Awards 2013
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ore than 250 winners, runners up and distinguished guests came together to celebrate sustainability in the region at the second BGreen Awards 2013. The ceremony held at the Jumeriah Beach Hotel in Dubai recognised the sustainability achievements of organisations across the country in 12 categories. Among the guests were government delegations from Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
(DTCM), Dubai Municipality and Emirates Transport. Addressing the audience at the start of the evening, DTCM’s Shaikha Ebrahim Al Mutawa told the audience of her joy over the Expo 2020 win for Dubai, announced the previous evening. “The people are united, not just the Emiratis but all the nationalities,” she said. Referring to the Expo bid’s focus on sustainability, she described the BGreen Awards as “a celebration of sustainability”. She expressed her
appreciation for all companies who have begun the journey towards sustainability, saying “everyone is a winner”, in this regard. Introducing the evening BGreen‘s senior editor Gary Wright told the audience: “This evening is about recognising achievements of organisations both large and small, and while there can be only one winner, in each category all of the finalists has my personal congratulations for their sustainability efforts in the past 12 months.”
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BGreen Awards 2013
Most Sustainable Large Corporation Winner: Interface Runners Up: Du Unibeton
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his year’s BGreen winner Interface was founded in 1973 and now employs 3,000 across the world. The company produces unique sustainable products, with most of its buildings meeting LEED and USGBC performance requirements. Its neat scheme to use old fishing nets to make carpet tiles alongisde its strong company ethos for sustainability earned it the award. The award was presented by Rami Hajjar, GM at Philips Lighting ME, to Jubilant Clement, Interface’s Segment Specialist and Turgay Turan, Business Develpment Executive.
Clement said: “Winning this award is fantastic. Being a part of Interface, we have a path of sustainability since 1994. The company has set a target that by the year 2020, we will be a net zero company in line with our founder’s vision. “Our efforts are being recognised by people across the world. Dubai winning the Expo 2020 is great and it coincides with our goal Net Zero 2020. This is a milestone for us, but we are very excited about achieving it.” Interface is a world leader in its production field and awards guest were told that it uses 95% less
water in its production process, compared to 30 years ago and its most recent sustainability driven innovation uses old fishing nets, which are recycled improving the lives of fishermen, the seashore and helping make a new range of carpet tiles. Runner up Unibeton is a recognised leader in its field with the promotion of green sustainable concrete and went on to win editor’s choice later in the evening and telecom operator Du’s has embraced sustainability, from recycling and reducing electricity consumption, to low-emission vehicles and well educated staff.
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BGreen Awards 2013
Contractor of the Year Award Winner: Brookfield Multiplex Runners Up: Al Tayer Arabtec
December 2013
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rookfield Multiplex, named BGreen Contractor of the Year has an exciting track record in sustainable construction. From the Masdar HQ in Abu Dhabi to One JLT in Dubai and this year’s Standard Chartered Tower, it continues to demonstrate an integrated sustainability vision. MC Ben Jacobs told the audience: “Again, this was a tough category and the three finalists are all involved in ensuring the buildings on which it works are built to international
sustainable standards but Brookfield has set an extremely high standard with the track record to prove it.” Stephen Smith, Environmental & Sustainability Manager at the Brookfield Multiplex received the award from Noha Kadora, KONE’s Marketing Specialist. Smith said: “We are very happy and excited. We have worked very hard to get to a place like this. The BGreen Award is great, we have supported BGreen for the last year, and look forward to supporting it in 2014.”
The Standard Chartered Tower project is a prime example of how early project involvement by key stakeholders as well as collaboration between the enduser, developer, design and build contractor have attained greater synergies, producing a highly desirable green building, said Brookfield. The Standard Chartered Tower has now been awarded both LEED Gold for the Core and Shell Rating System and LEED Platinum for the Commercial Interiors Rating System.
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BGreen Awards 2013
Green Building Project of the Year Winner: The Change Intiative building in Barsha Runners Up:
DEWA HQ at Al Quoz Standard Chartered Bank by Brookfield Multiplex in Downtown Burj Khalifa
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he Change Initiative, a UAE-based sustainability venture, has been awarded the world’s highest scoring LEED Platinum certification, making it the most sustainable building in the world and it was named Green Building Project of the Year 2013. The award was presented by Peter Robinson, the Marketing Manager of Gyproc, to Chetna Pandita, Head of Marketing and Communications at The Change Initiative. She said: “This is very exciting. In our heart we knew we were going to win this award because we got the LEED platinum certification, but we just wanted
to be modest. We believe in sustainability throughout. “Our core competence is sustainability. We want to engrave sustainable solutions in everyday life for everybody, which has been the main aim of the company. So this has been a very proud and very humble moment for all of us.” MC Ben Jacobs told the audinece: “The Change Initiative was awarded 107 out of 110 LEED points, making it the most sustainable building in the world. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s a place where you can buy an impressive range of sustainable and green products.”
BGreen Awards 2013
Energy Efficiency Project of the Year Winner: Green Energy Solutions and Sustinability LLC Runners Up: Dubai Municipality (nominated by Philips) Pacific Controls System
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reen Energy Solutions and Sustainability LLC has transformed the Al Qusais rubbish dump on the outskirts of Dubai in just two years. Methane gas, equivalent to the emissions of 60,000 cars was emitted from the 6km2 site on the Sharjah border until 2011. Now the $14 million project has sealed rubbish and sand. The methane powers a giant generator, which provides all the Dubai Municipality site’s electricity needs. The brilliant project which went live in January 2013 is
the first in the Middle East and a showcase for other projects. Anita and Zak Nouri are the married couple behind the successful transformation of a Dubai eyesorem where 1,100 rubbish trucks still arrive daily. “This is recognition of a project that has set a new view of how landfill waste can be managed,” said Anita, the Business Development Director. “Unlike solar, no one else is doing this in the region and we are already talking with waste companies across the region,” said Zak, Operation Director.
