The Sustainabilist - Sustainable Tourism by Dubai Carbon

The Sustainabilist ISSUE 06

A Journey Through Sustainable Tourism

GLOBAL AVIATION STANDARDS

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

DESERT CONSERVATION Al Marmoom Reserve

Being Carbon Neutral

ECO FRIENDLY LUXURY

CHALLENGING THEME

Armani Hotel Dubai

Dubai Parks and Resorts WWW.THESUSTAINABILIST.AE

Issue 06 | April 2018

Letter from the Editor in Chief

Chairman, Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence

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The Sustainabilist is published by Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence PSC. Articles reprinted in this issue are copyrighted 2018 by Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence PSC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, without prior written permission of Dubai Carbon is expressively prohibited. Printed by: Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing LLC P.O. Box - 5613, Dubai, UAE. Nothing in this magazine shall be taken as technical or advice and DCCE waives any liability with respect to any representations made.

targets Dubai has set. According to DST, hospitality businesses around the world report numerous benefits to their operations from sustainability; a reduction of more than 20 per cent in energy and water consumption, a reduction in solid waste and waste water disposal costs of more than 15 per cent and an improvement in the quality of the ecosystem in which they operate, not to mention in-house benefits such as an improvement in staff motivation and community relations. Add to this the undeniable benefits to the environment, and sustainable tourism makes perfect sense.

Looking ahead, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has developed and implemented a new ambitious marketing campaign strategy; The Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative, in partnership with four leading sustainability entities, aims to position Dubai as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations. The strategy is based on three pillars - environment, economic and social - and focuses on encouraging sustainable practices within those pillars, to contribute to the ambitious broader clean energy and sustainable development

The aviation sector is only a few months away from the kick-off of CORSIA, the ICAO offset scheme, successor to the much debated EU policy on aviation emissions. The UAE has been historically a global hub for transportation, linking south-east Asia to the world when flights required refueling, and implemented a vision that proved more that successful. The country has 3 major airports and given its young fleet, can boost above-average fuel efficiency in addition to the pursuit of operational enhancements constantly being assessed.

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The Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative, in partnership with four leading sustainability entities, aims to position Dubai as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations.

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Eng. Waleed Salman

ubai is implementing a Tourism Vision 2020 looking towards reaching the target of 20 million tourist, and thus providing not only connectivity to the world, but a smart and best-in-class city infrastructure to support the visitor’s experience. All the services required to facilitate such an ambitious target are focused on a transient population and have to be filtered through the lens of sustainability and resource efficiency. Key events such Expo2020 therefore become pivotal towards green innovation, by creating the opportunity to challenge conventional business practices.

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The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Contents

HE Helal Saeed Almarri,

Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)

CENTRE FOLD UAE civial aviation sector positions itself to be carbon neutral from the year 2020 using CORSIA, a scheme established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S LETTER

SCHOOL Ecowarriors at King’s

YOUTH Sustainability Champions Programme

TOP TIPS Sustainable travel

NEWS ROOM Latest news

CASE STUDY Ramada Hotel Ajman

EXPO 2020 Educating visitors

CASE STUDY Green Key Rove Hotel

COVER SOTRY Interview with HE Helal Saeed Almarri

FEATURE Desert adventures

THE GREEN ECONOMIST Sustainable tourism

FEATURE Arabian Travel Market

FEATURE Eco tourism

INTERVIEW Sustainable architecture

FEATURE Sky’s the limit

CASE STUDY Green Planet

I AM THE SUSTAINABILIST Yousuf Ahmad Lootah

INTERVIEW Benchmarking hotels

CASE STUDY Looking at The Louvre Abu Dhabi

RESEARCH

CASE STUDY Operating theme parks

FEATURE Liwa’s oasis

FEATURE Armani Hotel Dubai

FEATURE Challenging waterparks

CENTRE FOLD CORSIA, carbon neutral aviation

PERSON Abdul Quddus Sheikh

FEATURE

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation

PROJECT Beacon of Hope

FEATURE Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards

PRODUCT Polymer bead technology

FEATURE Ras Al Khaimah adventure tourism

INDEX

Issue 01 | 23rd October 2017

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YOUTH

Her Excellency Jameela Al Muhairi encouraged all schools in the UAE to take part and showcase their efforts in making their schools more sustainable, contributing to a national priority.

Sustainability Champions programme

xpo 2020 Dubai, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Ministry of Education, launched the Sustainability Champions programme for all schools across the UAE aimed at leaving a lasting renewable energy legacy for the nation. Public and private schools have an opportunity to showcase how they are playing their part in ensuring a sustainable future in the UAE. Initially, two selected schools will benefit from the installation of photovoltaic panels by Expo 2020 and support for the schools’ sustainability programmes. The Sustainability Champions programme was inspired in many ways by the achievements and values of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al

shutterstock.com/michaeljung

A first-of-its-kind, the prgramme aims to showcase the efforts of schools within the region to sustainably educate the youth

She said, “Educating our students about sustaina bility practices and climate change has been at the top of our agenda. The Sustainability Champions programme dovetails neatly with our efforts by encouraging schools to show their strongest commitment to real changes that reduce their environmental footprints.”

Zeyoudi, said, “Since the country’s inception, the founding father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, instilled the importance of protecting the environment and preserving its natural resources in the hearts of UAE citizens and residents. As raising an environmentally responsible generation is among the top priorities of our visionary leadership, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment works relentlessly to launch initiatives that contribute to achieving this crucial goal.” He added, “Through the Sustainability Champions, organised in cooperation with Expo 2020 Dubai and the Ministry of Education, we aim to educate the UAE youth on the vital significance of sustainable habits and environmental conservation for the future of our country. The programme offers students an opportunity to become real partners and actively participate in developing sustainable solutions.”

She added, “Schools are becoming increasingly sustainable due to the Ministry’s efforts to put in place projects to gradually upgrade all of its school buildings in ways that make the learning environments more engaging, productive and innovative. “Moreover, different curriculum areas have been enriched with concepts related to sustainability in order to raise students’ awareness of the importance of the country’s future projects and plans to safeguard such achievements and build on them. As a result, the future generation will enjoy a better sustainable life and safeguard it for the generations to follow.” Schools were encouraged to submit applications through an online portal by April 1. Following a preliminary review of eligibility and compliance, two schools will be selected by a panel - comprising subject matter experts from Expo 2020 Dubai and the two participating ministries - based on criteria such as the school’s commitment and vision for sustainability. The chosen schools will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, and the planning for photovoltaic panel installations will kick off immediately afterwards.

Issue 06 | April 2018

NEWS ROOM

shutterstock.com/Pepj

UAE park to open in China as part of Expo 2018 Dubai Municipality will be officially opening the park in December in Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in southern China. The civic body will be representing the UAE in Expo 2018 China and has participated in designing the project that spans 1,700 square metres.

Construction of Dubai’s second tallest tower The construction of the second tallest tower in Dubai will begin in the third quarter of 2018 by Azizi Developments. Once completed, the tower will stand122-storeys tall, approximately 570m, on Sheikh Zayed Road, scheduled for completion between 2021 and 2022.

Dubai heritage tourism project aims to attract 12 million visitors by 2020 The Shindagha Heritage District project aims to boost cultural tourism, create new cultural and commercial opportunities as well as create the largest open-air museum in the world with 23 secondary museums.

Travel and tourism to boost UAE’s GDP The direct contribution of travel and tourism to the UAE economy is forecast to rise by five per cent to AED 72.6 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach AED 108.4 billion in 10 years, reflecting the vibrant growth potential the sector offers, predicted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

QE2 liner readied as luxury tourist destination in Dubai The history’s famous ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2, is primed as the new upscale tourist destination, after being idle at Port Rashid Dubai for nearly a decade.

The Nakheel Mall, the new retail and entertainment destination located in the heart of Palm Jumeirah, is heading towards completion. Spread over 17 million sq ft,the mall will have 5 floors and 350 shops, restaurants and leisure attractions. Sources:

gulfnews.com Hoteliermiddleeast.com Meconstructionnews.com

shutterstock.com/Drew Rawcliffe

shutterstock.com/hallojulie

AED 1.2 billion mall rising in Dubai is 85% complete

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Spreading Sustainability to all corners of the globe

Expo 2020 Dubai aims to educate and inspire millions of visitors across the UAE – even before they step foot on the site By Dina Mustafa Head of Sustainability Operations, Expo 2020 Dubai

ith millions of people visiting Expo 2020 Dubai and 70 per cent expected to come from outside of the UAE, this global destination has an unparalleled opportunity to disseminate around the world one of the most important messages of our time: the 6

urgent need to cultivate a more sustainable way of living. With this in mind, the UAE is taking a new approach to hosting the next World Expo. Beyond showcasing the latest and future sustainable innovations, it aims to educate and inspire visitors to make changes in their lives and communities that create a lasting social, economic and environmental legacy. Sustainability is one of Expo 2020’s three key subthemes and its principles will

permeate across the Expo 2020 site, but our goal is to make a meaningful impact beyond the site boundaries and beyond the six months of the event. We aim to add to tourists’ education of sustainability across the UAE – even before the gates open on 20 October, 2020. Expo 2020 organisers are working to create impactful awareness campaigns that add to tourists’ education of sustainability and drive them to learn more at the Expo 2020 site during the sixmonth event. These could include demonstrations of current sustainability innovations at various tourism sites around UAE, such as hotels, beaches and entertainment parks.

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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For example, by locating art pieces created out of repurposed materials at highly visible tourist locations across the UAE, Expo 2020 can draw attention to the circular economy – treating waste as a valuable resource. In another example, Expo 2020 has already repurposed the timber used to build the Expo 2020 stand at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January to create furniture, bookshelves and frames. We could place these items in highly visible public spaces, to both raise awareness of sustainability and beautify the space. Coupled with the story of how the furniture came to be, we can demonstrate to tourists the benefits of rethinking what we do with waste and not simply using the ‘take, make, dispose’ linear approach of traditional production. Through these engaging ideas we hope to inspire millions of visitors to the UAE to think about their use of the planet’s limited resources and the people involved in the production of the products we consume, inspiring them to learn more about how they can make a difference. These efforts are also intended to inspire and empower tourists so that when 8

they go home they can, in their own way, spread the message and also help to make an impact, individual by individual, community by community. We hope this will also draw tourists to return to the UAE to visit Expo 2020 during the six months of Expo. Visitors to the Sustainability Pavilion, which itself will be an example for sustainable design, will be taken on an immersive journey that not only educates but moves them to take action in their own lives and communities. Expo 2020 is pursuing the ISO 20121 certification, a voluntary international standard for sustainable event management. This requires that we meet rigorous sustainability standards throughout the entire event management cycle, not only during the six months that doors are open but also during the construction phase and post-Expo as we transform the site into District 2020, our business/residential development. Expo 2020 would be the first project of its kind on this scale in the region to meet the

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Expo 2020 is pursuing the ISO 20121 certification, a voluntary international standard for sustainable event management.

ISO 20121 criteria. As part of our efforts to achieve this, Expo has set 40 KPIs that measure our sustainability standards and commitments, and is also developing sustainable programmes covering various aspects – which will positively affect tourists. This includes integrating sustainability guidelines into our food and beverage offering, such as setting standards for reduced packaging and varied portion sizes that help to limit food waste. We intend to inform visitors of these efforts so they can experience the difference and be inspired to take home the ideas, creating a lasting impact across the industry and beyond the six months of Expo. These initiatives, with the support of our stakeholders and partners, will influence the future sustainability agenda of the UAE and set new sustainability standards in the region. Expo 2020 also aims to have a lasting positive impact on the UAE tourism industry, through our collaborations and also by working together with partners on initiatives with potential policy implications. The more Expo can educate both visitors and residents of the need and benefits of implementing sustainable practices, the greater the swell of pressure will be for the tourism industry to implement those planet-preserving measures.

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We aim to add to tourists’ education of sustainability across the UAE.

It is this grassroots approach – touching millions of tourists across the UAE – that we believe will add value to the UAE’s sustainable tourism programme and enhance Expo 2020’s goal to be a catalyst for change as we learn to rebalance our relationship with the environment.

Issue 06 | April 2018

COVER STORY

Sustaining tourism responsibly His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DTCM, tells The Sustainabilist how Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism sector is progressing with leaps and bounds towards green and sustainable tourism development

ow did the UAE begin its journey towards sustainable tourism? What success has been seen so far?

Sustainability has undoubtedly been a key priority for the UAE government for many years, with the UAE actively working to enhance its role among leading nations in the field of sustainability, and to bolster its position as a hub for sustainable environmental research and development. Indeed, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, has stated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the UAE is striving to develop and boost its rich resources and expertise in the international energy markets and enhance its leading role as a world centre for renewable energy 9

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

hThe UAE has spearheaded the adoption of green standards across the country’s infrastructure, be it through reducing operational footprints, developing renewable materials and safer products, or collaborating with key public and private stakeholders to create long-term sustainable solutions. On a global level, the UAE has also been active in working with both individual countries such as the USA, and with international bodies such as the United Nations. For example, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2015, the UAE confirmed its pledge to generate 24% of electricity from clean energy sources by 2021, with the aim of increasing this to 30% by 2030. Dubai in particular has implemented key strategies to ensure that this vision of sustainable development and the creation 10

of a green economy is brought to life, based both on the country-wide collective vision, and on the wisdom of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Working with the United Nations, the city has created a unique ‘Carbon Abatement Strategy’ that sets forth Dubai’s ambitions to become the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world reducing carbon emissions by the year 2021. In addition, the emirate launched the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy in November 2015, with the ambition of making the city a global centre of clean energy and establishing the Dubai Green Fund (worth AED 100 billion). The emirate is also striving to manage local resources, minimising the city’s environmental impact, and focusing efforts on creating a sustainable environment for residents and visitors alike, with the aim of

75% of energy coming from sustainable sources by 2050. Why do you think it’s important for tourism in Dubai to be sustainable? Does it/will it have an impact on the country’s environment, economy etc.? What else could be impacted, either negatively or positively? Much like the emirate itself, Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sectors are growing exponentially, with tourism undoubtedly becoming one of the key pillars driving Dubai’s economy. However, with this success comes accountability, and both the tourism and hospitality sectors need to play critical roles in achieving the city’s wider sustainability goals. It is therefore imperative that Dubai Tourism is proactive in delivering the right industry ecosystem to aid our

Issue 06 | April 2018

Historically, hospitality players have been blamed for being contributors to environmental waste - carbon emissions and food wastage remain some of the biggest barriers to managing sustainable tourism. Whilst this is something that most stakeholders are now individually working to improve, we believe that part of the responsibility also lies with tourism boards and governing authorities. This is why Dubai Tourism has implemented the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative, to ensure that our Rulers’ vision of sustainable development and the creation of a green economy is brought to life within the tourism sector.

carried out through four inter-linked pillars focusing on Awareness & Education; Performance Measurement; Industry Awards and Industry Standards. DST’s activities include the development and roll-out of tools that our tourism and hospitality partners can use to measure the impact and effectiveness of sustainable tourism initiatives. For example, partnering with Dubai Carbon we have created and implemented The Carbon Calculator. This is an automated tool that measures the carbon footprint arising from Dubai’s hotel industry; all Dubai hotels have access to it and it is mandatory for each property to submit activity and data on their emissions on a monthly basis (historic data starting from January 2014 onwards was also required). Currently, over 80% of all Dubai’s hotel establishments are using the tool.

