Bgreen June 2013 by BGreen

Issue 35 | JUNE 2013

a city within a city

a look at how dubai can forge its own sustainable microcosm espousing the values of resource efficiency and ‘one planet’ living

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ALSO INSIDE SUPPORTED BY:

tedxwwf 2013 | green globe and the hospitality industry | nimr reed bed project |

EDITOR’S PAGE 3

Publisher Dominic De Sousa COO Nadeem Hood Founder Liam Williams liam.williams@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 1511 Editorial Senior Editor Praseeda Nair praseeda.nair@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 4 375 1502 Manager Junaid Rafique junaid.rafique@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 1504 Marketing Commercial Director Gina O’Hara gina.ohara@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 1513 Manager Jasmine Kyriakou jasmine.kyriakou@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 1506 Design & Photography Senior Designer Marlou Delaben marlou.delaben@cpimediagroup.com Designer Cris Malapitan cris.malapitan@cpimediagroup.com Web Development Troy Maagma Maher Waseem Shahzad Administration Cesar Ypil cesar.ypil@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 1500

A watershed moment

e’re mere months away from what could be a huge turning point for Dubai, as we inch closer to the announcement of which city has won the bid to host Expo 2020. Call us out for being biased, if you will, but the likelihood of Dubai securing the bid seems significantly high, which would represent yet another first for our city within the region. Dubai’s three-pronged approach includes healthcare, education, and of course, sustainability. While the other two pillars of focus fall under the larger umbrella of sustainable development, here ‘sustainability’ as the buzzword of the decade takes on specific reference to the environment. With federal directives embracing resource efficiency in every level of infrastructure development, Expo 2020 could also set the record for the most environmentally responsible in the history of the World’s Fair. Job creation, and development honing in on transport, tourism, healthcare and education, are all inevitably on the precipice of a staggering hike. Advancements is on its way on a massive scale, and with so much to look forward to, there’s no time to look back. This is the last issue of BGreen in which my name will appear on the masthead as editor. And, as with so many goodbyes, this one is bittersweet. The bitter part is in how much I will miss putting together the pages of this magazine — pages that you, our highly regarded industry leaders, have shaped and lauded over the years; pages that you share with your staff; pages you read when it comes in the mail before any other publication; pages in which I hope we have helped to make a positive difference in the industry, and in your day-to-day professional lives. Without a doubt, serving as editor of BGreen has been the pinnacle of my journalistic career, and I thank you all for your support and encouragement throughout the years. That’s the bitter. Now for what’s sweet in this changing of hands. BGreen as a brand is at a stage where huge changes are on the way. At the helm of the magazine, I’ve seen it steadily grow in readership and scope, and now, almost like a streamlined jetplane (running on biofuel, of course), BGreen is taxiing before takeoff. I’m excited about the ideas and energy the new team will be bringing to the publication. Watch for those to start taking shape in the coming months. The standards of journalistic excellence which we have set over the past two years reflect Bgreen as the region’s only credible, timely and responsible green business publication, and I believe the magazine will continue to reach a wider audience, while aiming for loftier goals month on month. I look forward to watching it take flight, and seeing where it goes from here.

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 4 375 1500 Fax: +971 4 365 9986 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.

Praseeda Nair

Senior Editor praseeda.nair@cpimediagroup.com

June 2013

CONTENTS

CONTENTS June 2013

ENERGY AND WATER

14 Sustainability champion Anoop K Menon outlines Mars GCC’s approach to energy and water conservation 18 Waste equals energy BGreen speaks to APP’s Kate Colclough about Gasplasma technology

CONSTRUCTION

Beyond the environment

BGreen speaks to Etisalat’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications about the company’s social and environmental milestones

12 Building bricks Ginger Krieg Dosier, inventor of the biobrick, speaks at TEDxWWF 22 A vision of the future? Moheet Vishwas comments on Seattle’s new green building 26 Sustainability begins with the floor nora systems outlines the importance of flooring in sustainable construction 30 Circle of life Alexander Collot d’Escury explains the Cradle to Cradle manufacturing concept

News

32 SSIG & Gyproc Taking internal finishes to a new level

8 UAE 10 WORLD

COMMENT 20 Dr Michael Krämer on the opportunities for the solar sector in the UAE 24 Ivano Iannelli on Dubai’s green growth

June 2013

50 Thorsten Bies explains the need for ecofriendly bathrooms fittings and practices

51 Santosh Varghese outlines Toshiba’s proenvironment innovations

52 Yassin Al Attas emphasises the importance of a sustainable manufacturing process

CONTENTS

SPECIAL FEATURE 40 Diamond in the rough Diamond Developers announced a megaproject for a truly eco-friendly living space 44 The green bubble Mohammed Zaal’s Al Barari is the region’s first eco-concious residential development

TECHNOLOGY 46 Sustainability beyond the environment Ahmed bin Ali highlights Etisalat’s CSR initiatives over the past years

LEISURE

BUsiness 68 Colour me green New standards developed by Dubai Municipality on paints and exterior coatings positively effects the construction sector

OIL & GAS 72 Wetlands and oilfields BGreen examines how water treatment solutions can help guide the industry down a more sustainable path

SOCIETY

54 Green stays Guido Bauer comments on Green Globe’s growth in the MENA region

76 Green Personality Leonardo DiCaprio raises US$ 38 million at the 11th Hour Auction

58 One Planet Living: Redefining prioriries TEDxWWF held in Abu Dhabi last month engaged the local community with open discussions about sustainability

77 Diary dates 78 Sustainable past Climate clash

June 2013

Expert Panel

His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi

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 Krämer

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

Roderick Wiles

TANZEED ALAM

Director - Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania American Hardwood Export Council

POLICY DIRECTOR EWS-WWF

Abdulrahman Jawahery President Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company Chairman GPCA Responsible Care Initiative

Environmental Advisor Ajman Government Chief Executive Officer Al Ihsan Charity Centre Chairman International Steering Committee Global Initiative Towards a Sustainable Iraq, UAE

The concept behind the BGreen Expert Panel is to provide a platform for those who are active in encouraging sustainable practices and solutions across industries—the real experts—who can share their views, analyses, and research with our informed readers. We will also be organising quarterly events for the panellists to meet and mingle, while discussing the latest in news, strategies and solutions on focussed topics related to sustainability. Panellists are encouraged to pen their comments, opinions and analyses that can be published in our magazine, as well as on our website in a portfolio format documenting their contributions. The Panel is constantly growing as we strive to form the ultimate taskforce of decision makers, academicians, consultants and engineers that can encourage a sustainable watershed across industries. If you would like to nominate an expert to join our panel, please email our Editorial team at bgreeneditor@cpidubai.com.

June 2013

Alan Millin LEED AP, Chartered Engineer consultant/trainer Middle East Facility Management Association

JosE Alberich PARTNER AT Kearney

NEWS | UAE

Operational efficiencies in healthcare

One of the main challenges for patients and healthcare providers are long waiting times in the ER due to bureaucratic delays and workflow challenges. Dr Yasin Khan, CEO of Westfield Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA, is set to speak at the fifth Hospital Build & Infrastructure Middle East Exhibition & Congress, taking place from 3 to 5 June 2013 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The main focus of the congress is to learn from successful international healthcare models to further enhance the existing

healthcare infrastructure within the Middle East region for the long term. According to Dr. Khan, “The Westfield model fits very well in the Middle East where operational efficiencies are needed to control costs. With a rapidly rising population, the region’s baby boomers are going to require significant healthcare resources in the future. This will not be sustainable if a move is not taken to standardise care and contain cost without compromising quality. The Westfield model can provide rapid access for care and stabilisation of the patient.” The cost of entry into a competitive healthcare market can become prohibitive in today’s economic climate, especially with the fierce competition that exists between healthcare providers. For example, the cost of building a hospital in the United States, on average, is US$ 1 to $1.5 million per bed. At Westfield Hospital, this cost is just $495,000 per bed.

A new classification for hotels The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) issued a new decree formally legalising a new hotel classification scheme for the emirate at the sidelines of this year’s Arabian Travel Market. Based on benchmarking against key local and international destinations, the new system has been passed into a law in order to increase the transparency about the type and quality of accommodation and the services provided by hotels in Dubai. The move comes a few days after the DTCM officially launched its Dubai Tourism Vision for 2020, for 20 million visitors a year until 2020, doubling from the 10 million visitors Dubai welcomed in 2012. The current classification system was set up in 1998, well before the emirate saw a boom in tourism. Majid Al Merri, Director of Hotel Classification at DTCM, sees the new classification system as vital in keeping the city current as a global hotspot, and for sustaining tourism in the foreseeable future. The new scheme uses a multi-layered framework to rate and categorise each hotel based on its ratings (from budget to five stars) and categories (Hotel, Resort, Hotel Apartment or Guest House). “By adopting a multi-tiered framework of ratings, categories and designators, clearer choice will be provided to visitors,” announced Al Merri. Dubai currently has 80,000 rooms across 599 hotels and hotel apartments, which will need to be doubled if Dubai wins the bid for World Expo 2020. Dubai hotels and hotel apartments accrued revenue of AED 18.85 billion in 2012, up 17.9% over the previous year.

June 2013

DEWA’s Carbon Footprint campaign In a bid to reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of responsible energy consumption, while encouraging environmental best practices and reducing carbon emissions. Conservation and environmental protection have become a key part of DEWA’s corporate culture, seeking to share these values with its customers. Rising energy consumption is one of the leading causes of carbon emissions, which causes damage to the planet by increasing global temperatures and causing sea levels to rise. The Carbon Footprint campaign seeks to minimise excess energy consumption by encouraging responsible electricity use. “Every year, DEWA launches a range of initiatives to foster sustainable development across Dubai, while enhancing the emirate’s standing as an international example for conservation and environmental protection. DEWA works with diverse sectors and communities to raise environmental awareness and identify effective solutions to the problem of global warming. The Carbon Footprint campaign is vital to the reduction of carbon emissions by educating our customers on responsible electricity consumption – contributing to a brighter, greener future,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA. The Carbon Footprint campaign enables DEWA to effectively share its values with customers. As part of the campaign, DEWA’s statements will list facts and figures about how much carbon emissions each customer’s monthly energy usage generates. This campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage customers to reduce their carbon footprint in line with the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which aims to reduce demand for energy by 30% in 2030. DEWA is encouraging its customers to reduce electricity consumption, and use green products, such as energy-efficient light bulbs and eco-friendly appliances that reduce energy usage.

NEWS | WORLD

Explorers highlight effects of climate change This summer, four experienced adventurers are attempting to cross the infamous 3,000 kilometre-long Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic by human power alone– a feat which is only possible due to the melting ice which normally renders it impassable. Paul Gleeson, Denis Barnett, Kevin Vallely and Frank Wolf will set off from Inuvik in the North West Territories on the first of July in their 25-foot long customised rowing boat “The Arctic Joule”. The four men will row in continuous shifts 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the route will be in constant daylight for the majority of the journey which is expected to take two to three months, ending at Pond Inlet in Nunavut. Eddie O’Connor, Chief Executive of Mainstream Renewable Power, the global wind and solar company sponsoring this world’s first, said:

“Mainstream is proud to sponsor this expedition because it draws attention to the disasters of global warming. The expedition can only happen because the polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate. The melting of the permafrost and the release of methane hydrate is perhaps the biggest single calamity that mankind faces and it’s all down to human-induced global warming. This expedition allows us to demonstrate to the world that there is an answer to global warming. We don’t have to do without electricity. We can have our electricity supplied by renewable sources.” “Just last month, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said that if we have any hope of keeping climate change below two degrees Celsius, the peak year of carbon emission has to be 2016. I hope this expedition will show world leaders that we need to act now.”

Speaking about the expedition, adventurer Paul Gleeson said, “We are very pleased that such a successful, Irish renewable energy company with a global presence feels as passionately about this as we do. It wasn’t long ago that the Northwest Passage was the sole domain of steel-hulled ice-breakers. We hope by making this traverse completely under human power in a row boat, without sail or motor, in a single season we will be able to demonstrate first-hand the profound affects climate change is having on our world.” The Northwest Passage is a route through the various islands of the Canadian archipelago which over the years has witnessed some incredible tales of courage, disaster and hardship. In 1845, Irishman, Francis Crozier from County Down joined Sir John Franklin on the same expedition in the HMS Terror, an expedition which ended in disaster and to this day remains unsolved.

Interstellar eco-travel? According to international tycoon Richard Branson, the impact of space travel via Virgin Galactic will have minimal impact on the environment, in line with his vision for sustainable travel. More than 500 people have reserved seats and paid deposits on the US$ 200,000 ticket price just for a few minutes of space travel on board the Space Ship Two (SS2), set to venture forth by the end of this year. “We have reduced the (carbon emission) cost of somebody going into space from something like two weeks of New York’s electricity supply to less than the cost of an economy round-trip from Singapore to London,” Branson told reporters in Singapore, where he was present to attend a summit organised by his environmental charity, the Carbon War Room. The founder of the diversified Virgin group set the Carbon War Room up in 2009 with other internationally successful entrepreneurs to urge the private sector to find market-based incentives to reduce carbon emissions. “New technology can dramatically reduce the carbon output and that is the challenge we have set ourselves,” added Branson. The SS2’s lightweight carbon-fibre body is designed to reduce fuel burn dramatically. With two pilots, the space vessel is designed to be launched by a transport plane called White Knight Two and will be guided by a rocket motor before returning to earth. Branson went on to stress the need for the aviation industry to further reduce its carbon output and shift to cleaner sources of fuel to curb the effects of climate change.

June 2013

Construction

Building bricks Ginger Krieg Dosier discusses her invention the ‘Biobrick’ and its sustainable impact on the region’s greenhouse gas emissions with Lorraine Bangera

1.23 Trillion clay bricks generates 800 million tonnes of carbon dioxide

80%

of the construction industry worldwide uses clay bricks

Ginger Krieg Dosier, Assistant Professor at American University of Sharjah

June 2013

sed as one of the most common material in architecture, bricks have existed for over 5000 years. It is quite reasonable to say that it may be the key ingredient in the construction sector. Unfortunately, most bricks we come across today are made out of clay prepared by shaping, drying and hardening the components by baking it in a coal-powered kiln at 2000 degree Celsius. The entire procedure causes emissions of gas pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing a great deal to the greenhouse gases. Each clay brick made emits 1.3 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and with 1.23 trillion bricks manufactured every year the industry could essentially be the most harmful for the environment. The brick industry also consumes millions of tonnes of good quality soil every year. Ginger Krieg Dosier, Assistant Professor at American University of Sharjah, College of Architecture, is also known as the inventor of the ‘Biobrick’. After winning the 2010 Metropolis Next Generation Design Competition is when she first displayed her invention, a sustainable solution to the brick manufacturing industry. Using bacteria, sand and waste products through an energy-saving method, she managed to manufacture an eco-friendly brick with the help of microorganisms. Inspired by nature, Dosier says, “The biobrick is a green masonry product using locally sourced aggregate materials, with a revolutionary natural biological binding technology made in ambient temperatures on site.” Biobrick is innovatively designed by microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) process which uses the microbes as a cement to seam the grains through chemical reactions. Dosier’s biobrick replaces

the usual heating with mixing and chemical reactions induced without heat at all. These bricks can be manufactured in normal room temperature, and does not require any modern infrastructure. By manufacturing biobricks instead of clay bricks, 800 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced every year. Compared to the conventional bricks, these biobricks have similar properties of strength and durability. It is said to have ubiquitous qualities which can be used all across the globe, it can fit any requirement or be used in any type of infrastructure. One of the main goals Dosier hopes to accomplish is to replace the standard brick with the biobrick. Innovations such as these help in transforming practices into being more sustainable. “Practices have the advantage of testing out new forms and using new materials in revolutionary ways. We commend practices for pursuing both LEED and Estidama programmes in design and specifications. We view practices as a market driver for new sustainable materials,” said Dosier. Inventing the biobrick has been a thrilling experience, Dosier says, “I have been working on the biobrick full time- there is a lot to invent within this alone- it keeps both myself and the company busy while

continuing to explore new shapes and applications. We hope others take advantage of this critical time in sustainability development and step up to invent other needed technologies.” Now we can turn to development without exhausting our main assets, as sand the prime element in the biobrick is abundantly available in the MENA region. According to Dosier, there are many alternative resources this region can turn towards, like (collecting) humidity, biofuel and solar energy. She adds that in constructing a building alone, there is much to be innovated. For example, buildings that could cool themselves through innovative materials or technologies would drastically reduce energy consumption. Dosier also was one of the keynote speakers at the TEDx-WWF community event in Abu Dhabi last month. Amongst other innovative leaders, she spoke about what she thinks about new and sustainable solutions and contributed to the event’s theme ‘One Planet Living.’ Dosier has given young minds an opportunity to think beyond the box, as role model to many students in her university. She says, “I believe one of the greatest paths to the green revolution is in collaborative efforts, and more blurring on the periphery of discipline lines.”

Construction

The biobrick is a green masonry product using locally sourced aggregate materials, with a revolutionary natural biological binding technology made in ambient temperatures on site.â&#x20AC;?