The site produces 1Mw of power from two huge GE motors, designed to run on the ‘dirty gas’ produced by the site. More than 22km of pipes are laid under the compacted waste and new waste is managed and sealed to ensure gas power from the site will last 25 years without damaging emissions. Dubai Municipality now has a 30% stake in the operation and with 350,000 carbon credits each year, this project has set a benchmark for both sustainable power and safe waste management.
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BGreen Awards 2013
Sustainable Lighting Project of the Year Winner: Lietcorp Middle East Runners Up: iGuzzini (lighting architects) Philips Lighting Middle East
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eitcorp oversaw the retrofitting of lights at Dubai Festival City Mall, which has reaped annual energy savings of $25,000. By removing the need for replacement lamps for another 15 years, it saved another $30,000 and because LED lights produce less heat than traditional bulbs, air conditioning has less work to do. John Carruthers, Managing Director at Lietcorp Middle East and Africa, picked up the award for the Sustainable Lighting
Project of the Year, which was presented to him by Ida Tillisch, Director General of EWS-WWF. He said: “From our side we are an LED manufacturer, everything we make is sustainable. We educate clients and get them to work alongside a company like Al Futtaim, which is used to overseeing large projets.” Looking to the future, Carruthers was in no doubt the foundations already laid would reap rewards for the region for Expo 2020. “Their efforts [Al Futtaim] and our efforts in doing it, is very important especially in terms of Expo 2020. We were supporting Dubai Expo
Special Award for International Recognition BASF The winner of this year’s The Pro Chef ME Magazine sustainability champion award, Uwe Micheel, who is the director of kitchens at the Radisson Blu Deira Creek, presented the award to Antonio El Sayegh, head of coporate communication at BASF. He said: “The award is not significant unless you do the action behind it.
2020, and part of its bid was sustainability, green building and zero carbon emissions, etc. “So for us of course that is fantastic as an LED manufacturer, everything we do is at the leading edge of lighting.” Lietcorp, established in 2005, and specialises in innovative LED technologies for commercial lighting applications. It employs 80 staff in the UK, UAE, Spain and Germany who provide sustainable lighting solutions by lowering energy consumption, carbon emissions and improving light quality.
“Hopefully we have a lot of plans in sustainability, and we have strategy to deliver that.” BASF is a one of the world’s biggest chemical companies and one which has recognised its corporate responsibility to the environment and also supports campaigns in each of its operational regions. Here in the UAE it is the main sponsor of The Eco-Schools programme, which engages children and young people in key issues including the environment, sustainability, global citizenship and the value of a low carbon future.
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BGreen Awards 2013
Most Sustainable NonGovernment Organisation Winner: EWS-WWF
RUNNERS UP: The Clean Energy Business Council Emirates Green Building Council
Sustainable Supplier of the Year Winner: KONE
RUNNERS UP: BASF Unibeton
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he award was presented by DTCM’s Shaikha Ebrahim Al Mutawa to Ida Tillisch, Director General of EWSWWF. She said: “The BGreen Awards in general are very important, as it is recognising sustainability throughout all sectors. It is great, because particularly in this region sustainability is going above and beyond. “I think it is increasingly important to be recognised. Emirates Wildlife Society – WWF to receive the Most Sustainable NGO means a lot, we do a lot in the region to conserve our biodiversity, tackling climate change and reducing the ecological footprint. It is always nice to know it is being recognised.” Talking about its plans for next year, she said: “We do have a long-term strategy, for next year we are working on issues for conserving biodiversity. “Also working closely with the government on a project called the Ecological Footprint Initiative, which is project aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of the country.” Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS)-WWF has been active in the UAE since 2001 and has initiated and implemented dozens of conservation and education projects in the region. The Marine Turtle Conservation Project, its Blue Flag programme, which seeks to adopt sustainable practices and ensure people are informed about which coastal areas. This year, there were 12 more beaches and marinas added to the programme, 24 in total. Working closely with Abu Dhabi Municipality and Dubai Municipality, EWS-WWF has led informative workshops. And Earth Hour in 2013 saw all major cities from the emirates plunge into darkness to join more than 150 countries.
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ll three of these nominees met the criteria for a supplier, which had committed significant resource to meet the sustainability requirements for its product. The award was presented by Simon Crispe, Commercial Director for Atkins Middle East to Omer Al-Jamel, Regional Business Development Manager, for KONE. Doleh said: “We are very happy to be awarded Sustainable Supplier of the Year. We have developed in this industry with a result at the end of the day.” Speaking about winning Expo 2020, he said: “We are very happy about winning the Expo 2020, as we are a part of Dubai, a part of UAE. Our city getting a chance to host such a massive event will give us a lot of opportunities in construction. Dubai will also be leading the green building industry, will mean we will have a lot of opportunity for businesses.” Announcing the award MC Ben Jacobs told the audience: “The winner changed the market in energy consumption for its product in 1996, which reduced consumption by 70% and continued to develop the concept with an even more economic 2012 design. Elevators are an everyday part of life in this region.” Established in 1910, the Finnish company is a leading elevator and escalators production in the world, with around 40,000 employees, and annual net sales of $ 8.5 billion in 2012. Since arriving in the Middle East in the 1980s, KONE has contributed to many of the region’s most high profile construction projects, including the Princess Tower in Dubai – the world’s tallest residential building - the award-winning Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, and The Clock Tower in Makkah.