What initiatives or projects are currently in place to work towards sustainable tourism, and what plans are in the pipeline for future initiatives or projects? What targets is the UAE working towards, both in the near future and longer-term?

Once the information is input, the Carbon Calculator anaylses the figures, estimating the carbon footprint of hotels. This has then enabled citywide benchmarking to take place, and using the data gathered from these submissions, DST has been working to design a set of industry sustainability standards. These will be implemented later in 2018, and all hotels (of all classifications) will be required to comply with them.

DST is implementing a resilient and far reaching sustainability strategy and roadmap. These have been designed to work in harmony with citywide initiatives, such as the Carbon Abatement Strategy and Dubai Municipality’s ‘Green Buildings Specifications’ guidelines, ultimately contributing towards the broader clean energy and sustainable development targets that Dubai has set out to achieve – namely a 16% reduction in carbon emissions by 2021. Our work is

Educating the hospitality sector on sustainable practices is also essential. To help do this we’ve developed The Hospitality Board Game. Designed in partnership with Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF, this tool uses gamification to inspire hotels to focus on eco-friendly practices and new ways to manage their resources. Over the past 18 months, the DST team have been organising events and roadshows, and more than 550 participants from over 160 establishments

in Dubai have played the fun and interactive Sustainability Board Game to-date.

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One of the key factors for the success of Dubai’s tourism industry has always been the strength of the government’s working relationships with our private sector stakeholders, and Dubai Tourism is harnessing these relationships in our quest for sustainability.

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country’s sustainability efforts, and that the sector works together to mitigate the impact on the environment for future generations to ensure the industry’s longevity. This is especially important given the tourist-to-resident ratio, meaning that it’s even more imperative we are proactive in implementing sustainability measures.

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In addition, we have established Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards with the inaugural ceremony being held last November. These awards recognised the hotel establishments, desert camps and individuals who are driving environmental awareness in the city, and who have adopted tangible measures to ensure enhanced sustainability within the sector. We were very encouraged by the submissions received for the inaugural Dubai Sustainable Tourism awards, which numbered 151 across 20 categories, and we are looking forward to an even greater response for the 2018 edition of the awards. DST’s ultimate goal is to ensure that His Highness’ vision for sustainable development and the creation of a green economy is brought to life. With the ongoing roll-out and implementation of citywide initiatives, Dubai will undeniably play an instrumental role in shaping the way forward for sustainable tourism, helping to achieve various milestones in the coming years. 12

What other opportunities in the tourism sector do you recommend that other leaders in the private sector focus on? One of the main challenges facing the country, and Dubai in particular, as we look forward to capacity expansion and increased visitor volumes, is ensuring that this expansion occurs in the most

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DST’s ultimate goal is to ensure that His Highness’ vision for sustainable development and the creation of a green economy is brought to life.

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The next phase of the education pillar is to start training the sector on our ‘12 Steps to Sustainability Guideline’. This is a practical guide that consists of 12 simple steps to advise hospitality professionals on the best sustainability practices for hotels, regardless of size and operational structure. The guide provides advice on four key areas for sustainability that can be implemented on every stage of the tourism journey; energy conservation, water conservation, waste management and staff engagement. We will also be launching a new ‘Sustainability Champion’ training course. This course is designed for top management staff within hotels, and we are currently in the process of simplifying the content to introduce a lower level course to be taken by all other staff.

sustainable way possible. This is why it is so important that we have introduced, and continue to implement, measures for the industry that will conserve resources and ensure that sustainable tourism remains a significant focus at all stages of development. Globally, environment waste numbers are increasing each year and as our own

tourism sector continues to develop there are plenty of opportunities in which the private sector can continue to play a leading role. One of the key factors for the success of Dubai’s tourism industry has always been the strength of the government’s working relationships with our private sector stakeholders, and Dubai Tourism is harnessing these relationships in our quest for sustainability. The support of the industry (as described above) has been very encouraging so far, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership to achieve our collective sustainability goals. Dubai Tourism is also committed to prioritising further innovation across all sectors, in line with the Dubai Government’s 10X 2.0 Initiative, which is challenging government entities to embrace disruptive innovation and to seek new ways of incorporating innovation in their work. The Carbon Calculator is just one example of how we are harnessing technology as we work to improve sustainability in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and we believe that technological innovation is one of the key ways we can achieve our sustainability goals. We are encouraging innovation by committing our support to the region’s growing travel and hospitality start-up ecosystem. For example, in partnership with GITEX Future Stars 2017, we launched an initiative to encourage start-ups innovation within the tourism sector. The competition, which culminated in a live ‘pitch battle’ between competing start-ups, received a very encouraging number of entries, showcasing the huge amount of talent and potential for change within the region. We consider the opportunities for the private sector to be endless.

DISCOVER ALL THAT IS POSSIBLE. www.visitdubai.com

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Sustainable tourism is everyone joining in? By Ivano Iannelli

shutterstock.com/ Zhukov Oleg

CEO, Dubai Carbon

he UAE is at the forefront of sustainable tourism both in the region and further afield. Government initiatives publicly support the drive to become one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations in the world, and the country actively embraces current global thought policies on sustainability within the tourism industry. Are individual players within the industry, - airlines, hotels, service providers and even consumers buying into sustainable tourism, and are they doing their bit to work towards the UAE’s target?

weight, utilising newer, more modern aircraft and collaborating with privateentity aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing to ensure aircrafts are as environmentally friendly as possible. On the ground, Emirates has also installed a one megawatt solar photovoltaic array at its Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre, saving some 800 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions. And, for their consumers, many airlines now offer the option to pay extra to offset carbon emissions, or travellers can opt to pay for this through organisations such as Carbon Footprint, MyClimate and Climate Care.

It appears the answer is yes. Take the nation’s airlines, first and foremost. Increase in carbon emissions continue to be one of the biggest threats to climate change, both now and in the future; Emirates, Etihad and Fly Dubai have actively focused on reducing their emissions through operating environmental best practices, including boosting fuel efficiency, reducing take-off

Hotels - probably one of the most prolific of private sector entities within the tourism industry - also have a considerable part to play. From the enormous amount of washing they generate to extensive power requirements and immense food wastage, hotels in the region appear to be adopting more sustainable practices, focusing on ways to reduce their energy consumption, lessen their carbon

footprint, minimise wastage and reduce their overall impact on the environment. Alternative energy sources, innovative food waste reduction initiatives and carbon offsetting all feature heavily, and guests are encouraged to contribute to various sustainable initiatives such as choosing to reuse towels and refraining from having sheets washed every day. Smaller, individual service providers such as tourism activity companies - those providing desert safaris, dive trips and so on - are also joining in, however minor in comparison to the larger industry players; many tourism operators now offer visits to eco-destinations, guided tours to the UAE’s many protected areas and other environmentally friendly options, and the apparent popularity of such trips suggests eco-tourism is very much a priority for many travellers visiting the UAE. And what about consumers; are they getting in on the act as well when it comes to choosing sustainable travel? There’s certainly the opportunity if they wish to do so, and sustainable tourism options appear to be increasingly popular; online tourism giant Booking.com’s 2017 Sustainable Tourism report noted 79 per cent of travellers considered sustainability when choosing their mode of transport, 68 per cent were more likely to opt for accommodation known as eco-friendly, and even some 18 per cent reported flying less to reduce their carbon footprint. From overarching government initiatives to the smallest of local tourist operators, it would appear buy-in to sustainable tourism in the UAE is significant. Surely, then, the country is well on its way to becoming one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations.

Issue 06 | April 2018

FEATURE

His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, reveals how the seven emirates are heralding a new wave of environmental consciousness that capitalises on the UAE’s natural wonders

merging in the late 1980s, ecotourism is a form of specialty travel defined by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) as “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people”. Ecotourism and all other nature-related forms of tourism account for approximately 20 per cent of total international travel and generate seven per cent of all international travel expenditure. Over the last 40 years, the UAE has focused on transforming itself into the region’s leading entertainment, leisure and business destination. The launch of airlines, the construction of modern air and ground transport infrastructure, major attractions and shopping malls have helped achieve this priority. Never one to rest on past laurels, the UAE is today adopting a new approach through positioning itself as an ecotourism hub. Although it is early days yet with these efforts, the country’s

stunning natural attractions and spectacular landscapes are already luring nature lovers from all over the world. To establish the UAE as the ecotourism destination of choice, the government has taken measures to preserve the country’s rich biodiversity and develop the infrastructure needed to provide visitors with an enduring and enriching experience in a natural setting. Successful ecotourism relies on proper infrastructure and leisure amenities. Apart from easy access to protected areas and scenic landscapes, and availability of accommodation nearby, the UAE offers some of the region’s most exquisite nature-based recreational activities including wildlife observation trips, bird watching, stargazing, wetland exploration and visits to local communities to learn more about their culture. In addition to the fun factor, these activities bring tourists closer to nature and help them acquire a deeper understanding of natural life. Sports aficionados can choose from a

Each of the seven emirates has unique nature-based experiences. Visitors to the capital, Abu Dhabi, can discover the wonderful wildlife in the waters of the Mangrove National Park – a biodiversity hotspot that includes mangrove forests, salt marshes, mudflats and algal communities, marvel at the amazing rock formations at Jebel Dhanna, and get up close with a flamboyance of flamingos at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. Al Ain, located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, is known as the Garden City due to its lush greenery and has several protected areas. The Al Ain Oasis – the UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site – spans over 1,200 hectares filled with more than 147,000 date palms of almost 100 varieties. As for Dubai, tourists can take a break from the stunning skyline and man-made retail marvels to admire its natural wonders that are equally, if not more resplendent. There are vast swathes of green spaces with picturesque lakes and greenery right in the heart of the emirate. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

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The country’s stunning natural attractions and spectacular landscapes are luring nature lovers from all over the world.

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Transforming the UAE into the ecotourism destination of choice

wide range of physical pursuits, such as rafting, wilderness hiking, skydiving, sea kayaking, mountain climbing and diving.

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Meanwhile, Al Marmoom, spanning over 10 per cent of the emirate’s total area, provides a sanctuary for 19 endangered animal species and hosts the country’s highest concentration of large flamingos in a desert region with almost 500 birds. It also has one of the most sizeable houbara bustard colonies in the region, and its Arabian gazelle herd is amongst the largest in the UAE. While newcomers may find it surprising, bird watching is a popular activity in Dubai, especially around its many wetland areas that are home to over 400 species of birds. Key bird habitats include Ras Al Khor, favored by western reef herons, flamingos and spotted eagles, and the Jebel Ali area with its native hoopoe-lark and grey francolin. Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies can get their dose of adventure on Ras Al Khaimah’s Jebel Jais – the highest mountain in the UAE that boasts the world’s longest zipline. At a length of 2.83 kilometers (the equivalent of more than 28 football pitches), the record-breaking zipline runs through the mountains 1,680 meters above sea level at speeds of 120 kph to 150 kph. Visitors to the peak can also admire breathtaking vistas along the Middle East’s first commercial via ferrata (Italian for ‘iron road’) – a protected climbing route with a steel cable set into the mountainside that climbers can secure themselves to. Tourists who prefer a more relaxing experience will appreciate their visit to the town of Kalba in the emirate of Sharjah 16

that is renowned for its tranquility and beautiful surroundings. Currently, the Kalba Eco-Tourism Project, the largest ecotourism venture in the UAE, is seeking to make the most of the region’s natural attractions while managing the impact of tourism on the environment. Also located in Sharjah, the Arabian Wildlife Center is the only zoo in the Arab world that offers the opportunity to see all the animals that are natural inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, including those that are now extinct, in the wild. This unique facility houses over 100 species in safe, spacious and natural surroundings. Belying its diminutive size, Ajman has a surprisingly diverse landscape – from sandy beaches and desert dunes to mangrove forests and craggy mountains – with a rich marine and bird life. Nature

lovers will delight in the emirate’s beautiful stretch of coastline and the sprawling mangrove forest of Al Zorah Nature Reserve to the north of the city. Al Zorah’s pink flamingos steal the show, but birdwatchers can also spot nearly 60 other species in the mangroves and lagoons. Visitors travelling to the east of the UAE, along the Gulf of Oman, can enjoy a variety of water-based activities, such as surfing, yachting, swimming and deep sea fishing, on Fujairah’s beaches all year round. The emirate has some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving locations in the country. Umm al-Quwain may not be as urbanized as the other emirates, but it is one of the best places to see how the UAE used to look before industrialization

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The country’s commitment to preserving the environment stems from the profound respect for nature, instilled in its people by the founding father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

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offers sweeping views of desert dunes and the chance to spot a herd of over 400 endangered Arabian oryx. Eco-tourists will also be able to enjoy exploring the dramatic terrain as the Bedouin once did – on camel-back.

Issue 06 | April 2018

The country’s commitment to preserving the environment stems from profound respect for nature, instilled in its people by the founding father of UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

One of the most notable benefits of ecotourism for local community is job creation, both through direct employment within tourism industry, and indirectly in sectors such as retail and transportation. When indigenous people spend their wages on goods and services, it leads to

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Each of the seven emirates has its own unique nature-based experience.

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changed its topography. It has been built near a bright blue lagoon, surrounded by little islands that are a haven for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. The emirate’s wetlands, especially the mangroves and water channels between the islands, are ideally explored by boat or by kayak. Located on Al Sinniyah Island, the largest of the Umm al-Quwain islands, Khor Al Beidah is a highly popular spot for wildlife and bird watching. The marine reserve comprises 90 square kilometers of shallow lagoons and mud areas that provide an ideal feeding and nesting habitat for many bird species.

what is known as the ’multiplier effect’, creating more jobs as well as growth opportunities for small-scale enterprises. In addition, ecotourism promotes conservation of wildlife and natural resources, as these are now regarded as tourism assets. Featuring 43 protected areas that make up 14 per cent of the country’s territory, the UAE has always been dedicated to the preservation of natural habitats including wetlands.These areas provide a safe environment for wildlife, and have enabled the breeding and reintroduction of certain endangered species. For example, the greater flamingo is now flourishing in Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, while the Arabian oryx, once extinct in the wild, has been successfully reintroduced in the Um Al Zumoul Protected Area.

HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

FEATURE

Sky’s the limit

hink of carbon footprints and chances are, you’ll think of air travel. Flying has come in for its fair share of criticism in the past few years. But are airlines working towards making air travel more sustainable? Here in the Middle East region, it appears they are. Both Emirates and Etihad have published extensive information on the various initiatives they are undertaking in their drive to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Emirates’

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shutterstock.com/Vytautas Kielaitis

The Sustainabilist takes a look at how the UAE airlines are leading the sustainability change in the aviation sector

seventh annual Environmental Report - audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) - presents data on environmental and sustainability initiatives from a range of activities encompassing airline operations, Dnata’s cargo and ground handling operations and other commercial activities including engineering and catering. According to the report, in line with 2017 being the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism, the Group has linked its environmental

priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in order to better enable it to focus on where the greatest impact is possible. One of the most important parts of the Group’s environmental strategies, according to the report, is the operation of an eco-efficient fleet and, to this end, during 2017 Emirates retired the last remaining Airbus A330s and A340s. Now, the fleet only comprises Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, both far newer aircraft. The average fleet age now stands at just

Issue 06 | April 2018

5.3 years, far below the industry average, offering the sustainable benefits of lower engine and noise emissions together with a higher level of passenger comfort. Efforts throughout 2017 to enhance operational efficiency across the business also helped reduce costs and Emirates’ environmental impact. As an example, Emirates Engineering implemented a water-saving aircraft washing procedure to help save some 11 million litres of water a year, while energy efficiency projects including the installation of LED (light emitting diode) lighting in hangars, are saving a substantial 237 megawatt-hours of electricity per month. Onboard initiatives are also underway to improve sustainability; Emirates now provides sustainably-made blankets on all long-haul flights, with each blanket being made from 28 recycled plastic bottles which would likely otherwise have ended up in landfill. Back on the ground, vehicles and ground service equipment used in ground handling operations both in Dubai and around the world have been gradually replaced with electric or hybrid equipment, reducing emissions of CO2 and other pollutants, and plans are in place to expand this fleet of sustainable vehicles. Away from in-air and ground activities, the Emirates Group reaffirmed its commitment to the environment through its support for action against illegal trade in wildlife, and through its A Greener Tomorrow initiative, contributed to three organisations in Africa at the forefront of wildlife protection. Dnata’s employee-led philanthropy programme, dnata4good, also maintained its support for wildlife conservation in South Africa, and completed a school-building project

in Nepal. Over at Etihad, a report published by the airline on its continued sustainability drive showed that it has focused on fuel efficiency of the fleet, resulting in substantial reductions in CO2 emissions. Numerous initiatives across all operational functions of the business, driven by the airline’s dedicated fuel

The initiatives implemented have seen the airline industry’s targeted emission reduction goal of

1.5% exceeded.

efficiency team, have led to a significant saving of more than 60,000 tonnes of fuel, or a 2.5% improvement over the course of 2016. This improvement amounts to almost 190,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide savings; the equivalent of 1,200 flights between Abu Dhabi and London, or the removal of more than 40,000 cars from the world’s roads. With fuel consumption influenced by many factors including aircraft and engine type, flight duration and weight being carried, Etihad is currently working with aircraft manufacturers including Boeing and Airbus on initiatives that will optimise efficiency and fuel consumption. One of the key elements of these

initiatives is that of weight reduction, shown to be a vital part of fuel savings. Aircraft such as the Airbus A380 have a maximum take-off weight of some 575 tonnes - the equivalent of 218 Toyota Land Cruisers or 115 African elephants and as such, the airline has made it priority to reduce weight of on-board items. A weight-out programme, resulting in removal/replacement of several on-board items, resulted in fuel burn reduction of some 1,100 tonnes of fuel per year. Alongside weight, weather also affects fuel efficiency and subsequently, the airline is ploughing investment into new technology such as the Boeing Wind Uplink scheme which ensures that flight crews have all the latest information on weather patterns at their fingertips, enabling them to plan for optimum fuel efficiency during their flight. One weather condition regularly affecting flights in and out of the UAE is seasonal fog, which negatively impacts fuel burn performance and requires additional holding fuel to be carried; Etihad is now collaborating with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi to better enable the accurate prediction of fog. More accurate calculation of additional fuel requirements, to ensure adequate additional fuel requirements are met, have been enabled by continuous internal reviews using past data. Energy-wise, airport staff are tasked with ensuring ground power is used wherever possible instead of the auxiliary power unit. Overall, the initiatives implemented have seen the airline industry’s targeted emission reduction goal of 1.5% exceeded. Looking to the future, Etihad’s long-term goal is for its emissions to be 50% of 2005 levels by 2050. 19

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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As a citizen and public servant, helping shape tourism sustainability gives me a great sense of fulfilment and happiness.

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Issue 06 | April 2018

I AM THE SUSTAINABILIST

Yousuf Ahmad Lootah Executive Director, Tourism Development and Investments, Dubai Tourism

Sustainability was instilled in us as children, by our parents, when we grew up. In how we consumed water, in how we only ate what was enough for us, right across our society. My parents instilled in us frugality and played a big part in shaping my appreciation of the environment; I remember tending the palm trees with my father; he would tell me about how past generations used different aspects of the palm tree - the sap, the bark, the leaves, even the pellets of the dates – and about how everything had a use. I’ve seen people make brushes out of palm tree, plant the pellets to grow new trees, use the pellets mixed with other food waste and use it as cow feed. Anything and everything had to be used. That was my start, but the main opportunity presented itself in 2014, while working in DTCM. When the UAE won Expo 2020 and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed set the vision for Dubai’s sustainability, I was assigned the responsibility for setting the tourism sustainability plan. I started investigating sustainability and the different aspects of it. It was a new and very interesting challenge for me. And the biggest challenge for me was to work out how to get people – and entities - to adopt new ways of working, changes, and to turn talk into action. It’s easy for people to change a few lightbulbs and feel good about themselves. But we all know sustainability involves much more than that, and it is my role to see those highlevel objectives result in real changes in our organisation and sector. I always tried out whatever we were considering on myself first. I think I am the first person in our organisation to own

an electric vehicle. I saw the difference, in the simplest form, in terms of quality of life. I didn’t have to smell gas fumes, I didn’t have to stop at the gas station. I had a much quieter life. I began reducing the amount of water I consumed at home, and it opened my eyes. Now, when I stop at the grocery store and I’m given a plastic bag, I get annoyed; I think I’m a firm believer of the sustainability lifestyle! But would I say I’m completely there? No, I wouldn’t. I’m not a complete role model of sustainability but I do believe if every single person just does 10% of what they could do to contribute towards sustainability, it’s going to be a game changer. Don’t have a paper cup every time you go to the coffee shop; take a reusable one, or use the mugs they provide. You don’t have to ask for a bag when you buy small items. There are many things you can do. Why take 20-minute showers? Don’t keep the water running while you’re brushing your teeth. Little things can add up to staggeringly big things. Eco-tourism is a subject very close to my heart. I believe at the core of eco-tourism is the establishment; hotels, other tourism stakeholders. Recently I was moved by the death of Sudan, the last male white rhino, the last of its kind, and this happened during our time. Every year there are many species that become extinct, probably some we don’t even know about. We are not a special case here in the Middle East; the Arabic leopard was prevalent here in the Arabian peninsula, and it is critically endangered. I am hopeful that our current policy of creating sustainable eco-tourism has and

will have a lasting legacy in protecting the Dubai flora and fauna. If we can create an eco-tourism policy that protects our wildlife, that would be a lasting legacy and a contribution I would love to be part of. As a public servant, that’s my ultimate objective; improving the quality of life for residents and visitors of Dubai. We want people to enjoy the outdoors, and that means we need to look at real changes in the drivers of pollution and climate change. I’m excited about the future of sustainable tourism in Dubai. We have created different solutions for hotels to get themselves on the right track towards sustainability. We have established a carbon calculator that captures the data on consumption in order to come up with strong insights about how we can create change. It’s a very interesting project and the good thing here, which is quite overwhelming, is the change which the whole world is moving towards, and everyone’s on board with the agenda of combating global warming. I think sustainability in Dubai and the UAE is going in the right direction. All of the components are there; the new generation wants to add value and be part of a positive story. They think about excess, about what they’re doing. They know they need to be more responsible. With the alignment of key government entities, the vision of sustainability is cascading down. Knowing how committed all these entities are keeps us motivated. It doesn’t matter if you’re a resident, tourist or a citizen; you have a role to play too. It’s a global weather system; what we do here affects people elsewhere and vice versa. 21

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Looking to the future

An in-depth view of The Louvre Abu Dhabi on acheiving structural and design excellence

ne of Abu Dhabi’s most popular visitor attractions - The Louvre Abu Dhabi, located at the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District - opened late last year and even before opening, garnered industry awards for its sustainably innovative design. The building’s design, by internationally renowned architect Jean Nouvel, is intended to enable significant reductions in energy and water use, as well as a reduction in external heat gain. The design includes several facets of sustainable development; sustainable site selection and development, responsible materials selection, sustainable waste management, energy efficiency, water use reduction and enhanced indoor environmental quality. The first award gained reflects this; it achieved a Three Pearl Design Rating Certificate awarded by the Urban Planning Council (UPC) as part of its Estidama Pearl Building Rating System, and was the first such cultural development of its scope in the region. Shortly after the building won the Three Pearl Design Rating

Louvre Abu Dhabi’s exterior

CASE STUDY

Certificate, it was also the winner of the Green Building Award at the Green Middle East Awards for Environmental Excellence at the Expo Centre Sharjah - one of the few environmental awards schemes in the Middle East - being recognised for its sustainable design and overall environmental excellence. Comments from Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) confirmed the organisation’s commitment to integrating environmental sustainability into all its developments, including large-scale projects such as The Louvre Abu Dhabi.

buildings. The entire construction creates a comfortable microclimate incorporating culturally inspired passive design techniques and traditional architecture; passive water and energy conservation techniques, highly efficient HVAC systems and lighting and sanitary fittings.

A focal point of the design of The Louvre is its impressive domed roof. Appearing to float over the museum, the dome is a complex geometric structure constructed of 7,850 stars, repeated at various sizes and angles in eight layers and weighing some 7,500 tonnes. Its purpose is not only aesthetic, though; the dome’s design was carefully planned to ensure maximum sustainability for the entire building. It acts as a shading canopy for the outdoor plaza and the museum’s buildings below, as well as reducing the energy consumption of each of the covered

The design of the innovative structure is clearly working; the attraction has achieved an impressive 31% reduction in energy usage, a 27% reduction in water use compared to standard buildings, and a considerable 72% reduction in external heat gain.

Other techniques employed include but are not limited to optimised roof perforations to allow daylight without excess solar gain and wind flow, and exposed thermal mass such as stone floors and cladding that can benefit from cooler night-time temperatures.

Looking to the future, The Louvre Abu Dhabi is now targeting silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status, reflecting its ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability of the museum.

shutterstock.com/Samar El Atrash

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

CASE STUDY

A challenging theme Theme parks; energy consumption, water usage, vast amounts of waste. Dubai Parks and Resorts is working to change all of this

ith considerable energy requirements, large waste production and likely extensive water usage, theme parks could be considered a challenge when it comes to being sustainable. Dubai Parks and Resorts recently renamed DXB Entertainments (DXBE) - operates three of the largest theme parks in the UAE, as well as a waterpark, and is committed to operating all of its facilities to the highest levels of sustainability possible. DXB Entertainments, a subsidiary of Meraas, operates Legoland Dubai, the first Legoland park in the Middle East region, as well as Motiongate - a theme park inspired by Hollywood movies - and Bollywood Park, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first theme park dedicated to the colourful world of Bollywood movies. It also operates Legoland Waterpark, the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Lego-themed waterpark catering to children from 2-12 years old. According to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HSE policy statement, DXB Entertainments is committed to protecting the environment. It recognises that by implementing sound environmental practices into all aspects of 24

the business, it can be a premier provider of world-class leisure and entertainment attractions while conserving the environment for future generations. To this end, the organisation aims to protect the environment by preventing pollution and minimising the environmental impact of its operation, and manage and operate its facilities to promote energy efficiency and protect the environment. It intends to meet or exceed all applicable environmental legal requirements, and both set challenging targets and measure progress to ensure continuous improvement. DXBE will ensure colleagues know their responsibilities with regard to sustainability, through a system of continuous communication, and ensure they have the knowledge and experience to carry out these responsibilities. Sustainability policies published by DXBE state the company seeks to manage and operate its facilities to the highest environmental standards, and as such it has successfully been awarded ISO 14001 certification for environmental management. According to such policies, DXBE is committed to protecting the

Issue 06 | April 2018

There is also an on-site Treated Sewage

Effluent (TSE) recycling plant at DXBE’s site, that provides the resort with around 30% of its TSE water requirements. Company sustainability policies confirm DXBE will continue to set such challenging targets and measure progress to ensure continuous improvement. Another facet of the company’s commitment to sustainability is its dedication to giving back to the communities within which it operates. In 2016, DXBE invited its construction workforce to be among the first to experience the excitement, offering a special sneak peek event at Bollywood Parks, entertainment and a variety of food

and beverage options. The organisation also welcomed more than 200 children, among families, volunteers and leaders from Awqaaf Minors Affairs Foundation and the Make A Wish Foundation UAE, to experience the grand opening of the largest integrated theme park destination in the region. The group spent the day at Legoland Dubai, topped off by VIP seating at the parks’ Grand Opening. Throughout 2017, the company held a number of other activities to give back to the local community.

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Information circulated by DXBE confirms an extensive environmental programme has been rolled out to protect the environment surrounding its parks, including recycling to divert waste from landfills, efficient water management and actively working to reduce energy use and water consumption. Statistics for 2016 show DXBE recycled some 6,931kg of cartons, 10,228kg of paper, 1,817kg of plastic and 565kg of cans, all of which were likely diverted from the landfill in which they would otherwise have ended up.

“

DXBEntertainments recognises that by implementing sound environmental practices into all aspects of the business, it can be a premier provider of world-class leisure and entertainment attractions while conserving the environment for future generations.

