The Sustainabilist - The Future Is Happiness by Dubai Carbon

The Sustainabilist ISSUE 12

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The Future is Happiness

TOMORROW’S GLOBAL WORKPLACE

DIGITAL PAYMENT THROUGH EDIRHAM

Taking a look at the economics of the job market

Fintech paves the way for service excellence

APPLYING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AUGMENTING THE REALITY OF BUSINESS DP World’s solar vision fosters innovation

Implementing best practice for process efficiency

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Issue 12 | February 2019

Letter from the Editor in Chief

Chairman, Dubai Carbon

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The Sustainabilist is published by Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence PSC. Articles reprinted in this issue are copyrighted 2019 by Dubai Carbon. 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.The production of this magazine will be offset with local carbon credits.

role in the development of future sectors in partnership with private and public firms.

His vision is helping future generations prepare themselves for the challenges of the future and enhance their ability to thrive in the next phase of growth. Preparing the youth to take advantage of the opportunities of the future is one of the key strategic objectives of Dubai Future Foundation, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, has set clear objectives for DFF to effectively contribute to Dubai’s future agenda and play a key

Disruptive innovation refers to exploiting available technologies to deliver new or existing services in radically different ways that are design-thinking-based and customer-focused, in contrast to incremental innovation, which focuses on making good services better for existing customers. Instead, disruptive innovation will create new operating and business models that replace traditional services and provide multiple times the value for end users and customers.

Partners in the initiative include Government of Dubai Media Office, the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Smart Dubai Office, Dubai Electronic Security Centre, and Dubai Future Foundation’s initiative; the Dubai Future Accelerators.

It’s not only about adopting future technology, it’s about a change in mindset.

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Disruptive innovation refers to exploiting available technologies to deliver new or existing services in radically different ways that are design-thinking-based and customer-focused.

To read the latest issue go to:

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Eng Waleed Bin Salman

isruption is in Dubai’s DNA. With the launch of 10X, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has called on all Dubai Government entities to embrace disruptive innovation as a fundamental mantra of their operations and to seek ways to incorporate its methodologies in all aspects of their work.

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Emirates International Future Mobility Award A new award is expected to lead innovations, especially in battery capacity, wireless charging and related aspects in electric and autonomous vehicles. Esma has launched the Emirates International Future Mobility Award to encourage the UAE’s academic and research authorities and university students to innovate systems in the autonomous and eco-friendly vehicle sector in association with the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi. The three-category award will promote sustainable mobility using clean energy and digital innovation relying on solutions and applications to improve connection and communication between vehicles.

We have considered recycled paper, however to do that successfully, we would have to use twice as much recyclable paper, which would actually increase our emissions.

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The collaboration between Nokia and du will help drive the UAE’s smart future by encouraging the youth to contribute to digital transformation. The young talents in universities and other institutions will get an opportunity to understand and benefit from the latest global technology trends which are bound to shape the future. The participants of the programme will also benefit from hands-on training and certification on Nokia’s products.

t Dubai Carbon, we offset our resources used through our UAE-generated credit. A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere. This approach, despite being more complex, is more beneficial in the long run as it has a 6x multiplier for green economy and green GDP.

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Du, Nokia in deal to develop young talent Nokia and du have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate to enable the youth through key public and private institutions, including universities, to leverage technological trends.

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FEATURE

Dematerialisation and Fourth Wave of Economic Development: Technology Drives Sustainability and Happiness By Dr Corrado Sommariva CEO and Founder, Sustainable Water and Power Consultants (SWPC)

or many years, since the beginning of industrial development generations have been growing with the idea that sustainable development and environmental protection are incompatible with technological progress, human welfare and population increase. Accordingly, there have been at least two generations that have resigned themselves to accept and justify the overall disruption of the planet as a compromise against modern living style and commodities.

environmental theories but a happy progression whereby, it will be possible to live amidst pure and uncontaminated nature and enjoy all the benefits of modern technology at the same time. Technology today assists in the achievement of a lower waste generation and a more trouble free life through an important phenomenon: dematerialisation. As time goes by, thanks to technological development and, as schematically shown in Figure 1 below, it will be possible to use less and less materials to cover

the same tech and human functions using similar equipment, but with a fraction of the material needed during early technology era. For instance, thousands of books, records, photographs, paintings can be stored and accessed in a few hundred grams cellular phone that also covers at the same time, communication facilities informations, etc. The concept of dematerialisation was originally developed by industries in order to increase competitive edge in the market, and involves the use of less material per unit of service output however, lower mass means also in turn

However, it does not have to be necessarily this way. Humanity does not have to give up the beauty of bountiful nature nor the comfort offered by technology. Quite the contrary. Technological and cultural progress will be the instrument to reverse environmental damage and at the same time enable an affluent, tech savvy society, supporting a large population living in perfect harmony with the environment. It will not be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;happy degrowâ&#x20AC;? as suggested by some 6

Figure 1 : Evolution of societies and living objectives (Sommariva, 2018)

Issue 12 | February 2019

lower energy for construction and lower waste. At the same time, as mankind progresses towards new developments, the exigencies of life also change and evolve towards a more inclusive and responsible living style which includes a higher responsibility towards others, towards future generations and the environment. Once happiness was associated with the ownership of a large volume of goods. The paradigm is now shifting towards a lower dependence on mass consumerism as it is intended today. A new wave of economic development can reconcile the exigencies of a healthy economy and an abundantly natural world and can demonstrate that these can coexist. Future generations can hopefully aim at shifting the paradigm of their life from the need to ensure security through material and wealth to a more holistic comprehension of the quality of life where clearly independence, access to plentiful nature, beauty, peace and environmental sustainability will play a pivotal role. This shifting paradigm is schematically indicated in Figure 2, which shows the pillars of well-being of future generations. Sustainable development in this respect, has the enormous potential to create an economy that touches every aspect of our life; financial and also ecosocio-political objectives while ensuring better living standards, conserving ecology, the biosphere, and our planet. In particular, when affluence is understood only from the five sensory point of view, it becomes unavoidable to link it to the ownership of large material assets that can be produced, acquired, traded, spent, conquered, stolen etc.