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BGreen Awards 2013
Most Sustainable Government Department Winner: Emirates Transport
RUNNERS UP: DEWA Dubai Municipality
Best Waste Management Company Winner: Bee’ah RUNNERS UP: Dulsco Imdaad
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mirates Transport had a lot to talk about this year, having converted 3,000 of its 12,000 vehicle fleet plus another 1,000 taxis and police cars to run on compressed natural gas. Van T. Tran, Senior Strategy & Investment Advisor from Green Energy Solutions General Trading LLC presented the award to Eng. Amer Al Harmody, CEO of Emorates Transport’s Technical Department. He was accompanied by five other members of the Emirates Transport team from Abu Dhabi, including Fadil Ataalla, manager of Emirates Luxury Vehicle, a subsidiary owned by Emirates Transport who thanked Bgreen for the recognition. Fadil Ataalla said: “It is a great pleasure and honour for the Emirates Transport team. The leaders of Emirates Transport have been following and concentrating on making a mark in the field of green. “We represent the government in many sectors, one of which is the transportation field. We do have a responsibility towards the community to reduce our carbon footprint. Sustainability is one of our main target, our main achievement to change and reduce the carbon footprint and make a green fleet. This is just the beginning and there is still a lot of research going on. “We have the biggest lease of buses in the UAE, and we do understand our responsibility in reducing our CO2 output. You will see how we will work towards reducing our carbon footprint in the coming years.” Compressed natural gas reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 93% compared with petrol. It has halved the 15,000 tyres dumped in landfill each year by setting up a re-treading factory and all its vehicles use waterless washing.
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his special award sought to identify high levels of waste management and sustainability while ensuring minimum disruption to the surrounding environment. The award was presented by Mrs Arzu Bilgen of BASF to Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah. He said: “First of all we are very proud to win this award. Bee’ah has set a very high benchmark to be a leader in waste management in the Middle East. “We have set a target to achieve zero waste going to landfill by the 2015, and we have already achieved a lot. Today, this is just a testimony that we are on the right track on the way to leading environmental change in the region.” Speaking about Dubai Expo 2020, he said: “The vision of our leaders have always put UAE and its population in the leading position. This award is a testimony to the vision of our leaders, and just like Bee’ah which is another success story out of Sharjah. We have won many awards, showing we are in line with the vision of our leaders.” Bee’ah, based in Sharjah, was founded in 2007 with the specific aims of enhancing the environment and achieve addedvalue commercial ventures, while upholding its commitments to stakeholders. Bee’ah established by Tandeef, its waste collection and street cleaning division, as well as the Waste Management Complex (WMC) which promised an entirely new approach to managing waste with some of the most advanced waste recovery and recycling facilities, run by a team of international experts. Today Bee’ah diverts more than 60% from landfills and is on target for Sharjah to be the first Arab city to divert 100% of its waste from landfill.
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BGreen Awards 2013
Most Sustainable Small or Medium Business
Winner: Genesis Manazil Steel Framing
RUNNERS UP: The Green Office Company Union Paper Mills
EDITOR’S CHOICE Winner: Unibeton
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he award set out to recognise the SME, which demonstrated a positive and clear sustainability strategy, especially those that made an early effort to adopt green policies. MC Ben Jacobs told the awards audience: “The winner’s products meet all Estidama and LEED requirements, with energy savings across the board and promises its steel framed buildings offer the greenest solution on the market.” Ms Firdaus Shariff, Head of Marketing, SAP Middle East and North Africa to Ahmed Mahmoud Shalaby, Business Development Executive of Genesis Manazil Group. He said: “We are happy because this is our first ‘green’ award.” Dubai’s Expo success was one of the main themes of the evening and he added: “Dubai winning expo 2020 is great. It is a wonderful opportunity for improving sustainability in the country.” Genesis Manazil Steel Framing was set up in 2005 and now employs around 90 people in Abu Dhabi working from the architectural drawings all the way to inspect the finished light steel structure. Steel is recyclable and construction processes ensure it is easily done when the time comes. Genesis light steel structure technology is an energyefficient, environment friendly building. Steel is a recycled and recyclable material, in its submission, Genesis Manazil said: “We provide the greenest building solution available today in the market, having this award will increase the awareness of the importance of building using eco-friendly sustainable solution, that complies with LEED and ESTIDAMA requirements, and saves energy and water consumption which are a major initiative lead by the UAE governments.”
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nibeton was a finalist in three categories in this year’s BGreen Awards and it was special for recognising the tough market in which this concrete supplier operates. In his assessment of the company BGreen’s Senior Editor Gary Wright said: “There is no escaping the fact that the production of cement is polluting but concrete is vital for the whole infrastructure of this region.” This company started in the UAE in 1980 and is now the biggest producer in the country with the capacity to produce 10 million cubic metres of concrete a year delivered through its fleet of 600 ready mix trucks. Robin Jones, Director of International Strategic Business Development and Marketing at Unibeton collected the award from editor Wright. He said: “The success of our business is because we are green, along with good quality and service. As far as awards are concerned this is great. I think all our green initiatives are one of a kind not only in the UAE, but also in the world. I don’t think many companies like Unibeton have done this, and we have learnt it in the UAE. Speaking about how Dubai Expo 2020 could transform the region, he said: “From Unibeton perspective, many years ago it was lip service but now it is real time. The rulers have given us a mandate which is tough, and we have to come up to the challenge. I think awards like these can showcase companies with sustainability ideas to go forward especially for the Expo 2020 and beyond.”
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SIG ADVERTORIAL
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PARTNERSHIP PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY SIG ME brings a new vision of heat reduction to the region with the In’Flector glass panels,which reduce the effects of direct sunlight on the interior of a building through the windows bringing both energy saving and health benefits
December 2013
he middle east’s leading building products manufacturer, SIG ME has partnered with Alserkal Group’s In’Flector reinforcing their sustainable initiative of energy efficiency and energy management. SIG ME’s primary focus is on insulation, interior and exterior fit outs and energy management. The Group plays a crucial role in the supply chain in the new construction and Repairs, Maintenance and Improvement (“RMI”) markets, which each account for around half of SIG’s revenues. SIG operates from around 680 trading sites across the UK & Ireland and Mainland Europe, and employed 9,925 people as at 31 December 2012. The Group’s main countries of operation are the UK, France and Germany. The Company operates under a variety of trading names which are widely recognized throughout their respective market sectors and countries. Sharing similarity in market scope across Europe, In’Flector, partnering up with Alserkal Group set up their first base in the Middle East, where the need for energy efficiency product is much needed and adds strength to the UAE’s sustainable drive towards the future. Engineered by NASA, In’Flector, The see through window insulator barrier is the new product launched under Environmental Solutions subsidiary of Alserkal Group. The In’Flector panels are uniquely engineered, solar filtering,
SIG ADVERTORIAL
“With my family, for generations seeking innovation to serve our people, we pioneered in providing the country with energy and establishing change. Now I hope to continue this legacy with our partnership with In’Flector to push forward our initiative as pioneers in saving energy” Ahmad bin Eisa bin Nasser Alserkal reflective thermal shades that aids in stabilising indoor temperature allowing natural light in and reflecting back solar heat and UV rays overall providing a safer, comfortable environment along with lower energy bills.