June 2013

ENERGY & WATER

Sustainability champion Anoop K Menon attempts to decode Mars GCC’s approach to energy and water conservation

he targets are bold notwithstanding the muscle and firepower of the world’s second largest chocolate company behind them - zero fossil-fuel energy use and zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2040, with similar commitments hinted for water and waste reduction as well; the short term targets that Mars Inc has set for itself on that road are no less daunting - reduce direct fossil-fuel energy use and GHG emissions, and also water use by 25% each by 2015; achieve zero waste to landfill by 2015. More important, these targets are applicable to Mars sites all over the world including the Dubai site, which serves as the chocolate major’s Middle East headquarters. Mars GCC, based in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) in Dubai, was established in 1993 with the chocolate factory starting operations in 1997. The latter has a capacity of 45,000 tonnes of chocolate per annum. Mars’ approach to business, as the company’s website notes, is guided by the five principles of Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom. Thus, from a sustainability standpoint, the company aims to create lasting, mutual benefits for all those involved in its business success by creating positive social impacts, minimising environmental impacts and creating economic value. In fact, the message from Mars’ CEO Paul Michaels (which kicked off the presentation

June 2013

that supplied the basis for this article) lays to rest any doubts on that front: ‘We will make a difference in the lives of people and the future of our planet because this company has decided to make sustainability a core value in how we run our plants, design our processes, support our supply chains, in fact, in every way we do business.’ “Sustainability has become an integral part of our operations because the more we grow, the more we are able reduce our impact on the environment,” says Christine Greaves, Corporate Affairs Manager, Mars GCC. Globally, Mars has identified its operations (factories and offices) as the secondgreatest area of impact on the environment, after its supply chain. To improve operational performance and mitigate environmental impact, Mars has developed Sustainable in a Generation (SiG) programme comprising long term commitments and short term set targets for fossil fuel energy use, GHG emissions, water use and waste reduction. Except for waste, the baseline for all areas is 2007 across all Mars sites worldwide. The responsibility for meeting these commitments at the Dubai site lies with Mansoor Mohammed, Safety, Environment and Security Manager, Mars GCC. The 2040 goal of zero fossil-fuel energy use, he says, will be realised by reducing the site’s energy consumption by three percent every year and replacing fossil energy with renewable energy,

Solar Garden

PHASE 1

Year of implementation: 2008 • Solar panels: 117 • Storage tanks: 3 • Expansion tanks: 5 Benefits • Saving on diesel costs: AED 230,000/Year • Saving on diesel consumption: 100,000 PHASE 2

• •

litres /year Reduction of CO2 emissions: 200 tonnes/ year Solar panels: 97 (Integrated to the old system to maximise energy usage)

Expected benefits • Savings on diesel consumption: 85,000 litres/ year • Reduction of CO2 emissions: 180 tonnes/ year

ENERGY & WATER

which he feels will be easier for the Dubai site due to ample sunshine. Though the short term target for water use reduction is 25% by 2015, the long term commitment is still being defined. “In the area of water use, our target is to reduce consumption by three percent every year. We haven’t set a long term target as chocolate production consumes a lot of water; we also have to meet food safety requirements, clean our machines on a regular basis and all of this require water.” However, Mars’ longterm objective is to achieve zero degradation of water quality. In other words, the quality of water entering and leaving any of its sites should be the same. Mansoor claimed that Mars GCC is on track to achieve its 2015 energy and water saving goals. However, with zero waste to landfill turning out to be a “bit of a challenge”, the company is striving to achieve this goal by 2014 with internal efforts geared towards achieving it by 2013. Projects in parallel To cut down on its carbon footprint, Mars GCC has replaced diesel powered boilers with solar panel arrays to heat the water used in the chocolate manufacturing process. “Chocolate needs to be made at a certain temperature, otherwise it will not flow through the pipe,” explains Mansoor. The factory has managed to progressively reduce dependence on diesel-fired boilers, except during the night, but even here, insulated storage tanks are being used to keep the water warm for a longer period, helping cut down diesel usage. (See box on solar garden). Today, solar energy supplies four percent of the Dubai site’s energy consumption. “While the first two phases of the solar garden catered to the moulding line, phase three, which was launched this year, will cater to the fill-bar line,” says Mansoor. Also, a flash steam recovery system implemented last

year has helped the factory to reduce the energy needed to heat the water in its boilers. “We used a flash recovery system to collect the return steam from the boiler and send it into the boiler’s feed water tank. Normally, the return steam escapes into the atmosphere. Since the steam is already heated, less energy was required to heat the water,” explains Mansoor. To reduce electricity consumption, the company equipped its factory with energy efficient induction lighting. “Halide lighting emits more heat, which drives up air-conditioning requirements. So we switched to energy efficient induction lighting last year as they are brighter and emit less heat,” say Mansoor, adding that induction lighting was found to be better suited to the factory environment than LED. Mars GCC has also installed solar parking lights in its car parking area. In recognition of the fact that the bulk of region’s power consumption is driven by cooling needs, Mars GCC has installed wind ventilators and ammonia chillers to save electricity. “In 2007, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), which is the environmental regulatory body for Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), advised to replace our Freon chillers as Freon is a Green House Gas (GHG). Ammonia chillers are environmentfriendly and consume 40% less energy compared to Freon. Also, the protection systems for ammonia chillers have improved a lot. So we put in 1,839 tonnes of ammonia refrigeration in two phases between 2010 and 2011. Though ammonia chillers consume more water, we have achieved net saving of 30% in water and energy consumption.” This year, the company has embarked on a pilot project for solar air-conditioning. While sustainability projects initially target low hanging fruits or small initiatives

Induction Lighting

• • • •

Number of lights replaced: 628 Energy savings: 544 MWh/year CO2 emission reduction: 290 tonnes/year Savings on energy costs: AED208,000K/year

Switching to Amonia Chillers

Years of Implementation: 2010 & 2011 Benefits 30% reduction in carbon emissions 1,839 tonnes of refrigeration 50% saving on electrical power Ammonia chiller drain water is used for flushing of toilets

June 2013

ENERGY & WATER

Solar Parking & Garden Lights

Year of Implementation: 2010 Solar garden lights: 11 Total number of solar panels: 11 Total number of lights connected: 33 Number of energy efficient external flood lights: 35 Benefits Energy savings: 162 GJ/year CO2 emission reduction: 25 tonnes/year

Natural Wind Ventilator

Number of fans: 10 Energy savings: 182 MWh/year

before upping the ante, Mars GCC doesn’t make such distinctions. Thus, apart from the big ticket initiatives like solar arrays and ammonia chillers, the Dubai site has also implemented smaller initiatives like solar tubes and also waterless urinals and sensor taps on all faucets that have reduced water consumption by 600,000 litres per year and 200,000 litres per year respectively. Mansoor continues: “Our capex and opex sustainability projects have always been implemented in parallel. Capex projects calls for investment while opex projects are mainly team driven. We have a budget allocated for sustainability projects every year by the global team. In addition to that, we also have local budgets.” “At the end of the day, it is not only about how much it costs, it is also about reducing our impact on the environment,” adds Greaves. “We get best practice recommendations from the global team but it is our call to take up what is relevant for our site.” Ongoing capex projects include wastewater treatment process upgrade to enable treated water to be re-used for irrigation and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system to polish the treated effluent for re-use in ammonia chillers. “We plan to reuse 100% of the wastewater,” says Mansoor. Mars GCC is also putting in around 50-60 water meters in the steam lines and other areas. These will supplement the bulk consumption readings from the utility meters to help understand consumption patterns and pinpoint problems. Zero waste? To tackle the goal of

June 2013

achieving zero waste to landfill by 2015, Mars GCC has set up teamdriven initiative called G-transformers. “By 2040, we want to eliminate waste completely from upstream and downstream activities,” says Greaves. “Our strategy is to reduce scrap waste, packaging waste and waste from indirect processes, reuse waste from direct and indirect processes and increase waste recycling in that order.” The core team of G-transformers meets once a week to chalk out strategies. While each team owns the work streams in their areas of expertise, much of the effort is centre around changing mindsets, notes Greaves. Some of the steps implemented to reduce waste include removal of trash cans from the desks, installing separate bins for plastics, paper and landfill, replacing all plastic cups with re-usable ceramic glasses, giving every employee a personal water bottle and setting up of a recycling area within the site, where employees are encouraged to bring in waste from homes. Within the offices, the company has implemented a pooled printing system which has reduced paper use by 50%. Under this system, print jobs sent from the computer are triggered in the printer only after personal identification. Moreover, all the printers have double side printing option. To deal with plastic waste, Mars GCC recently signed a contract with Dubai-based Ecoplastic Industries which converts plastic into a wood substitute. “Before this, we were stuck with our plastic waste. With Ecoplastic, we have solved the problem,” says Mansoor. To deal with food waste, the company has

ENERGY & WATER

implemented a Bokashi system on trial basis. The system uses microorganisms to ferment the organic waste in a special Bokashi bin. The end- product, which looks similar to the waste originally put into the bin, is directly buried into the ground near the trees inside the premises to serve as their fertiliser. Change challenges “In Europe, environmental focus is embedded in people’s lives,” says Greaves. “It is a different story here. A lot of the work is around changing people’s mindset. For example, to tackle the challenge of waste, we rely on mass communication as well as one-to-one meetings through volunteers.” Messages regarding new sustainability initiatives go out from the top management at Mars GCC. “Before we implement any change, our management communicates to the employees why it is being carried out,” explains Greaves. “Additionally, we have external partners and internal experts from the global team visiting us every year to talk about sustainability.” The company also organises ‘Lean and Green’ workshops to identify and

eliminate waste, whether it is water, energy or office management. “We had a workshop for reducing water coming into the wastewater treatment plant,” says Manoor. “We have held similar workshops to identify areas where energy is being wasted.” “This is not just about fixing a problem, but also addressing it at source. We want to look at front end as well as back end,” added Greaves. Beyond employees, the company is also roping in its suppliers to participate in its sustainability initiatives. From a 2007 base line, Mars GCC has managed to reduce energy use by 28% and water use by 17% compared to 2010. In terms of internal benchmarking, the Dubai site is ranked among the top Mars sites in the world for energy and water usage reduction. “The Dubai site is serving as the role model for Mars’ new factory coming up in Saudi Arabia, which is being built to Gold LEED standard,” reveals Greaves. “Also, EHS uses us as a role model for their sustainability forums and workshops as we were one of the first companies in JAFZA to embrace sustainability in our operations.”

Waterless Urinal

Waterless urinals in the factory premises are expected to reduce water consumption by 600,000 litres /year.

To deal with plastic waste, Mars GCC recently signed a contract with Dubai-based Ecoplastic Industries which converts plastic into a wood substitute.

“The Dubai site is serving as the role model for Mars’ new factory coming up in Saudi Arabia”

June 2013

Energy and Water

Waste equals energy BGreen speaks with Kate Colclough, Group Marketing Manager of Advanced Plasma Power (APP) about their most recent and advanced technology, Gasplasma BGreen: Tell us more about APP’s Gasplasma technology. How does it combine two welldeveloped processes? Kate Colclough: Advanced Plasma Power (APP) has developed a solution which looks ‘beyond waste’ by using its technology to create an opportunity and environmental benefit in recovering energy from what might previously have been sent to landfill. Rather than treating waste as a problem to be disposed of, and relying on rapidly-depleting sources of fossil fuels to meet our mounting energy needs, Advanced Plasma Power has developed

June 2013

the Gasplasma® process. This converts municipal, commercial and industrial waste into a clean, sustainable energy source which can be used on a local, communitybased level. The technology can also be up-scaled to meet the needs of large towns and cities - a genuinely game changing solution. The Gasplasma technology, which works in conjunction with existing recycling schemes, comprises two proven technologies that are combined in a unique configuration. Firstly, the gasifier which transforms the organic material in the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) into a crude

syngas in a controlled reduced oxygen environment. The resulting syngas, which contains tars and chars, is then passed into the separate, secondary Gasplasma® plasma conversion unit. The plasma process uses heat and ultra-violet light to crack the tar substance and breaks down the char materials, leaving a very clean syngas. The ability of the plasma converter to remove containments means that the very clean syngas can be used directly in downstream applications for fuel and power generation. The gas can be used to generate electricity directly in gas engines,

Energy & Water

turbines or fuel cells dramatically improving the energy conversion efficiency and maximising electrical output. The gas can also be converted to fuels, including hydrogen or substitute natural gas for distribution to homes and businesses in existing gas grids.

BGreen: What can Plasmarok be used for? How is it environmentally friendly? Kate Colclough: The by-product from the process – which, in the case of incineration, would be a toxic bottom-ash – is vitrified into a non-leaching solid substance called Plasmarok®. It has been classified as a product not a waste by the UK Environment Agency and is completely inert. Plasmarok® is inorganic, which removes any environmental, regulatory and commercial risk stemming from concerns over the eco-toxicity of bottom ash. It is also very strong and has applications as a highvalue construction material – not only reducing the environmental impact of the Gasplasma® process, but also offering an additional revenue stream.

BGreen: As a scalable process, how can Gasplasma be incorporated in the UAE? What kind of infrastructure would be necessary, and what kind of training would staff need to undergo? Kate Colclough: The process is fully scalable and can easily be incorporated into any country; it works with all existing power and gas networks without any retrofitting. The technology can be scaled up to meet the needs of large towns and cities, maximising the

The economics of waste-to-energy projects will always be the most important means to ensuring the success of technology adoption and roll out.” environmental benefits delivered. A typical Gasplasma® plant is around 15m high, meaning that it can fit into a standard warehouse similar to the kind seen in edge of town business parks and can be easily and quickly installed. The plants are small and have low emissions, they are innocuous enough to be located close to urban areas. This reduces the carbon footprint of the community’s waste by lessening the distance waste must be transported. It also allows plants to be located close to heat users, whether industrial or domestic, thereby further improving energy efficiency. APP work with local contractors to build and install the Gasplasma power plants.

BGreen: In what ways can APP integrate its technology with local municipalities? What is the scope for such partnerships in the UAE and the larger GCC region, considering the amount of recyclable waste? Kate Colclough: The potential for integrating APP’s technology into existing infrastructure is great because the conditions in the UAE are ripe for smart technologies and waste reduction. Currently the UAE has a waste production rate which is higher than many major cities across the world. However, it is also exploring more efficient options for its disposable waste and aims to create 100% waste divergence by 2015.

APP’s technology is designed to complement and operate within existing frameworks. It is designed so that it can be easily incorporated into any city’s infrastructure, allowing it to take residual waste that would have otherwise been destined for landfill or incinerators, a highly inefficient and environmentally hazardous means of disposing of waste. The Gasplasma® process only takes waste streams once the valuable recyclates have been removed. There is strong investor and government confidence in renewable energy in the short and long term; and despite being an oil and gas country it is recognised that the UAE could benefit from renewable technology to minimise the impact on the environment and optimise the use of resources. Furthermore, as global urban populations increase so will the demand and competition for valuable fossil fuels. Meeting this energy demand will be one of the major challenges and investing in renewable energy will ensure security of supply and lower energy costs in the future, particularly when it also provides a sustainable waste management solution.

BGreen: As a form of energy recovery, what are the obstacles in the market impeding further development of waste-toenergy technology? Kate Colclough: The economics of waste-to-energy projects will always be the most important means to ensuring the success of technology adoption and roll out. This is particularly the case with advanced conversion technologies that are on the point of mass commercialisation and typically do not need to rely on the benefits of economies of scale. Governments can help create the right market conditions, bolstering investor confidence. Each project has its own challenges from a project finance and planning perspective. However, the greatest challenge is the need for consistent and transparent energy policy from national governments that in turn gives confidence to investors and financiers that the technology will operate in a commercially viable and constant framework over the lifetime of the project.

June 2013

Comment | Krämer

Quo vadis solaris? Dr Michael Krämer, Senior Associate and Energy Specialist at international law firm Taylor Wessing, Dubai, outlines where he sees opportunities for the solar sector in the UAE

he wider GCC region is getting more and more attention from the solar industry these days. This does not come as much of a surprise, given the natural suitability of the region for everything solar and, of course, the fact that solar markets in other parts of the world are declining for various reasons, the best of

June 2013

which is “too much” installed solar capacity in Germany. Recent developments in the region are very interesting indeed. At present, the region is still almost “virgin ground”, but with massive potential. In total, less than 150 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity have actually been installed in the region so far. Judging by installed

capacity alone, Abu Dhabi is leading by far, with Shams 1’s 100 MW and the Masdar City’s 10 MW power plants being connected to the grid and actually supplying clean energy to consumers. The future is promising, however, with approximately 50 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy projects having been announced. Saudi Arabia

Comment | Krämer

The abundance of sunshine in the UAE, paired with the UAE’s competitive spirit, offer the perfect breeding ground to develop and apply new solar technologies”

is taking the lead in this respect, having announced concrete plans to add 41 GW of solar capacity to its general energy mix by 2030. Other jurisdictions have less ambitious targets, but are still planning to install a considerable amount of solar capacity. Kuwait, for example, is planning to increase its supply by 2,200 MW between now and 2030, Qatar to add 1,800 MW by 2020 and Abu Dhabi and Dubai together, planning an additional 2,500 MW by 2030. The UAE, and even more so the Emirate of Dubai, are keen to develop into the regional hub for the solar industry. At first glance, this might appear overly ambitious, taking into account that Saudi Arabia is planning to install vastly more solar capacity (41 GW) than Abu Dhabi and Dubai together (2.6 to 2.7 GW

Dr Michael Krämer

in total) within the same time frame (2030). Naturally, industries set up where the market is and Saudi Arabia offers a much more promising market than the UAE. However, announced future solar capacity is unlikely to be the only driver. Admittedly, the UAE will find it difficult to compete with Saudi Arabia on the utility scale solar market. Assuming that all announced projects will actually be built, Saudi Arabia offers much more potential than the UAE. Going utility scale is not the only way forward, however. The UAE, particularly Dubai, has established itself as a commercial hub for the region in virtually all industries. And yet, by itself, the UAE market is too small for most industries to develop an interest. International players are attracted to the UAE due to it offering stability in a not always stable region, it adopting a very business friendly approach and, and this is probably the most important reason, the UAE having established an outstanding infrastructure which is ahead of that found in most, if not all, other

jurisdictions in the region. Due to this infrastructure, the UAE has established itself as the hub from which international companies distribute their products and services throughout the region. For this reason, we believe that although most solar companies will establish subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia, their regional headquarters will remain in the UAE from where the region will be serviced. In addition, the establishment of a local solar industry is not solely dependent on large projects. Demand is the driver and demand can also be driven by a multitude of small projects. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are currently looking into opening up a solar rooftop market by incentivising individuals and corporate entities to invest in private solar energy generation. In fact, such private investment initiatives have turned out to be key drivers of solar industry development in other jurisdictions, such as Germany and Italy. In addition, large scale solar is only one aspect of a wider, interlinked industry. Solar power plants provide a fluctuating amount of electricity which depends on the actual amount of sunshine. Hence, once solar energy contributes a significant part to the general energy mix, further technologies are required to stabilise the grid, such as smart grid technologies. Another opportunity lies in linking electric vehicles with their batteries to the grid. These batteries can be used to store excess energy at times when too much energy is generated and to feed electricity back into the grid when needed, thus helping stabilise the grid. Further technologies which will be particularly useful for the region include solar cooling and solar desalination technologies. In summary, the UAE is unlikely to lead the way on the large scale solar market. Given the UAE’s history of adopting future technologies quicker than its neighbours, however, we see the UAE take a more holistic approach. The abundance of sunshine in the UAE, paired with the UAE’s competitive spirit, offer the perfect breeding ground to develop and apply new solar technologies. Watch this space, the UAE’s solar future looks promising indeed. To contact Dr Michael Krämer email m.kraemer@taylorwessing.com

June 2013

Construction

A vision of the future?