Figure 2 : Evolution of societies and living objectives (Sommariva, 2018)

However, humanity is going to grow into a highly functioning society and we can expect no limits in our ability to solve probems and use technology to achieve a longer, healthier, and spiritually more elevated human life free from physical exigencies. Accordingly, it may well be possible that living in peace with the environment and having access to plentiful and natural beauty will become the criteria that will determine the affluence and happiness of the future generation. In particular if happiness can be related to the quality of life it is unavoidable to believe that a change in the relation between society and environment will take place once all other aspects related to adequate access to food,

water , education and financial security have been addressed. This technological development can be aimed at reducing waste, reducing the material and energy requirement and at the same time ensuring an even better standard of life. There is a lot that technology can achieve in residences, localities, communities and larger geographic spreads to both ensure a more civilized living standards, and at the same time a lower environmental impact and this can generate a new momentum for the economy producing no longer large mass consumer goods but better living quality and more efficient life sustaining system. 7

Carbon neutral currency Collaboratively working towards the new standard in global carbon transaction Watch this space for more & share your thoughts at tellusyourstory@dcce.ae

Issue 12 | February 2019

COVER STORY COVER STORY

HE Razan Al Mubarak The Sustainabilist speaks to the Managing Director of Environment Agency Abu Dhabi about the key projects that contribute to environmental conservation, the present challenges and impact of the private sector and global collaborations.

hat is the EAD’s strategy for environmental conservation over the next five years, and are there any specific challenges being tackled? The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has a strategic mission “To protect and conserve the environment for people’s well-being and a better life for all” which directly contributes to the happiness of people living and working in Abu Dhabi. To achieve this mission we have a strategy to protect our water, air and land and to 9

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conserve and protect our biodiversity by monitoring the environment and conducting research, developing policy and regulation, raising awareness and changing behaviour and providing leadership on sustainable development. The main challenges we have are related to the pressures from human activity. Locally, coastal development can disrupt some of our most diverse and sensitive habitats, increased fishing effort is causing a decline in fish stocks and activities such as desalination for drinking water is leading to an increase in the salinity of our marine waters. Industrial activity, the oil and gas sector, transport and the power sector are responsible for emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gasses, and agriculture, forestry and the irrigation of amenity plantations put pressure on our finite groundwater resources. Some challenges are transboundary such as climate change, air pollution and marine water quality as we share the air and marine water with our neighbours or 10

globally. The UAE is an active participant in regional and international efforts to address the broader challenges. Could you give us an idea of how the Blue Carbon project has progressed, and the effects itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had? The Blue Carbon project developed a method to understand how coastal and marine vegetation systems can contribute to the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide and climate change mitigation. In Abu Dhabi blue carbon ecosystems are calculated to store more than an estimated 41 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent within the soil and biomass, more than the emirateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual emissions from the oil and gas (26.4 million tonnes) or water and electricity (30.9 million tonnes). Since the initial work, EAD became one of the first in the world to report blue carbon figures utilising the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) methodology for greenhouse gas reporting. The protection and management of Blue Carbon systems

is now part of local and national climate change adaptation strategies and Green Growth strategies and a study is currently underway to put an economic value on the benefits of blue carbon ecosystems. What is your approach to creating awareness, and how do you get the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buy-in? The main aim of our awareness raising is to change behaviour resulting in people taking steps to reduce their footprint. We employ many approaches but have found the key to success is consistent engagement over a longer time period and the creation of a two-way dialogue. During 2018 we ran a specific campaign on plastic bags in Yas Mall, and raised awareness about local endangered species by unveiling statutes of species such as Oryx and Dugong at Umm Al Emarat Park. Our annual photography competitions for the public gets people into the environment, and exhibitions of these photographs makes our natural places accessible to all.

Issue 12 | February 2019

What are some of the direct benefits of environmental conservation on the UAE’s green economy and sustainable development? As humans we are part of the local and the global ecosystems which provide many benefits that we all rely on. These are broadly known as ecosystem services and environmental conservation is about protecting the environment so that these services and benefits remain available to us. These benefits include the provision of food such as fish harvested from the sea; protection offered by mangroves against sea level rise or storms; nutrient cycling which provides food for plants and animals; and cultural services such as recreation and other non-material benefits. Environmental conservation also provides direct benefits to the economy. By maintaining marine water quality, beaches and a tranquil desert environment we are able to attract tourists and maintain a good quality of life for people living in the UAE. Many jobs are created in infrastructure that is designed to conserve the environment such as waste water treatment and solid waste management as well as the direct job creation in environmental and conservation jobs. Are there any partnerships being formed with the private sector? And what projects are you collaborating on?

We have a big job to do and cannot achieve our objectives alone, so we form many partnerships. In 2008 the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG) was established by EAD, and now has more than 40 members from government, private sector and not for profit organisations who share knowledge to accelerate the adoption of sustainable business practices. Currently ADSG

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In Abu Dhabi blue carbon ecosystems are calculated to store more than an estimated 41 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent within the soil and biomass, more than the emirate’s annual emissions from the oil and gas [...]

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We issue radio and press releases, use social media channels, conduct interviews, attend exhibitions and festivals, and create documentary films such as the release of oryx back into the wild recently screened at Emirates Palace, a section of which is now screened as part of the Etihad inflight entertainment.

is working with the private sector to identify how they can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The private sector in Abu Dhabi, as part of Corporate Social Responsibility, generously sponsor a number of our education programmes such as the Enviro-Spellathon, sponsored by Shell, which over the years engaged with over 1 million children; the Sustainable Schools Initiative, sponsored by BP, which has been recognised internationally by United

Nations as best practice, and has been adopted into the schools’ curricula at the UAE level. The Sustainable Campus Initiative, a more recent initiative is sponsored by Borouge reaches out to youth in tertiary education establishments. The private sector also support some of our key research programmes such as the Turtle Research Programme, sponsored by Shell, and the Dugong and Sea Grass research programme, sponsored by Total, while Dolphin Energy is providing support to our Al Wathba Wetland Reserve Rehabilitation project. All of these initiatives have contributed enormously to our understanding of certain species. What technological advances are having a positive impact on conservation initiatives — data sharing and analysis for example? EAD has embraced the use of technology both in the field and to collate, present and share data. Monitoring of migratory species using satellite tracking technology has led to the identification and protection of breeding sites, locally and along the migratory flyways of flamingos and migratory birds of prey. Tracking turtles has helped us in identifying Important Turtle Areas (ITA) and aerial and ground surveys are helping us in protecting world’s largest Humpback Dolphin population as well as the second largest population of Dugongs, after Australia. Camera traps for elusive species has helped us rediscover species such as Sand cats, Crested Porcupine and Ruppels Fox in last two years. Our conservation data collection is also fully automated using Collector Apps, allowing direct integration of data from 11

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

What is Abu Dhabi doing to attract more scientists and others working in this field? Abu Dhabi is diversifying its economy and looking to expand the “the knowledge economy”. Part of this diversification is the creation of a pipeline of talent through education to employment opportunities. New or enhanced university research facilities have been established such as Khalifa University specialising in science, technology, New York University Abu Dhabi specialising in marine environmental research and genomic research, the United Arab Emirates University specialising in water resource management. Partnerships offer the opportunity for local scientists to work with international experts such as the partnership between EAD and the Sahara Conservation Fund, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, the Zoological Society of London, the Fossil Rim Wildlife Centre and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which formed to implement the ambitious project to reintroduce the Scimitar-horned Oryx, back to the wild in Chad. In addition, as the Government continues to adopt the Green Growth policies more opportunities will be created, for example, the increase in the tariffs for electricity and water have led to an expanding private sector offering energy and water efficiency services. As the population and industry booms in the UAE, what measures is 12

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The main challenges we have are related to the pressures from human activity.