Glass buildings that make up much of the city’s infrastructure are prone to absorb in all of the suns natural light along with the solar heat and UV rays that are harmful to humans, with the solar heat being one of the main reasons that the air
condition systems are much relied on in this part of the world. This reliance, costs in terms of energy bills and maintenance that soars along with the summer temperatures. The In’Flector panels have proven to reduce energy costs by up to 41% by addressing the least efficient aspect of our homes and workplaces: the windows. See through Radiant Barrier Window Insulator Technology alleviates thermal discomfort by reducing heat gain and lowers cooling and electric lighting costs. Reducing the cooling loads lessens the amount of air pollutants entering the conditioned space through the cooling systems, improving the indoor air quality, reducing building related illnesses such as the Sick Building Syndrome, and increasing productivity. Solid facts and figures stand by In’Flector’s performance potential where it provides visible results and return on investment as low as 18 months. To prove its compatibility with the region, In’Flector partnered with DUBAL to carry out a simulation test at their premise. The test conducted for 3 weeks had shown an astounding result of 41% reduction in their usual energy consumption. Backed with this case study, In’Flector thus far boasts a sustainable client list including Aramex main office, ENOC head quarters, Dubai Municipality premise and DUBAL are also fitted with In’Flector. Retail outlets such as Gloria Jeans have taken on the green initiative with In’Flector. The strategic partnership with SIG ME enables In’Flector access to the market tapping into infrastructures that look to go green with their sustainable initiative as well as the preconstruction market of new developments for a conscious and sustainable community development.
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Business
Shades of green
Thousands of dollars is spent annually on green building certifications, suggests Krishna Kumar. The CEO of The Green Office Company is one of the early birds in the region who thought about sustainability before the trend hit the market. Lorraine Bangera writes
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n interview with Krishna Kumar is more like a casual chat. A simple man with innovative ideas, he started The Green Office Company with a vision to make a difference. We started our conversation discussing the basics: what sustainability means to us and why it is important? What caught my attention is when Kumar said, “Being green does not require certification”.
December 2013
Krishna Kumar CEO The Green Office Company
According to Kumar, most people choose certifications like LEED or Estidama to show how serious they are about sustainability, but while it is reasonable and well appreciated, it is not a necessary step. The Atlantis Hotel complex on The Palm, Dubai, is an example of a noncertified, but is a highly green and sustainable construction. He said: “Atlantis does not have any certification but they are as sustainable as any other LEED certified buildings. “Many companies seek certification to communicate their green building initiatives. Yet, the green building
certification process remains a huge barrier for many businesses seeking to incorporate green building in their sustainability strategies. “Certification itself can add millions to construction costs while promising to cut other expenses. The additional costs of hefty certification fees and the soft costs of consultants and other hires leave little room in the budget for improving a building’s sustainability performance post-certification. “Frustration over costs, building limitations and impracticalities of requirements consequently causes some businesses to throw their facilities to the wayside with
Business
certification. In this regard it is important to provide options for the stakeholders to decide the level or shade of ‘green’ required rather than not being green at all.” However, Kumar acknowledges that it is important to consider certification if a company wants to market itself as a sustainable organisation. There are many perks to being certified, however it is not the only route to sustainability, he said.
Green revolution The green way of living has a different meaning for everyone. For Kumar green includes being sustainable, protecting the environment, taking care of his employees’ health, and being establishing a green business model. Talking about the growth of green initiatives in this region’s private sector, he said, “For businesses, green has always been associated with a premium.”
Certification itself can add millions to construction costs while promising to cut other expenses. The additional costs of hefty certification fees and the soft costs of consultants and other hires leave little room in the budget for improving a buildings’ sustainability performance post-certification.”
furniture. Companies have the liberty to choose from different shades of green, at the end of the day it is the company’s decision.”
Atlantis Hotel is not It is a common myth, that being but is green sustainable will cost a lot of money. certified, and sustainable. Businesses must recognise factors like the return on investment which is quite high on sustainable practices, he said. For those businesses interested in sustainability but are reluctant about the expenses it incurs, The Green Office Company promotes what Kumar calls ‘shades of green’. He said, “Shades of green could start with something minimal like implementing energy-efficient lighting in the office or plumbing for effective water use. Once the small steps are taken, people tend to move to darker shades and take major steps like changing the wood or the
Making of The Green Office Company Kumar credits his past experience, training and exposure to sustainability for his decision to set up The Green Office Company. He said: “While working with a UK company that promoted lowering carbon emission in indoor spaces, I met many people who were asking for solutions on how to bring down the emissions in the office. “At that time I was promoting one product, however the requirements for lowering carbon emissions were left unaddressed in so many other areas.” There were many barriers; they needed a third party to be involved to bring down the emissions, to negotiate with contractors and suppliers, and to find material which was did not emit toxic gases. And that led to setting up The Green Office Company. When Kumar set up the company in 2006, very few businesses in the region were concerned. According to him, green economy is a broad term, in its simplest expression it can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. He concluded: “In light of the crises in climate, biodiversity, fuel, food, water and the financial system, it is clear that a new economic system needs to be developed to avoid large-scale disaster: an economic system that will help alleviate the numerous risks posed by the crises noted above, as well as providing a number of opportunities for growth and prosperity.”