On 22 April, otherwise known as Earth Day, Seattle’s Bulitt Centre was inaugurated as possibly the greenest building in the world. Moheet Vishwas weighs the building’s strengths and potential in garnering this lofty title

his Earth Day, residents in Seattle marked the grand unveiling of a building which is being touted as the greenest on this planet. This 50,000 square foot, six storey tall office building called the Bullitt Centre is worth US$ 30 million. While the Bullitt foundation occupies only 20% of the building, the rest has already been leased out to tenants like the International Living Future Institute and the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab, who have embarked on a very public experiment in sustainability upon occupation—like guinea pigs in a laboratory kind of an environment. The former is a NGO committed to the task of developing communities that are socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. While the institute also drives the ambitious Living Building Challenge programme which has imperatives that go beyond LEED certification requirements. The Challenge is the 2012 winner of the Buckminster Fuller Prize for socially responsible

US$ 30 million The cost for constructing Seattle’s Bullitt Centre

230,000 KWh/ year Energy produced by rooftop PV panels Moheet Vishwas

June 2013

design that is regionally specific yet globally applicable. Distinguished by the lack of parking and a rooftop that extends beyond its footprint, the building incorporates a wide range of net zero carbon, water and waste management practices and strategies. This includes the rooftop which harnesses solar energy through an array of photovoltaic panels designed to produce an estimated 230,000 KWh a year. Daylight harvesting features include extra high exposed wood ceilings and 10-foot high windows, to allow optimum natural lighting and no office desk is more than 30 feet from a window. A 56,000 gallon underground cistern collects rain water after it’s treated and makes up for the building’s non-

potable water consumption. It also processes its own sewage (composting toilets) and prohibits materials like furniture and paint with volatile organic compounds. The intricate ventilation and electrical systems are aesthetically exposed to appreciate and showcase the engineering delight along with Quick Response (QR) code tags which can be scanned through smart phones by users to learn more about specific details of each system. This and other features such as an environmentally responsive advanced building management system that receives data from a nearby mini weather station to optimise comfort while maintaining its energy efficiency gives the building unparalleled bragging rights. This kind of implementation tells us that

Construction

the integration of these technologies has never before been attempted under one roof. However, the building has to complete a year to achieve the certification and prove through energy audits that it is in fact a self-sustaining and an intelligent living building. This will also make it only the fourth such building to exist in the world and eight times in size of the largest among the other three. While the rent is at par any premium building in its region, many of its services are not available for the same price. The tenants will have an important role to play in meeting the building’s targets of sustainability since they have to live within fixed utility budgets and the unused energy within their budgets can be transferred to others as well. The Bullitt Centre may not enjoy the tax reductions that other LEED certified green buildings in the US do, but it is expected to be around for the next 250 years. However, lower facility costs while avoiding energy and water bills in this extended life

56,000 gallon The capacity of an underground cistern to collect rain water for non-potable water consumption

span is in itself a huge financial reward. Since it’s not every day that we see technology compliment environmental awareness on such a scale, the design and construction industry can be inspired to use this building as a prototype to make even more economically viable ‘living buildings’ in time. Moheet Vishwas is a LEED Green Associate with an MSc in Energy. He is a Lead Systems Specialist at Infratech Controls. To contact him, email moheet. vishwas@infratechcontrols.com

June 2013

comment | Iannelli

Accelerating efforts Ivano Iannelli, CEO of Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, outlines the emirate’s green growth, looking at the past, present and future

e’re only half way through 2013, and the year is already taking shape as a milestone in the UAE and Dubai’s path to low-carbon economic development. In the first quarter, we witnessed the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai completing comprehensive studies on the total amounts and sources of their greenhouse gas emissions. Now the same exercise will be undertaken for the whole country as mandated by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water. This will serve as the foundation for a low-carbon strategy on an emirate and federal level. All together, the UAE leadership has paved the road with clear statements and initiatives. Having

June 2013

The UAE currently has the second largest number of CDM projects in the Arab world, just after Egypt”

hosted conferences such as the World Energy Forum in 2012 for the first time outside of the UN Headquarters in New York, Dubai is progressively moving forward. The UAE hit international headlines with the opening of the

world’s largest concentrated solar power plant in Abu Dhabi, SHAMS1, displacing 175,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and powering around 20,000 homes. We are looking forward to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park to follow. The UAE currently has the second largest number of CDM projects in the Arab world, just after Egypt. In Dubai, we saw the successful registration of the first carbon credits in the past six months - industrial scale efficiency projects of companies like the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) or Union Cement Company (UCC) in Ras Al Khaimah; all of which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently

comment | Iannelli

By 2030, the Dubai Supreme Council foresees a 30% reduction in energy demand compared to business as usual, a goal that can only be achieved by actively involving all stakeholders, governmental entities, private sector and Dubai’s residents”

honoured in a statement released on their website. I was personally impressed by the commitment DEWA has shown with the opening of the first platinum LEED certified building in the Middle East, their new office building in Al Quoz. This year, Dubai Carbon will start working directly with the Dubai Community by distributing close to 800,000 energy efficient CFL bulbs to households free of charge. This is the first project of this scale in the Gulf

Ivano Iannelli

registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for carbon credits. The CFLs will replace wasteful Incandescent Light Bulbs (ICLs) to save up to 80% of the energy for lighting. With electricity in Dubai generated 100% by fossil fuels, this will have a significant impact on Dubai’s carbon footprint in the short and medium term. The Emirati culture is very entrepreneurial and their concern about the environment manifests itself into harvesting Green Economy opportunities on a national, regional and global scale. More debate happens at board level with our clients and partners. Dubai is business driven and all projects proposed are always structured in a manner that considers the benefit for the environment as much as the financial return of investment. This approach emphasises replicability, a key element of sustainable development. Dubai Carbon see the value of driving green economy, simply because we wish to shift from a short-term, higher risk profitability to a longer-term sustainable approach to revenues. The ability to capture the relevance of

resource efficiency will be a key replicator across the globe. Although Dubai is below the national and regional benchmark for our carbon footprint per capita, we still have opportunities to look after. By 2030, the Dubai Supreme Council foresees a 30% reduction in energy demand compared to business as usual, a goal that can only be achieved by actively involving all stakeholders, governmental entities, private sector and Dubai’s residents. Harvesting private sector involvement in this allows for both green economic growth and emission reduction—the proverbial win-win. There are many hurdles and challenges that the UAE and the region as a whole will have to overcome - fear of big investments especially if they are not within core business, low carbon prices, occasionally disinterest or the lack of awareness. Dubai offers a dynamic and ever changing environment where best practices are written rather than researched. 2013 seems to be the year things are happening. A lot of innovation comes from within the wonders of this melting pot of cultures and will foresee more gamechanging approaches generated locally to drive the global agenda. Widely renowned as a leading expert in sustainability and carbon emissions management, Ivano Iannelli is the Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, under the Supreme Council of Energy.

June 2013

Construction | NORA

Sustainability begins with the floor Essentially, the architecture of a building is determined by three factors: the facade, the walls and the floor. Weinheimbased nora systems outlines the importance of flooring in sustainable construction

s a rule, integral components of the building structure remain unchanged for decades. The interior fittings present a differentiated picture. Whereas the colours of the walls or the wallpaper are often renewed at shorter intervals, the floor covering usually lies in the building for many years. It therefore needs to be especially durable, hard-wearing and sustainable. Long-lasting and ecologically sound: rubber floor coverings in style worldwide Just how important the choice of a high-quality floor covering actually is becomes apparent when the purchase price is taken into consideration. This accounts for just 10% of the overall life cycle costs, while the remaining 90% are incurred for maintenance, i.e. for care and cleaning. This is why architects all over the world frequently choose rubber floor coverings from nora systems. These are not only extremely resistant and easy to clean due to their dense surface, but they are also the only resilient floor coverings which do not have to be coated – and that is a huge advantage. Indestructible without a coating Coatings such as those required by linoleum and PVC wear down

June 2013

completely after just a few months of normal cleaning. This was proved in a study published in the summer of 2012 by Linz Technical College in Austria, where scientists tested and compared linoleum, PVC and rubber resilient floor coverings. With coated coverings, microscopically tiny tears and holes, into which particles of dirt or even bacteria can penetrate, appear where the surface sealing is subjected to heavy strain. Not only does the floor covering look unsightly, but it can also become a safety hazard, especially in healthcare facilities. For architects, who are liable for a five year warranty for building products, floor refurbishments represent a considerable risk. As well as the costs of the new coating, the operational disruptions caused by refurbishing are also considerable. To repair the floor covering, whole areas have to be temporarily closed down every time – particularly in hospitals that is a major problem. Certified environmental compatibility The increasing worldwide demand for rubber floor coverings is attributable to both the strivings of many planners to design ecologically sound buildings, as well as to the usage of ecologically safe building materials that is already being stipulated in public calls for tenders. Rubber floor coverings from nora systems are made of high-quality

natural and industrial rubber together with minerals and environmentally compatible colour pigments. Devoid of plasticizers or halogens, they became the first ever resilient floor coverings to be awarded the “Blue Angel …for low emissions” ecolabel as long ago as 2006. This was followed by other international Green Design certificates. Contribution to the sustainability of buildings Another theme which is coming under increasing scrutiny in the construction sector is the sustainability of buildings. To evaluate this, not only the individual building products themselves, but the entire life cycle of the building is also taken into consideration, from

Construction | NORA

nora systems GmbH. In particular, the extremely hermetic, energy-saving construction methods used today pose huge challenges since they minimise air exchange in buildings. To sustainably avoid health risks, low-emission building materials should be used for new building or renovations. After all, we spend between 80 and 90% of our time in enclosed spaces. On account of its large surface area, the floor covering in particular is a decisive factor in assuring healthy indoor air. However, not only the flooring should be harmless to health and ecologically safe. Installation materials such as primers, fillers and adhesives, as well as the quality of the work, also play a major role in achieving a healthy living environment.

the planning stage, realisation and usage right through to the recycling and disposal. The pioneer of this holistic approach in Germany is the Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), of which nora systems is one of the co-initiators and founding members. The evaluation covers the theme areas of ecology, economics, sociocultural and functional aspects, technology, processes and location, together with the well-being of the building’s users. Taking the floor as an example, this means that if the floor covering has to be replaced ten times during the average life span of a building (between 70 and 80 years), this produces a more negative rating in the sustainability assessment than if it only needs to be replaced twice or three times. The extreme wear resistance and longevity of rubber floor coverings, which still look practically new even after many years of intensive usage, make a decisive contribution to the sustainability of buildings.

Safety with a system: nora system blue Weinheim, February 2013 – nora system blue, the first certified and environmentally compatible floor installation system, is conquering the world. Rubber specialists nora systems had launched the innovative composite system in Germany in 2010. In response to the rising demand for ecologically sound and sustainable building materials, nora system blue is now also being introduced on the international markets. “The reason behind the development of nora system blue was the more stringent demands being made on modern building methods. Environmental and health aspects are becoming increasingly crucial,” explains Alexander K. Althof, CEO of

360° quality management system for floorings Due to their natural raw materials, rubber floor coverings from nora systems have always been devoid of plasticizers and halogens, which is why they have been carrying the “Blue Angel …for low emissions” eco label for some years now. “With nora system blue, however, we have gone a step further and developed the world’s first certified 360° quality management system for floorings,” emphasises Althof. Additionally, selected installers receive special nora system blue training. And because every single component of the system guarantees the highest safety levels, the overall system has also been certified by TÜV Rheinland. Planning reliability for calls for tenders Everybody benefits from nora system blue: planners, installers and the people using the buildings. Architects submitting calls for tenders with nora system blue are legally safeguarded to the hilt as well, as the test criteria applied by TÜV Rheinland can be used as proof that the utilised materials are environmentally compatible and meet the requirements for sustainable building. “nora system blue gives me planning security,” says Lennart Wiechell, partner at Schmidhuber Architekten in Munich. “The overall system with its safety standards

June 2013

Construction | NORA

authority certification assures me both excellent installation results as well as good indoor air quality. This enables me to fulfil my responsibilities towards my clients and users.” Competitive benefits for installers This composite system, unique worldwide, also offers cuttingedge advantages for flooring manufacturers: “The fact that we are certified installers of nora system blue is a competitive advantage for our company,” confirms Christiane Müller, CEO of Heiligenhaus-based Hoops Bodenbeläge GmbH & Co. KG. “There is a huge demand for health-wise safe and ecological floor coverings. These criteria are frequently anchored in the calls for tenders and taken into consideration when awarding the contracts.” Responsibility for health and the environment Good indoor air is important for everybody, but it is even more crucial for children and the sick on account of their weaker immune systems. “We chose nora system blue because a healthy and pleasant environment is decisive in aiding the recovery of our patients,” says Ulf Ermshaus, Head of Building Technology at Gütersloh municipal hospital. “In doing so, we are placing our reliance on a systematic method – sustainable and healthy living spaces simply pay for themselves.” Preschool teacher Sarah Rehm is likewise convinced: “As a kindergarten teacher I assume a special responsibility, and it’s important to me that the children in my care feel good with me. The ambient environment plays a large role. nora system blue has been

June 2013

certified as having low emission levels and consequently contributes to the children’s health welfare.” Unique customer care concept Alongside the perfect harmonisation of the individual components, another success factor for nora system blue is its unique customer care concept. Decision-makers are extensively advised by nora specialists in preparing their calls for tenders and are accompanied throughout every phase of their project. Additionally, application engineers from nora systems provide on-site support for flooring installers and give technical recommendations for the installation. This is especially important, because in 95 percent of cases of damage it is not the product, but the work that has been carried out which leads to complaints. Furthermore, every step of the installation is documented seamlessly and precisely. Another advantage is that if nora system blue components are installed by companies that have been certified by the TÜV Rheinland safety standards authority, nora systems extends the product warranty from five to seven years. CEO Althof is certain: “With nora system blue we have created an all-round, care-free package for everybody involved in the construction of buildings and the people that use them.”

Quality management for floors In 2010, the growing demands being made on modern construction and the rising significance of environmental and health aspects led nora systems to develop the world’s first certified 360° quality management system for floors: nora system blue. nora system blue combines nora’s low-emission rubber floor coverings with low-emission installation materials. All the system’s components have been awarded the “Blue Angel” eco-label and are also tested within the composite system. This eliminates the likelihood of any hazardous interaction between the single components and assures healthy indoor air. On account of its resounding success, nora system blue has recently also been introduced worldwide. About nora systems nora systems develops, manufactures and markets high-quality resilient floor coverings and shoe components under the nora® brand name. The Weinheim-based company was formed from Freudenberg Bausysteme KG in 2007, and as a global market leader has been shaping the development of rubber floor coverings for many years. In 2012, more than 1100 employees generated a turnover of 205,8 million euros. _______________________________ For further information contact: Steven McFadden Regional Manager Architect, B.Arch. Ireland LEED Green Associate Tel: +971 4 450 8175 Fax: +971 4 450 8374 steven.mcfadden@nora.com

Protect our natural heritage.