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the field to our centralised Environmental Database, which once analysed is shared with experts locally and federally

the government taking to mitigate the footprint that might affect the environment and initiatives EAD is working on? Firstly we have a comprehensive monitoring programme covering all key aspects of the air, land, water and biodiversity so we understand the pressures that human activity is putting on the environment. This monitoring information is used by EAD to focus our mitigation work, and shared with other government entities to inform their strategies and initiatives. As part of our mitigation efforts all development projects are required to complete either an Environmental Impact Assessment or a Strategic Environmental Assessments depending on the size and scope of the project. We take action to protect specific aspects of the environment, for example we have developed air emission standards for five industrial sectors to reduce emissions, we are currently developing policies and regulations for single use plastics to prevent them getting into the environment and reducing the quantities used, and for fisheries we are developing a policy to reduce the number of fish caught to enable

the fish stocks to recover. The Government seeks to accelerate the uptake of green technology where appropriate and EAD, working with the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Police, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and Emirates Nature/WWF are currently assessing the feasibility of the large scale adoption of electric vehicles and developing policy recommendations for approval. What role does global collaboration play in advancing sustainable development? We live in an interconnected world which means global collaboration is the most effective way to address todays sustainable development challenges. Global agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement for Climate and the Conservation of Biological Diversity support collaboration by providing a holistic understanding of the challenge and solutions, rather than a localised one, and enhances the transfer of knowledge and resources needed to address a challenge. The UAE plays an active role in these global agreements, and in addition encourages global collaboration through events such as the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and catalysing innovation through awards such as the ‘Zayed Future Energy Prize”. EAD also provides leadership in global collaboration through initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative which has focussed global efforts to address gaps in environmental and societal data, and through the hosting and sponsorship of The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s, Species Survival Commission conference which enables international experts to get together, share knowledge and plan future actions.

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

#THEGREENECONOMIST

(Not) Built To Last By Ivano Iannelli CEO, Dubai Carbon

here’s a reason why Apple iPhones increasingly use tamper-resistant screws. It is a form of planned obsolescence, a strategy adopted by the tech giant to force people into buying new phones every couple of years. At the end of last year, Apple got smacked with a class action lawsuit after the tech giant admitted it slowed down older iPhones, following a legal complaint by pro-consumer group Stop Planned Obsolescence (Hop). In France, the investigation was led by the economy ministry’s consumer protection agency. Hop has previously also filed legal complaints against printer manufacturers Epson, Canon, HP and Brother, alleging that the firms deliberately shorten the life of print cartridges. Wikipedia defines planned obsolescence (or built-in obsolescence) as: “in industrial design and economics is a policy of planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life, so it will become obsolete (that is, unfashionable or no longer functional) 14

after a certain period of time.” The truth is, planned obsolescence is a fact of life, a universal axiom that predates humankind, yet lives on in everything we buy, whether for use or ingestion. How long would Apple stay in business if every new iPhone and iPad ran perfectly for 20 years? Product obsolescence is just the way it is, and we humans, for the most part, don’t seem to have a problem with the march of technological progress. The downside is that our waste electronics are polluting drinking water and harming ecosystems around the world. Electronics are packed with toxic chemicals—arsenic, lead, and poly-brominated flame retardants, and most of our e-waste ends up in landfills around the world where these toxic metals leach into the environment. 18 months is the average how long the average person keeps a cell phone, and even when recycled, a significant amount of electronic material cannot be recovered. The UAE is at the forefront of creating a sustainable society with reduced pollution

in line with the UAE Vision 2021 and other government initiatives. E-waste disposal, however, seems to be posing a challenge. The UAE is one of the major electronics consumers in the region, with one UN-sponsored project finding that the average resident generates 17.2 kilogrammes of e-waste every year. With the country aiming to reduce waste reaching landfill by 75 per cent by 2021, officials are urging the public to correctly allocate their waste in the right containers. To curb the problem, we need to go beyond thinking about recycling, and think about repairing and longevity instead. We need more e-waste repair and refurbishment, worldwide. We need to stop throwing away electronics that could be fixed with a 25-cent part. More than a change in management, it’s a change in culture and thus having to admit that my parents were right: “They dont build them like they used to.”

Issue 12 | February 2019

FEATURE

The Cost of Doing Nothing To invest in automation and smart tech, or not? By Alain Kaddoum

General Manager, Swisslog Middle East

he business world has seen various levels of changes throughout history. The first industrial revolution was powered by mechanisation; the second by the assembly line and mass production; and the third by computerisation and automation. At each stage, we witnessed incredible improvements in productivity. We are now seeing Industry 4.0, powered by the convergence of connectivity, low-cost sensors, big data and advanced robotics streamlining sustainable operations. The Logistics Businesses have come to understand the role played by automation in increasing productivity in warehouses offering endless sustainability benefits to operations at the same time. Warehouses

for e-commerce businesses are the leading drivers for the automated logistics market globally. The warehouse robotics market was valued at US$ 2.28 billion dollars in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.8% between 2017 and 2022 to US$4.4 billion dollars. A reduction in time spent on tasks like picking and storing in a cost-efficient manner inside the warehouse is the top priority for any growing business whose backbone is dependent on logistics. Large businesses clearly recognise the need for more cost-effective and less labourintensive solutions to managing large amounts of stock via automation, but smaller businesses can benefit equally. Automating a distribution centre can potentially improve its peak performance by more than 50% and save around 3-4 hoursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shipment time per delivery

per store for the business, which is a significant saving. Energy, being one of the largest expenses for the sector, can be well managed in this way too. Goods-toperson solutions can recuperate energy from the braking and lifting of carrier vehicles, and this can ensure energy use reduced by up to 20%. The Benefit of Future -proofing a Business Even though the business world has started to boom on automation applied to logistics, there are still those businesses who feel that they are quite not ready for the whole automation game. This is mostly because they do not face the need to automate their organisation and the cost that is needed seems too high for them to invest in. Companies carefully evaluate the often substantial costs associated with 15

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

When is the investment in automation justified? When businesses scale a warehouse to a certain point, they face new challenges: • They miss orders, or quality degrades to the point that the whole process of getting orders right and shipped on time becomes increasingly challenging • Businesses try to pick more items in a smaller footprint • They add more workers, leading to congestion in the pick zone or other areas that slows workflow • Businesses must adjust to changing customer requirements, and the cost of doing nothing risks existing business or escalates penalties for noncompliance • Energy consumption rates are becoming too high to leave them unnoticed and there is a need for smart energy management When an operation becomes busier in line with growth ambitions, future proofing 16

a business will help a company automate their processes with as little disruption to the business as possible.