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natural environment in which it operates. With this in mind, the organisation has developed an environmental management system that ensures all activities that can have an effect on the environment are controlled and aligned to local and federal legislation. To monitor its environmental performance, DXBE has established three key goals; to reduce its waste sent to landfill, to reduce electricity consumption and to reduce water use. Each of these goals has supporting programmes that are tracked on a regular basis, and include various initiatives such as a recycling scheme in all offices and a water use minimisation programme.

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

With more than one billion travellers criss-crossing the globe every year, tourism is a powerful economic driver and hotels can no longer afford to ignore the sustainability issue. Armani Hotel Dubai shares its own vision and action plan

rmani Hotel Dubai is devoted to operating sustainably and ensuring preservation of resources in a manner that is mutually beneficial to the hotel’s employees, visitors, guests, local community and ultimately the planet.

FEATURE

Walking the sustainable talk

The epitome of luxury in the region, located in the iconic Burj Khalifa, Armani Hotel Dubai has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through various initiatives, underlining its adherence to sustainability excellence. With a clear sustainability leadership and vision, the hotel’s staff members work to constantly enhance all the aspects of hotel operations including but not limited to energy efficiency, air quality and waste management. All the while, the staff is constantly exploring ways to incorporate green solutions in their daily functions and integrating international best practices in sustainable development as well as reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint. From ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (efficient use of resources) and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and work for all (think diversity of the hotel workforce) to taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (community-led action and advocacy), the hotel is perfectly positioned to create a meaningful impact within the sector. Policy into practice Our environmental policy follows Emaar Hospitality and Dubai Government’s exacting codes of practice. International Green Globe certification is the industry standard and we have been certified since 2017. A legacy commitment, not a one-off exercise, our resident Green Champion, Abdul Quddus Sheikh, Director of Engineering, spearheads all Green Globe activities, and as a team we work constantly to address energy consumption, air quality

Issue 06 | April 2018

and waste management, and explore biodiversity initiatives, green procurement solutions and social sustainability opportunities. Abdul Quddus was also named Sustainability Champion at the 2017 Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards. We ‘walk the talk’ in our ongoing efforts to reduce electricity and water usage within the hotel, minimise food waste, maintain guest satisfaction ratings, educate and inform stakeholders, engage the local community and, ultimately, increase annual audit performance standards. To date, we have replaced all incandescent lights with power saving LEDs. Motion detectors have been installed in back office areas, and water saving devices and water aerators have been fitted. Other important initiatives include the efficient segregation at source, whereby waste is disposed to designated recycling stations. The hotel has its own Food Waste Recycling Machine, that eliminates food disposal charges, reduces the hotel’s carbon footprint and converts food wastes into soil amendment. Fused-out tube lights, wasted batteries and used printer cartridges are also collected and provided to the recycling agency for safe destruction and recycling, where possible. We also host training programmes led by professionals/third parties especially in waste management programmes. For 2017, we intensified our commitment to Green Globe, with a target of 3% increase in annual audit performance standards, with the aim of lowering hotel-wide electricity usage by 2%, water consumption by 5%, reducing buffet food waste by 80%, maintaining our

employee and guest satisfaction ratings, and continuing with our wide-reaching programme of departmental training. In 2017, we reduced total hotel water consumption by 5%, reduced energy consumption by 4.5%, increased both employee ratings and guest satisfaction ratings and achieved departmental training goals. Community support Armani Hotel Dubai is committed to preserving precious resources and creating a sustainable operation that benefits our guests, colleagues, the local community and, most importantly, the planet. As part of our Green Globe commitment the hotel is also an active member of Emirates Environmental Group and a UAE Food Bank partner. We are also one of the key hospitality partners for the project that further promotes the noble ‘Year of Giving’ initiative marked by the nation in 2017. We are continuously involved in community services such as the donation of food, toys, clothes, blood and soaps as well as initiatives such as walk for a cause, clean-up programs and the annual Earth Hour. Spreading the word In 2017, Armani Hotel Dubai also added another accolade to our list of industry and community achievements with a Certification of Appreciation from Dubai Municipality’s Waste Management Department. This was awarded in recognition of the hotel’s distinguished efforts in the area of waste management, and our commitment to ensuring that we manage all hotel waste efficiently, effectively and in line

with Dubai Municipality environmental sustainability standards. While we focus efforts on driving forward our in-house programmes, we also support emirate-wide and national initiatives that are contributing towards achieving sustainability goals within the wider community. Back to basics Change can also begin by making small steps, and as part of our efforts to engage our guests and residents, we invite them to play their own part in making a difference by switching off lights and electrical devices when not in use, reusing hotel bathroom towels where possible, adjusting the room’s air-conditioning to the regular setting when not in residence. We also have a Green Page in the guestroom iPads that promotes their involvement in our sustainability initiatives and outline our sustainability commitment on our website, www. armanihoteldubai.com. Today’s international traveller and local resident are both increasingly invested in pursuing a sustainable agenda in different aspects of their lives. If you look at the annual Green Lodging Trends Report, which uses data sourced from 2,093 hotels in 46 countries, the latest research notes that 44% of guest-related feedback on sustainability practice led to actual implementation of hotel initiatives. As more and more guests expect hotels to integrate sustainability components into their operation, building and design, communicating efforts to your guests is also vital. While 73% of hotels globally are communicating with guestroom information, just 51% are using their own website to share green best practice – and we are proud to be among that number. 27

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Issue 06 | April 2018

CENTRE FOLD

UAE civial aviation sector positions itself to be carbon neutral from the year 2020 using CORSIA

ith travel - and particularly air travel - an enormous part of tourism, and particularly sustainable tourism, it stands to reason considerable efforts are underway to ensure air travel is as sustainable as possible. According to recent forecasts issued by ratings agency Moody’s, the Middle East is set to be the fastest-growing region in the world in the aviation sector and as such, it is imperative the UAE takes a strong position.

to promote sustainability in air travel. ICAO - the International Civil Aviation Organisation - has established CORSIA, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, and The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is an active participant of this ICAO delegation, with Dubai Carbon being a member.Dubai-based airline FlyDubai is one of a group of international airlines involved in a pilot project and a part of the Project Testing Group (PTG) within the CORSIA scheme.

The UAE government has firmly entrenched itself in the ongoing drive

CORSIA - a market-based measure (MBM) scheme - focuses on addressing

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It’s time to fly

any annual increases in total CO2 emissions from international civil aviation, or any flights that originate in one country and end in another. This initiative is intended to complement the broader industry target of reaching carbonneutral growth from 2020 onwards. The initiative will see its pilot phase - 2021 through 2023 – and its first phase, 2024 through 2026, involving states that have volunteered to participate in the scheme. The second phase – 2027 through 2035 - will apply to all states that have an individual share of international aviation activities, among other criteria. States that voluntarily decide to participate in 29

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

CORSIA may join the scheme from the beginning of any given year, providing they notify ICAO by June of the preceding year. An Assembly Resolution decreed that the average level of CO2 emissions from international aviation, covered by the scheme between 2019 and 2020, represents the basis for carbon neutral growth from 2020, against which emissions in future years are compared. From 2021, if international aviation CO2 emissions exceed the average baseline emissions of 2019 and 2020 in any subsequent year, this difference will represent the sector’s offsetting requirements for that year. A document issued by CORSIA, detailing the methodology of how emissions can be calculated and the approach to be used, is currently in draft phase, with a finalised document expected

this year. However, if 86.5% of global aviation emissions are covered, offset needs increase by 60 to 170 million per year from 2021. The cost to each airline will obviously depend on the offset price, but using a possible range of EUR1-5 per offset, global costs for offset purchase would reach some EUR60-850 million in the first year and then increase linearly. Airlines in the UAE – one of the first GCC countries to sign up to CORSIA – alongwith other GCC airlines cover around 11.5% of global RTK, so their costs for offset purchase could reach EUR7-100 million in 2021 and EUR701000 million in 2030. Dubai Carbon takes an active role in supporting CORSIA, the MBM draft resolution and impact on the UAE aviation sector. The organisation worked with the GCAA and industry stakeholders on formulating the country’s state action plan, helping to develop platform links

into the national agenda. This collusion included meetings with the GCAA working group to review and assess resolutions and legal documents. Dubai Carbon has also been part of the PTG for emission criteria since February 2018, with a focus on assessing suitable offset mechanisms that would feed into CORSIA and be tested during the pilot project. A number of international airlines are involved in a pilot project looking at establishing the appropriate methodology whenever there are certain commitments for the aviation sector to achieve targets. This pilot project incorporates an examination of what carbon offsets should be eligible for purchase, and how these offsets can be most effectively purchased by aviation industry stakeholders. A key element of the programme is the MRV system, or the Monitoring and Reporting and Verification system, which feeds into Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

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The UAE is one of the ten international participants in the pilot project - is acting as a chief implementer in the UAE, testing its MRV to assess how its internal monitoring system works and how it can be transferred into ICAO and CORSIA’s international system to monitor aviation emissions on a larger, more comprehensive scale. UAE’s contribution, and their feedback to ICAO, is being used to shape CORSIA requirements for all airlines.

Once CORSIA’s final document is issued this year, the international initiative will be implemented in phases, beginning with the participation of states on a voluntary basis before expanding to include all states except those exempt from offsetting requirements.

Issue 06 | April 2018

FEATURE

Conserving natural beauty

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The Marmoom Reserve project will be the first unfenced desert conservation reserve in the region

he launch of a new desert conservation area is set to boost eco-tourism in the UAE. The Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, currently under construction, will cover some 10% of Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land and will introduce more than 20 environmental, cultural and sports-related initiatives, sponsored by no less than nine Dubai government agencies. Spanning more than 40 hectares of desert shrubland and fertile area, the

reserve includes more than 10km of lakes, including the popular lakes at Al Qudra, alongside 10 square kilometres of wetlands. The abundant natural habitat is home to more than 204 species of native birds and 158 species of migratory birds, as well as 26 species of reptiles, nine mammal species and 39 different species of plants. 19 endangered animals and birds have also found sanctuary here. It has the highest concentration of large flamingoes in a desert environment in the country, with 300 to 500 birds, and is also home to one of the richest Houbara bustard colonies in the region, as well as being home to one of the largest Arabian gazelle herds in the UAE.

the site of the important Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site, dating back some 3,000 years to the Iron age.

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve will provide plenty of opportunity for visitors to see these indigenous and endangered species and experience the beauty of the natural environment. There will be 10 animal and bird observation platforms, sunset and star observation decks, yoga areas and a theatre capable of hosting 350-person events. By 2030, it is planned that the Reserve will host more than 20 annual sporting events, aimed at attracting more than 20,000 participants.

To ensure sustainability, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be connected to the Reserve, providing clean energy to conserve the environment and promote sustainable development. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is set to be the largest of its kind in the world, in a single location, with a capacity of 5,000MW by 2030. Phase one and two are already complete, with a capacity of 213MW, while phase three is currently being implemented with 800MW. Phase four - with 700MW of concentrated solar power - will follow.

Dedicated to studying the sustainable development and management of such protected areas, the Marmoom Biosphere Centre will serve as a centre for sustainable eco-tourism, aiming to be the main source of eco-system management practices in the UAE and the region. The Centre will also develop and provide expertise in the environmental field, serving as a consistently reliable reference point for best practices and policies for environmental conservation. Of particular importance to visitors interested in the heritage of the UAE will be the fact that the Reserve is also home to

Showcasing Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to working as a team for the betterment of the emirate, nine government agencies are jointly involved in the establishments and launch of the new initiatives and projects at Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve; Dubai Municipality, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Media Office, Dubai Tourism (DTCM), Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai SME and Meraas.

The Shams Dubai initiative for the installation of a photovoltaic solar system will be responsible for the production of clean energy for the protected facilities, and Green Charger Stations will be installed at the Electric Vehicle Park to encourage visitors and residents alike to use environmentally friendly vehicles. State-of-the-art Smart Meter technology will also be available, including advanced features capable of contributing to an environmentally friendly lifestyle. 31

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

FEATURE

Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards The awards celebrate the work of Dubai’s hotels and tourism companies in advancing sustainability within the tourism sector

he Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards honour industry stakeholders who have demonstrated they are leaders in implementing good practices to reduce their organisation’s carbon footprint. The Awards are part of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative launched by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) with the aim of positioning Dubai as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations. In line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE

and Ruler of Dubai’s vision for Dubai to become a sustainable city, the Awards provide a platform through which tourism industry stakeholders can be recognised for their efforts, both to honour these efforts and to encourage and guide other stakeholders to follow suit and ensure the future of Dubai’s tourism is sustainable. All tourism establishments registered with Dubai Tourism - from fivestar resorts to guest houses and adventure camps - are eligible to apply to be considered for the awards. Establishments are then evaluated against five elements considered crucial to sustainability; water, energy and carbon, waste and environmental protection,

responsible practices, training and awareness and continuous improvement. Objectives of the awards are threefold; to develop guidelines that enable the tourism industry to become more sustainable, to create a network of sustainability and enable sharing of best practices, and to recognise sustainability efforts and achievements within the industry. ¶¶¶¶¶City Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the