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Construction

Circle of life CEO of DESSO Alexander Collot d’Escury speaks to Lorraine Bangera on how Cradle to Cradle® as a manufacturing concept can pave the way for a low-carbon economy based on the zero-waste ideal

luctuations in the economy directly affect the demand for consumer goods. In the case of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, economies that are predicted to grow in the near future, this demand is said to increase. With resources running out, we need to think fast and turn things around. And sometimes completely around, like a circular economy. A regenerative alternative which will give most businesses an environmental focus and manage resources conscientiously. Cradle to Cradle® is a methodology

June 2013

designed for new processes, products and services. This kind of concept originates from the Founder of Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) and former Greenpeace scientist, Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart and US architect, William McDonough. According to Braungart materials have a useful afterlife after being recycled or even upcycled, sometimes the value of these products can even be higher than their original use. One of the pioneers of the launching the concept of circular

economy, Desso, has used this economic model to design various industrial creations. Inspired by Cradle to Cradle® back in 2008, the team at Desso decided to make some changes and adhere to the new principles. The then team members including current CEO of DESSO Alexander Collot d’Escury set a goal to entirely shift to Cradle to Cradle® designs by 2020. D’Escury states, “People spend 90% of their time indoors and as Desso focuses on flooring we ask ourselves, how can the floor work for ones wellbeing? Which is why we make carpets that contribute to cleaner indoor air, so we have carpets the filter the air of fine dust by 8 times, and therefore reduce the illness levels.” Their vast range of materials will not only be free of toxics, but the energy used in production will be entirely of renewable sources, and products will have an afterlife quality through which the materials used can be reused to make high grade products. This could help end the need of continually drawing out earth’s resources. If we see Desso’s example, the products made are recyclable and non-toxic. According to d’Escury, “If you start with the wrong product like PVC, a poisonous product, and you start recycling it. It becomes even more harmful and less stable. That is like doing the wrong

Construction

Alexander Collot d’Escury

thing perfectly right. The first step is get your ingredients right. Carpets should be composed in such a way that it could be consumed, and does not make you ill. We analyse all the ingredients in our carpets, ingredients which are compliant with the local regulations. But we want to take it a step further, we want Desso’s carpets to have no toxics for humans or animals. As of now half of our carpet tiles are made of yarn which has recycled content ranging from 50 to 100%.” The Environment Protection and Engagement Agency also analyses

all ingredients, after which they categorise them into four columns; green, red, yellow and grey. Green meaning it can be consumed, red signifies it is not very good as it includes too much toxic and must be replaced, yellow is acceptable but could be better, and grey is marked when the ingredients are unknown caused due to lack of communication between suppliers. “In the end we want all our products to be green, which is a tremendous effort of time, quality and people. Currently about 70% of our carpet tiles, which the major part of our business, are Cradle to Cradle certified,” says d’Escury. One of the aims of the Cradle to Cradle® concept is to use materials and design products in a way that will help progressing the environment and human health. The concept is inspired by the natural cycle that already exists in the world. D’Escury explains with a simple example of the cherry blossom tree; the tree creates fruit for many animals and even humans. It makes abundant blossoms and fruit that is used by both humans and animals, without depleting the environment. And once they fall down, their materials decompose, and their nutrients decompose and feed the microorganisms, insects, plants and soil. Forming a one big circle, a cradle to cradle design.

Cradle to Cradle® concept’s five criteria: Material Health Every ingredient used in the products must be toxic-free. They will be judged against a set of environmental and human health criteria and any ingredients that are classified as red (high risk) or grey (unable to define) should be phased out and replaced. Material Reutilisation Believing the philosophy of ‘waste equals food’. In the case of carpets, Desso takes back carpets and recycles or reuses the materials. While all non-recyclable fractions is used as secondary fuel in the cement industry. Renewable Energy Use Energy used in production should be renewable, so that what they produce is progressive for the environment and for human health. Water Stewardship Water resources must be used responsibly and efficiently, and the water released from factories into local rivers must be as clean as possible. Social Responsibility One of the main attribute of social responsibility is to regard one’s staff, and make sure that companies in their supply chain are not violating these principles.

June 2013

Construction | SIG

SIG & Gyproc ‘taking internal finishes to a new level’ With the launch of their new range of gypsum finishing plasters, drylining manufacturing specialist Gyproc Middle East has now made it easy to achieve the high quality flawless wall and ceiling finishes demanded for today’s prestigious building interiors, as Middle East Business Leader, Paul Anderson at SIG Middle East, the GCC division of the distribution giant Sheffield Insulation Group explains

hilst buildings today are getting ever more complex and sophisticated, contractors are now coming under increasing pressure to build faster and at lower cost. Something has to give, and while structural integrity must remain paramount, it can be the structural

June 2013

finish quality that suffers. At SIG, we are helping to transform rough internal finishes into high quality modern building interiors, and this has now become something of a science – which is where modern finishing systems come into their own. Gypsum-based plasters are one of the oldest finishing solutions

around – dating back to the times of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt – and are still today the preferred finishing option for homes, commercial buildings, hospitals and schools throughout The Middle East, Europe, USA and in many other parts of the world. In the UAE, however, painter-

Construction | SIG

At SIG, we are helping to transform rough internal finishes into high quality modern building interiors, and this has now become something of a science – which is where modern finishing systems come into their own” applied putties or stuccos are currently the more popular finishing method, and the many benefits of plaster finishes are now starting to be fully recognised for the impeccable results. The drawbacks of finishing putties Ready mixed putties are popular because of their low skill requirement, ease of application and ability to achieve an acceptable finish for many non-critical building applications. However, their thin coat structure – typical application thickness is just 190 microns, or about 0.2mm – and application technique mean it can be difficult to achieve a smooth and blemish-free finish without multiple coats. Even then the finish achieved is often unsatisfactory for critical light areas and other demanding applications, for instance where dark coloured paints are used. Gypsum is made for the job The unique properties of gypsum make it an ideal base for modern finishing plasters. When mixed with water, gypsum plasters become pliable and exhibit a strong bond that will adhere to a range of backgrounds. They are easy to apply and provide excellent coverage. They harden in two stages – setting first by a chemical process before they dry out. This unique property of gypsum plasters means that, unlike sand and cement renders and limebased plasters they do not shrink

and crack as they dry – leaving a smooth, high quality even surface for decoration. A typical application thickness of 2mm means that just two coats will build to a thickness of 4mm – more than enough to cover any minor imperfections in the underlying background. World leading technology Gyproc’s parent group, Saint-Gobain, is world leader in gypsum technology and manufactures plasters in many countries around the world. Gyproc has therefore been able to call on a wealth of expertise in plaster formulation when developing its new GypFine range and SIG are now providing an ever increasing volume to UAE applicators. Gyproc have combined the technology with local knowledge of building and finishing techniques to develop plasters which are not only ideal for the extremes of temperature and humidity encountered in the UAE and wider Middle East, but which are easy to apply using the techniques and skills already available in the local market. Key benefits of GypFine plasters Like all Saint-Gobain finishing plasters, the new GypFine range of plasters dry to a hard, resilient, scuff-resistant finish, to providing a smooth hardwearing internal surface for the life of the building. One of the key differences, however, is that GypFine plasters

have been specially formulated with an easy-sand surface, so any small imperfections still present when the plaster has set can be quickly sanded down to leave a perfectly flat, even finish. This unique property of GypFine plasters means that the level of skill required for application is not as critical, and therefore excellent finished results can be achieved by semi-skilled tradesmen, such as painters and dryliners, as well as fully qualified plasterers. In addition, the thicker 2mm coat thickness, means that in general just two applications are required to achieve the required level of finish, particularly in critical light areas, unlike putties or stuccos, for which several applications can be needed to achieve an acceptable finish. This reduces both time and cost on site, as well as enabling more efficient work scheduling and easier management of follow-on trades. GypFine plasters also dry white, reducing the number of paint coats required and providing a perfect base for a wide range of different colour finishes. The plasters will accept decoration with most paint finishes and wall coverings, as well as ceramic tiles – which can be applied once the plaster has dried. A plaster for every application The new GypFine finishing plasters range incorporates three different formulations. GypFine-Ultra Skim has been specially formulated to provide a high quality finish to both plasterboard and masonry

June 2013

Construction | SIG

SIG and Gyproc are convinced that once contractors have tried the new GypFine plasters, they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go back to their old finishing methodsâ&#x20AC;? backgrounds, and therefore gives maximum versatility and speed, particularly where a mix of backgrounds are involved. For jobs involving large areas of jointed plasterboard, GypFine-Board Skim is the preferred finish, and GypFineMulti Skim, a plaster for finishing over backgrounds such as sand and cement render, gypsum basecoats and fair face concrete, completes the current range. GypFine-Ultra Skim, which gives the plasterer the ultimate versatility, is expected to provide the preferred solution, where its ability to be applied on various backgrounds will reduce mixing, cut waste and save valuable time when faced with both plasterboard and masonry backgrounds. It is also specially formulated to remove the need for a primer coat prior to decoration, saving further time and cost on the job. GypFine-Board Skim, on the other hand, has been designed specifically for application to low-medium suction plasterboard backgrounds. It is applied once all board joints have been filled and reinforced, and is formulated to exhibit a strong, permanent bond to plasterboard linings, and will not crack or break

June 2013

away as it sets. It is therefore ideal for jobs involving large expanses of plasterboard wall and ceiling. GypFine-Multi Skim has been designed for finishing over a range of backgrounds from high suction dry or damp gypsum undercoat plasters to low suction masonry and rendered surfaces. It is not suitable for finishing plasterboards. Getting you up to speed As already stated, GypFine plasters do not require a high level of skill to apply, although obviously, the more experienced the applicator, the quicker the plaster will be mixed and applied, and the less sanding will be needed to achieve the required level of finish. For contractors undertaking larger contracts, requiring high volumes of plaster finishing, Gyproc has developed a new training module covering skimming with GypFine finishing plasters. This one day specialist training module is designed to familiarise installers with the new range, and get them up to speed quickly through best practice training on background preparation, mixing, application and finishing. Anyone wishing to book on this course can complete the online

booking form at www.gyproc.ae/page/ sitetraining or ask an SIG Drylining specialist to assist with the booking. Try it for yourself SIG and Gyproc are convinced that once contractors have tried the new GypFine plasters, they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go back to their old finishing methods. We are therefore happy to set up demonstrations on site for both contractors and clients, or to arrange for free samples for contractors to try so that they can quickly appreciate the many benefits that the plasters bring. Contractors with projects on their books that involve large areas of finishing should call us for details & support. FOR Further information please contact: Craig Brownlee@sig-me.com RussellWilliams@sig-me.com sales@sig-me.com Tel: +971 4 885 8399 products available at

THE TOTAL OFFICE

The Total Office, PO Box 26326, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | T: 04 450 8700 | F: 04 450 8702 | Email: info@thetotaloffice.biz | www.thetotaloffice.biz

roundtable | GE

Lighting the Path to 2030 Last month, GE Lighting organised a round table to discuss the sustainability challenges in the Middle East lighting sector

ighting the path to 2030: Opportunities and obstacles for the adoption of sustainable lighting,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; brought together stakeholders from the industry to discuss the energy-efficient and environmentally friendly lighting in the construction sector, from new projects to retrofits. The panel comprised of Solaiman Al-Rifai, Director of Project Finance, Dubai Carbon; Agostino Renna, President and CEO for Europe, Middle East and Africa, GE Lighting; Sarfraz Dairkee, Founding Member, Emirates

Green Building Council & General Manager, Corporate Development & Engineering, MAHY Khoory & Co; Moheet Vishwas, Lead Systems Specialist, Infratech; P R Jagannathan, Sustainability Manager, Trakhees-EHS and Siddharth Mathur, Design Director, Studio Lumen. The discussion was moderated by Anoop K Menon, Editor, Power & Water Middle East. Excerpts from the panel discussion have been presented below. The complete transcript with speaker profiles is available online at www.buildgreen.ae Transformation underway in the lighting industry Agostino Renna: First, when you talk about climate change and energy efficiency, the importance of lighting emerges quite clearly. From that perspective, what we do as a business has become very relevant from a global scale. Second, the entire lighting industry is on the cusp of what I believe to be a technological revolution. We are moving from an environment of mass produced, disposable commodity products (incandescent lights that had to be disposed after the end of their 1,000 hours of useful life, industry players who differentiated themselves in terms of their ability to drive scale and mass production so that customers would buy more) to LED luminaires with a useful life of about 15 years. In

June 2013

fact, customers and end users are starting to view this technology as more of a strategic asset versus a disposable commodity. As is the case with new technological developments, there is a lot of information out there, some accurate, some not so accurate. As a leading industry player, we feel that it our responsibility and obligation to provide useful information to the lighting community and educate them on the dos and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts of LED. From my interaction with customers, I have identified three barriers that tend to get in the way of making investments in LED. One, I find customers debating this is going to cost me money before I can save money, so how can I come up with the initial capital to invest in a LED lighting system?

roundtable | GE

Mass produced but easily adaptable to local needs could probably be the answer for high value items to be used for longer periods.” Second, due to gaps in information there is uncertainty around what the technology is capable of. People are out there talking about 20-25 year warranties on LED products. Customers are thinking - is that true? Am I making the right choice? If I wait for two more years, will I get something better? So there is a need to help customers understand where we are in the evolution of this technology.

Third, the risk associated with the outcome. All these investments are predicated on essentially two things – return on investment and carbon footprint reduction. Customers want some level of certainty that the economic case and the environmental case will materialise. It follows that the winners will be those who can go to market with propositions that basically help customers understand: • Where will they get the money to invest? • How to select the appropriate technology? • How to potentially guarantee the outcome - the economic outcome or the environmental outcome That’s the direction we are very excited about because it’s something that GE Lighitng can do well. Sarfraz Dairkee: I agree with Mr Renna’s observations. By increasing the life of the lighting products, we can reduce the damage to the

environment. Mass produced but easily adaptable to local needs could probably be the answer for high value items to be used for longer periods. When it comes to cost, this is something has always been addressed in the building industry through the integrated design process. We have to look at the possibility of the particular design doing more than one job. For example, when you produce light, the inevitable corollary is heat at almost 70%. We may have to look if the heat could be made useful somewhere. In the context of lighting industry in the region, I think it requires far more studies as compared to any other part of the world. We require air-conditioning for 6,000-7,000 hours out of 8,760 hours.

June 2013

roundtable

Whatsoever heat you are adding, an equal amount of energy will have to be spent to remove the heat from that environment. If we try to integrate that particular factor in our design system, our answers would be probably different. Of course, LED offers a very significant advantage compared to CFL by being amenable to automation to deliver the correct amount of light when and where we need it. Challenges of adapting LED lighting to the region Moheet Vishwas: From a control perspective, the idea is to give the end user as much of control and analysis over the lighting system. At the same time, we try to incorporate as much of daylight as possible because this region has abundant sunlight. But the inherent challenge there is how to incorporate daylight without affecting the

thermal envelope of the building as very complex calculations go into designing the building’s cooling system. The client usually decides with the contractor on the lighting – halogen or LED or CFL - depending on his confidence level with the technology. A major chunk of the efficiency in lighting is influenced by the lamp used. While LEDs are very efficient, there is a significant cost factor associated with them. Perhaps, solid warranties could offer a way to mitigate the cost and risks. We offer multiple control approaches based on occupancy or scheduling depending on the building type – if it is residential buildings, we can do energy metering and educate the tenants on their consumption trends and how they can save on their electricity bills through energy-efficient. Savings are a major attraction for the building’s tenant and the client or landlord. P R Jagannathan: We have mandatory green building regulations that have been enforced from 2008. We also have a set of regulations for different built environments. Globally, buildings are responsible for a third of the emissions. In a building, lighting is the highest consumer of electricity after HVAC. In this part of the world, 80% of a building’s load can be HVAC due to the harsh environment. By reviewing various energy models on numerous projects, we have seen that the lighting load could vary anywhere from seven per cent to 70%. Lighting becomes the dominant load in buildings that don’t have air-conditioning,

June 2013

like large warehouses. By following efficient energy design practices and complying with regulations, our records show that you could save up to 30% of the energy. But the major challenge is psychological as people tend to prefer tried and tested. The concept of integrated design is used rarely. If a place doesn’t require light or has sufficient day light, you need to ask yourself if you need lights. However, if the place needs lighting, we need to take a space by space approach. Find out how much light you require and then decide on the type of light. Choice of lighting is a function of the size of the project, feasibility, operating hours, etc. In the recent past, there has been a tendency to go for alternative lighting such as LEDs – for example, we have 50W Halogen low voltage replaced by 7W LEDs; we have 400W high-bay lamps of warehouses being replaced 100W or 125W LEDs. LEDs are also good candidates for retrofits. While LEDs are now widely accepted, they are yet to reach the maturity and assurance that CFLs enjoy. We had reviewed a hotel project where the theme had a dominant role as opposed to the regulatory requirement. The project did get certified but the point I want to bring out is that sometimes, the owner’s requirement might play a significant role which leaves us very little room for aggressively enforcing the regulatory requirement. Cost is also a concern – people may not be able to deploy LEDs straightaway so they would rather have their high-bay lamps

roundtable | GE

considering the cost and the fact that for the nature of their operations, they are not able to get significant payback. Also, lighting design is a system design which starts with integrated design, identifying the needs, using the right technology to cater to those needs. It doesn’t stop with design and bill of quantities alone; it goes a step beyond to payback analysis based on the genuine operating hours of the client. You have to spend time working these calculations out thumb rules aren’t of much use here. Siddharth Mathur: You cannot have a ‘one size fits all’ approach towards designing lighting systems. So LED is not a single-point solution to all your lighting needs. Also, LED is a light source that is susceptible to ambient heat. That’s where the application part is extremely important – for example, are you installing it outdoors where we have very high ambient temperatures? It may not work to expectations unless we are sure that due diligence has been done as part of the manufacturing process of that particular product. If we are using LED indoors, there is a better chance of it being successful. Again, if it is being installed in ceiling voids, you need to know what is the structure of the ceiling voids, what is the ambient

heat in those ceiling voids? LEDs emit heat into the ceiling void so their heat sink is extremely important. That has an impact on the life of the LED and ultimately, has an impact on the Return on Investment (RoI) as well. One needs to have a holistic overview of the entire system and a good combination of needs and wants. How can lighting a play a role in mitigating climate change? Solaiman Al-Rifai: I believe that lighting is a very crucial and important subject, especially in facilitating the transition into building sustainable cities in terms

of the UAE’s green growth strategy. When the government looked at what could be done to develop a green growth strategy, they realised that by enforcing regulations and policies without involving or engaging the stakeholders would be ineffective in achieving the green growth goals. The government realised that they need to set certain thematic areas as an approach – one of them would be engaging all stakeholders, building their capacities, having them understand their roles and responsibilities, finding out what works for them and giving them some kind of ownership. As the eminent panellist before me said, a one size fits all approach cannot work. We also need to analyse the behaviour to understand why people prefer cheaper options over LED, for example, and what kind of policies and governance, what kind of tools need to be put in place. A step by step approach with a pilot project is a sure way to success. At Dubai Carbon, we align ourselves to the government’s strategies and initiatives. We promote Green Growth by bringing in investments and introducing best practices. We act as market enablers and assist in the environmental economics of running such projects. We assess efficiencies and resources and understand how we can move towards a more efficient management of available resources. We conducted an interesting exercise in Dubai by calculating the baseline of CO2 emissions and found that 1/3rd of the emissions came from the electricity sector. To reduce the emissions from electricity consumption, we decided to tackle the ‘low hanging fruits’ – looking at smaller amounts of investment before moving towards larger investments. We see a key role for lighting in this regard in terms of not requiring too much capital as investment but having a very large impact in terms of reducing carbon footprint. For example, we have something called the Dubai CFL initiative, which involves the distribution of almost 800,000 CFL lamps among buildings in certain areas of Dubai. This will achieve an emission reduction of 26,000 tonnes of CO2. (To read the rest of the transcript, visit www.buildgreen.ae)

June 2013

Special Feature

Diamond in the rough In November 2012, among whispers of the imminent launch of Dubai’s green building codes, Diamond Developers announced a megaproject realising the highly lauded vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for a truly sustainable living space. Work on the project began at the end of April 2013, but the completion date remains open-ended By Praseeda Nair

lmost utopian in its ideals, plans for a sustainable city within Dubai has emerged in an effort to steer its global reputation away from being the “emirate of excess.” The project is expected to meet the highest standards of sustainability requirements, including optimal use of land, responding to the population’s needs for electricity through solar means, and to

June 2013

tackle water demands despite regional shortages through grey water recycling. This microcosm within Dubai will also adopt several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions by more than 75%, while aiming to be 100% free of waste through a fully integrated waste treatment system. The community’s lofty goals include equipping its residents with highly sustainable mode of transportation, including

public vehicles powered by solar energy, and almost fantastically, horse-drawn carriages. As with most green projects, the sustainable city is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, stemming from the nation’s mounting trend to adopt a long term approach in urban developments. This announcement from Diamond Developers at the sidelines of Cityscape Global comes at an opportune time for the emirate, six months ahead of the highly anticipated announcement of the host city for Expo2020. Engineer Mr. Faris Saeed, Chairman of Diamond Developers and an influential member of the Dubai Real Estate Community, founded by the Dubai Land Department, sees this project as iconic of the city’s natural progression in adopting sustainable models. “The announcement of the launch signifies the culmination of over three years of vigorous efforts to develop the first sustainable city in Dubai. The final concept is the product of in-depth studies and discussions carried out by Diamond Developers with international universities, experts and UN specialised organisations. The development will be instrumental in stamping the UAE’s fingerprint on the world map, for the progressive initiative and its meticulous attention to every detail.”