The “warehouse

robotics market was valued at US$ 2.28 billion dollars in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.8% between 2017 and 2022 to US $4.4 billion.

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modernising or optimising an existing distribution center or building a new one. Yet they seldom scrutinise the real cost of the alternative – doing nothing. Choosing to maintain the status quo is always an alternative to significant capital investment; however, the real expenses and the opportunity costs of doing nothing often are overlooked. Such costs need to be included in the business case for all proposed improvements to your distribution operation. The reason? The cost of inaction can easily exceed the price of a modernisation project.

Businesses who future-proof their organisation with automation would also benefit from Industry 4.0. It includes cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, cloud computing and cognitive computing to name a few that ensure

sustainable and efficient operations. By simply integrating Industry 4.0 concepts and technologies, businesses can provide individualised products and services with the help of digitalised equipment that is highly adaptive to demand changes. Cost of Doing Nothing The constraints of capital are a reality for many companies because they have to choose whether to invest in infrastructure for manufacturing, marketing and sales or whether to invest in distribution infrastructure. The fact that investment in distribution modernisation also competes for funding with building construction and rental and operational expenses makes the decision harder to make. It is, however, important for businesses to weigh against the benefit that comes from doing nothing in a warehouse as against the cost to automate and modernise. It is apparent that doing nothing brings with it a lot of hidden costs. A company can save on capital costs today, of course, but it’s critical to understand what doing nothing is likely to eventually cost your company in other expenses plus missed business opportunities. Growing companies are more vulnerable to these hidden costs because as sales rise in small period of time they find themselves ill-equipped to meet the demand. In this scenario the chance of distribution centres falling behind due to a lack of modernised warehouse automation to support them in realising their growth ambitions is high.This marks the foundation for businesses to start thinking about more complex designs, extensions or modernisations before demand increases. It’s always good to give your company the needed foundation by including innovation in your organisation and see it flourish.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s write the future by building the transport infrastructure of tomorrow. ABBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to the e-mobility revolution goes far beyond technological innovation. By installing, maintaining and managing nationwide charger networks, we enable countries and consumers to make the transition to electric transportation. Together, we are laying the global foundations for a future of reliable, accessible and emission-free mobility. To discover more, visit abb.com

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FEATURE

Smart Home: A Way of Life in the Future Smart tech aka interactive advances technology is the future. And the future is right around the corner. By Lucas Jiang General Manager at TP-Link

any individuals and businesses have started to take their first step into automation. Businesses have engaged themselves in the transformation and we can see immense changes in the region too. For instance, GITEX Technology Week 2018 witnessed incredible smart tech solutions that are soon to be executed in the region and across the globe. AI influence Along with businesses, smart home tech is also forming magnetism amongst consumers. The scope of artificial intelligence is increasing, it is shaping the way these smart devices work for us. With more connectivity between devices themselves due to the increased inter-device compatibility in them and the decline in prices making them slide into the purchasable category for many consumers, the acceptance for smart home tech solutions is on a steady rise. After

being introduced to the innumerable sustainable, safe, convenient, secure and assistive features that smart home tech solutions are packed with, the consumers have noticed a happier and more comfortable home and office environment. This is not just leading to consumer retention but is also helping widen the customer base for automation as a whole. What is Smart tech? Technology that uses internet devices to enable the remote monitoring and management of systems from a centralised device anywhere and anytime. Advantages of smart tech at home Consumers are making the decision for the enhanced safety and comfort that come with it, and it has little to do with the urge to upgrade to the latest tech. Yielding the benefits of the technology that comes with intelligent solutions, consumers and businesses have begun the switch to smart technology. The return on investment in

home automation devices does take a while but the returns on regular usage are so high thereafter that it makes a lot of sense to switch to smart home tech for long-term benefits. These solutions are cost effective in the long run, but consumers can enjoy their other perks from day one itself. The amount of safety and comfort that comes along with these solutions is remarkable. From being able to keep your house safe to feeding your pet remotely, smart home tech changes the way people go about doing things and makes everything so much easier for them. A step towards sustainability A bigger reason why smart home tech is the way to go is because of its reduced environmental impact. Due to their energy efficiency, the amount of energy saved increases with every new installation of a smart home tech device. Smart home tech is a step towards sustainable development. All the brands that are currently operating in or beginning to enter the smart tech

Issue 12 | February 2019

GREEN JOB

Project Manager The ideal candidate should be great with numbers, and be able to establish project budgets and schedules accurately. Must have five or more years of experience in project management. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant discipline– a Master’s is preferable. Bonus points if you have Shams Dubai experience and speak Arabic. This is a full time position. If interested, please send your CV to : anofferyoucantrefuse@dcce.ae

prolonged usage. Moreover, these smart energy saving technologies are enabling individuals and businesses to adopt or add a way to reduce their carbon footprint considerably.

Comforts of Smart technology The benefits of installing smart home tech solutions for consumers are plenty. From a high level of security to the comfort of not having to move an inch, smart home tech is here to make the life and lifestyle of people so much better. Home automation, home networking, and home monitoring devices all come with benefits that give consumers incalculable safety and comfort. Imagine small comforts like not having to get up to switch off your light when you’re half asleep to big reliefs like being able to monitor and easily communicate with your children and pets when you leave them home alone. These big and small comforts of life that can be availed with the adoption of smart home tech solutions come at a price that begins to pay for itself after

Smart tech the way forward Smart home tech is slowly moving towards incorporating the moods and preferences of customers even more intelligently. With devices like lights that change colours at your command now available in the market, the home automation industry is beginning to make more and more devices that can be customized at command. The UAE smart homes market is going to grow exponentially in the next five years. With the growing awareness towards smart home tech and the expected growth in the construction of smart homes, the prices for these solutions are bound to decline, increasing the demand significantly. Once more and more people start adopting smart home tech solutions, smart homes will develop into smart cities of the future.

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The return on investment in home automation devices does take a while but the returns on regular usage are so high thereafter that it makes a lot of sense to switch to smart home tech for long-term benefits.

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industry are somewhere driven by a factor of environment-consciousness that is pushing them to innovate and make devices that take less from the environment and last longer.

Moreover, with the Expo 2020 just a couple of years away, the demand for real estate and construction is skyrocketing and co-riding is the simultaneous demand for smart home tech solutions for a number of these new projects. With such rapid technological advancements in such little time, Dubai will certainly get a head start in becoming one of the first smart cities of the world.