Issue 06 | April 2018

Emirates has a comprehensive roster of initiatives to ensure it is operating on sustainable practices. Ongoing initiatives include the use of a food waste reduction machine aiming to reduce food wastage by 80%; the installation of aerators on all washbasin and shattaf taps to reduce water usage; the installation of meters to monitor energy consumption; the installation of an LED panel back-of-house, LED lights in Besh restaurant and meeting rooms; the use of acid in the cooling tower to control grey water and reduce water usage; and the replacement of the garbage collection company with a new one that will collect recyclables such as shoe boxes and shopping bags. Future projects include the installation of solar film on south and south-east guest rooms to reduce room temperature by 5 degrees; the installation of a heat pump; the installation of solar panels to provide up to 5% of the hotel’s energy consumption; and the installation of light sensors for back-of-house. The hotel is also working with DTCM on a number of projects including a foot carbon calculator pilot project, a board game to encourage hotels to develop sustainability, a focus group to develop new standards for hotel classification and a green room project to study how guests may react to sustainability efforts. Resort ¶¶¶¶¶ Sofitel The Palm Sofitel The Palm operates within a robust framework of sustainable practices implemented across all resorts by parent company,

the Accor group. Planet-21 - the group’s sustainability management plan and environmental policy incorporates sustainable water and energy management, air quality and waste management, as well as awareness and employee buyin. The hotel has a sustainability committee with a representative from every department. The hotel is the only resort within the Accor group to have received three prestigious certifications for its sustainability; Green Globe certification for resort operations with 87% compliance standards, ISO14001:2004 for commitment towards sustainability and Gold level within Planet-21. Highlights of the resort’s successes include its energy management - almost 50% of its hot water is provided from roof-based solar panels, and almost 1,000,000 kwh/year in energy consumption has been saved by an energy-efficient retrofit and replacement of lighting with LED - and recycling, with some 20% of waste diverted away from landfill. ¶¶¶ Suite Novotel, Mall of the Emirates Another member of the Accor group, Suite Novotel, Mall of the Emirates has implemented Planet-21 since 2011. The hotel’s two main priorities are to strive for zero food waste and healthy, sustainable food, and to move towards carbon neutral buildings. The hotel cites its key challenges for the coming years as continued development of the waste management policy, continued reduction of energy and water consumption, commitment to its five-year Capex plan on CSR

investment and dedication to being answerable to guest expectations in terms of sustainability. ¶¶ Holiday Inn Express, Dubai Jumeirah Holiday Inn Express Jumeirah operates a comprehensive energy saving programme to ensure sustainability. Examples include regular monitoring of the HVAC system - at least three times daily - with a fully detailed checklist; keeping all vacant guest rooms at 24 degrees with low fan speed; optimising of the air conditioning system in public areas overnight; cleaning and maintenance of solar panels and chiller condensers; daily monitoring of electrical readings to quickly catch any unexpectedly high readings and rectify; and changing of all public area and guest room lightings to LED energy saving lights. Water management measures include maintenance and monitoring of the hotel potable water pressure; use of only approved water saving outlet items; maintenance and monitoring of all water systems for leaks and damages, with immediate rectification; and daily monitoring of readings from the main meter and sub-meters, with comparisons to previous years. The hotel also holds regular meetings with its Green Team including all department heads and supervisors - to discuss opportunities for energy and water saving, and any rectifications required for wastage, department best practices and results. 33

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Hotel apartments deluxe Savoy Suites The Savoy Suites has implemented sustainable practices after a SWOT review - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats - considering the benefits in three sectors; environmental, social and economical. Four case studies apply; The hotel aimed to utilise the waste air conditioned air lost through bathroom exhausts, diverting it back to the condenser unit of the chiller plant thereby improving efficiency with minimal costs. So far, the property has achieved an energy saving of 54,000 kwh and a carbon reduction of 32,000kgs. There was also a 3% energy reduction for the air conditioning plant. A sun shade was required around the air conditioning plant to prevent direct 34

sun hitting it, yet still allowing wind to pass through as necessary for the plant unit.This was implemented in conjunction with the waste air utilisation initiative above. It was decided to retrofit a lower capacity pump modified with VFD - variable frequency drive - to circulate chilled water for the air conditioning plant during winter, with the original pump only in use in the summer. This has resulted in an energy saving of 64,800kwh and a carbon reduction of 38,800kgs. An over-target 50% reduction of energy for the chilled water pumps was also achieved. It was also decided to use heat pumps instead of electrical heaters to warm the water for the swimming pools. An energy saving of 60,040kwh and a carbon reduction of 40,824 kgs was achieved, with an over-target energy reduction of 87%.

Desert camp Arabian Adventures Arabian Adventures operates Desert Safaris within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The organisation aims to control emissions from petrol, diesel, LPG, charcoal, camels and waste water, as well as electricity, waste, air travel, contractor travel and construction, with a target of reducing annual emissions intensity by a minimum of 2.5% per annum to achieve a total of 10% by the fifth year in its sustainability programme. Initiatives include offering a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;green carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; option to tour guests, the use of fuel-efficient vehicles throughout operations, driver training to ensure fuel efficient driving, a review of procurement procedures to ensure vehicles are fit for purpose, and to utilise backtrack monitoring

rd 23April October 20182017 Issue 06 |

technology to monitor and optimise efficient driving behaviour. Sustainability Champion Abdul Quddus Sheikh, Armani Hotel Dubai Please see the full feature on page 57 CSR Record Holder Ibis Novotel Adagio Al Barsha Ibis Novotel Adagio Al Barsha operates an extensive CSR programme with many facets supporting local communities, within the Accor group’s Planet-21 sustainable development initiative. Planet-21 addresses six main areas associated with the environment and community; people, guests, partners, community, food and beverage and buildings. The hotel’s main goals are to continue raising employee awareness of sustainable development, and continue participating in events that raise such awareness both for employees and guests. A number of initiatives are currently underway. Food is donated to labour camps through Give A Little, Help A Lot with Tarahum charity foundation; some 208kg of clothes and linens were donated to Emirates Red Crescent; the Soap For Hope initiative involved a live demonstration of the soap recycling process, with the hotel recycling used soap so it can be donated to the needy; the Clean Up The World campaign aims to instil a sense of collective responsibility through a regime of public area clean-ups; local special needs centres are supported by activity days with Ibis employees; and staff education about the local culture is promoted through visits

to places of interest such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Etihad Museum. Furthermore, the hotel actively promotes health and well-being of both staff and guests through a comprehensive programme of education, as well as the organisation of free checkups including eye health. Regular blood donation campaigns are also organised. Green Procurement Patron Fairmont The Palm Fairmont The Palm makes every effort to use local suppliers for as much of its procurement as possible, including Al Accad, Ripe and Barakat. Where feasible, it also works with eco-friendly suppliers, including Printpac, Tabet Group and Ecolab. The hotel also ensures procurement activities include the reduction, reuse and recycling of materials in the process of purchasing, and materials are purchased from local or green partners. It operates a comprehensive supplier compliance policy and procedure, with regular audits and and inspections to evaluate supplier compliance. Best Retrofit Implementation Fairmont The Palm Fairmont The Palm implemented a new digital asset - Building Information Modelling, or BIM - to help identify high consumption areas and allowances for potential energy conservation within the property. This energy model forecasts accurate savings per measure, as well as energy used during the baseline period and

future use. BIM is able to simulate all 8,760 hours of the year and understand specific consumptions of systems, equipment and spaces in the venue based on occupancy, set points, cooling and weather. The strategy used for reduction of the asset’s energy consumption and carbon footprint involves the optimisation and control of air conditioning based on guest demand. Only consuming the required energy at any given time has resulted in substantial cost and energy savings, with the energy savings contributing to a lowering of the hotel’s carbon footprint. To date, 9,000MWh savings have been achieved, the equivalent of removing 4,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Renewable Energy Leader Platinum Heritage Platinum Heritage has been using solar energy at its camps since 2012, with some 70% of the camps’ energy demands including lights and refrigerators - being met by renewable energy. The organisation’s managing director has acted as a guest speaker for DTCM, participating in talks about sustainable tourism and speaking about the elements required to run a sustainable, responsible business within sustainable tourism. Platinum Heritage also participates in government and private sector initiatives related to renewable energy, and educates hoteliers and tourism companies on preserving the local culture, supporting local communities and contributing towards desert conservation. 35

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

FEATURE

Scaling new heights Exciting new developments in Ras Al Khaimah place it at the forefront of desirable destinations for adventure tourism

ith Ras Al Khaimah’s Destination 2019 strategy declaring a vision to be a sustainable and competitive tourism destination, it’s understandable that sustainable tourism is a major focus for the emirate in coming years and, as such, much is in place to turn this vision into reality. “By identifying sustainable tourism as a major pillar of Ras al Khaimah’s Destination 2019 Tourism Strategy, not only will we protect and conserve our natural assets in a sustainable way, but we are also well on our way to achieving our targets for visitor arrivals, employment creation and contribution to GDP,” says Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). “At the heart of its 36

sustainable tourism strategy, RAKTDA applies principles in day-to-day decision making and operations that make a positive difference in outcomes for the tourism industry, both at home and as an example for other destinations to follow.” Likely one of the most important facets of the sustainable tourism strategy is that of sustainable waste management. “The Waste Management Initiative, led by the Waste Management Authority, is a bold move that requires the support and commitment of hotels and resorts across Ras Al Khaimah,” says Mattar. Target-setting is a key element of the initiative, with hotels and other tourism establishments expected to recycle a total of 75% of their waste by 2021 in line with Ras Al Khaimah’s target of diverting 75%

of solid waste matter from landfills by the same year. Tourism establishments will also be expected to source-separate their generated waste into streams, with food waste processed separately for composting to recover resources, avoid methane gas emissions and prevent leachate leakage into aquifers. Within a year of the initiative being launched, some 500 tonnes of paper, cardboard and plastic has been diverted from landfill and reintroduced into the recycling industry, avoiding the need for import and usage of virgin material, and some 300 tonnes of glass has been diverted from landfill and reintroduced into the local industry. The glass is recycled in Jebel Ali, Dubai, and sold back to Saver Glass in Ras Al Khaimah where it is manufactured into bottles for the

Issue 06 | April 2018

pharmaceutical and hospitality industries. In order to ensure buy-in of the sustainable tourism vision and associated initiatives, a Sustainable Hospitality Committee - including both private and public stakeholders - has been created, with RAKTDA coordinating quarterly meetings. Such meetings involve disseminating information, including project improvements, and sharing best practices, while hotels are also provided with monthly reports detailing quantities of waste generated and recycled. In addition to these reports, RAKTDA also carries out surprise reports to assess the establishment’s application of the initiative. Mattar says the RAKTDA is already seeing impressive buy-in from tourism stakeholders. “A number of individual entities are already engaging in great initiatives, and by aligning all establishments to the same standards, we can work together in achieving our goals,” he explains. Another key facet of the initiative is Sustainable Tourism Product Development, designed to ensure tourism investment in the emirate is into eco-friendly and sustainable tourism products. Harnessing the natural assets of the emirate’s environment has enabled Ras Al Khaimah to create some exciting new visitor attractions on Jebel Jais Mountain, while remaining conscious of their environmental impact. These include the Arabian Gulf’s first commercial Via Ferrata (iron path) featuring hiking and zipline challenges, a new viewing deck and the world’s longest zipline. The emirate is also focusing on sustainable restoration of historic and archaeological sites including the pearl farming village Jazirat Al Hamra, a reef protection project, the Al Wadi Nature Reserve, the

recycled bicyles project - in partnership with charity organisation Charicycles - at the Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, and the Heritage Forest which aims to establish an indigenous forest of various local tree and shrub species. In order to ensure all relevant tourism stakeholders are aware of the sustainable tourism initiative, and ensure alignment with the 2021 strategy, in 2017 RAKTDA organised quarterly workshops including presentations, videos and speeches demonstrating the roles hotels and attractions play in making a difference towards sustainability in the tourism sector.

Perhaps the biggest indicator of Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to sustainable tourism is its latest sponsorship decision. “RAKTDA signed as the sponsor of the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development,” says Mattar. “Through our efforts, and learning from our peers across the world, we aim to ensure the emirate’s success as a sustainable destination. Ras Al Khaimah has already made significant steps towards reaffirming its position as a sustainable destination, and through the continued collaboration with our hospitality partners the emirate is destined for greater milestones.”

Zipline Thrill-seekers can make the most of Ras Al Khaimah’s spectacular scenery by taking a ride on the world’s longest zipline. Spanning some 2.8km and offering riders the bucket-list opportunity to soar at speeds of 120-150km/hr, 1,680m above sea level on the top of the Jebel Jais mountain, the new zipline was designed to show off the rugged natural beauty of the emirate whilst exerting only a minimal impact on the local environment. Tenders for the Welcome Centre - the largest of all areas constructed at 230 square metres - focused on sourcing local materials and UAE-based experts, where possible, and specific areas of the site use environmentally friendly resources such as LED lighting, solar panels and photovoltaic fabric materials.

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

SCHOOL

Rise of the Eco Warriors The Eco Club at Kings’ School Al Barsha aims to raise awareness of sustainability among students and set them up as the sustainability ambassadors of the future

ings’ School Al Barsha runs an Eco Club where children are actively encouraged to take part in a range of activities to make the school a more environmentally friendly, sustainable establishment. Rebecca Keeley, Secondary Geography teacher and Mary McBrearty, Year 4 leader run Eco Club and told The Sustainabilist all about it. Why did the school decide to set up the Eco Club? We set up the Eco Club as an extracurricular activity for the children to take part in after school. The aim of the club is to help children become more aware of 21st-century environmental issues, through a mixture of fun and practical activities. We also teach them about the measures we can take to address these environmental issues. Our Eco Warriors, as we like to call them, play a pivotal role in developing and championing whole-school initiatives which educate their peers, and help drive the school to be more sustainable. Our goal is that, if the wider school 38

population understands and becomes engaged in what the Eco Warriors are setting out to achieve, they, in turn, will educate their families and friends. What kind of initiatives and activities does the Eco Club undertake and where? Currently, Eco Club is educating their peers on the benefits of recycling. By introducing recycling bins, discouraging the use of plastic cups at water fountains, and asking that all children and staff carry their own reusable water bottles instead. They feel strongly that getting young people to recycle is the key to the future. Our Eco Warriors have also launched an annual energy saving competition; created teacher notepads using 100% recycled material; and visited Sustainable City to gain insight into how we can develop further ideas. In addition, the Eco Warriors plan to mark World Earth Day on 22nd April by inviting students to wear blue. Their main focus will be raising awareness on saving the oceans from plastic. The club will

deliver a presentation during assembly, and teachers will be embedding this theme into their lessons. Is there an Eco Club at each Kings’ School and are there plans to extend the Eco Club at all? Since the eco club started, we have already expanded it, and there is now an Eco Club at each of the Kings’ Schools. Why do you think it’s important for children to be aware of being environmentally friendly and sustainable? It is never too early to educate children on the importance of being environmentally aware and about the measures that can be taken to become more sustainable. We want to develop these children into responsible individuals who are aware of their surroundings and know how to improve them.The younger we start, the more natural it becomes. I love this proverb (and regularly quote it to my students): ‘We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children’.

Issue 06 | April 2018

TOP TIPS

Top 5 tips for sustainable tourism

Transport Overseas visitors will inevitably use air travel to get to you. While they can’t control their individual impact in this instance, they can research their airline thoroughly and choose one that is taking significant steps to mitigate their carbon emissions and subsequent negative environmental impact.

Power Don’t let that electricity bill sky rocket whilst hosting visitors. Leave kind notes on light switches and electrical devices reminding your guests to turn off lights and switch off devices. Remember; even standby mode on your devices is draining unnecessary power. Make sure they’re fully switched off.

Waste Keep reusable metal or BPA-free plastic water bottles in your kitchen and guest room to encourage your visitors not to use single-use water bottles. The same goes for coffee cups too – provide your guests with re-usable travel mugs to take to your local coffee shop for that environmentally responsible brew.