Special Feature

The city will include various community areas and facilities, such as a mosque, hospital, school and multi-use complex. The residential community will be designed to reflect the architectural identity and heritage of the UAE integrated into sustainable design. The project will also feature a unified complex for various government departments and a university to teach sustainable environmental sciences at its three faculties. Housing facilities will be available for students who are eager to obtain a recognised bachelor’s and master’s degree in cooperation with a prominent world university. “The city can accommodate 10,000 residents, students and employees. Infrastructure and landscaping works will commence during the second half of this year on an area of eight million square feet, and the builtup area will not exceed five million square feet. The sustainable city will also host a resort of 143 rooms where guests can expect a unique living encounter as they witness sustainable environmental practices first-hand. The experience will include environment-friendly products, organic foods and a sustainable transport system,” Saeed adds. “Green areas account for 70% of the total area and include gardens and farms engineered to produce organic food products for the nutritional requirements of the population. There will also be a solar energy farm and a green belt of 100,000 ghaf and palm trees, stretching along 8km in and around the city, that will be able to accommodate 2,500 families.” The revolutionary project will be completed through four phases; the

Sultan Butti

Majida Ali Rashid

Engineer Faris Saeed

first will be complete in 2013 with each of the three remaining stages finalised over consecutive years. The project is slated to be ready in 2016, subject to the progress of the initial phases. Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General at Dubai Land Department (LD) recognises that while the vision for the project is strong, further collaboration will be required to realise this plan. “The Sustainable City is the fruit of a one year of joint efforts between the private and public sectors. During that period, the Centre for Promotion and Management of Real Estate Investment (LD’s investment arm) has formulated the economic concepts of the project. The centre also assisted and supported Diamond Developers to achieve harmony with sustainable development criteria formulated by the centre in collaboration with the Dubai Municipality and the Hamdan bin Mohammed E-University.” Bin Mejren stresses that Dubai is moving ahead with putting its distinctive and unique mark on the real estate sustainability as one of the pillars crucial for the green economy. As the key developer pushing this project forward, Saeed acknowledges that Dubai has given a lot to developers over the years, even during the credit crunch, and that “it is time to pay back Dubai, its wise leadership and dear people.” Diamond Developers has completed the last touches on the final design of this project and submitted it to Dubai Municipality to ensure that it meets the city’s building standards and requirements for urban and engineering sustainability. This stage was reached after the Centre for Promotion and Management of Real Estate Investment and Hamdan bin Mohammed E-University put forward

The development will be instrumental in stamping the UAE’s fingerprint on the world map”

their draft of the city’s sustainable real estate standards. “This project is a milestone in interaction and joint cooperation between LD and the property private sector and it reflects Dubai trends to formulate innovative concepts. Prior to the launch, the Centre has signed a joint cooperation agreement with the developer of Dubai Sustainable City to exchange experiences and formulate sustainable standards for Dubai Sustainable City. At later stages, the sustainability requirements will be coordinated with Dubai Municipality responsible in charge with drafting Green Building Code,” Majida Ali Rashid Chairwoman of the Centre for the Promotion and Management of Real Estate Investment says. Rashid sees the launch of this new city as a model for the private sector’s interaction with the trends in UAE, in line with the nation’s strategic drive. “(This project) will be a strong incentive for companies operating in the real estate market to take similar steps and initiatives, due to the great importance of sustainability these days, and the benefits of these concepts on the lifestyle of residents, without endangering the environment.”

June 2013

Special Feature

Facts and figures The total area of the city is set to span 46 hectares (equivalent to 5,000,000 square feet) in utility-specific sections

Education Zone

University dedicated to environmental science and sustainability education, Training Developmental Institute Research Centre, Schools for children Number of students:

1,200 Residential Area

550

residential villas fitted with organic farms and solar cells to generate electricity and heat water

Organic Farms

20 organic farms on the shape of glassed dome that meets the feeding needs of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residents built over an area of 300000 square feet

Tourist Area Eco-friendly and sustainable Resort and Spa

143 Villas with global design to embody the concept of eco and medicalÂ tourism

June 2013

Joud mosque

to be developed in accordance with heritage basedarchitectural design taking into account the green standards

Commercial Area 30 shops

60 residential apartments for employees 60 commercial offices to serve the residents of the city

Special Feature

Sustainable Transport

Sustainable and natural transport means (horse-drawn carts) Vehicles powered BY

electricity produced from alternative energy Mass

Green areas account for 70% of the total area and include gardens and farms engineered to produce organic food products for the nutritional requirements of the population. There will also be a solar energy farm and a green belt of 100,000 ghaf and palm trees, stretching along 8 kilometres in and around the city, that will be able to accommodate 2,500 families.â&#x20AC;?

transit buses linking the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population to Dubai Metro stations

Recycling Waste

Zero waste

due to the integrated system for waste recycling

Green Belt

20000 trees

represent belt encircles the city, roads and walks.

Integrated facility consists of swimming pools, games and Shooting Club

20%

of the construction area is built with ecofriendly materials

60% 20% green spaces

Canal

5000 square feet long water canal

Tourist Minaret Minaret that allows tourists and residents to view the city at an altitude of

100 metres Swimming and Shooting Club

of roads covered with solar farms

600 50%

Clean Energy Generation

thousand square of Solar farms

of the cooling energy in the city generated via solar cells

June 2013

Special Feature | AL BARARI

The green bubble Tucked away in the royal enclave of Nad Al Sheba, Al Barari is the region’s first luxury ecoconscious residential development that incorporates a green concept restaurant and nursery on its grounds

ounded in 2005 by Emirati visionary, Mohammed Zaal and his family, Al Barari is the first environmentally sustainable residential development of its kind in the Middle East, which offers customers both the opportunity to purchase high-end residences in a private location while investing in the local environment. Mohammed Zaal sees the announcement of the UAE’s adoption of a green economy as ideal for progress. “We are very excited about this initiative to improve

environmental legislation and raise awareness of how businesses in the UAE can lessen the impact they have on our country’s environment, and also actively adopt environmental best practice in everyday operations,” he says. “While we aim to ensure the day to day operations at Al Barari are both sustainable and economical, we are always looking to find new ways to lessen any impact that our operations might have on the environment.” Land use “Our development is made up of 80% green space, which makes Al Barari one of the lowest density developments in the region. However maintaining this space certainly requires resources and of course, water. Our water management systems incorporate a wide spectrum of applications that combined, ensure that water is used as carefully as possible.” Water management The Al Barari water management systems include smart irrigation structures used in gardens to ensure plants are not over-watered, an

The ghaf nurtures an entire ecosystem around its roots. It’s a treasure for the Bedouins who rely on its shade during the hottest time of the day, as the temperature under the shade of the ghaf tree can be cooler by 10 degrees Celsius. In fact, there’s an old saying that if you’re lost in the desert, a ghaf tree can allow you to survive for three to four months.”

June 2013

on-site reverse osmosis plant that produces Class A water for irrigation and pollution traps to prevent ground contaminants and litter. Finally, water run-off from the villa rooftops is collected in drainage trenches and ‘soakaways’ to help replenish ground water reserves. Energy efficiency In addition to the smart usage of water, the Al Barari villas have individual energy-efficiency home systems, and residents are encouraged to recycle through the underground waste system that separates organic from inorganic waste. Aside from the completion of the Al Barari residential properties in Phase I, the development also contains the region’s private green plant nursery, Greenworks, which was launched to market in early 2012. Nursery onsite Greenworks offer plant production and sales, landscape design, construction and maintenance to the local market for large-scale projects in the region. Greenworks’ production nursery spans 18 hectares and produces its own trees and plants from young to raise stronger and healthy specimens. Utilising the best production facilities ensures the plants are grown to international standards and acclimatise more effectively to UAE conditions. Sustainability and environmental impact is also of huge importance to the team at Greenworks. “We have started looking at plant varieties that

Special Feature | AL BARARI

use less water in view of sustainability. We are also in the final stages of developing our green waste processing facility, that will supply quality organic compost back to Al Barari to ensure less fertilisers and water are used,” Henry Raven, General Manager at Greenworks says. Al Barari Creative Director, Kamelia Zaal says, “Greenworks is the result of the Zaal family’s longstanding passion for the environment, which has translated into the creation of this unique plant cultivation space that lies at the heart of Al Barari. For almost ten years, Greenworks has exclusively serviced Al Barari.” Henry Raven, Greenworks general manager adds, “Each plant in Greenworks is diligently tended to by our team of 60 experts who secure the adequate temperature, wind and soil consistency for every leaf on the premises. Greenworks is different from anything else currently on offer in the UAE.”

This is a milestone event for the evolution and development of our environmental intiatives”

Corporate tie-up – Canon, Goumbook.com and Greenworks Among the many green initiatives undertaken by Canon Middle East, the company pledged to plant a ghaf tree for every energy efficient inkjet and laser printer, toner cartridge, photo lens and solar-powered calculator sold in the UAE in the first quarter of 2013, aiming for the rounded figure of 1000 trees. Collaborating with Goumbook.com and Greenworks at Al Barari, the technology giant managed to surpass its own target, planting over 2,939 trees to match its robust Q1 sales. Staff, volunteers, and members of the media gathered on a sunny Saturday afternoon in May to sift

Ghaf trees are made to weather the extremes of our desert climate

through seeds, prepare pots, and sow what would eventually amount to ghaf trees. The seeds were planted in a protected area, with the intention of the saplings to be donated after a year to a local school of the company’s choice. “We have stayed true to the spirit of ‘Kyosei’ with the ‘Give a Ghaf’ initiative which is testament to our efforts to make a positive contribution to the society we operate in,” Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director, Canon Middle East, said at the press conference prior to the planting session. The company’s corporate philosophy of kyosei stresses the importance of living and working together for the common good, encourage holistic practices including a dedicated strategy for sustained growth. “This is a milestone event for the evolution and development of our environmental intiatives,” he added in conversation with BGreen. According to Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing Director, Canon Middle East, “The environment and community has always been high on Canon’s agenda over the years and we have been focused on taking proactive steps to promote environmental sustainability, whether that manifests itself through innovative products that reduce environmental impact or raising awareness through these types of initiatives.”

The ‘Give a Ghaf’ campaign, promulgated by Goumbook.com, the Middle East’s first online green business directory, has been an on-going initiative to educate and inspire end-users on biodiversity and threatened local flora. A national symbol The ghaf is a drought - tolerant, evergreen tree native to the UAE, and is renowned for being among the sturdiest plants in harsh desert environments. “In 2008, the ghaf was established as the UAE’s national tree in order to protect it from human activities,” Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Managing Director of Goumbook. com, says. Due to rapid infrastructure development in the UAE, ghaf trees have dwindled in numbers as naturally occurring flora. As a highly evolved as a desert tree, the ghaf can survive in this parched water-starved climate by relying on absorbing humidity instead— extracting dew from its leaves and trunk in the morning, and by having its roots stretch up to 65 metres below ground to reach natural aquifers. “The ghaf nurtures an entire ecosystem around its roots,” Abella continues. “It’s a treasure for the Bedouins who rely on its shade during the hottest time of the day, as the temperature under the shade of the ghaf tree can be cooler by 10 degrees Celsius. In fact, there’s an old saying that if you’re lost in the desert, a ghaf tree can allow you to survive for three to four months. In the old days, the bark of the tree was used for medicinal purposes to treat asthma. The ghaf also injects nitrogen into the soil to prevent the movement of sand during sand storms. It also absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide, which is highly beneficial for air quality in the city,” she adds. Some of the most pertinent threats to the ghaf include overgrazing, illegal logging, and construction. Since 2008, when the tree was declared a protected resource, chopping down ghaf has been decreed as illegal, as has the clearing of ghaf groves for construction. “Only one in 5,000 seeds grow into ghaf trees in the wild, as its seeds are highly nutritious for insects and other animals,” according to Abella, making these symbols of nationhood vital for the UAE.

June 2013

Technology

Sustainability beyond the environment Speaking to BGreen at the sidelines of this year’s CSR Summit, Ahmed bin Ali, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Etisalat highlights the company’s many social and environmental milestones across its 15 operating countries

nce seen as marginal to businesses operations, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly acknowledged as a necessary element in a successful business model, and invariably for a strong, sustained brand identity. IIR’s tenth CSR Summit in mid-May saw key entities from the private sector sharing best practices through case studies of their successes and failures for mutual benefit. During the two-day event, UAE-based telecommunications leader, Etisalat, launched its CSR and Sustainability Report to document the company’s global footprint in its strongholds across Middle East and North Africa. Ahmed bin Ali, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Etisalat, lauded the report as necessary for the company “to achieve its goal being the most admired telecommunications company in the region.” “We wish to engage different entities, from suppliers and vendors to NGOs, to eventually reach the public on a community level,” he says. “The spirit and ethics of CSR starts at the top, from the vision and guidance at a management level. From four million customers to 140 million across 15 countries, we have grown, and we need that to reflect in our principles.” Working with the standards espoused by GRI and the United Nations, Ali stressed the importance of transparency through annual reporting. “CSR is embedded in our

June 2013

Ahmed bin Ali

vision, it’s in our DNA to think a step ahead, to meet international standards and empower local communities.” Collaborating with private sector partners, like Pacific Controls, Etisalat has pushed the boundaries of machine-to-machine (M2M) technology to remotely monitor and tweak the energy performance of buildings. Beyond its products and services, the company’s CSR portfolio is expansive in education, healthcare and environmental sustainability. Last year, Etisalat supported more than 40 development, humanitarian and charity projects across its footprint. The sustainability and social responsibility strategy grew as it embarked on several projects to ensure better coordination across its global operations. One of the main pledges made was to support the United National Global Compact (UNGC), who published a ‘GoGreen’ strategy. “This is exemplified in the Energy

Star initiative, which is cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the UAE. We estimate participants have seen a 15 to 20% reduction in electricity consumption and we aim to initiate the project in Saudi Arabia this year,” Ali adds. “As an ethical company, we strive to maintain our staff by encouraging personal development and garnering employee loyalty, which is crucial for our success. We wish to develop the skillsets of local communities across each country (within which) we operate, and this comes through a strong nationalisation programme,” according to Ali. The group stretches out a helping hand to many social development projects across its 15 markets, like Etisalat Misr, which addresses the issue of water security in Egypt. Other initiatives in Africa include education projects, the rehabilitation and restoration of schools, distribution of food aid and medical assistance.

Technology

June 2013

Technology

Ayaadi Etisalat Ayaadi Etisalat is dedicated to making a social impact on communities, through the implementation of sustainable educational, health, social and environmental programmes in the UAE. Through Ayaadi Etisalat, the group raises awareness and highlights social issues in the community. Ayaadi Etisalat Empowerment This includes investments in education and developing the technical, vocational and life skills of the youth. One of its programmes includes the Students Empowerment, which is a programme in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. With an aim to develop the abilities of university students, this initiative has included students from the UAE University, Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technologies. Ayaadi Etisalat also invests in empowering teachers, equipping them with advanced skills and new teaching methods to help establish their leading role in the educational sector. Ershad Ayaadi Etisalat A one of a kind programme, designed to help students with career choices. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ershad includes selected teachers and counselors with potential mentoring skills who are trained to guide students and develop their abilities to full potential. Ayaadi Etisalat Electronic Library A project aimed at developing the intellectual aptitudes of students through access to selfdevelopment books and online education resources. The library also organises various interactive competitions to encourage students to read more and enhance their intellectual capabilities.