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

What Makes The Best Employer?

How companies in the MENA region rank compared to the rest of the world.

esigned to improve employee engagement, organisational agility, engaging leadership and strong talent focus, Aon, a leading global professional services firm, launched its Best Employers programme 18 years ago. It is widely recognised as the most credible and comprehensive survey of its kind in Asia Pacific and Middle East, and now in its 6th year in the region. The survey leverages Aon’s professional assessment tools and includes participants from a variety of industries—including finance, F&B, hospitality, pharmaceutical, and more, across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. 20

Aon has assessed participating organisations against its regional database of more than 350 organisations and 275,000 employees. Best Employers Middle East 2018 were selected based on ranking consistently high levels for employee engagement, organisational agility, engaging leadership and strong talent focus. And for the first time, two companies were also awarded ‘Honorable Mentions’ in recognition of excelling in one of the four Best Employers indices. Here’s what the study found: Employers in the Middle East are leading across a number of business-critical indices, including organisational agility (85% versus 69% market average),

engaging leadership (83% versus 69%) and talent focus (82% versus 63%), reflecting their commitment to employee engagement as a strategic business function. These companies surprisingly also excel in employee engagement, with a score of 84%, compared to the market average of 67%. In addition, Best Employers were found to have 3.5 times lower attrition rates and ranked 24 percentage points higher than the general market for their focus on retaining talent for the future (83% versus 59%). Best Employers also report 50% higher total shareholder return (TSR) than the market average – reflecting the impact a highly engaged workforce has on overall business performance.

Issue 12 | February 2019

The Aon Best Employers in the Middle East for 2018 Organization (listed alphabetically)

Category

Signify (Formerly Philips Lighting)

Honorable Mention for Engaging Generation Y

Westcon-Comstor

Honorable Mention for Engaging Leadership

“Stronger employee engagement provides the unique opportunity to significantly contribute towards the digital transformation of organisations. Our Best Employers Study not only serves as a credible benchmark to effectively measure and track employee engagement, but we also provide the expertise to delve deeper into the results and help organisations maximise this data for success. Through increased visibility, organisations can implement a continuous feedback loop that will allow them to establish continued dialogue with their employees and futureproof their business against impending talent deficits. After all, the research proves that organisations with a more engaged, agile culture outperform others across business-critical areas including profit, talent retention and sales growth,” Christopher Page, CEO, Talent, Rewards & Performance, Aon Middle East and Africa, said.

Other highlights from the study include: Organisational Agility and Change Readiness In the face of impending digitalisation across all sectors, an agile, innovative culture and the ability to adapt quickly will have a profound effect on longterm organisational survival. 80% of employees at Best Employers believe their organisation is developing a workforce that adapts well to change (market average, 69%), while 90% feel their workplace is highly responsive to the changing needs of customers (market average, 78%). In addition, 86% believe their workplaces foster a culture that is inclusive of diverse backgrounds and ways of thinking, compared to just 67% of other companies. Engagement and Culture Organisations are increasingly understanding the importance of a

productive and engaged workforce in creating competitive advantage and future-proofing their business for success. 89% of employees at Best Employers consider their organisation to be one of the best places to work – a lead of 15 percentage points over the rest of the market, while 85% of employees also reported feeling encouraged and motivated by their managers (market average, 71%). Further, employees at Best Employers are more willing to stay with their organisation, as compared to the rest of the market (79% versus 62%, market average). Performance Management In a market where attracting and retaining the right talent is becoming increasingly competitive, 82% of employees at Best Employers feel their organisation is attracting the right people (market average, 63%). Not only do Best Employers also lead the market by 21 percentage points for actively supporting talent development, 86% of employees also feel their performance management process does a good job of identifying their strengths and improvement areas (market average, 60%). Inspiring Leadership In marked contrast to the general market, 83% of employees at Best Employers report that their senior leadership makes them excited about the future of the organisation (market average, 64%), with the same number also believing that their senior leadership provides a clear vision for the company (market average, 66%). Leadership at Best Employers also rank 16 percentage points higher for transparency, while 84% of people said their managers provide the support that they need to strive for high performance (market average, 71%). 21

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

“

People will monetize and pay you more if you help them to save money than they’ll pay to help save the environment.

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Issue 12 | February 2019

I AM THE SUSTAINABILIST

Simon Bangs

Partner & Co-founder at Sustainable Recruitment Solutions What does a ‘sustainability job’ mean anyway? Defining a sustainability job is like trying to nail down a jelly. Sustainability means so many things to so many people, but one of the ways that it has opened itself up to the wider market, in recent years, is that a lot of the sustainability jobs are actually re-tasking and re-skilling, or re-applying the knowledge that people already have. For example, someone who is a marketing coordinator may work for a company that does energy efficiency retrofits - her job is the standard marketing role, but she’s working in a company in the sustainability field. In this context you’ll get everyone from lawyers to finance managers, etc. If you look back only ten years ago, the viability of rooftop solar, just wasn’t there, because it was just so much more expensive than it is now, and therefore there were so few people interested in buying a rooftop solar installation or project, and so the jobs weren’t really there. But now, it has become one of the massive opportunities in the Middle East, and it is being led out of Dubai. Etihad Esco, for example have a very clear delivery vehicle for the reduction of energy and water wastage in buildings in the UAE - so what was historically the role of a maintenance engineer or an MEP engineer, are now very much titled as ‘energy engineer’, and they’re going in and quantifying the current energy usage of a building. So here we are retooling

words under the sustainability topic, and this just shows that the conversation has been shifted to focus on sustainability as a major pillar in jobs. People are often surprised that there are enough sustainability jobs that can support recruiters like myself who are purely focused upon that small niche. But actually, let’s look at when I started in 2010, the work we were doing in recruiting for this area was almost purely environmental jobs, or jobs that had environmental conservation, greenpeace sustainability tagline at its ethos, rather than these days, the vast majority of the jobs that we recruit for have ‘cost of saving’ or ‘market economics’ at its ethos. Now someone who comes from the banking sector can go into green finance, working on the restructuring of renewable energy investments via private equity capital, and earn very good salary, even more so than someone who is specialised in ecology, for example. What role has the government’s strategy implementation played on the increase in sustainability jobs? The biggest increase in jobs around the last five years have been around energy efficiency. for example five years ago, the RSB mandated that if you want to tender for these projects, you need to have staff who are CEM or CMBP qualified, and so that drove a lot of recruitment for businesses who wanted to set up and

try and capture those new projects from that side. And there are now 20-odd different escos (energy saving companies) registered in Dubai, we’ve now seen Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah create a similar programme, all the way to Saudi Arabia, creating a similar programme, and in each of those programmes, we’ve seen jobs being created How is automation and robotics affecting jobs in these fields? Most of the time technological advances affect the low-skilled workers. And that begs the question, is Dubai interested in creating as many green jobs as possible? Or is it interested in creating certain types of green jobs? For example you’ve now go the first two phases of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in operational phase, there’s a limited number of staff working in that OMN (maintenance) function, compared to what you’d have had in a solar plant even ten years ago, because a lot of that cleaning work is all automated. So there’s a definite value proposition that comes from utilising effective cleaning robots, as they are much better now than they were before, but you’re not going to have the volume of staff. My personal perspective is it’s more important for the UAE government to focus on the things that create high-value jobs, because these are the jobs that are going to be more sustainable, in the long-term future, and going to be more attractive to Emiratis. And realistically there is a potential scenario where you can see more UAE nationals getting involved in designing or financing or the oversight of a solar plant. 23