Water Installing water misting devices on all the taps in your home can help reduce your water wastage by up to 98%. So can toilet flushes with a ‘half flush’ option, using half of the cistern for the flush only. Asking guests to limit shower lengths is tricky. But you can make sure that your bathroom hot water tanks are all set to ‘eco’ mode, keeping the water just hot enough, thus conserving power.

Land Why not include an environmental beach clean-up day in your visitor’s itinerary? It’s a great way to get some sunshine, fresh air and exercise whilst having a positive environmental impact on the country being visited. A simple clean-up kit requires only a carrier bag and some gloves! 39

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

FEATURE

CASE STUDY

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman’s sustainable practices Ramada Ajman is the first hotel in the Northern Emirates to receive the prestigious Green Globe award; The Sustainabilist takes a look at how they’ve done it

ver the years, Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman, led by General Manager Iftikhar Hamdani, has been actively leading sustainable tourism initiatives within the UAE’s hospitality sector. As a testament to its successful green campaigns, the hotel has won several awards, citations and certifications including Green Globe, making it the first hotel in Northern Emirates to receive the prestigious certification. Ramada Ajman also bagged the Waste Management Award in 2017, and Iftikhar Hamdani was named as CSR Professional of the Year in 2018, at the prestigious Gulf Sustainability and CSR Awards. The

first among the hotels in the UAE, Ramada Ajman’s Zero Landfill Project was unveiled in 2012 with the aim of achieving zero waste disposal into the landfill. Five years after the launch of the project, with the help of recycling and an in-house composter machine, the hotel was able to reduce its landfill waste disposal by 90% and divert more than a million kilogram of waste. The property furthers its current food waste management scheme through a WasteStation dewaterer and macerator machine. Zero Landfill Project When Hamdani started as general manager of Ramada Ajman, the hotel’s energy cost was very high so the team had initiated

steps to conserve water and electricity. The team realised that sustainability goes beyond energy conservation. Early in 2012, the hotel established a committee and decided to practically apply the ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ principle. They were surprised to find out that the hotel’s daily total waste average was 1,000 kilograms, which made them decide to take immediate actions. In July of the same year, Ramada Ajman installed a compost machine and a zero landfill room, aiming to bring the waste disposal to landfill to zero. The team evaluated the sources of the hotel’s waste and found out that 60% of

Issue 06 | April 2018

waste was from the kitchen, majority of which are scraps from vegetables, fruits, leftover food from buffet, banquet and staff restaurant, etc; 30% of the waste was recyclables which are plastic, metal, paper, cartridges, etc; and 10% of the waste to landfill was rejected waste. The compost machine converts the kitchen waste into fertiliser. Out of the kitchen waste, 10% generates compost and the rest evaporates into the air. The composts are then used as natural fertiliser for the urban farm, and plants at the hotel. For the non-biodegradable wastes, the hotel has a zero landfill room dedicated for the segregation of recyclable items. There are staffs assigned to separate the waste on a daily basis. All the recyclable items including cartons, bottles, etc. are sold. 10% of the total waste which goes to the landfill are mainly kids’ diapers, ash, used charcoal, etc. The hotel is still contributing to the landfill by sending 10% of waste, but is trying its best to reduce it further. Financial Benefits The cost of the machine was AED 226,000 but the hotel did not spent a single dirham on it, even for the zero landfill room. They sought sponsorships from different corporate partners. The message and key takeaway from this was simple: everything is possible, if someone has passion, dedication, and noteworthy cause. In terms of commercial benefit, on top of saving the cost on the machine, Ramada Ajman is also saving 120,000 per annum for not paying any waste management company for the garbage collection. In five years, the hotel was already able to save up to AED600,000.

Increasing Efficiency In January 2017, the hotel received the IMC WasteStation dewaterer and waste macerator machine, which boosts its current food waste management scheme. Over the years, Ramada Ajman was able to bring down its average kitchen waste to 360 kg, daily, including fruit and vegetable peels and food scraps, among others. Its compost machine can hold up to 80kg of waste, but the new WasteStation has a capacity of processing 700 kg of food waste per hour. It also reduces the process of converting the waste into fertilisers from 24 hours to just 12 hours. In a nutshell, the IMC WasteStation machine functions by grinding the food waste into fine particles, which are then fed directly into the built-in dewatering system. The machine then forces out the excess liquid from the macerated waste using a centrifugal action. The resulting solid fraction of the food waste is collected in small, easily managed, lidded bins and the grey water fed directly to drain. Urban Farm The compost generated from the kitchen waste is used in the hotel’s urban farm. Launched in April 2013, Ramada Ajman’s urban farm covers 430 square metres of space, which was converted from a parking space. It grows seasonal crops which are used in the hotel’s in-house kitchen. The team recently harvested eggplants, radishes, tomatoes, rocket and mint leaves, and chilli peppers at its farm. ATM 2018: Responsible Tourism Iftikhar Hamdani also continues to spread the cause on sustainable waste management by speaking in different forums and conferences, and welcoming

Iftikhar Hamdani, General Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman

representatives from other hotels and establishments across the UAE who wish to learn about the hotel’s sustainable practices. With this year’s focus on sustainability, Hamdani will be one of the speakers at this year’s Arabian Travel Market on the topic ‘Taking Responsibility for Environmental Impacts - Water and Energy’, during the second day of the exhibition. 41

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

UAE homegrown hotel brand Rove explains its sustainability target; secure prestigious Green Key certification for all Rove properties in the UAE

maar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, and Rove Hotels ‐ a joint venture of Meraas Holding and Emaar Properties PJSC, have joined hands with Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, to secure the ‘Green Key’ certification for all its operational hotels and leisure assets in Dubai.

Roving sustainably

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CASE STUDY

EmiratesGBC is the UAE’s National Operator for the Green Key certification, a standard of excellence in the field of environmental sustainability and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. The agreement was signed by Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, and Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC. Initially, Emaar Hospitality Group and

Issue 06 | April 2018

Rove Hotels aim to have 15 hospitality and leisure assets Dubai Green Key certified. These will include all operational hotels under the three lifestyle hotel brands under Emaar Hospitality Group, and Emaar Leisure Group assets such as Arabian Ranches Golf Club and Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club in addition to all Rove hotels. Olivier Harnisch, CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group said: “Across our hotels and leisure assets, we have an abiding commitment to uphold the highest standards of energy and water use efficiency as well as environmental best practices. These properties have already launched in‐house green practices and have dedicated teams supporting the mission to ‘go green’ in line with the UAE Green Agenda and the Dubai Plan 2021. The Green Key certification will be a crowning glory that will highlight our environmental stewardship and focus on sustainable development for a greener tourism industry.” Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EGBC added: “As the National Operator of the Green Key certification, we have been working closely with the UAE’s hospitality industry to promote environmental best practices. Having earlier undertaken a green hotel benchmarking programme, we fully understand the requirements and aspirations of the hospitality operators. Emaar Hospitality Group and Rove Hotels are world class UAE hospitality operators, and through the agreement, we will support them in driving and setting sustainability standards that will serve as a model for the industry.” Created in 1994 in Denmark and internationally operated by Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) since

2002, the Green Key certification is being operated by EmiratesGBC in the UAE since 2013. To date, over 30 hotels in the UAE have been Green Key certified with significant growing interest from other industry stakeholders. Supported by both United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Green Key is the largest global ecolabel operating in 56 countries and operates as a non‐ governmental, non‐commercial and independent program. Securing the Green Key certification adds value of the hotels and properties and serves as a mark of international recognition of environmental responsibility.

operational hotels – Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre, Rove Healthcare City and Rove Trade Centre ‐ under Rove Hotels, will work towards the Green key certification.

EmiratesGBC will work with each of the hotel properties and will conduct the first of the Green Key audits in early 2018 following submission of the full application forms from Emaar Hospitality Group and Rove Hotels. Implementation of the Green Key criteria will be essential, and hotels will be audited the first two years and then every three years to ensure they operate to the standards set by Green Key and continually improve operations and environmental performance.

Complementing the Green Key programme, EmiratesGBC also conducts the Energy & Water Benchmarking for UAE hotels that documents energy and water consumption and outlines the potential for savings, thus contributing to reduced carbon footprint by UAE hotels. As part of the first benchmarking exercise, 46 hotels that volunteered for the programme were benchmarked. EmiratesGBC is now inviting hotels in the UAE to take part in the 2018 Building Efficiency Accelerator, another free‐of‐ cost benchmarking programme.

The properties under Address Hotels & Resorts, a premium luxury hotel and residences brand, that will strive for the Green Key certification are: Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Mall, Address Dubai Marina, Address Montgomerie, Palace Downtown and the upcoming Address Downtown. Both hotels under Vida Hotels and Resorts, the upscale lifestyle hotel and residences brand – Vida Downtown and Manzil Downtown – as well as the four

The certification will be provided after due diligence by EmiratesGBC, ensuring that all assets uphold the international criteria of Green Key covering areas such as environmental management, staff involvement, guest information, water usage, washing and cleaning, waste management, energy use efficiency, food & beverage handling, quality of indoor environment, green areas, and green activities as part of Emaar Hospitality Group’s corporate social responsibility.

Serving the hospitality sector, EmiratesGBC has also developed and conducts a series of training modules tailored to meet the specific needs of hotel properties, covering areas such as green hospitality & sustainability, water management, energy management, responsible procurement, waste management, indoor air quality, sustainable food & beverage, sustainable housing and communications and community development. 43

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

FEATURE

Exploring the desert Millions of tourists each year set off on a desert safari. But how can they be sure they’re not leaving an environmental footprint on the UAE’s beautiful sands?

ith a good percentage of Dubai’s land now protected, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the local environment in an environmentally responsible, sustainable way. Desert safaris are a particular favourite with visitors to the emirate and to the UAE; they offer the chance to see local flora and fauna in their natural environment, and appreciate the beauty of the country in its natural state. One company operating a desert safari guaranteed to be ecologically sound is

Arabian Adventures, an Emirates Group company. Offering a range of safari options from all-inclusive to tailor-made or private tours, Arabian Adventures is the only tour operator in the Middle East region to be consistently awarded with Carbon and Energy Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) certification since 2010. CEMARS - an internationally recognised certification - confirms the company is aligned with international standards of carbon emissions management and reduction. As well as being certified by CEMARS, Arabian Adventures is one of only five selected companies able to run all its desert safaris within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), the UAE’s first national park and the biggest piece of Dubai land dedicated to one single project. DDCR operates on the ethos of achieving sustainability through ongoing research and continual monitoring of a balanced ecosystem, with the belief that it is more environmentally sound to maintain a natural environment than it does to attempt to repair one that has been damaged by misuse. DDCR features a number of sustainable initiatives to ensure the flora and fauna indigenous to the area is protected, where in existence, and reintroduced where necessary.

As well as protecting and managing the natural environment, DDCR operates its reserve on a sustainable basis; solar power pumps water from water holes for self-sufficiency, waste recycling is operated at all operator camps, and access to the reserve is limited to only five Dubai-based tour operators for minimal impact. In addition, routes and activities are specified and there are limits on daily visitor numbers and vehicles entering the reserve at any one time. Safari guides are also trained in best practice methods, with sessions held to increase their knowledge of wildlife and conservation practices. There are strict limits on all activities which place pressure on any area of aspect of the habitat, and careful zoning within the reserve to ensure more vulnerable habitats and particularly sensitive locations are not burdened with heavy visitor traffic or any unnecessary interference. Reinforcing Arabian Adventures’ commitment to sustainable tourism, the company donates a portion of all fees received for its safaris to local conservation projects, ensuring future generations of visitors will also be able to experience the natural beauty of Dubai.

Issue 06 | April 2018

FEATURE

Arabian travel market The premier exhibition showcasing the developments in the tourism sector in the region By Nadege Noblet

Exhibition Manager, Arabian Travel Market

esponsibility comes in many forms – from the principles of how we interact with each other, to influencing behaviour within our surroundings. The idea that tourism can be responsible seems at odds with the core idea of travel – after all, most travel to escape their responsibilities – but in the context of a sustainable industry, responsible tourism presents a strong business case. The GCC is one of the fastest growing regional hospitality markets on a global scale, but it is a resource-intensive industry. The UN’s World Tourism Organisation estimates that tourism is responsible for around 5% of global CO2 emissions and accommodation accounts for approximately 20% of emissions from tourism, including energy and water demand and waste management. Travellers today have become very conscious of their carbon footprint and now look to hotels, tour companies and airlines to do more to protect the environment. This growing trend has

meant the entire industry has had to look long and hard at how sustainability and a credible social conscience must drive business strategy. To this end, it is crucial that we all work towards a tourism sector which protects the environment, preserves the cultural heritage of destinations and fosters respect for local communities everywhere. In recognition and response, ATM 2018 has adopted Responsible Tourism – including sustainable trends – as the official show theme. This spotlight theme will be integrated across all verticals and activities, including advice clinics and focused seminar sessions, featuring dedicated exhibitor participation. Running throughout the event, professionals from across the industry spectrum will be raising awareness of how reducing, reusing and recycling, can eliminate waste and protect our environment. Quite what the hospitality industry in the UAE and wider Middle East will look like 25 years from now, nobody knows. It

Nadege Noblet, Exhibition Manager, Arabian Travel Market

has certainly come a long way since the first ATM was held in 1994, with the world’s tallest buildings and tallest hotels; revolutionary transport infrastructure; theme parks and leisure attractions that are the envy of the rest of the world. In celebrations of its 25th year, this year’s show will host a series of seminar sessions looking back on the tourism revolution in the MENA region over the last quarter of a century, while exploring how the industry will shape up over the next 25 years. Arabian Travel Market is considered by many industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector and, with the efforts that have gone into developing the content for this year’s showcase, we are confident that we will continue to provide a vital showcase for the industry. 45

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

INTERVIEW

Focusing on holistic design Boutique architects Baharash Architecture design only sustainable projects and resilient developments. Founder Baharash Bagherian tells The Sustainabilist why

AE and London based architecture firm Baharash Architecture focuses only on sustainable architecture, designing eco resorts and resilient developments for major clients in the region, including the recently designed world’s greenest eco-resort, Oasis Eco Resort. Founder and director Baharash Bagherian spoke to The Sustainabilist about his work, his passion for sustainability, the challenges he faces and his vision for the future. In my studio, we believe sustainability is the backbone to building a better world. We believe great architecture is more than buildings, it’s about creating sustainable destinations that make people feel healthy to live in, inspired to work in and want to visit. Thus, our choice to focus

entirely on projects that are sustainable was driven by our sense of purpose. We are all committed to developing innovative, creative solutions that make a positive contribution to current and future generations. The Oasis Eco Resort will be a significant step for eco-tourism in the UAE and the entire MENA region. It’s significant because uncontrolled conventional tourism causes harm to natural areas, by putting excess pressure on the area which can lead to impacts such as increased pollution, soil erosion, loss of natural habitats and endangered species. Uncontrolled conventional tourism also puts pressure on water resources, and it can force local populations to compete for the use of critical resources.