June 2013

Egypt Etisalat has been active in Egypt through many initiatives, one of which is Origin, a project to help meet the challenges of water security that has been implemented in 19 governorates. The Etisalat group has pledged to assist UNICEF by supplying about 1,000 households with drinking water in the governorate of Qena in Upper Egypt, and 1000 water connections to the families in need around three other governorates. The operator is helping to bring clean water to 500,000 people on a daily basis and aims to increase this to 700,000 by the end of this year. There was also a provision made of supplying 31 kidney dialysis machines and stations across many hospitals over the country. And recently they have installed chlorination stations to serve 400,000 beneficiaries in the governorate of Suhag in Upper Egypt. Togo There are other projects carried throughout other African countries, like in Togo Etisalat have split their contributions between education and health. Supporting education projects including the provision of scholarships for girls, building classrooms and generally contributed to the rehabilitation and restoration of schools. Additionally, other projects in the country include work on securing the drinking water supply, and distribution of food aid and assistance. The company is providing 300 laptop computers in 60 schools and is constructing computer labs in the five main regions of the countries.

Nigeria Etisalat has also pursued social development with an emphasis on educational initiatives in countries such as Nigeria. The West African country has received aid through its annual Merit Awards Scheme - an educational scholarship programme that focuses on undergraduate students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, and Business Management courses, in their second and third years of study at Nigerian universities. Other initiatives include the Adopt-A-School programme, Career Counselling scheme, Teacher Training programme, Fight Malaria project. Afghanistan Projects in Afghanistan are of charitable, social and religious nature, including the distribution of more than 3,000 food packages containing basic food items to needy families in Kabul during the holy month of Ramadan. Etisalat Afghanistan has also facilitated pilgrimages, and supported the annual competition to memorise the Holy Quran. The education sector was supported by projects such as building computer labs and classrooms at several universities and educational institutes. Benin In Benin, Etisalat has supported educational projects, through the delivering of imperative supplies for elementary school students and the provision of seating and tables for nine colleges. Additionally the company has supported the Ministry of Health in Benin through blood donations. Sri Lanka and Pakistan The telecommunications group has also provided assistance to both these countries for various projects under social and environmental change. These initiatives include water projects, sanitation aid, education, as well as aid to orphans.

Comment | Bies

Innovating for water efficiency Thorsten Bies, Sales Director for Villeroy & Boch Bathroom & Wellness Division in Africa, India and the Middle East, addresses the need for sustainable bathroom fittings and practices

nvironmental protection is a topic that cannot be treated in isolation but needs to be incorporated directly into a company’s corporate strategy and process design. The capacity for innovation and tradition, coupled with receptiveness to new ideas is a core component of our brand strategy at Villeroy & Boch, leading us to 265 years in business, and it is essential all businesses are mindful of the importance of researching, developing and applying new processes that both benefit our environment whilst remaining economically sustainable at the same time. Environmentally friendly habits can start small and the key to successfully safeguarding natural resources requires only a small commitment from businesses and employees. At Villeroy & Boch, we understand that it is incumbent upon each and everyone one of us to take care of our natural world and this can start with saving water. When it comes to saving water, it becomes everyone’s responsibility. As a bathroom and wellness manufacturer, it is our imperative to review water usage figures and alarmingly, almost 70% of drinking water is used in the bathroom. Whilst one-third of all water costs generated in a household is the result of Water Closet (WC) flushing. And yet water is a resource that is vital to our lives, one that is still scarce in many parts of the world with millions of people still denied access to clean drinking water and much less hygienic toilet facilities. This makes a conscious and economical approach to water usage a topic of global interest. Considering that every normal toilet flush consumes six litres of water, for a family of four with an average of around 20 flushes per day, this totals to more than 100 litres a day, around 3,000 litres a month, and a full 40,000 litres of water each year. If these figures are taken into consideration for businesses, can you

June 2013

Thorsten Bies

imagine how many litres of water a company will use each year? This is where effective water-saving systems come into play for homes and businesses alike. As one of the first manufacturers to introduce water saving WCs, Villeroy & Boch has responded early to these water usage figures with effective water-saving systems that provide fully-fledged flushing performance with less water to safeguard this natural resource. Such innovative technologies can help businesses to reduce water consumption to benefit our environment but ultimately, it saves time and money in the long run. Catering to the function of your working organisation but actually helping the environment, 3.5 litres flushing volume for WC’s, will save 40% water usage with every flush. The low level of water consumption is made possible by a specially developed water-distribution system in which the water distributor efficiently feeds the water to the WC through three inlets for total efficiency. By integrating sustainability into the very nature of your business will allow you to save both energy and water for a consistently, self-efficient and sustainable environment for your staff. With this commitment, a workforce can lead by example and take individual responsibility for further

environment protection practices. In addition, toilet flushes are one thing, but other products are also available to save water, time, and of course, cost. At Villeroy & Boch, we have developed Quaryl, a unique material with two ecological properties, making bathrooms very easy to keep clean and so reduce the amount of detergents whilst also being is fully recyclable. Enviromentally-friendly solutions are also offered by materials such as ceramicplus. And you can introduce it in many forms. Sinks, washbasins, bidets, toilet bowls, urinals and wall tiles – special glaze ceramicplus is available for all these categories of products. How does it work? This is an extremely smooth, pore-free surface on which water droplets combine with each other and flow into the outflow. Dirt and lint are picked up with them, so you do not have to scrub the ceramics strong detergents. According to research conducted by Villeroy & Boch, with ceramicplus need 10 times less time to clean, you use 10 times less chemicals and 10 times less water – what could be more ecofriendly? When it comes to environmental solutions, just remember to lead by example and remember even the smallest of changes to your companies practices will make all the difference so we can ultimately protect the world around us. Thorsten Bies first joined Villeroy & Boch in 1994 as Industrial Business Management Assistant for the Tiles Division. By the late 1990s, Thorsten progressed to Sales Manager and in 2005 was appointed Head of Sales for the UK, USA, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe. Demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, Thorsten took the position of Sales Director Africa, India, Near Middle East for Bath & Wellness Division in 2010.

Comment | Varghese

Reducing environmental impact Santosh Varghese, General Manager of Digital Products and Services at Toshiba Gulf outlines the company’s pro-environment innovations

n the development, design, production, procurement, sales, and marketing of its products including notebook PCs, Toshiba strives to pursue strategies that reduce environmental impact across the manufacturing process and throughout the life cycle of its products. By taking full advantage of its leading-edge environmental technologies, Toshiba is focussing on the creation of products with high level of environmental performance. The notebook PC is by default more energy efficient than the desktop PC, and Toshiba takes further steps to improve the energy efficiency of its products to benefit both the environment and the consumer. The lightweight design of Toshiba’s latest products offers maximum convenience to the user and contributes to the reduction of initial materials in manufacturing. Today, portability has become an essential concept in notebook PCs.

The lighter and more compact the laptop is, the more desirable it is for consumers. Using magnesium alloy, Toshiba has perfected the technology of creating cases that can withstand external forces such as shock and pressure despite being only 0.4mm thin. Toshiba also aims to improve product durability since a lengthened product life means the reduction of additional use of materials. The hard disk drive, for example, is one of the most delicate parts of the PC. Toshiba has introduced a threedimensional acceleration sensor for monitoring the position of a notebook PC. The sensor calculates inclination. If the maximum acceptable inclination is reached, the read or write head would be automatically retracted from the surface of the disk, avoiding damage. To further ensure the durability of its notebook PCs, Toshiba has introduced the Toshiba PC Health

Monitor and the Toshiba Eco Utility features which effectively prevent product failure. Toshiba PC Health Monitor tracks battery performance, warns the user if the machine may be overheating, and protects the hard drive from sudden shocks. It has an easy-to-read graphical overview of laptop temperature, fan speed and battery condition. This program is designed to detect potential problems before they occur. Toshiba Eco Utility is a preconfigured power plan that makes improved energy management possible and is designed to encourage the user to save power. Further, this innovative feature makes it simple to monitor daily, weekly and monthly power usage. It also reveals the energy savings and the reduction in CO2 emissions when using the Eco mode. Toshiba Eco Utility allows the user to manage the power consumption, to extend battery life and to reduce environmental impact. Among the notebook PCs equipped with Toshiba PC Health Monitor and Toshiba Eco Utility are the Satellite P850, targeted at power users and technology enthusiasts; the Satellite P840t which caters to small and medium enterprises; the Satellite U940, an Ultrabook that offers style and maximum performance; the Qosmio X870, designed for gamers and media creators; and the Portégé Z930, the ideal laptop for senior executives and frequent travellers.

June 2013

Comment | Al Attas

In the right direction Driving a sustainable manufacturing process is the first step, not the last, says Yassin Al Attas, Communications Director, Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan at Procter & Gamble

common misconception regarding sustainability is that it is an add-on to typical business operations. Many companies claim to have an embedded sustainability policy, but the reality is that, to be truly entrenched within any business, sustainability must be a major consideration from the very beginning, and not something tacked onto the end process. Achieving sustainability in an organisation is not easy. It requires

June 2013

true, in-depth awareness of both environmental and social trends in all areas that the business operates in. This awareness must include knowledge of both the risks and opportunities that the environment offers, and a business must be willing to innovate and experiment in order to not only meet the business bottom line, but the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit as well. It’s not easy to achieve, but, even when implemented bit by bit as per an overarching corporate strategy, sustainability as a core pillar

of business inspires both employees and stakeholders to explore ways in which it can be applied within their own lives. In this light, I truly believe that sustainability drives not only more sustainability, but the innovation required to maintain and improve sustainability as a wider whole. Sustainability is one of the most pressing issues that any brand faces today. At Proctar & Gamble (P&G), with our varied portfolio, we have the challenge of addressing the issue across a number of manufacturing processes – and we’re proud to say that it’s a challenge we’re addressing from the bottom up. We’ve set ourselves an ambitious aim to reduce our operational impact on the environment by 2020. This will include increasing the use of renewable energy in our manufacturing plants to 30%, reducing truck transportation by 20% per unit of production, and reducing manufacturing waste to landfill to less than 0.5% of input materials. And, contrary to popular belief, sustainability does not have to have to come at a price; at P&G, we’ve achieved nearly US$1 billion in savings from our sustainability efforts over the past 10 years. Our strategy to achieve our sustainability goals is multifaceted. We have identified our operational impact as being the most important area for us to address in order to make the biggest improvements. By realising the specific processes that we can convert to be more sustainable, we are able to focus our energies on achieving the highest level of results. These processes are embedded within the very fibre of our business – at the very base level – and this is where, I believe, most well-

Comment | Al Attas

meaning companies can do more with their sustainability strategies: they don’t understand the depth to which they have to apply themselves. Today, while sustainability is a necessity for every company to consider, it is seen as somewhat of a status symbol – as another award to achieve by companies that are just beginning to understand what it means. This is by no means a bad thing; it is beneficial for the overall cause of sustainability because it raises awareness, and encourages companies to begin considering their impact. Both communities and the environment benefit as much, as businesses explore ways in which to apply more sustainable practices to their work. The majority of these fledgling initiatives are the beginnings of sustainability, yes; but they barely scratch the surface of the bigger picture. Businesses have to look deeper to develop long-term strategies to achieve sustainability, rather than opting for the quick fix events that will generate media coverage. That’s not to say they should eschew such smaller initiatives; as I mentioned above, both community and environment benefit from as much, and they are important. Companies must look at the big picture, though – they must identify the areas that are

Sustainable packaging features heavily in all P&Gamble products

most in need of being addressed. To do this, they have to admit that there is a problem, and then construct a long-term strategy that will help them to overcome it and achieve their goals over time. It has to be remembered that there is no instant path to sustainability. Even in the newest start-up companies, it is a process that takes time and effort to achieve. Established organisations that have to work on overhauling legacy processes in order to achieve sustainability, such as P&G, will have a longer journey than most – but this is a challenge that is achievable in time, and that must be taken up by all. At P&G, we have embraced sustainable practices on a global scale, across as many levels of our business as possible. For example, we realised that waste was one of our biggest issues. To address this, we have ensured that 99% of the materials that enter our plants leave as either finished product, or end up being reused, recycled, or converted to energy. In our 45 plants

that have achieved a zero waste status through innovation and creativity, we have managed to find ways to divert that remaining one percent away from landfill and into new revenue streams. And that is where the solution lies – in achieving goals through being innovative, creative, and persistent. It’s impossible to achieve sustainability overnight. It takes courage to identify problem areas, and it takes time to resolve them. It takes determination, innovation, creative thinking and an in-depth understanding in order to devise solutions and achieve goals. The case for sustainability is stronger than ever. We believe that sustainability begins from the ground up - the seemingly ordinary, everyday things we do, either at home or in the workplace, can have a surprisingly positive impact on the environment. We are positively encouraged to make a change as a company and as individuals, and we encourage others to do the same.

June 2013

LEISURE

Green stays For 11 years, Green Globe, an international certification programme awards organisations for its sustainable tourism practices. Once a member of the programme, organisations resort to saving energy and water resources, and positively contributing to local communities and the environment. Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe speaks to Lorraine Bangera about expansion in the Middle East

ased in California, internationally recognised Green Globe awards sustainable operations and management of travel and tourism companies. While maintaining a global network of independent auditors who provide external inspection and validation, the Green Globe programme sufficiently provides certification, training, and marketing services to all its members. The certification standard is based on globally accepted criteria, developed since the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992. Green Global, established in 2002, maintains quality of assessment offered through accredited certification bodies. The programmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standards include a structured assessment of the sustainability performance of tourism businesses and their supply chain partners. It is a collection of 337 indicators applied to 41 individual sustainability criteria, whose applicable indicators vary by type of certification, geographical area, as well as local factors. Externally verified Green Globe always chooses external consultation for verification, Green Globe CEO, Guido Bauer says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have never moved away and will never move from third party

June 2013

LEISURE

June 2013

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Now if hotels are not certified sustainable and third party verified, they cannot keep up with the evolving economy. Today there are almost 60 Green Globe certified Properties in this region and I am sure in the next 12 to 18 months that will double.”

verification, because then they make the process more credible.” Farnek Avireal has collaborated with Green Globe and run all the verification processes in the gulf region. “Farnek is our partner in the UAE and around the MENA region. Its responsibilities include to manage Green Globe in the region and provide auditing,” says Bauer. The Green Globe Standard is updated twice a year, according to Bauer receiving the certification is quite difficult and maintaining is not so easy either. The organisation is also actively part of coordinating with other sustainability certification programmes across the globe. It makes sure the other programmes run under the core criteria and addresses regional issues through locally adopted morals. With a worldwide network of licensed and accredited consultants, Green Globe provides consultation for various services. Involving these consultants can save funds, and also help architects and construction crews’ additional work. “Green Globe is a sustainability management system, one of the mandate criteria is staff training on sustainability,” says Sandrine Le Biavannt, Division Manager at Farnek Avireal. Communicating change Le Biavannt also emphasises the importance of communication and spreading the awareness about sustainable practices. She says, “Green Globe informs the market that

June 2013

a property is certified through public relations, activities and videos on YouTube. Some of the videos include managers talking about what they feel the Green Globe process has helped them achieve. This could be shared with the customers or even the local community.” Bauer adds, “Communication is as important as certification because there is no point to be sustainable if nobody knows about it. You need to get the message out there, you need to let the people know. That is the most important step.”

When it comes to the Middle East, Bauer thinks the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are leading the way in sustainable practices. According to him, “The region probably woke up to sustainable change in 2010 or 2011. We are in a phase where people think sustainability more seriously and base their decisions on it. Now if hotels are not certified sustainable and third party verified, they cannot keep up with the evolving economy. Today there are almost 60 Green Globe certified properties in this region and I am sure in the next 12 to 18 months that will double.”

CASE STUDIES JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort This year JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort received the Green Globe certification, as the resort had adhered to many green initiatives and had launched many socially responsible projects. Some of the green initiatives include saving energy, increase in recycling and well manage resources. The resort is also involved in charitable projects that benefit African orphans and marine animals like the hawksbill turtle. Even the kitchen at the resort has chosen eco-friendly food, with some of the vegetables served in the restaurants coming from a bio-garden, and endangered products are excluded in their menu. Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel The 390-room, five star property was proud to receive the Green Globe certification to reinforce their commitment to the emirates’ transition towards a greener economy. Sandrine Le Biavant, Division Manager, Farnek Avireal, says, “From the simplest step of encouraging team members to switch off computers and office lights when not in use, to the launch of a dedicated waste separation and recycling programme, the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai team has shown real commitment to achieve certification, with a clear two year strategy and a well thoughtout environmental plan,” she said. “Building on its newly certificated status, the hotel will roll out a number of new carbon footprint-reducing initiatives in 2013 and has also launched an internal forum to generate further ideas and proposals.” TI’ME Hotels Management Two of TI’ME Hotels Management properties based in Dubai has also been Green Globe certified, TI’ME Oak Hotel & Suites in Al Barsha and TI’ME Grand Plaza Hotel in Al Qusais. Both the hotels achieved certification after following an indepth project to ensure the 337 Performance Indicators set by Green Globe was being met. Some of the sustainability procedures adopted at the TI’ME Oak Hotel & Suites included switching to LED lighting, and installing an ‘Energy Consumption Monitoring and Benchmarking System’. While at the TI’ME Grand Plaza Hotel, energy-saving practices included installing sensors in guest corridors and public and staff areas to activate lighting only when required.

Guido Bauer CEO, Green Globe

“The ‘Green Team’s’ mission for 2013 at TI’ME Grand Plaza Hotel is to reduce water and energy consumption by 2%, general waste by 2% and CO2 emissions by 2%, all compared to 2012,” said Mohamed Awadalla, Vice President of TI’ME Hotels Management and the head of the ‘Green Team’ assigned to run the Green Globe project among the properties.