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

Future Jobs for Hyper-Humans

Will the robots eventually take over our jobs? The general consensus from experts says no, but there will be some dramatic changes for sure. A recent study carried out by Michael Page highlights some key trends. 24

ou’ve probably seen the headline “robots are coming for your job!” While there is no doubt that some job roles will become obsolete as technology evolves, the likes of AI, automation and robotics are not here to “take over.” They’re actually enhancing what we do, and how we do it.These robots could be better described as human-deployed tools that enable us to be more agile, more responsive and more ambitious. In other words, the future of work will be populated by technology that is deployed and implemented by humans. In December 2017, Michael Page, a leading global recruitment company, partnered with trends forecasters Foresight Factory and undertook research to examine six trends shaping tomorrow’s global workplace. According to the study, technology will complement, streamline and redefine existing jobs rather than merely replace them. Gone will be the days of long hours spent working on spreadsheets, processing data or handling customer inquiries. Those tasks will be streamlined by machines, allowing workers to focus more time on complex tasks which require a human touch. As well as working with advancing technologies, junior employees will be more involved in planning, reporting and analytical jobs, and as a result of this, their required skillset will change. Judgement, curiosity, making sense of complex situations and contributing creatively are just a few of the things that machines cannot replicate or replace. These “soft skills” are fast becoming key selling points for businesses and are highly sought-after among the workforce.The message is clear: while AI, automation, robotics and human enhancement technologies may offer exciting new ways to push business

forward and boost capabilities, any employee’s greatest asset will continue to be human skills. Liquid skills One of the main ways that new technology will change the workforce will be in the evolving skill sets it requires. The exponential evolution of technology, the increased length of our lives, the growing need to secure our own financial sustainability are all at the base that we will move to a world where people will have multiple careers, where “life-long learning” or “liquid skills” will be crucial to strengthen an individual’s employability. In “The 100Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity” (2016) authors Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott predict that people will have to up-skill in order to develop 4 to 6 different careers during their life-time. With a multitude of new tools and services to hand, knowledge can be acquired on-demand, effortlessly upgraded and discarded when no longer useful. We have entered the age of “Liquid Skills.” Employers will be expected to provide methods of learning, and to facilitate the development of new skills. Training will need to be modular, cater to those who wish to undertake extensive training in a short period, and to those who wish to learn at a slower rate. Organisations who do not provide support for up-skilling, risk being left behind as employees favour those who do.The pressures of a volatile labour market, paired with the growing and universalising accessibility of knowledge, make constant personal upgrades a condition of life. We can expect that organisations will invest in constantly up-skilling their workforce, setting up “internal career centres” to help people move into new functions and roles. Technological developments have the

Issue 12 | February 2019

potential to displace workers. In order to stay relevant those workers will need to re-skill rapidly to get back into the job market. Flexibility and adaptability will be fundamental character traits, and learning quickly on the job will be of utmost importance. Bio-hacking: going “beyond human” What exactly does going “beyond human” mean? By upgrading ourselves beyond our basic, known capabilities, we anticipate a world in which the transformative power of technology – a force dramatically disrupting how we work, communicate and entertain ourselves – can enhance our ability to perform even the most basic tasks. We have already seen the arrival of microchip implants, which allow workers to open doors, log on to terminals, and pay for goods. This is likely to be just the beginning of bio-enhancements that will enable employees to perform tasks easier, faster and with better results. A near-future awaits in which smart implants, high-performance prosthetics and memory-enhancing components and ‘wearables’ will be needed for workers to keep pace with technology. There are several examples that suggest this “future” is closer than most would think. Space-X entrepreneur Elon Musk has claimed that, “if humans want to continue to add value to the economy, they must augment their capabilities through a merger of biological intelligence and machine intelligence.” Musk advocates the adoption of mechanical or digital augmentations to improve the capacity of the human body. Augmenting the reality of business The rise of customised reality will usher in a job market that is less locationdependent. Talent will be able to operate on different sides of the world at the

same time, collaborating in a richer way and information-sharing in new, experimental formats. Unprecedented levels of digital collaboration and the gamification of work will be enabled by augmented reality technology. Previous ways of working will need to be revised and refreshed, with new skills needed to keep teams productive and communicative in a mixed-reality landscape. The impact of robots on jobs Despite blue collar jobs and repetitive tasks being the first that will be impacted by automation, recent developments in AI such as machine learning, deep learning and natural language understanding point to a future in which white collar and even creative jobs are similarly impacted. Automation by advanced robotics and by AI will not only affect jobs with entry-level skillset requirements. There are also economic gains to be had by reducing time spent on routine tasks and services done by more senior roles and functions. Will it become a gain for the employee who can invest more time in intellectually challenging tasks? Will it lead to people upskilling at a faster rate? This is what we expect and more: greater efficiency at work, improved safety and accelerated career progression. Increased automation foreshadows the arrival of a completely new landscape of jobs. As there is always a delay between adoption of new jobs and loss of current jobs, the process of up-skilling and re-skilling are going to be the keys to success in the future job market. Although robots and AI will inevitably take a lot of the more data-driven and pattern recognition job functions, there will be a change in how humans and

machines interact for the highest level of efficiency. The automation of tasks that are both repetitive and data-driven will lead to new types of jobs being created, with an emphasis on how humans and machines can work most effectively together. Colleague-robots or “cobots” will integrate in our workforces and our ‘old fashioned’ views on the difference between machine and human will have to evolve towards a workforce of cohabitation and co-operation. The gig economy powered by blockchain Blockchain is held by many as the single biggest breakthrough since the arrival of the internet. In a society in which trust in traditional sources of authority is suffering, new routes to commercial truth and trust building are gaining in popularity. Blockchain heralds a future in which truth is tangible and mechanised, creating new relationships between organisations, employees and customers. The ability of smart contracts to enable a pay-as-you-go revolution will further empower the so-called “gig economy” where freelancers only clocks working hours when there is consumer demand. If you can wake up, enable a smart contract to monitor your work for the day, based on your specific skill set, then why would you tie yourself to a single employer? The economy generated by short term contracts and freelancers increased everywhere in the last 10 years, in the US it even increased with 50% (research by L.Katz and A.Krueger, 2016). The strongest cited motivations to join the gig economy are the ability to work flexibility and maintain a work-life balance. 25