Sustainable architecture is about designing developments that provide the highest quality of life together with the lowest environmental footprint, whilst ensuring the needs of future generations are not compromised. For developers working in a highly competitive market, sustainable architecture can provide an opportunity as a unique selling point. It can add a competitive advantage to a developer’s project, as buyers look towards properties with access to a range of desirable amenities, as well as providing minimum maintenance fees and reduced energy bills. Sustainable architecture also has a great influence on the typology of a building. This creates an opportunity for designers

Issue 06 | April 2018

to rethink the way people live and work. The typology of a building can improve the quality of life, whilst also helping to maximise the environmental gains through form, orientation and density. Sustainable architecture also provides opportunities to integrate nature into architecture, with the objective of making people feel healthier and happier. Nature has many benefits for our wellbeing; it makes us live in harmony, improves our memory, reduces depression, boosts workplace performance and bonds people together. One of the key challenges when working on sustainable projects is at the early stages. Basic design decisions such as orientation, density and form provide the biggest environmental gains, yet these require the least financial investment. So, at the early stages we are able to reduce a large amount of energy demand

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Basic design decisions such as orientation, density and form provide the biggest environmental gains, yet these require the least financial investment. So, at the early stages we are able to reduce a large amount of energy demand with little cost.

with little cost. Another key challenge is working with the client and consultant team from the beginning of a project to develop a series of sustainable initiatives and targets. These targets help guide the design in the pursuit of its sustainability goals. We divide some of these targets into categories such as Water, Health and Wellbeing, Energy, Materials, Pollution, Ecology and Waste. Another challenge is providing a truly holistic approach to development. The basic idea of a holistic approach to sustainable development is to provide a whole solution which addresses all the three key pillars of sustainability, rather than just dealing with one part. Thus the three key pillars of sustainability - social, economic and environmental - need to be considered from the very beginning, without a special emphasis on one over the other. Another key challenge of sustainable projects is ensuring early commitment, coordination and partnerships between private and public entities from various sectors. The purpose of sustainable architecture is rapidly evolving as urban challenges grow, lifestyle habits change, socioeconomic challenges expand and new technologies emerge. The increase rate of climate change is also fuelling new thinking in sustainable architecture. The next generation of sustainable architecture will be driven by new typologies that promote inclusivity, resilience and greater protection of the environment. They will also be less about buildings and more about creating healthy places that promote sustainability as a lifestyle. Over the next decade, there will be a significant increase in population and urbanisation, which will have severe impacts on our cities’ infrastructures and resources, as well as the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants. To mitigate

Baharash Bagherian , Founder, Baharash Architecture

these effects and provide a higher quality of life, we have no choice but to design with sustainability, which is still a fairly new concept in the MENA region. Contrary to common belief, sustainable design does not require an increase in client budget or construction cost. Sustainable design also minimises maintenance costs and increases the durability of buildings. This means more cost savings over a project’s lifetime as well as an increase in longevity. Whilst active strategies such as incorporating renewable energy or recycling systems into projects do require an additional investment, the paybacks on these systems are recovered over the years from significantly reduced energy and water bills. Ultimately, sustainable buildings are important because they promote a higher quality of life whilst reducing our impact on the environment. 47

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The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

CASE STUDY

A green education shutterstock.com/Ondrej Prosicky

Environmental attraction Green Planet provides a unique opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with an authentic jungle environment

top tourist attraction for children and adults alike, Green Planet offers a unique opportunity for visitors to see, hear, feel and experience nature. Aimed at raising awareness of the need for sustainability around the world, instilling respect for the intricacy and fragility of the environment and offering visitors the chance to experience the nature of a different ecosystem to that of the UAE, Green Planet is a shining example of sustainability within the tourism industry. The region’s first bio-dome - an enclosed, entirely self-sufficient ecosystem that closely replicates an outdoor environment - provides a fascinating insight into a tropical forest world, one of the world’s oldest eco-systems. The venue features a rich biodiversity of more than 3,000 plants and animals native to a tropical jungle environment, and the biodome seamlessly integrates exhibitions, displays and activities that encourage visitors to explore the inner workings of this different ecosystem. 48

With lush tropical vegetation covered by a thick green canopy - and the world’s largest indoor, man-made, life-sustaining tree at a recond 25 metres in height - the educational and recreational facility offers visitors the chance to see hundreds of different plants, trees and shrubs, and learn about the various layers of the jungle and the role they play within the ecosystem. And the education doesn’t stop at the floor of the jungle; some three metres of rain falls annually in a typical jungle, flooding rivers and streams, so there is also an example of a flooded rainforest for further learning. Visitors will also have the opportunity to appreciate the jungle environment as a whole and its role in the global environment, as well as its crucial part in the future of our planet. Alongside exploring rainforest flora, visitors can get up close and personal with some of the animal species native to the environment at Green Planet, learning about their characteristics and habits as well as developing an appreciation for their similarities, differences and roles in the

ecosystem. Two experiences currently on offer are encounters with the sloth and the sugar glider. To make learning more fun for little ones, Green Planet regularly also runs activities based on the flora and fauna found in the ecosystem, with educational elements to all activities and the importance of sustainability reinforced throughout. Naturally, Green Planet was designed in line with the principles of sustainability, and the venue’s building has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification meaning it has been assessed and found to save energy, resources and water, as well as generating less waste and supporting human health The facility is also fully compliant with the Dubai Municipality Green Building Regulations and Specifications, a Dubai government initiative consisting of a framework of specifications based on the best international environment-friendly standards adapted to the local conditions of Dubai.

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The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

INTERVIEW

Sandrine Le Biavant, Consultancy Director at Farnek talks to The Sustainabilist about the benefits of the unique platform to benchmark your property within the hotel industry

ocal facilities management company Farnek owns and operates Hotel Optimizer, a tool designed to help hotels benchmark their performance in energy management, water and waste reduction and CO2 emissions, both with similar properties. The Sustainabilist took a look at Hotel Optimizer, how it works and how it contributes to the sustainable tourism sector. Who is Farnek and what is the background behind Hotel Optimizer? Farnek is a full-service facilities management company established in the UAE in 1980 with a division dedicated for Sustainability consultancy for that includes Green Globe Certification, Energy audits, Waste audits and carbon management. Farnek is working with high-profile entities and iconic facilities and such hotels, airports, airlines, shopping malls, residential and commercial properties. Committed to sustainability, Farnek has also won awards for its sustainability. Hotel Optimizer was initially developed

in Zurich some 15 years ago by the current CEO of Farnek and a team of engineers from Swissotel, with the objective of monitoring hotelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performance and benchmarking them to create dynamic competition, challenging teams to come up with the best strategies to ensure sustainability. What is Hotel Optimizer, what does it do and how does it work? Farnek purchased the Hotel Optimizer online platform 10 years ago and upgraded it to support the engineering and management teams of more than 150 hotels in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia, from international hotel chains and local hotels. Four modules are available; energy and water management, waste management and carbon emissions and corporate reporting. Hotels simply enter their monthly data receive monthly and annual performance reports on electricity, district cooling, fuel, gas, water, waste and CO2 emissions, benchmarking with similar properties in similar climatic conditions but also showing their own

shutterstock.com/SFIO CRACHO

Hotel Optimizer

progress vs previous years. Specific KPIs like Energy Usage Intensity [kWh/sqm] and Water Usage Intensity [litres / service units], Waste diversion ratio and waste generation [kg/ service unit] provide a new reading on the data to chief engineers, general managers and corporate office enabling them to target the areas of improvements and make immediate decisions. Why is it different to other performance management systems? Hotel Optimizer uses genuine performance to reflect the real energy and water performance of the hotel, based on actual consumption and variations in individual property factors influencing consumption. Variables that are considered in calculating genuine performance are area, occupancy, guest nights, F&B covers, conference guests, fitness guests, laundry and climatic conditions. A perfect way to assess the true efforts of the engineering team which is often hidden by many factors. It is supported by a team of energy engineers who analyse the relevance of

Issue 06 | April 2018

What tangible contribution does it make to a hotel’s sustainability? Quite a considerable difference. First of all, benchmarking is the first step for starting the journey in environmental performance and many hoteliers learn a lot from the process of monitoring. Once the hotels have started implementing energy or water conservations measures, it is important to assess their results and keep monitoring the progress and other areas to targets.

Farnek reports the following statistics from hotels that utilized the Hotel Optimizer. • In 2017 typically hotels saved, on average USD110,000 annually on their utility costs, a saving of 10% compared to the previous year. • After implementing Hotel Optimizer, clients on average see annual savings of 5% within their first year • On average, a hotel in the Middle East has a utility opportunity cost of USD135,000 while it releases USD35,000 t CO2e in one year • The difference for the best performer and the lowest performer for 200room hotels corresponds to USD1 million • Hotels that managed to generate savings in water and/or energy in 2016 saw an additional profit of USD100,000

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Hotel Optimizer is a state-of-theart online platform that reports on a hotel’s sustainability and environmental performance; it evaluates energy and water consumption, waste creation, costs and carbon emission.

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the data and provide targeted recommendations for improvement. Some hotel chains involved in sustainability report use this service for third party validation of the data. Through the corporate quarterly and annual reports hotel chains are able to compare the performance of their individual properties and identify those requiring improvement, using just one platform. The software also considers the energy reference area to calculate the Energy Usage Intensity [kWh/sqm], which is key for hotels with large volume lobbies and conference halls.

• A major risk for hotel chains and owners is to have over-consuming hotels overcasting the results of hotels that manage to save, therefore needing strategic monitoring and management.

Energy, water and waste benchmarks for city hotels and resorts ENERGY

POOR

AVERAGE

BEST

>358

kWh/m2 year 

255

kWh/m2 year 

<181

kWh/m2 year 

>639

kWh/m2lyear

WATER

>667

L/guestnight

373

kWh/m2lyear

<190

kWh/m2lyear

412

L/guestnight

<188

L/guestnight

CITY HOTELS

WASTE 4.63

>3153

kg/guestnight

L/guestnight

3.26

1702

kg/guestnight

L/guestnight

>690

0.7

L/guestnight

RESORTS

kg/guestnight

COMBINED

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

RESEARCH

Sustainable travel - intentions, goals & considerations Sustainable travel intentions The number of travelers staying in an eco-friendly or ‘green’ accommodation at least once could double this year with 65% of global travelers expressing this intention versus 34% who stayed in one or more last year. In addition, 68% confirm they are more likely to consider choosing an accommodation knowing that it was eco-friendly, with Chinese (93%), Brazilian (83%) and Spanish (80%) travelers the most likely. For a large 79%, sustainable considerations also impact their mode of transport when traveling, with 43% taking public transport whenever possible, 42% trying to walk, bike or hike as much as possible and nearly one fifth (18%) flying less to reduce their carbon footprint.

94% Source: www.booking.com

89% 80% 79%

79% 75%

HIGHER COST FOR FOOD BECAUSE ITS’ ALL LOCALLY PRODUCED

LINEN AND TOWEL CHANGES LESS FREQUENTLY

LESS FREQUENT TOILETRY REPLACEMENT

RECYCLED TOILET PAPER

LOW FLOW SHOWERHEADS

AC/HEATING UNITS THAT ONLY RUN WHILE YOU ARE IN THE ROOM

ENERGY SAVING LIGHT BULBS

When it comes to making luxury adjustments in order to stay somewhere eco-friendly, the vast majority of global travelers would be more than happy to accept these, with 94% willing to stay in a property with energy saving lightbulbs, 89% in one with AC/Heating units that only run while you’re in the room and 80% in one with low flow showerheads. Below is an overview of the luxury adjustments global travelers would be willing to make to stay at an eco-friendly accommodation:

64%

Issue 06 | April 2018

Sustainable travel goals The term â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sustainable travelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; continues to mean many things to many people, but the role of accommodations in helping travelers to achieve their sustainable travel goals is clear. The research shows that over half (56%) consider staying in eco-friendly accommodation as sustainable travel, topping the list of what travelers think when they hear the term. For well over a third, it means conserving water by reusing towels and bed sheets (38%) and conserving the environment by reducing use of amenity goods such as shampoo, soap, toothbrush, shaving razor (35%). For many, sustainable travel is also synonymous with a more authentic, local experience. 38% perceive the buying of locally-made products and supporting local artisans as sustainable travel, while 36% would choose an eco-friendly accommodation because it provides a more locally-relevant experience. Below is an overview of the top reasons why global travelers choose eco-friendly accommodations:

52%

To help reduce environmental impact They provide a more locally-relevant experience

36%

They treat the local community better

30%

They tend to provide more locally-sourced/organic food

An interest in experiencing new trends in travel accommodations

Sustainable travel considerations Even though only 5% of global travelers actually believe it is easy to travel sustainably, 46% of globally travelers consider themselves a sustainable traveler, with Italy, Germany and China seeing a rise in those identifying this way since last year but in markets like Australia, Brazil, Japan and the US there has been a fall (down 5%, 8%, 4% and 4% respectively). Below is an overview of the top green/eco-friendly practices that global travelers are taking into account when considering a property to stay in:

Solar Energy

Sustainable Water System %

67%

Organic restaurants/ food options

31%

Low flowshowers /toilets

36%

Recycling baskets in room 29%

The Sustainabilist ||SUSTAINABLE. SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

FEATURE

Impressively eco-friendly Currently under construction, the Liwa region’s Oasis Eco Resort is set to be the largest eco resort of its kind in the world

the environment, the group aims to transform the rapidly growing tourism sector into a largely green economy by creating the world’s greenest eco-resorts.

According to information published by Eco Resorts Group, the entity behind Oasis Eco Resort in Liwa, the UAE expects to welcome some 45 million visitors to its shores. Believing visitors should make the most of the natural beauty of the country, while minimising the impact of their visit on

With a mission of developing lowimpact eco-friendly tourism in the UAE and wider MENA region, Eco Resorts Group works with internationally renowned consultants to deliver resort solutions that are sustainable, as well as being creative, appealing to visitors and unique. Oasis Eco Resort is being designed by local architecture firm Baharash, which specialises in designing sustainable buildings and resorts.

ith so much of the UAE a beautiful, natural desert environment, it’s no surprise that an organisation has chosen to build an eco-resort. And not just any eco-resort; the largest and greenest eco-resort of its kind in the world.