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Technology
Dubai Municipality at the launch of the IAQ study
DM launches indoor air quality study School and government building will undergo strict assessment as Dubai Municipality begins a full examination of indoor air quality in the emirate. It is expected to lead to a wider consideration of health risks caused by something we can not see
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Eng. Redha Salman
Eng. Sultan Essa Al Suwaidi
Eng. Saad Ibrahim Hashim
December 2013
ndoor pollution can be higher than outdoors in some parts of the Middle East, Dubai Municipality (DM) has warned.Two of the main reasons inlude; stronger paints and glues used in construction processes which emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and homes and offices relying excessively on air from air conditioner. DM’s head of public safety, Eng. Sultan Essa Al Suwaidi, revealed the risk as his department announced a new study to assess indoor air quality (IAQ). It will focus on government buildings and private schools in partnership with Enviro’ & Industrial Solutions ME and Scientific and Technical Centre for Building (CSTB) to check a total of 70 buildings. Eng. Al Suwaidi said: “Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their
health, but few realise that indoor air pollution can also contribute to ill health. “Studies by several healthcare organisations have shown that levels of indoor pollutants may be even higher than outdoor levels as most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.” Health and Safety Department director Eng. Redha Salman said: “The project study includes the application of best international standards concerning the internal environment. “The project is a part of Dubai Strategic Plan till 2015, and within the active endeavours of the Government of Dubai to ensure safe buildings and healthy environment for all residents of the Emirate.” Eng. Al Suwaidi said: “There is no known, safe level of air pollution. Even low levels can have a negative effect on the
health of vulnerable people, such as the elderly, children, and people with cardio respiratory problems. “Air pollution can affect health in many ways namely: irritation of eyes, nose and throat; wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties; worsening of existing lung and heart problems; increased risk of heart attack; and sensitive people may even result in premature death.” Eng. Saad Ibrahim Hashim, principal health inspection officer and head of the study, said the study would check levels and make recommendations to reduce or eliminate sources of pollution. The study includes a number of educational buildings, nurseries and healthcare facilities in different areas of the emirate of Dubai.
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54
Technology
Cambodian children using Panasonic’s solar LED lamps
Anniversary brings free light and power from the sun 20% Panasonic has marked the launch of its a new Solar LED Lantern by giving away 100,000 to areas of the world without enough electricity offering a safe alternative for a light and power source
Eng. Redha Salman
December 2013
J
apanese multinational Panasonic Corporation, will be launching a solar LED lantern this month as part of its 100 Thousand Solar Lantern Project. It will donate 100,000 solar LED lanterns by 2018, to coincide with the company’s centenary celebrations. The project specifically targets people living in areas without electricity especially around Asia and Africa. The lack of electric lighting in these regions cause challenges especially in sectors like healthcare and education. The lantern, BG-BL03 Solar LED, is said to have dual quality of being a solar powered with a 3.5 watt solar panel, and a USB port enabling it to be used as a portable charger. It is builtin with a rechargeable battery which can store solar energy during the day, while used as a light and power source during
the night. The lantern could be used every day with a 360 degree illumination, after being charged in the sunlight for six hours. Six hours of charging can light approximately six hours at maximum brightness setting and 90 hours at low setting. The charger can charge small devices, and help solve the issue of charging mobile phones which are popular yet unsuccessful in these regions due to lack of electricity. The USB dock can charge a mobile phone in two hours. It is also comes with an ingress protection set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for dust and water resistance, which makes it possible to be used in the rain. The solar LED lantern gives people a better alternative compared to the commonly
of the world’s population lives without electricity
used poor lit kerosene lamps which apart from emitting toxic fumes that are harmful to human health and the environment, also poses a high risk of causing fires. The lantern will be launched in key countries with electricity problems before being released in other countries around the globe. The key countries include Kenya, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Panasonic will then move distribution to other countries without electricity, while developing and strengthening the product.
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Leisure
Slow but sure
The Slow Food movement aims for a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet. Laura AllaisMare thinks the Slow Food Dubai convivium (chapter) can make a difference. Interviewed by editor of The Pro Chef, Dave Reeder
T
he 1980s and the inexorable march of fast food across the planet reached a tipping point: a move to open a branch of McDonald’s at the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome. Carlo Petrini, an ordinary Italian from Bra in Piedmont, was horrified and started a grassroots campaign to block the opening, claiming it was an insult to his country’s great food culture. Things got worse. Petrini went to a local restaurant to eat the local dish of pepperonata, a dish he would enjoyed there for years. However, it didn’t taste as it usually did and, enquiring what was different, Petrini discovered that the chef was using peppers imported from Holland instead of local peppers, on grounds of expense. The two strands came together when Petrini founded Slow Food, a movement dedicated to celebrating the best of local food and to supporting local farmers. As the Slow Food website puts it: “We oppose the standardisation of taste and culture and the unrestrained power of food industry multinationals and industrial agriculture.” At the heart of everything that Slow Food supports and celebrates are three simple rules: •
•
•
Good food is defined by “a fresh and flavoursome seasonal diet that satisfies the senses and is part of the local culture”. Clean food is defined by “production and consumption that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or human health”. Fair food is defined by “accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for producers”.
December 2013
Laura Allais-Mare Founder Slow Food Dubai convivium
In this way, food becomes tied to other aspects of life, including culture, politics, agriculture and the environment - the very opposite of the fast food ethos. Through educating consumers, they become part of the solution in demanding food that is good, clean and fair. It’s easy, of course, for critics to suggest that support for Slow Food is a typical middle class trend, but the issues its members are highlighting are desperately important. For example, a recent report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation focussed on the rapid decline of genetic diversity among livestock and crops - in the last 100 years, around 75% of genetic diversity has been lost with local crop varieties replaced by monoculture.