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One Planet Living:

Redefining priorities If everyone in the world was to live like the average UAE resident, it would take roughly 4.5 planets to supply the natural resources necessary to match consumption. For each major global consumer, the figures are just as shocking. This year’s TEDxWWF event challenged this global trend towards unabashed overconsumption, held for the first time in the UAE. Eleven speakers from various areas of expertise addressed vital issues pertaining to sustainability encouraging ‘One Planet Living’ through resource efficiency and moderate consumption. Lorraine Bangera writes

TEDxWWF was held at Sofitel Abu Dhabi on 21 May this year

June 2013

he ultimate vision of the event was to derive solutions to enable peaceful living with nature without crossing the limitations of one planet. The main focus was on how every community requires a healthy ecosystem for survival. Though nature can provide us with essentials like clean water, food, and medicines; our natural instinct is to overuse and increase our demands. Slowly the earth’s natural resources we use will not be enough, by 2030 we will need the equivalent of 2 planes to meet our annual demands. The session held addressed all the concerns and acted as an open platform to share ideas on creating a sustainable future, which lives on one planet. Among the vast gathering of the finest contributors to sustainability, innovation, and renewable energy in

the world, 11 speakers took on the challenge of addressing the grave issue of overconsumption. These speakers included Andreas Keller, Co-creator of iShack; Andy Ridley, Executive Director and Co-founder of Earth Hour; Bruce Ferguson, Professor at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology; Elham Al Qasimi, the first Arab woman to reach the North Pole; Ginger Krieg Dosier, Inventor of Biobrick; Julie-Ann Odell, Founder of Dubai Drums; Luc Marin, a sand artist; Lucy Orta, a contemporary visual artist; Majid Al-Qassimi - veterinarian and environmental advocate, Sara El Sayed, certified biomimicry professional and biologist; William Gaillard, Senior

Advisor to the President of UEFA. Ginger Krieg Dosier, inventor of biobrick, says, “As population continues to rise- we are forced to rethink both the way we live and build our world. It is an honour to be part of a forum for raising ideas together,” emphasising the theme. Dosier is an architect known for her passion for science and the environment; she has dedicated all her time and effort to researching building materials with an environmental focus. An Assistant Professor of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, she also holds Masters in Architecture from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and a Bachelors degree in Interior Design from the Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction. “A sustainable future is not a distant aspiration, and TEDxWWF will continue to spark dialogue among the global community of ways to increasingly seek sustainable solutions in our daily lives,” says Sudhanshu Sarronwala, Executive Director, Communications and Marketing of WWF International. Ida Tillisch, Acting Director General of EWS-WWF, mentions, “The UAE is in an ideal position to foster such dialogue, especially as the country has been increasingly hosting international sustainability conventions. This will ultimately place the UAE community to become part of the global journey towards building a sustainable future for our planet.”

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Masdar City is an emerging clean technology hub in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Organisations and institutions from around the world are coming here to pioneer solutions to the global energy challenge. With access to key international markets, funding and investment, and a skilled, specialist talent pool, Masdar City creates an environment where innovation and entrepreneurialism flourish. To learn how partnering with us can transform your business and change the world, email joinus@masdarcity.ae or visit us online at www.masdarcity.ae

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“We aim to bring the topic of ‘one planet living’ to the fore by engaging with the community to make them part of this global journey towards building a sustainable future for all of us.” June 2013

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Ida Tillisch Acting Director General EWS-WWF EWS-WWF is UAE’s environmental non-profit organisation established since 2001. Following WWF, the organisation aims make a significant change in various sectors in the UAE, by tackling climate change, reducing ecological footprint through education, awareness, policy, and science-based conservation initiatives. It has also successfully implemented quite a few conservation and education projects in the region.

through the power of ideas and innovation and TEDxWWF, with its diverse and inspirational speakers, allows for the exchange of innovative ideas to create a more sustainable future for our one planet. BGreen: Why was Abu Dhabi chosen as the venue for the upcoming conference? TEDxWWF travels around the world and this is the third of such events hosted by WWF since 2011. The previous events have been held in Europe and Asia, and with sustainability conventions being increasingly held in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi was selected as the next host of this prestigious event.

BGreen: What are the key topics addressed in the TEDxWWF conference? Our speakers, who range of a variety of backgrounds and fields, covered a range of topics from; innovation, renewable energy through to sustainability and art.

BGreen: How can TEDxWWF play a major role in promoting sustainable practices in the GCC? The region is in an ideal position to host TEDxWWF, especially as it is increasingly hosting international sustainability conventions. The leaders of the UAE are placing sustainability high up on the agenda by integrating the environment into its development vision. It is anticipated that TEDxWWF will be an interesting platform to foster the discussion and dialogue on the topic of sustainability in the region and beyond.

BGreen: Please elaborate what the theme One Planet Living addresses, and how this is important. TEDxWWF is focussed on the theme of One Planet Living, which refers to the uniqueness of our planet: its ‘gifts’ to us, the challenges of living within its means, the necessity to balance our consumption with the natural capital available to us. We aim to bring the topic of ‘one planet living’ to the fore by engaging with the community to make them part of this global journey towards building a sustainable future for all of us.

BGreen: How can TED’s founding elements; technology, entertainment, and design work together to come up with sustainable solutions in this region? TED’s scope has increased to become a platform and a global movement focussed on meaningful change

BGreen: After holding similar conferences in Geneva, Singapore, and now in the Middle East, which other areas in the world does the TEDx programme plan to reach out to? This is the third TEDxWWF, however there are many other TED

and TEDx events that take place globally which are not connected to WWF or EWS-WWF. It is important to note that TEDxWWF is streamed live and while it takes place in different locations around the world, it is relevant anywhere in the world and we are targeting a global audience.

BGreen: How will establishing a concept that promotes “ideas worth sharing” going to help in this region? Through TED, inspirational speakers share and communicate insightful, relevant ideas worth spreading that encourage and inspire other individuals to support or even seek more sustainable solutions in their daily lives. BGreen: An innovative concept of arranging a local and self-organised event, how is TEDxWWF different from other events held throughout this region, and what is the target audience it hopes to reach? TEDxWWF highlights the important topic of consumption, balance and necessity when it comes to living within the means of our planet, enabling speakers and individuals to communicate on important environmental issues and seek more sustainable solutions for now and for future generations. TEDxWWF is a meeting place for an educated and influential audience at the forefront of change. They are gamechangers and opinion influencers, business and government leaders, professors, students and alumni of influential universities who all share the passion for positive change.

June 2013

Leisure

Andreas Keller Co-creator iShack Andreas Keller left his previous career to help create a more sustainable and safer future for people living in the slums of South Africa. While completing his Masters in Sustainable Development from the University of Stellenbosch, Andreas came up with the concept of an ‘improved shack’, better known as the iShack. The design basically provides affordable and ecological structures built from recycled materials that boast incrementally scalable and grid-integrateable solar technology. He now works with a team of slum dwellers, activist, scholars and professionals, to help advance the

lives of those living in slums and access sustainable off-grid solar infrastructure. BGreen: Tell us more about iShack and how it plans to collaborate with the TEDx programme. iShack, when initially conceived, was a technical solution to a very specific problem that we encounter in slums, namely energy poverty. The effect that dangerous energy has on the wellbeing of poor urban slum residents. Over time though, iShack has become more of verb than a noun. We see iShack as being a dynamic space where infrastructures such as water, sanitation and energy interacts with the dwelling and living environment of urban slum residents in a progressive, incrementally scalable and sustainable manner. We hope that our collaboration with TEDxWWF will stimulate dialogue around issues of urban sustainability. To highlight some of the challenges of slum-living, and inspire audiences to think differently about the way in which we can improve the living conditions of our fellow urban citizens.

BGreen: iShack focuses on alternative design for the future to help sustainable practices, is there a way these practices can branch out to the infrastructures that already exists? Absolutely. The idea of iShack is to enable people to improve their living conditions by investing into infrastructures that are within their reach. But for these informal infrastructures to integrate with the

June 2013

formal system, it will take time. To avoid redundant investments by the poor.

BGreen: How can improved settlements and cities have a profound impact on the earth’s sustainability? Cities are the largest consumer of resources and the largest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions. Mobility, food systems and housing (heating or cooling) are the most resource intensive activities. By reconfiguring the flow of stuff, of resources and materials that go through the infrastructure channels of roads, sewerage pipes, water mains, electricity grid etc., we can close the loops which are currently causing the damaging environmental and social inequality that is known as the earth’s sustainability crisis. So, cities should be our focal point for sustainable transitions. And instead of locking slums into the unsustainable resource paradigm of extraction and dumping waste; we have the opportunity of setting them up onto a sustainable infrastructure trajectory today. BGreen: Are there measures we can take to stop the poor from being the first target of environmental degradation? Yes. Identify suitable land that is safe and free from unstable geotechnics, floodplain, mud plains, etc. So governments should be proactive and identify this land in advance and prepare it as much as possible.

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The world’s largest Concentrated Solar Power plant is a major for renewable energy milestone in the Middle East

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W W W. P O W E R A N D WAT E R - M E . CO M

Leisure

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sustainability speaks to intra-generational equity. So the rich need to consume less and the poor must consume more.â&#x20AC;?

June 2013

Leisure

BGreen: As we are living in a world with limited resources, what solutions do you suggest businesses can work on to help us cope? Businesses should realise their position in the global sustainability matrix and the impact they are having in all their localities; across their supply chains and also the post-consumer effects of their products and services. This may require a thorough audit of their sustainability footprint. What’s important is to a) look beyond the narrow focus on the environment (not to say that this isn’t important), but b) to place more emphasis on the social impact of their activities. This requires business to take a hard look at itself. Are we here to create value for shareholders only? Or are we here

create value for all dimensions that our business touches – from people and planet? We need a fundamental change in the motivation. BGreen: What cities do you see as ideal examples for sustainable infrastructure? Curitiba; Vancouver; Freiburg; Bogota have excellent examples of innovative and progressive approaches to driving a sustainable infrastructure agenda. Other cities can learn from these examples. What’s required is a firm commitment of governments.

BGreen: One of your key interests lies around the Energy Poverty Nexus, could you please elaborate on that? The Energy Poverty nexus speaks to a) the way in which poor or dangerous energy can entrench poverty, but also b) how poverty prevents people from accessing clean, safer energy sources. It goes both ways. Dangerous energy such as kerosene causes burn wounds; poisonings when kids mistake it for cool drinks; it is used in dangerous appliances that can explode; and it causes respiratory ailments due to the moisture. In addition, burning wood or coal causes smoky indoor environments causing coughs. Candles can fall over and cause fires. Nothing about these energy sources is actually beneficial to the poor. It prevents people from reading at night; having a safe space to interact; no ability to refrigerate food or medicines. The gender impact is heavy – women are often tasked with sourcing the energy for the house – and may spend a large part of the day looking for scarce wood or even dry out animal waste to cook with.

If we had clean, affordable and accessible energy for all: literacy rates would go up; people would be healthier; there would be less fires and less environmental degradation (deforestation, pollution etc); people would have more time to pursue productive enterprises. This is so unbelievably important. Even the UN has realised this by making 2012 the ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ year.

BGreen: Can informal settlements be improved without depleting our natural resources? Informal settlements are some of the most sustainable urban spaces that we have. Sufficiency and efficiency is exemplified in the way that people use resources. This never gets realised. People see them as pariahs, as an urban scar that needs to be fixed with concrete and steel. Sustainability speaks to intragenerational equity. So the rich need to consume less and the poor must consume more. The challenge is in finding typologies, in finding ways and means in which to look at the way urban systems are configured in general, to make them more sustainable. With slums, we have an amazing opportunity to do things differently. Because they are not formally developed yet. So, instead of making the same mistakes as before, let us use the richness of ideas, the dynamism and creativity that is innate to the way slum dwellers shape their own environments, to find ways to improve slums in a more ecological and sustainable way.

June 2013

Leisure

Majid Al-Qassimi Veterinarian and Environmental Advocate Majid Al-Qassimi has a keen interest in raising the issues surrounding endangered animals and the environment. He is also an advocate of education and believes that knowledge is the foundation for the next generation.

BGreen: As a veterinarian, how do you think the GCC’s growing carbon footprint effects the biodiversity of the region? Ecosystems are shrinking due to increasing development and carbon footprint. Conservation efforts are working to preserve these ecosystems and set protected areas up to secure the biodiversity in the region. BGreen: When it comes to sustainability, animals are usually not given the importance that they deserve. Why do you think that is true? I would disagree. The animals sit high in the food chain and require a larger more stable ecosystem to be sustained. This cannot be done when the environment they are living in is shrinking or when there is not enough natural feed. In essence the animals are the last piece in the conservation puzzle. It requires the most resources to achieve successful animal conservation.

June 2013

BGreen: How can a programmes such as TEDx, highlight the importance of biodiversity especially animals in the GCC? The TEDx format brings people together to learn about great ideas. It is the right format to raise awareness on the issues of biodiversity and conservation. This is where we begin. The dialogue continues after getting into the bigger picture. BGreen: As you have been part of the TEDxYouth, how do you think young adults, Emiratis in particular, can take a positive step towards environmental initiatives? It starts with making the issue part of your thinking and the action, part of your daily life. It all starts at home: recycling, conscious use of water, carpooling. There is so much that can be done at home and once the thinking is engrained there, it starts to become the culture. BGreen: Give us an outlook on how you think sustainable practices must develop from a veterinarian’s perspective. Sustainable practices should be looking at the big picture. The larger macro system. With both chemistry and engineering having been the sciences of the industrial revolution. Biology is the science of the sustainability revolution. There are many examples or cues biology has to make sustainable practices effective.

TEDxWWF After being held in Geneva and Singapore, TEDxWWF held its first session in the MENA region on 21 May this year in Abu Dhabi. The initiative was deemed successful with almost 300 attendees, leading to a popular trend following on a social networking site. Through live streaming technology, the event was open to a worldwide audience to listen and analyse. The event was hosted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), and it managed to open a dialogue between the community and the presentation in the lines of positive social change. The entire session consisted of 11 key note speeches from esteemed professionals in various fields. Each speech was different yet captured the same essence of sustainability, and significantly contributed to the theme, ‘One Planet Living.’ The talks included topics like the invention of biobricks, organising global movements, visual arts, innovation, biomimicry, solar power, environmental expedition, education and sport. The TEDxWWF is a series of events, which are independently organised using TED’s principles and concepts. TED is a non-profit organisation which begun in 1984, as a conference. It brought together three separate concepts under one roof; technology, entertainment, and design. And since then it has evolved into a broader platform, which now supports fresh ideas with multiple initiatives. TED now embarks a vision of sharing ideas to change attitudes and lives. TEDx is a programme selforganised by local communities that would bring people together to share a TED-like experience. For example the TEDxWWF events are organised and planned independently, yet it is based on the same TED principle of ‘ideas worth spreading.’

KONE Eco-efficient solutions ™

KONE Elevators

KONE is the pioneer of eco-efficiency in the elevator industry. For several decades, KONE has led the way in creating innovative solutions that help to significantly cut the energy consumption of buildings. Lifecycle assessments of KONE elevators show that the greatest environmental impact of an elevator stems from the electricity used in the operation of the equipment. Therefore, the key focus area for KONE is to systematically reduce the energy consumption of its elevators with each new product release. Elevators consist mostly of metals and over 90% of this material can be recycled. Supporting green building through energy measurements and calculations KONE MonoSpace elevators have achieved excellent A-class energy efficiency ratings in measurements performed by independent third parties. We offer VDI A-class energy efficiency for our entire elevator range. KONE is focusing on the ongoing development of standards such as ISO/DIS 25745, Energy Performance of Lifts and Escalators, which will define globally agreed criteria for measurement and comparison between different technologies and products in terms of energy consumption. KONE has developed tools to estimate the energy consumption of customer-specific solutions in the design phase of each project. These tools are especially helpful for customers working on green building certified (e.g. LEED, BREEAM) projects.

KONE eco-efficiency milestones • 1987: KONE introduces the V3F frequency converter, improving the energy efficiency of its hoisting machines. • 1991: KONE is the first elevator company to utilize regenerative drives in its elevators. • 1996: KONE invents and launches the first machine-room-less elevator, KONE MonoSpace® , providing up to 70% energy savings compared to conventional technology. • 2005: KONE MonoSpace is the first elevator to include LED lighting as a standard feature. • 2006: KONE unveils the concept of solar powered elevators. • 2009: KONE launches high-performance regenerative drives for a full range of applications. • 2010: KONE receives A-class energy efficiency ratings for its elevators (VDI standard 4707). • 2012: KONE launches completely renewed and more energy efficient KONE EcoDisc ® hoisting machine for the KONE elevators.

KONE follows the latest green building trends through its involvement in green building associations around the world.

KONE elevator energy efficiency performance according to VDI 4707*** KONE N MonoSpace ® KONE S MonoSpace ® KONE N MiniSpace ™ KONE S MiniSpace ™ KONE MiniSpace ™

Environmental impacts during the lifecycle stages of a typical KONE elevator * Raw material production Component manufacturing Use Delivery Maintenance End-of-life treatment

***Guideline issued by the Association of German Engineers

*The calculations are based on an elevator speed of 1,6 m/s, a load of 800 kg, 200,000 starts/year, an average travel height of 14 m, and 18 floors.