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

Open Data for Sustainable Water Supply As climate change and frequent population movements across the region present massive global challenges, our approach to water supply management requires different thinking.

cross the Middle East and North Africa we are fast approaching a point where the overall demand for water will outstrip our viable supply options. As this occurs, competition for water rises rapidly, with very significant impacts on dependent industries and populations. Historically we have been able to engineer our way around this. We build dams, pump water vast distances or desalinate sea water. This enables us to continue economic growth even as the demand for water is increasing. But now climate change pressure, combined with large, frequent population movements across the region are presenting acute challenges, requiring different thinking. 26

Now to succeed in the consumer tech world, you must put the user’s delight as your number one goal. If the user is not delighted, they simply won’t come back to your product. It’s a key ingredient in the success of Careem, Emirates, Netflix and Dubai’s tourism industry. There is proven value in this strategy. Hydrata is a water engineering tech startup operating from Dubai, and we believe this strategy can work just as effectively when planning infrastructure and developing water policy. Let’s explore some examples. It’s not too hard to accept that there is a sustainable limit to the amount of water we can use if we are to create long-term resilience. For most of the MENA region, this means striking the right balance

between extraction and recharge of groundwater, storage of intermittent rainfall and river management. We sometimes supplement these systems with desalinated water when this is economically sustainable. But to create this long-term, balanced outcome, how do we proceed? This is where things get challenging. How do we create the socio-economic conditions under which this sustainable water extraction can occur without it being over exploited? Before we launch into a big, elaborate water regulation plan that will be rolled out from the top, let’s pause. Rolling out big, elaborate plans is what we’ve been

Issue 12 | February 2019

doing for a long time. It has proven to be effective at driving growth. But when it comes to building resilience, we’re not seeing the outcomes we need in terms of changes to user behaviour. So let’s look at the sustainable water challenge from our user’s point of view, to support the big-picture planning. You’re now a farmer running the family plot – pick a location, anywhere in the MENA region. You’re responsible for both feeding the family and selling enough produce to support them. A groundwater bore is your key water supply, and the limiting factor for your farm’s productivity. What are the conditions influencing your day-to-day decisions to pump water from the ground? Case 1 - No data, no regulation Say you have no data about the groundwater levels, and no regulation from the government. This is the reality today in many parts of the MENA region. You will pump as much groundwater as you need, growing the most profitable crops even if they use lots of water. If groundwater levels drop, you keep pumping as long as it’s not too expensive. If you don’t use the water to make money now, your neighbour will. It’s a race to the bottom. You don’t want to pump the aquifer dry, but reluctantly have to choose this option. You are frustrated that the lack of governance means your farm will not be valuable in the future. Case 2 - No data, but with government regulations controlling your pump rates. The government determines a limit on the amount of water you can pump, to enforce sustainable management. Your pump is

registered and metered. But without an understanding of the overall sustainability strategy, and a genuine trust in the system, you can’t see the benefit of this constraint. You’re not convinced that your neighbour is limiting his pumping, and you’re not happy that your farm is no longer as profitable. Without trust, you work around the regulation and metering, and continue to pump as much as you can, but now you are also risking fines. Case 3 – open water data, with government regulation. Now say the government provides data to help farms manage their water use. By publicly mapping and sharing data about water levels in the underlying aquifer, your community now owns and shares the problem of sustainable water use. If over-extraction occurs, you and everyone around you can see the levels dropping. Communities can monitor their own behaviour. Importantly, now there is a motivator within your community to encourage positive solutions. Collaborative deals are now possible, and water licences can be bought and sold to provide a positive outcome for those that elect not to pump. You elect to plant crops that require lower water use and sell your excess licenced water to a neighbour who will pay much more to use the water in a factory. Trust in the government increases, as the data allows you to plan for the future (good or bad, at least you know). Adversarial neighbours at least now have the opportunity to practice collaboration and deal making. And once the benefits of a more efficient overall system are realised, this collaboration can be a key stepping stone for creating secure, sustainable communities, in a place where conflict may otherwise exist. Hydrata builds online platforms to

share water data in a controlled and constructive manner. In Nicaragua we built an online mapping system that lets anyone understand the risks and benefits of drilling for groundwater anywhere within the country. It reduces the chance of drilling dry wells, giving each village confidence to invest when it is appropriate. The money saved can then be reinvested in the communities. Data from the new wells can be fed back into the system, so the communal knowledge improves with time, rather than being trapped in a paper document under someone’s desk. Opening existing water data can sometimes be a slow process, with cultural and policy changes required. The good news is that, to get started in creating benefits, the first step does not require instant open data. Instead, we’ve found that the following steps provide a solid, low risk way to get started: • Identify the community/issue where water-use changes are required • Engage with the users to understand their specific fears and opportunities around water use • Develop a data strategy that specifically matches the fears and opportunities • Then, using this evidence, develop the case to either open existing data or implement collection and sharing of new open data Hydrata sees this as a strong pathway to open, collaborative and efficient water resource use in the MENA region. As smaller projects prove their success, and learn from the challenges, the scale and extent of collaboration can grow. And growing, open collaboration is a powerful thing for peace and security. 27

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

Science for Change?

Emirates Scientists Council has signed a strategic partnership agreement with New York University Abu Dhabi, a significant step towards enhancing scientific research and increasing its contribution to sustainable development.

stablishing an environment that supports advanced science, empowers human resources, and drives the UAE’s plans for sustainable development and a futureready knowledge economy is a pillar of the UAE Advanced Science Strategy, asserted Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, at the signing of a partnership agreement between Emirates Scientists Council and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). The Memorandum of Understanding 28

(MoU) grants researchers from various disciplines access to the university’s advanced science laboratories and research centres to conduct groundbreaking studies. It was signed as part of the Research Conference, organised by NYUAD on November 5-7, 2018, and attended by university leadership, professors and prominent academic figures.

institutions, and the private sector, in the quest to accomplish the objectives of the UAE Advanced Science Strategy 2031,” HE Al Amiri added. “The UAE is proud to be home to numerous renowned academies and universities that actively support the advanced science agenda, developing and sharpening the skills of students and researchers across the country.”