There are about 30,000 edible plant species but 95% of human food energy comes from just 30 crops and 60% of that from rice, wheat, maize, millet and sorghum. And, if that weren’t enough, almost a quarter of domestic breeds are moving towards extinction. To find out what Slow Food can do to address concerns about sustainability, produce quality and carbon miles amongst other issues, we spoke to Laura Allais-Mare, the founder of the Slow Food Dubai convivium.
Leisure
Slow Food at a glance •
network of 100,000 members in over 150 A countries ‚ grouped in 1,500 local chapters called convivia which develop activities, projects and events at a local, regional and global level
•
There are currently more than 5000 Slow Food initiatives each year
•
ver 10,000 small producers are involved O in more than 400 Presidia projects
•
ver 1,000 products at risk of extinction O are being promoted through the Ark of Taste catalogue
•
There are 1,300 food education activities and 350 school gardens in 100 countries
•
The Terra Madre network organises activities which involve 2,000 food communities, 1,000 cooks, 500 academics and 1,000 young activists globally
Slow Food in Dubai, the city of bling and excess. Isn’t that rather counterintuitive? The main reason I thought Slow Food Dubai should be started was that people need to be aware of what’s in their food and that’s as true here as
anywhere. Most of our food here is flown in from somewhere else, quite often the countries we come from, so information about food is important. Related to that, we’re going to return to our native countries or move on to other destinations and it’s quite likely that the Slow Food movement will also be active there. The reality is this: people just don’t appreciate what pesticides and chemicals do to their health, so there’s a huge need for education about health and taste. Slow Food supports organic farming, right? I believe organic food tastes better but, as you’ll know, most research doesn’t agree. The organic movement is growing. Look, Dubai is not Europe but more and more people are turning to organic food - there’s fantastic produce available now from farmers’ markets. I also run a balcony gardening group on Facebook and it’s incredible how different vegetables taste when you grow them yourself and you know how they’ve been grown. Of course, you can’t feed yourself from a balcony but I have my own tomatoes, brinjal, carrots, onions and, naturally, herbs. How is the Slow Food Dubai convivium going? Well, we started the process back in February with four supporters and now 50. However, all organisations in Dubai now need licensing and we’re waiting for that process to be completed before we can become really active and hold meetings and so on. But we’ve got some great supporters such as the Green Sheikh, Chef Russell Impiazzi from Galeries Lafayette, Suzanne Husseini and so on. We think 200 members by the end of next year is a reasonable target and I especially want to see Emirati members.
“What people don’t realise is that even here in the UAE there are unique indigenous crops and foods - in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, for example, they have a unique variety of wheat from which they make bread which you can only buy locally.” create Slow Food UAE. That’s the model. However, just because we’re Dubai-based, that doesn’t mean we don’t take a real interest in food both across the UAE and, because of strong historical ties, in Saudi, Oman, Yemen and even Iran. What people don’t realise is that even here in the UAE there are unique indigenous crops and foods - in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, for example, they have a unique variety of wheat from which they make bread which you can only buy locally. It’s things like that bread that I want to take to the Salone del Gusto next October in Turin, which is an international celebration of artisanal, sustainable food. Our farmers should go out into the world and meet other farmers. Despite what people think, we have biodiversity here, we have unique food here.
200 members seems quite modest and a slow growth That’s why our symbol is the snail! Slow Food has traditionally grown slowly.
Does the movement support local producers, even if they’re not indigenous? I’m thinking of operations like the Italian Dairy in Sharjah. Yes, of course. It’s funny - people look at that company and say they’re not making a real Italian product but did you know that 70% of the milk in Italy is actually imported from Germany?
Do you have members from other Emirates? No, Slow Food doesn’t work quite that way. So conviviums are being created in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah and, in time, we can all petition Slow Food International and
Finally, what can Slow Food Dubai do for chefs? Like anyone, chefs can learn more about the food we all eat. They can also discover more about what they can do, especially those with a following.
December 2013
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LEisure
Green SMEs could lead the way The private sector in the region has expanded drastically in the last 20 years, making this place a prime hub for business. But successful businesses will have to recognise their role in the growing need for a green economy says, Tamara Withers, sustainability project manager at Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF. Lorraine Bangera reports
December 2013
E
very part of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector could contribute to sustainability, says Tamara Withers. She said many of those organisations that have been recognised as Heroes of the UAE, are SMEs. Heroes of the UAE is a EWS-WWF campaign launched in May 2010, which concentrates on businesses in the private sector that make a conscious decision and pledge to reduce energy consumption among other sustainable practices. She said: “Like any other business, SMEs use energy and water which contribute 30% to the overall ecological footprint. “Climate change will affect all of us. Addressing it is everyone’s responsibility, from the large corporations and SMEs to individuals. Last year, we verified the first five companies in the UAE to complete all pledges as part of the Heroes of the UAE, and some of them were SMEs like ArchCorp and Service City.” She said: “The most importing factor is the cost reduction. In small businesses especially, this could be beneficial as they are more sensitive to cost. Every initiative taken to reduce energy and water consumption, contributes to cost saving and is money they can invest back in their business.” EWS-WWF has established a Corporate Heroes network, conducting
LEisure
workshops and seminars for training companies committed to the programme. The Corporate Heroes’ toolkit address certain issues and helps organisations develop a long term green business strategy. Withers said: “Our business toolkit can easily be downloaded online from our website. It displays the different steps and ways to engage with environmental issues particularly to reduce carbon emissions.” Green business model Withers believes that to make a difference, businesses have to start from the inside, restructuring their business models to something more sustainable and practical. Establishing a new ‘green’ business model is not complicated even in a longterm running organisation, says Withers. She said: “It starts with looking at what has already been done and what tools are available. These changes are really simple things and are used to gain momentum within the organisation itself. Then the necessary financial backing will propel the changes further along. “Some of the initiatives does not even cost money, for example delamping, which is removing unnecessary lamps in areas that are over lit or receive a lot of natural sunlight. Also setting your air conditioner to a minimum of 24 degrees Celsius. All things that have little impact in terms of comfort level, have a huge impact in terms of energy saving.”