Oasis Eco Resort in the Liwa region is the group’s first flagship project. The Liwa region, an area featuring towering dunes, date-palm plantations and natural water springs, was decided to be the perfect location for the Oasis Eco Resort. The resort features one such natural spring at its heart. The spring - which meant the resort could make use of groundwater extracted from a deep well - was discovered during the very early stages of the project, providing a natural link to the history of the region. Water, and such a well, was critical to Bedouins for trade and transportation routes, and the same desert groundwater will now

rd 23April October 20182017 Issue Issue 0106 | |

Sustainable passive cooling techniques including extra wall insulation and tripleglazed windows will also reduce the need for air conditioning. This air conditioning will be provided by an evaporative system that uses 70% less energy than a conventional air cooling system.

be used for crop irrigation, fish farming and recreational activities. The spring will also form a natural habitat for the various wildlife living in and around the resort, and landscaping will focus on local plants and trees requiring minimal amounts of water. All accommodation - 84 interconnecting suites of various types, all of which provide stunning views and an outdoor terrace from which to enjoy the natural landscape - and functional areas are centred around the spring. Some of the sustainable features of the resort include an on-site waste water

Ensuring food supplies are as sustainable as possible, the restaurant and bar will offer guests organic ingredients grown on-site, as well as sourced from farms in nearby villages. The restaurant’s menu will also include indigenous delicacies for an authentic taste of the region, and for a truly sustainable dining experience, guests will be able to pick their own organic produce from the onsite allotments and catch their own fish from the spring, then - with the help of a chef - incorporate their freshly obtained ingredients into a meal. Products used at the resort’s on-site spa will also feature organic ingredients. To make sure guests have access to a wide variety of information and education on the local environment, flora and fauna and their natural habitat, a number of wildlife biologists and conservation staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer educational sessions on how desert plants and animals have adapted to the harsh climate of the UAE. Even guest arrival at the resort will be as

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The Liwa region, an area featuring towering dunes, date-palm plantations and natural water springs, was decided to be the perfect location for the Oasis Eco Resort.

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recycling process, enabling all grey waste water - excluding toilet water - to be used for irrigation, as well as on-site waste management including the use of organic waste for compost. A strict zero emission zone will be in place, and some 157,000 square feet of solar panels placed on a ribbon-like roof planned for optimum efficiency will provide all of the energy requirements of the resort, which will be stored in batteries.

sustainable as possible. Guests will reach the resort via remote-controlled, driverless electric cars or buses, with an electric shuttle from Abu Dhabi and possibly other points in the UAE also in the pipeline. The final element of sustainability at Oasis Eco Resort is that of sustainability within the local community. The resort will provide economic and socio-cultural benefits, creating job opportunities for the local population and therefore a more diversified economy. The facility will also help preserve the region’s heritage, and offer more opportunities for greater interaction with people native to the UAE. 55

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

daily basis, not to mention energy; can they be sustainable as well? It seems the answer is yes. Wild Wadi, situated in front of the Burj Al Arab on Jumeirah Beach, appears to have a robust sustainability policy with a firm commitment to making sure the park is operated in as sustainable a way as possible.

FEATURE

According to information published about the waterpark by Jumeirah Group, Wild Wadi is fully committed to reducing the impact the waterpark has on the environment by implementing a comprehensive strategy for sustainability, responsible purchasing, effective waste management and recycling, and of course reduced energy and water consumption.

A real water challenge

shutterstock.com/Prasit Rodphan

Waterparks such as Wild Wadi use a phenomenal amount of water. Do they use it sustainably?

ith the sun always shining and plenty of options from which to choose, perhaps one of the most popular activities for visitors to the UAE is a trip to a waterpark. But such attractions use a phenomenal amount of water on a 56

A number of initiatives have been developed and implemented to ensure this commitment is fulfilled. Arguably the most important is that of water management; the waterpark uses state-of-the-art filtration systems that ensure maximised water conservation, and showers, taps and toilets have low-flow sensor units that reduce unnecessary use and therefore wastage of water. All pool water resources are recirculated, filtered, treated and reused, and pool water systems are separated to avoid cross-contamination. In addition, water usage in all areas of the park is constantly monitored to enable accurate identification of areas of concern, so plans can be made and put into place to create reductions. To ensure excessive water is not used to maintain landscaping, plants chosen to feature at the park include only native or low-water varieties. Energy consumption is carefully monitored and controlled at the park, with energy-efficient LED lightbulbs and water pumps in use with variable frequency drives to reduce levels of energy required.

All hand dryers are the Dyson Airblade models, using lower levels of energy, and a building management system automatically switches off unnecessary utilities. To ensure colleague buy-in, awareness campaigns are conducted to encourage the switching off of lights and air conditioning units when buildings are empty, and active energy usage and reduction goals are specified and monitored monthly. Wild Wadi operates a Reduce, Reuse and Recycle policy for its waste stream management, featuring several elements. The park’s filtration system minimises the use of chemicals which may be harmful to the environment; materials including paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, oils, organic matter, batteries and redundant electronic office equipment are recycled; initiatives are implemented whereby other materials - including rubber shoes used by park staff - are recycled to make other products; waste and recycling is regularly monitored, with goals set for reducing the total amount produced; hazardous styrofoam containers have been banned from all restaurants; and the park buys locally in bulk to reduce its consumption of packaging materials and unnecessary carbon footprints. The park also runs regular awareness training for its staff, ensuring they are aware of the part they can play in helping the facility achieve its sustainability goals, and organises the popular Beach Clean-Up campaign where staff join volunteers from the public to help clear litter from local beaches. Finally, the park monitors and records all business air travel to enable the offsetting of emissions on an annual basis, and has implemented environmental purchasing policies to ensure goods and services sourced follow the organisation’s ‘green’ ethos.

Issue 06 | April 2018

PERSON

Abdul Quddus Sheikh Sustainability Champion, Winner at Sustainable Tourism Awards 2017

hat does winning the Sustainability Champion mean for you as a representative of Armani Hotel Dubai? I am delighted to receive such a prestigious recognition as it acknowledges and celebrates Armani Hotel Dubai’s contribution in advancing sustainability within the UAE’s hospitality industry. We are extremely motivated and inspired to serve as a model for the hospitality industry and will continue driving our sustainability initiatives and adhere to best green practices that will help reduce our carbon footprint. Which aspect of your hotel’s sustainability initiatives are you proud of and why? Food waste is one of the most significant drivers of climate change and I would like to highlight the measures that Armani Hotel Dubai has executed to reduce food wastage: • Chefs/Stewarding Department at the hotel are trained not to mix the food waste with general waste at the cooking stations. Waste is now segregated at source in addition to composting food waste which reduces the amount of waste sent to the landfills. • A food waste recycling machine has

been installed to successfully achieve a zero-food waste goal. The machine is capable of drying the leftover food from buffets and staff canteen and converts 70-80kg waste food per load to a 14-15kg food powder form compost soil. • It eliminates food disposal costs, reduces the hotel’s carbon footprint and converts food waste into soil nutrients for use on farms and landscaped areas. What plans do you have for the future of Armani Hotel Dubai as an example of sustainability within the hotel industry? We are now more focused on addressing energy consumption, green procurement solutions, and preserving precious resources to establish a sustainable operation plan that benefits guests, colleagues, the local community and ultimately the planet. The planned initiatives include replacement of old heavy-duty laundry washer extractors with new generation laundry machines which consumes only 30 per cent of water and less detergent. We have also joined hands with the Burj Khalifa management to replace approximately 5,000 fluorescent tube lights in the car parking and back of the house areas with LED lights. Additionally, we will be replacing 800 Hallo star high-ceiling lamps of 150watt with 30watt LED.

Abdul Quddus Sheikh, Director of Engineering, Armani Hotel Dubai

Why do think it’s important for the tourism industry in Dubai and the UAE that initiatives such as the DST Awards are run? Global warming and climate change are among the key challenges facing the world today and there is an immediate need for each nation to reduce its catastrophic impact on the environment and sustain natural resources for generations to come. The UAE is one of the leading tourism destinations in the world and undoubtedly, Dubai’s hospitality and leisure sectors are major contributors to the tourism industry’s evolution. The growing influence of the hospitality players will encourage other industries to join the drive and embrace a sustainability model that caters to the need for a greener, more environmentally friendly future. 57

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

PROJECT

reading are a virtual impossibility. The initiative worked with engineering students at Khalifa University to develop a simple, easy-to-assemble solar-powered lamp kit they aptly named Beacon-In-ABox. The kits are delivered to children in vulnerable areas - war-torn regions, refugee camps, impoverished areas where children in need are taught how to assemble the solar lamp themselves. The organisation says alongside the obvious provision of light from a sustainable, renewable source, the children also gain a sense of pride at having achieved the building of the lamp themselves.

A Beacon of Hope

A noble initiative that seeks to light up and power refugee camps with renewable energy amongst other causes

orking quietly behind the scenes in nations with vulnerable populations such as refugees and the impoverished - including Iraq, Jordan, Morocco and Liberia - a UAE project is aiming to bring light to those who may not otherwise have it, promoting sustainable energy and harnessing it to provide relief to some of the most marginalised children in the world. Founded in 2016 by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Beacon 58

Of Hope - a charitable initiative in partnership with a number of organisations including Dubai Cares, Emirates Red Crescent, Majid Al Futtaim, Children’s National: Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation (SZI) , His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation and AKON Lighting Africa - has developed a simple solution to the problem of a lack of light, for example in refugee camps where there is simply no electricity or any other reliable source of lighting, meaning simple acts such as

To maximise the difference volunteers visiting these nations can make, Beacon Of Hope also undertakes other activities while they are there. As well as promoting sustainable energy through the use of solar power as a means by which the lamps operate, and as well as providing the children with a much-needed source of light, the organisation also takes along books - in both Arabic and English generously donated by Dubai Cares. For many, these books are the first they’ve ever owned, and through this facet of the project Beacon Of Hope aims to develop a sense of hope that the children can have a better future than their present. And, alongside the lights and the books, the initiative provides two essential medical services to infants. Advanced imaging technology app mGene allows them to take a picture of a baby’s face and hands, which can then be used by SZI to determine if there are any birth defects or syndromes present, and the Stethaid app allows volunteers to plug a stethoscope into a mobile device and transmit the infant’s heartbeat from anywhere in the world.

Issue 06 | April 2018

PRODUCT

Greening your laundry shutterstock.com/stockfour

Breakthrough polymer bead technology drastically reduces water consumption, improves energy efficiency and saves time

robably one of the biggest concerns a hotel has with regard to sustainability is its laundry. Millions of sheets, towels and other linens; tonnes of detergent; excessive use of water. An innovative technology pioneered by Xeros Cleaning Technologies is helping change all that. Polymer bead technology - developed in conjunction with Leeds Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renowned school of textiles - was invented as a way of eliminating the need for vast quantities of hot water and harmful detergents when washing. Research into improving the way in which dye is applied to fabrics using polymers led to researchers asking the question; if polymers could be used to anchor dye onto fabric, could the process be reversed to remove stains from fabric? The answers led to the founding of Xeros Cleaning Technologies in 2006. Essentially, polymer bead technology replaces large amounts of hot water and detergent with millions of tiny polymer

beads - made of nylon, in this instance, thanks to its resilience and its tendency to become highly absorbent in humid conditions - in the washing machine drum, reducing water consumption by up to 80%. Water temperatures do not need to be as hot as traditional washing, detergent requirements are much lower and only a fraction of the amount of water is needed. The polymer beads readily absorb stray dyes in the wash, thereby removing stains from fabric without excessive harsh chemicals and avoiding the need for time spent on colour separation before loading the wash, improving the efficiency of the wash process and saving time. Polymer bead technology also works without the tumbling action of traditional washing, resulting in less wear and tear on fabrics, and reduces the need to pre-treat stains, minimising chemical use, achieving a cleaner wash first time and reducing the need for repeated washing. To ensure maximum cleaning

performance, beads are constantly extracted from the wash and refreshed, then refreshed beads are introduced, and after hundreds of uses the beads are permanently removed and recycled into other products such as car fascias. So, what is the real effect polymer bead technology has on a hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laundry cost and carbon footprint? Significant, it seems. Xeros gives a typical 250+ room hotel as an example; if the hotel spends US$13,926 in water and sewage costs each year on their in-house laundry operation, using the Xeros polymer bead cleaning system that same hotel would spend only US$3,482, saving a considerable US$10,444. In the UAE, Xeros Cleaning Technologies has partnered with Consolidated International Corporation (CIC) Middle East to distribute and service its award-winning commercial laundry system. The organisation was also an associate partner of Dubai Green Hotel Innovation platform in 2017. 59

The Sustainabilist | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

INDEX

Tourism and economy 2027

2016

AED 68.5 BN

AED 116.1 BN

Tourism and economy

DIRECT CONTRIBUTION OF THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR TO THE UAE’S GDP

5.2%

5.4%

OF THE TOTAL GDP

AED 159.1 BN TOTAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR TO THE UAE’S GDP

12.1%

OF THE TOTAL GDP

IT IS FORECAST TO RISE BY 4.9 PER CENT PER ANNUM TO

AED 264.5 BN

12.4%

OF GDP IN 2027

AED

317,500 JOBS WERE DIRECTLY SUPPORTED BY THE TRAVEL & TOURISM SECTOR WHICH WAS

5.4 %

OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT

THIS IS EXPECTED TO RISE BY

2.4 % 410,000 JOBS PER ANNUM TO

WHICH WOULD BE

5.9 %

OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN 2027

617,500 JOBS WERE INDIRECTLY SUPPORTED BY THE TRAVEL & TOURISM SECTOR WHICH WAS

10.4 %

OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT

AED 26.2 BN INVESTMENT IN THE TRAVEL & TOURISM SECTOR WHICH WAS

OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS MADE

THIS IS EXPECTED TO RISE BY

IT IS FORECAST TO RISE BY RISE BY

2% 770,000 JOBS

PER ANNUM OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO

PER ANNUM TO

WHICH WOULD BE

11.1 %

OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN 2027

11%

AED 74.5 BN IN 2027 WHICH WOULD BE

11.2 %

OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS

Sources: 1.Travel and Tourism Economy Impact 2017, Word Travel and Tourism Council 2. www.government.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/travel-and-tourism

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