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Business

Colour me green Imagine paint that comes in thousands of different colours but is still green all over. Paints and exterior coatings in Dubai will now have to meet green building standards developed by the municipality to help reduce heat and energy consumption within buildings. Advanced tests are in place to ensure that paints used in the construction industry are safe for human health, and for the first time, they are to be carried out locally By: Sharmeen Khan

June 2013

BUSINESS

aints and coatings release low levels of toxic emissions into the air even years after application. Most paints contain various chemicals that are toxic to the environment and possibly poisonous to humans. The chemical blend used to make paints releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) into the air that we breathe. VOC’s are actually a set of carbon based chemicals that have the ability to quickly evaporate. Once evaporated, these VOC’s have the capability of combining with each other or molecules in the atmosphere to form new chemical compounds. The American Lung Association claims that VOC’s produce various physical problems such as skin and eye irritation, lung infection, breathing problems, headaches, nausea, muscle weakness as well as liver and kidney damage. NON TOXIC PAINTS Many paint industries, such as Hempel have broadened their environmental contribution and now

offer no or low VOC, and odour-free paints. The introduction of such type of paints is a step in the right direction towards a healthier and sustainable environment. According to the Environmental Building News in 1999, it is practically impossible for any paint to completely get rid of VOC emissions; which is why these paint companies utilise colorants

with very few solvents, so that the end result is comparatively non-toxic. The term ‘non-toxic’ is used in a broad sense. With respect to paints and coatings, it is more a matter of the degree of toxicity, as even zero or low VOC formulas contain certain amounts of toxins. Environmentally, it helps reduce groundwater, landfill and ozone depleting pollutants. Also, it emits close to no hazardous fumes, with low odour during application. Hempel Paints, for one, deems that the coatings industry should make an attempt to participate in the betterment of the environment. They invest in various advanced and pioneering ideas and have introduced a set of low VOC paints to help reduce emissions and achieve their environmental goals. Contex Thermoguard, a top-selling brand for exterior coating by Hempel is developed with the use of special components that help reduce temperature inside buildings. TREND IN THE UAE Dubai has established its own green

June 2013

BUSINESS

building code, which has prompted developers and contractors to actively take on sustainable materials and techniques. The Dubai Municipality recently introduced carrying out tests on paints and coatings at a new laboratory at the Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) that works under the civic body. These advanced tests, which will be conducted locally for the first time, will only certify those paints and exterior coatings that prove non-toxic and don’t have heavy metal content and VOCs that can lead to serious health problems. The tests will also ensure that the paints and coatings have the ability to reduce heat in buildings in regard to the green building code developed by the Dubai Municipality. Hempel Paints’ eco-friendly coatings have thereby been developed to fulfil the rising sustainability and environmental issues. Hempel’s green outline is recognised for reducing VOC emissions, reducing hazardous

June 2013

material and health hazards, as well as minimising energy consumption and reducing waste. Up to 500 million litres of paint is manufactured in the UAE annually, yet there is no official national regulation to prevent the use of hazardous components. “Regulation to date is for government buildings, so the private sector still has that choice,” says Dr Moshood Olawale Fadeyi, an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Design of the Built Environment at the British University in Dubai. “Strict regulation is needed in this country for all building types and priority should be given to schools and hospitals,” he adds. In reaction to such demands, Jotun paints has launched its ‘green steps’ programme, which is a five-point approach associated with worldwide green building standards. This five-step plan will reinforce Jotun’s principles to eliminate all use of solvents and dangerous raw components, while still producing products with the same finishes and effects. Paint is essentially chemical, which is why it can never be

absolutely environmentally friendly or non-toxic, for which companies like Jotun and Hempel are working towards every development aiming at greener results. Also, the Jotafloor paint has been legally certified and specifically used for all the car parks at Masdar in Abu Dhabi. The substitutes for solventbased paints use acrylic to achieve shine and durability. Considering all the above factors and the paint regulations in UAE, Dr Fadeyi comments saying, “around the world where sustainable building practices is not only about energy and water savings but in addition these essential qualities, indoor occupants’ health and comfort performance and productivity are taken seriously.” He concludes by saying, “there is no strict law about these things and until the issue is taken seriously sustainable design will never be sustainable; sustainable design today is about energy and water conservation and carbon foot prints, but it is not about human health.”

Oil & Gas

Wetlands and oilfields The petroleum industry is notorious for being a large consumer of water, especially in the manufacturing and extracting process. BGreen examines how produced water treatment solutions can help guide the industry down a more sustainable path, honing in on the BAUER Nimr Oil Field

s oil fields mature, water production increases to the point where, as a recent study has concluded, the volume of water produced by these sites worldwide is more than three times that of petroleum. The highly saline water found in between rocks in oil sites, known as ‘produced water’, is infamous as the most undesirable by-product of the process, containing high levels of chemicals and traces of oil and heavy metals. Options for managing this wastewater includes reinjecting it into disposal wells, yet in some cases, produced water remains at the surface in evaporation ponds, where it can seep into surface water or become a dangerous attractant for migratory birds. The Nimr Oil Field Two years from the date the contract was awarded to BAUER by Petroleum Development Oman, the Nimr Oil Field has channelled produced water into the world’s biggest commercial reed-bed sewage treatment plant over 235 hectares of desert land. The company’s local resources subsidiary, BAUER Nimr LLC, initiated the project to treat the daily quota of 250,000 cubic metres of produced water that is brought to the surface in the extraction process. “During the past couple of years, our engineering team and construction partners have been working hard to develop this unique project. With the successful completion of our construction activities in Nimr, we have achieved an impressive milestone. Our day-to-day activities has shifted towards plant operation, however we also conduct research studies and intend to develop new water and environment projects with the oil and gas industry,” says Dennis Kronborg

June 2013

Oil & Gas

Alexandersen, Regional Sales & Business Development Manager of BAUER Nimr LLC. A team led by Dr Roman Breuer, Responsible Project Engineer of BAUER Umwelt GmbH, set up a test plant on site to create a sustainable model for solving the produced water predicament. Proving that crude oil can be extracted without exceeding energy consumption, Dr Breuer explains, “more than 80% of the plant’s energy needs have been cut down by the reed-bed system.” At a purification level of 99.5%, the system accounts for the treatment of 47,000 cubic metres of produced water. Furthermore, biomass is also produced as a possible energy source

and a biotope. One other valuable by-product is salt, which remains after the water has been evaporated and is to be used in industry. In its first year alone, it has treated 17.4 million m³ of water. The process implemented by the plant has now been awarded a European patent. Just a few months after its commissioning, the client Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) contracted Resources subsidiary BAUER Nimr LLC to upgrade the plant to a capacity of 95,000 m³ – almost double the original capability. A decade in the making Originally launched as an experimental project 10 years ago, the project is now the first

The Musandam constructed wetland has been designed to operate without the need for electricity, which is quite impressive and will save the local community a lot of money in the long-term” industrially produced water treatment plant based on wetland technology. After extensive research, the system has been overhauled and modified to account for the highly unique characteristics of the water on site, as well as the specific requirements for the climate of the region. This resulted in the construction of an approximately 600-hectare large facility consisting of an oil/water separator to recover the remaining crude oil, and a surface flow constructed wetland to reduce dissolved hydrocarbons. The oil on site has a very high water content that poses an obstacle to the extraction process. Currently, the volume of water in the region after separating oil is 170,000 m3 per day. It is also exceedingly saline and contaminated with metal residue, prompting the second project phase for recovering salt from the discharge. Wastewater is re-introduced into the primary tanks by a high-pressure injection, which is an expensive and energy-intensive process. Phase two In third quarter of 2012, the Phase 2 expansion of the Nimr Water Treatment Plant (NWTP) was implemented six weeks ahead of the construction deadline and without any lost time injuries. With the completed expansion, the NWTP treatment capacity has increased from 45,000 m3/day to 95,000 m3/day. Visitors travelling to or from Salalah may have spotted the NWTP from the air. “We have received several local and international awards for our sustainable and innovative approach to managing produced water. Having planted around 2 million reeds, we have actually created a wetland oasis in the desert, providing habitat for fish and hundreds of species of migratory birds,” explains

June 2013

Oil & Gas

environmentally friendly, energy neutral and simple to operate sewage treatment plant, which can last for more than 25 years,” adds Alexandersen.

wetland specialist Dr Thomas Headley. The produced water in NWTP runs through a series of reed beds, which break down the hydrocarbons before the purified water is collected in evaporation ponds. All of this is done without the need for pumps or any electricity. Another benefit of the NWTP is that it recovers a significant amount of crude oil from the produced water. Working with Hyundai BAUER Nimr LLC has been awarded an EPC contract by Hyundai Engineering Company to develop a sewage treatment plant with a longterm capacity of 300m3 per day. The constructed wetland treatment plant has been developed and designed by BAUER’s Wetland Competence Centre in Muscat, which also provide technical input on a number of other regional and international constructed wetland projects. Using reed beds, BAUER is promoting a “green” and sustainable sewage treatment solution. The plant will be located in Ghumda village in Musandam close to the UAE-Omani border post, where Hyundai Engineering Company is constructing a gas processing plant on behalf of Oman Oil Company for Exploration & Production. Once constructed, the reed beds will handle sewage water from the various contractor campsites. When the gas processing plant is fully developed, the sewage treatment plant will be handed over to the local community. “We are pleased to get involved in this important CSR project. Our solution will put less pressure on the existing sewage treatment infrastructure in Musandam, while at the same time giving the local community an

June 2013

With a reed bed you have no bad odour, less maintenance, no downtime due to plant failures and it can handle load fluctuations in terms of sewage quantity and quality”

Looking ahead To date, BAUER has been involved in a number of natural sewage treatment projects across the Middle-East region. “Our ‘green’ solutions are ideal for rural and remote locations. We can match and in many cases even exceed the treatment standards of mechanical sewage treatment plants. With a reed bed you have no bad odour, less maintenance, no downtime due to plant failures and it can handle load fluctuations in terms of sewage quantity and quality,” says Dr. Mohammed Al Rawahi, Specialist at BAUER’s Wetland Competence Centre. “The Musandam constructed wetland has been designed to operate without the need for electricity, which is quite impressive and will save the local community a lot of money in the long-term.”

How it works The plant layout includes a pipeline that enters the NWTP system and leads to the oil and water separator. The water, thus separated is then distributed into a wetland facility where it is directed through four wetland terraces by a gravity feed. The total area of the wetland is 2.3 million m². Finally, evaporation ponds are used for recovery of salt from the water which is reused for the purpose of drilling operations in the oilfields of Oman. The NWTP project is making its mark towards reducing the environmental footprint. This project is capable of recovering as much as more than 200 barrels per day of oil from the produced water. Since the commencement of this project, 30,000 barrels of oil have been recovered from the produced water. The concept of the plant was to use zero energy for the treatment of water, thereby reducing the energy footprint by instating a gravity flow system designed plant. In order to protect the underground aquifers (an underground bed or layer of permeable rock, sediment, or soil that yields water), the wetland area is lined using a mineral sealing layer. Locally available materials were used to produce the sealing layer. Compared to the deep disposal wells, this reed bed method has lower energy requirements and lower levels of carbon footprint. The use of a mineral sealing layer rather than a HDPE (high density polyethylene) liner has helped reduce the energy footprint by 80% at the time of installation. The oil content in the water produced is reduced from 400 mg/l when entering the NWTP, to nearly less than 0.5 mg/l when leaving the wetland system. The PDO and BAUER are currently aiming at increasing the NWTP capacity to 95,000 m³ per day. Additional reporting by: Sharmeen Khan

Farnek Avireal

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Personality

Cause and auction

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Christie’s auction house raised nearly US$ 38 million for environmental causes at a recently held charity art event

n the eve of the worldwide premiere of The Great Gatsby, Leonardo DiCaprio organised 33 works of art for The 11th Hour Auction through his foundation and Christie’s auction house in a concerted effort to protect the last untouched places on Earth and its endangered fauna. Many of the items at the auction were created for and donated by world renowned artists, selling for US$ 31.74 million through spirited bidding in the packed auction house, and from bids made from all over the world by telephone. “All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you,” DiCaprio told the audience at the end of the auction, which raised more than twice the pre-sale estimate. For the three of the lots, a $5 million matching donation was placed, while an additional $1.15 million was placed, raising the total to nearly $38 million. DiCaprio, who has supported environmental issues through his foundation since 1998, also produced and narrated the 2007 documentary “The 11th Hour” about the state of the environment. At the opening of the auction, he urged the audience to dig deep into their pockets. “Bid as if the fate of the planet depended on us,” he said. And bid they did. All of the 33 lots were sold, fetching prices that were three or four times their presale estimates. The Leonardo DiCaprio foundation has been actively working on environmental and humanitarian issues for the past 15 years through

June 2013

CAUSE FOR CONCERN The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) supports key environmental issues • Protecting tigers from extinction Based in Nepal, this conservation effort aims to protect critical tiger habitats, in partnership with World Wildlife Fund and the local government and communities. • Saving the last rainforests Partnering with WWF, Frankfort Zoological Society, the Australian Orangutan Project, Kehati and Eyes on the Forest, LDF has launched a grant to save the largest remaining block of rainforest in Sumatra, which houses wild tigers, orangutans, elephants and two tribal communities • Protecting our oceans As part of an international collaborative called “Oceans 5,” LDF has devoted funds to end overfishing and developing marine reserves

grant making, campaigning and media projects. The foundations focuses on wildlife and habitat preservation, healthy oceans, water access, climate change and disaster relief. DiCaprio’s down to earth philosophy has earned him a lot of praise among environmental circles. “The money I’ve earned has allowed me to involve myself in projects I’m interested in and, above all else, help people who need it. The latter is, without doubt, the best thing about being wealthy,” he said, at the closing of the successful auction in May. “You learn, after you’ve been in the business for a while, that fame is empty and pointless.”

• Saving sharks Backed by six organisations across five countries, LDF is working to place international trade restrictions for five species of threatened sharks as per the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) • Protecting antarctica LDF has also issued a grant for the Antarctic Ocean Alliance to protect the largest network of marine reserves on earth • Providing access to clean water LDF’s grant to Concern Worldwide, targets 430,000 people in Tanzania, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Darfur to have sustained access to clean water

diary Dates

Save the date

BGreen highlights events and conferences taking place in the coming months

Emirates Green Building Council Technical Workshop 4 June, Dubai, UAE As part of their monthly schedule, this edition of the Emirates Green Building Council Technical Workshop will focus on Sustainable Urban Design, featuring the importance of technology and software access in providing a collaborative platform for all parties involved. The presenters will demonstrate how those design tools can help teams of designers and building engineers with realtime parametric feedback so that adjustments are immediate and backed up with accurate analysis.

Kuwait Energy and Efficiency 2-4 June, Kuwait The first Kuwait Energy & Efficiency conference is a high profile gathering of senior government officials and key private sector stakeholders, organised in conjunction with the Ministry of Electricity and Water, Kuwait Petroleum Company and the Environmental Public Authority, with the aim of creating a platform for meaningful discussion to establish an effective regulatory framework and energy efficiency strategy in Kuwait. Kuwait Energy & Efficiency is the only conference to address the need for sustainable energy solutions in Kuwait

and will be the first and only forum where policymakers come together with industry leaders to begin the process of mapping an energy efficiency plan for the country. Climate Change and Population Conference 2013 3-7 June, Accra, Ghana Organised by the University of Ghana, this event is a platform to share lessons of climate innovation in bridging research, policy, and industry gaps. It encourages the participation of state and nonstate actors such as private sector businesses and policymakers.

Emirates Green Building Council Focus Day 10 June, Dubai, UAE EmiratesGBC will host its first focus day for the year, examining the performance of green buildings in the region. The Focus Day will have presentations and panel discussions from industry professionals and government bodies to explore the actual performance of green buildings. Urban Planning Council, Abu Dhabi will talk about the Estidama Buildings: Empirical Analysis During Operation. The event will also focus on the Integrative Process, on closing the gaps between the different industrial players during the design, operation, construction and maintenance phase of a building. Successful case studies of green buildings with measurement impact will be presented by a few reputed organisation.

June 2013

sustainable past

Climate clash According to a researcher with the US Geological Survey, humans have a long history of having to deal with climate change. Recent findings have linked the evolution of societies to climate variability at all scales—whether decadal or millennial

A Climate change is in no way a new phenomenon

June 2013

cursory geological glance at Egypt’s Nile Delta illustrates the region’s ancient droughts and fires, dating back around 4,200 years ago when the old pyramid-building era came to a mysterious end. As part of his Ph.D. research at the University of Pennsylvania, Christopher Bernhardt, along with Benjamin Horton, an associate professor in Penn’s Department of Earth and Environmental Science, and Jean-Daniel Stanley at the

Smithsonian Institution, linked geological variation to climate change in the past. The research findings causally links the inability of the ancient Egyptians in adapting to climate change to the decline of their civilisation. The drought-flood cycle along the Nile Delta was a huge problem then, as water scarcity in modern-day Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa may well be now. Using pollen and charcoal preserved in a Nile Delta sediment

core from 7,000 years ago, the researchers identified as the physical indicators that link to critical events in ancient Egyptian history. Changes in pollen groupings directly reflected ancient Egyptian and Middle Eastern droughts recorded in archaeological and historical records. The presence and amount of charcoal is indicative of fires, which frequently occur during times of drought. The scientists hypothesised that the proportion of wetland pollen would fall, and the amount of charcoal would increase during times of drought. Large decreases in the proportion of wetland pollen and increases in microscopic charcoal are visible in the core during four different times between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago. One of those events was the inexplicably abrupt worldwide megadrought around 4,200 years ago. This massive event has been recording across countries as one that led to multiple famines and hard times for most civilisations then, probably playing a significant role in the end of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Similarly, pollen and charcoal evidence corresponds to two other large droughts: one that occurred some 5,000 to 5,500 years ago and another that occurred around 3,000 years ago. These events are also recorded in human history – the first one was around 5,000 years ago when the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt occurred, and also when the ancient Mesopotamian kingdom of Uruk in modern Iraq collapsed. The second event, around 3,000 years ago, took place in the eastern Mediterranean, and corresponds with the fall of the Ugarit Kingdom, as well as the famines in ancient Babylonian and Syrian Kingdoms.

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