According to Withers, it is a cycle, once the initiatives are carried out, employees implement these initiatives in their own lives and behaviour. Consumers buying the products notice the changing market, and adapt to the change. Which ends in an increase in demand for suppliers to provide eco-friendly products, which goes back to the businesses producing the product. “Thus the private sector is a major investor, and to a certain extent actually drives sustainability.”
SustainabLe growth Even though there are major obstacles in the region, the private sector does seem to be showing an improvement and accepting sustainability, Withers says. She said: “Sustainable development is just going to grow in the next ten years. They are going to identify the benefit of incorporating sustainability as a core strategy. “The private sector can have a big impact on sustainability, by not just implementing it in their operations but also offering green services to the community, designing products that are sustainable and implementing green in their packaging. “What seems to be driving businesses to sustainability is the marketing and communications department.”
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Oil & Gas
Anti-fracking rally held in New York City this year
Fracking on the rise The shale gas boom in the US is raising questions all over the world. Will this new alternative cost the Earth more than what we have already lost? Lorraine Bangera looks into the pros and cons of hydraulic fracking which is coming to the MENA region
Hydraulic fracking produces around
300,000 barrels
of natural gas a day
December 2013
F
racking is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure to fracture fine grained sedimentary shale rocks and release natural gas. This method of extracting gas was first applied in the late 1940s by Amoco (now part of BP) in the Hugoton field in Kansas, United States. As the cost of oil and gas has increased and technology has improved, the relative cost of obtaining gas in this way has become more attractive to corporations. Today’s methods uses a pumped fluid, which includes water, mixed with a small proportion of sand and
chemicals. The fracking fluid is then pressure injected through a drilled pipeline where the high pressure causes the underground shale rocks to crack, and release shale gas which flows into the well. The rise of the shale gas production in the US – a country determined to become selfsufficient for its energy needs have been a subject of discussion throughout the world giving rise to concerns over the side effects. France has banned shale gas production and in the UK, an earth tremor in the northern seaside town of Blackpool two years ago was initially blamed on fracking. However,
Oil & Gas ENERY for One house powered by shale gas produces
2,800 litres
of toxic water a year
ground levels rising following the Ice Age was said to be the real reason. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that the US may be the world’s top oil producer by 2020, because of the overwhelming rate at which unconventional gas and oil is being extracted. So, while fracking can solve many short-term energy problems, the question remains, how safe is it really? Critics say the process can cause methane gas leaks and toxic chemicals that may damage the surrounding groundwater present in the area. The wastes derived from the process could release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere and may contribute to contaminated air, acid rain and ground level ozone. Another concern environmental agencies have voiced is the increased risk of earthquakes and tremors. Other critics of hydraulic fracking point to water pollution problems it could cause and Cornell University issued a report saying hydraulic fracking could be potentially worse for climate change than coal. Side effects on the GCC The boom in shale gas production in the US, ironically the world’s largest importer of oil, could affect the GCC. The report, ‘What is the significance of the shale phenomenon for gulf
oil and gas producers?’, points out that the shale boom could impact the oil price in a long-term extreme scenario. According to it, as shale gas supplies increase substantially in the US, its exports could compete with GCC oil exports. Karim Nassif, Standard & Poor’s credit analyst, said: “We consider there to be limited effect on rated GCC oil producers at present. The more immediate effects of US shale production, in our view, centres on GCC-based natural gas producers.” This may mean a shift in target markets, diverting Gulf oil and gas exports, originally destined for the US, to Asia and the Far East. However, GCC-based oil and gas producers realise that more practical and strategic plans are needed over the longer term.
We consider there to be limited effect on rated GCC oil producers at present. The more immediate effects of US shale production, in our view, centres on GCC-based natural gas producers.”
Increasing demand for energy The growing need for energy sources, is not only focussed in the West. In the Middle East, though bestowed with a wealth of oil, it is also looking for alternatives like unconventional gas to avoid Methane future energy crisis. In the concentrations are MENA region, countries showing a substantial interest in hydraulic fracking include Saudi times Arabia, Oman, Jordon, higher in drinking Algeria and Tunisia. water near Oman has made serious fracking sites efforts in developing one of the most ambitious ‘tight drilling’ projects in the world.
17
Fracking projects in Khazzan and Makarem field are expected produce at least one billion standard cubic feet of gas a day by 2017. The projects are handled by BP which has invested $24 billion into the first phase of the project, which is expected to increase the national production of oil and gas by one-third. It is the first shale gas project in the region and it too has caused critics of the fracking process to express concern over the potential environmental and community impacts. BP has sought to reassure environmentalists through its ‘Unconventional Gas and Hydraulic Fracking’ issue briefing, that the project will have properly engineered and constructed facilities that are designed, operated and decommissioned to mitigate the risk of natural gas and hydraulic fracturing fluids entering underground aquifers, including drinking water sources. Saudi Arabia is also exploring its shale gas resources, estimated at 600 trillion cubic feet. The world’s largest oil producer, Saudi Aramco, will be taking the lead in establishing the project. President of Saudi Aramco, Khalid Al Falih spoke about the project at this year’s World Energy Congress in South Korea, calling it the world’s “colossal endowment” of fossil fuels. He said the main challenge when it comes to providing energy for a growing world population is improving end-use efficiency. It is clear fracking is here to stay and will form an important part of many countries future energy needs. The environmental concerns are real but the question remains whether the reassurances from the big producers over safety procedures are adhered to and whether the surge in hydraulic fracking can be balanced in the longer term with protection of the areas in which work takes place.
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text by lorraine bangera
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Personality
Britain’s green idol Jonathon Porritt is one of the most famous names in the green movement in Britain after spending more than three decades informing its people of the environmental risks
Jonathon Porritt
A
fter making his way through school at the famous Eton College, Jonathon Porritt attended Magdalen College at Oxford University. He joined the UK Ecology Party in 1974 (now Green Party of England and Wales), of which he is still a member and by the early 1980s Porritt was policy director, speaking openly and knowledgeably about environmental issues and the need for renewables. At the time his views were considered unorthodox as, with the exception of Germany, Europe was still slow to accept potential threats to the planet. But his passion,
December 2013
knowledge and eloquence led him to the forefront of the green movement in UK. He became the director of Friends of the Earth, a global environmental organisation, and had, what he described as a ‘life changing experience’ at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. In 1996 he founded Forum of the Future, an independent non-profit organisation which works with business and governments around the globe, it is now the UK’s leading sustainable charity. The forum has been credited with changing the debate about sustainable business, trained thousands of leaders across society and focussed
on sustainable products, services and business models. In 2000, Porritt was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II when he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition for services to environmental protection. After serving as an advocate in the Green Party, Porritt advised government ministers and Prince Charles. In 2000 he was appointed by Prime Minister Tony Blair as chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, a public body responsible for advising the UK Government. Porritt has written books including Globalism and Regionalism, Living Within Our Means and Capitalism As If The World Matters, which is recognised as one of the most influential books on sustainability. Speaking at a TEDx event in Exeter in the UK earlier this year, Porritt emphasised the importance of switching to renewables. He said: “A brilliant, genuinely sustainable way of life is still available to all of us. By all I mean seven billion people today which by 2050 will be about nine billion people. “The only way we could make sense of this stressed out world is through a process of radical decarbonisation. Taking carbon out of our economy.” During the speech he talked about the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant in the United Arab Emirates describing it as “symbolic to where the world is going”. Porritt is a trustee of the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy and of the WWF UK, as well as being patron, chair or special adviser to countless charities and NGOs.
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DIARY Dates
Save the date BGreen’s guide to events and conferences taking place in the coming months
8th Annual Abu Dhabi Conference December 8-10, Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, UAE This annual gathering of public and private sector leaders enables discussion and updates on upcoming projects and investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s diverse economy. Delegates get exclusive access to some of Abu Dhabi’s most powerful players and discover how to get involved in some of the world’s most significant projects.
International Water Summit 2014 January 20-22, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE IWS brings together world leaders, field experts, academia luminaries and business innovators to accelerate the development of new sustainable strategies and technologies. Hosted by Masdar and organised by Reed Exhibitions, IWS 2014 is endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, and the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi among other government entities.
2nd Annual EGBC Congress December 11-12, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort-Dubai, UAE The Emirates Green Building Council will host a congress under the theme “Building a Green Future”. It is an initiative dedicated to foster industry dialogue and engage multiple stakeholders to further influence sustainable practices in the built environment. The latest insights and innovations will be shared from local and international industry experts and the field’s foremost thinkers.
World Future Energy Summit 2014 January 20-22, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE WFES is an event dedicated to renewable energies, energy efficiency and clean technologies. It includes a conference, an international exhibition, the Project & Finance Village, the Young Future Energy Leaders programme, as well as a number of corporate meetings and concurrent social events. The event will present energy sector stakeholders with a unique opportunity to meet with their peers, exchange technology, and share best practices.
EcoWASTE 2014 January 20-22, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE EcoWASTE is a new regional platform that brings together leading local and international providers, buyers and industry professionals from the sustainable waste management and recycling sector to support the waste disposal needs of, and challenges in, the Middle East. Through its targeted exhibition and seminars, EcoWASTE will unveil new projects and source cuttingedge technologies and solutions in waste management. Spirit of Giving January 29, DIFC Gate, UAE The Spirit of Giving gala is organised by Phantom Events. After attending, contributions made will go towards EWS-WWF species conservation efforts, which protect the unique and diverse species in the marine and terrestrial habitats of the UAE. Be part of the UAE’s environmental movement by implementing change. To attend the event, contact arianne@phantomeventsmgmt.com
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sustainable past
text by lorraine bangera
66
Pont du Gard in southern France
Unde oportet aqua Romanos* Water is one of the Middle East’s main infrastructure needs and it now supports millions more people than natural resources would allow. But it was the Romans two millennia ago who perfected water supply to population centres *How the Romans met their water needs
A
queducts were first built by the Romans in 312BC transporting water along stone, lead and concrete pipelines into main population centres. Aqua Appia, Anio Vetus and Aqua Marcia were the first three aqueducts built between during 312-144 BCE, which helped earn Rome the name of Regina Aquarium, or the “Queen of Waters”, recognising its success at supplying hundreds of fountains and public water space. Hundreds of aqueducts were built across the Roman Empire, some transporting water 95 kilometres. Aqueducts able to run
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uphill by using underground siphons, which was a huge dip in the land that caused the water to drop so quickly while entering, it had enough momentum to make it uphill. While the Romans are famed for their water engineering and perfected the engineering techniques, aqueducts date back to 7th century BCE in Assyria where canals were built in parts of Babylon and Egypt. Aqueducts helped Roman cities to function without the need to live near water sources, and occupy land that would not have been acquired due to lack of water resources. It also endorsed public health and sanitation, through providing common amenities like public toilets, underground sewage systems, fountains and ornate public baths. The famous Trevi Fountain in Rome, used water supplied from one of Ancient Rome’s aqueducts, Aqua Virgo. Romans living in the urban areas used to fill buckets and jars at the basins and collected them for household use. On the other hand, there were some aqueducts created to supply water to industrial sites. These were usually designed as an open channel built in the ground which was lined with clay to reduce water loss. Aqueducts made it possible for Roman cities to support larger populations especially in urban areas. Romans also constructed some of the largest aqueducts, like the Pont du Gard in southern France which is 49 metres high and still stands today.
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