“The agreement signed with New York University Abu Dhabi reaffirms the importance of partnership between government entities, academic

Fabio Piano, NYUAD’s Provost, signed the strategic partnership on behalf of New York University Abu Dhabi, with several officials from the Office of the Minister

Issue 12 | February 2019

all key sectors, from education and health to industry, energy and food security. The Platform is the largest gathering of research institutions in the UAE; it provides an advanced research environment and sophisticated infrastructure to enhance scientific disciplines, cutting research and development costs by 30%, and establishing an integrated ecosystem supported by scientific research institutions and constructive partnerships with relevant sectors and authorities. It includes six of the largest research institutions in the UAE, namely: United Arab Emirates University; American University of Sharjah; Khalifa University; the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC); Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy; and the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). of State for Advanced Science, as well as faculty and academic and administrative staff from the university. “This agreement with Emirates Scientists Council signifies a remarkable opportunity for cooperation on shared initiatives with the potential to significantly strengthen advanced sciences within the UAE,” Piano said. “The partnership offers a powerful means for NYU Abu Dhabi to collaborate on addressing some of the world’s most pressing questions through research and innovation and contribute to furthering the UAE as a hub for scientific knowledge and discovery.” A Pragmatic Step to Kickstart the UAE’s Open Labs Platform The strategic partnership agreement constitutes the first pragmatic step in the UAE’s Open Labs Platform, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed

bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. The MoU calls for providing opportunities for scientific research that engages researchers from various institutions in the UAE; it specifies executive procedures to allow researchers from outside the university to access NYUAD’s facilities and laboratories to work on their projects and ideas.The agreement also regulates cooperation and participation in the events and initiatives organised by either party and relating to the Open Labs Platform. The UAE: A Vast Scientific Laboratory The Open Labs Platform seeks to transform the UAE into a vast scientific laboratory that makes use of the advanced infrastructure available at universities, and places it at the disposal of scientists and researchers who can then come forward with innovative and feasible solutions for

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Issue 12 | February 2019

CENTRE FOLD

eDirhams: The Future of Payments The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has commenced the development of the eDirham transformation vision, with its services scheduled to be launched during the first quarter of 2020.

s part of the MOFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to enhance the effectiveness of financial systems used for national payments and their financial settlements, the ministry is working in cooperation with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to accelerate the outcomes of the eDirham 2000-2020 and to allow the eDirham transformation vision to contribute to the realisation of the UAE vision 2021. In October 2018, the Ministry of Finance launched the eDMobile application - the new innovative eDirham initiative to

support smart government programs - that enables customers to access eDirham services and e-payments. With eDMobile customers can pay all charges through their smartphones, website or point of sale. eDMobile is an electronic wallet that electronically stores all the customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; payment cards, essentially making it a replacement for plastic cards and a physical wallet, allowing users to make electronic payments without the need of a plastic card. It is noteworthy that the revenues of the system during the first half of 2018

exceeded the projection of AED 11.8 billion, achieving a growth of 52.33% compared to the same period last year. The number of cards issued for eDirham services exceeded 3.7 million cards, while the number of receipts reached 11,385,661 in the first half of 2018. HE Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of MoF, stressed the importance of the eDirham transformation vision in enhancing the quality of implementation and provision of government services, in line with the government excellence system, as well as 31

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

“

Applying FinTech services brings significant benefits to both the country as a whole and society, as it reduces the need for intermediaries, enables real-time processing and completion, and reduces the cost of the infrastructure needed to manage operations, resulting in financial savings for enterprises.

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the key take outs from consultancy reports and studies on digital payment. By way of collaborating with the banks operating in the country, the latest developments of the eDirham system were discussed, as was the planned journey for its transformation, foremost of which is the requirement to coordinate and collaborate with all the providers of digital payment solutions and approved banks in the country. “Applying FinTech services brings significant benefits to both the country as a whole and society, as it reduces the need for intermediaries, enables real-time processing and completion, and reduces the cost of the infrastructure needed to manage operations, resulting in financial savings for enterprises. FinTech makes way for tremendous development to the financial and business sector, backed with upgraded technologies as a result of the digital revolution, especially regarding the management of portfolios, the provision of digital banking services, the enhanced confidentiality of user-data, and the privacy of their transactions.” The announcement to commence the project was made late in 2018, following a meeting chaired by HE Younis Haji Al Khoori, and attended by a group of presidents and executives of 22 32

national banks from across the UAE. HE Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Undersecretary of Resources and Budget Sector, along with MoF’s leadership also attended the meeting. “The Ministry of Finance has made significant strides in terms of contributing to the achievement of the UAE digital government vision by having the eDirham as one of its most important products, specifically for the electronic payment of government service fees in the country. This aims to form an integrated platform shared by all banks, ministries and government entities for the purpose of collecting service revenues and digital settlements,” HE said. “The meeting brings together the banks and financial institutions operating in the country to apprise them of the planned eDirham transformation journey, which will see an innovative, strategic update to the existing range of solutions offered by the eDirham system. The eDirham was founded in 2000, and the first generation e-Dirham cards were launched in 2001. In 2011, the second generation was launched, and is expected to reach its optimal outcomes in 2020. It will primarily facilitate the use of digital payment applications, as well as adopt

a secure e-payment ID to improve service delivery,” he added. In October 2018, MoF, in collaboration with FAB and the e-Dirham team, held an interactive session during their participation in GITEX technology week, in which the ministry reviewed the global trends in blockchain technology. The interactive session discussed the steps of digital transformation, rapid growth of Fintech services, blockchain fundamentals, its uses in financial operations, advantages and benefits it offers to its users, such as asset purchase, financing and guarantees, and insurance. That, in addition to the benefits it offers when handling procedures with the involvement of many different parties such as manufacturers, suppliers, customers, service providers, regulatory bodies and tax authorities. During the interactive session, the principles of artificial intelligence, including risk management, combating fraud and compliance, and the importance of data in the management and optimisation of artificial intelligence were also discussed.

Issue 12 | February 2019

FEATURE

Digital Drive for Zero Waste Advancing technology is taking water treatment solutions into a sustainable future, and it will benefit eco-friendly UAE consumers. By Marco Seghi Service Director at Culligan Middle East

he region is witnessing a dramatic change of attitude towards water, how we consume it and how to reduce waste in its consumption. Water is arguably the most valuable natural resource, and thankfully there isn’t a shortage of new technology and ideas to help build a healthier relationship with it. A big driver for sustainable practices are today’s eco-friendly consumers who insist on reusable cups, avoid plastic straws and delivery food cutlery, and they are now more likely to have filtered water on tap in the home and office instead of plastic bottles. Just as the last year has seen the rise of initiatives like #ZeroWasteUAE, which aims to reduce waste and promote a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, filtered water systems have also been enjoying an increase in popularity. There’s a constant flow of improving technology to support the growing demand, including UV OUT lamps, carbon block filters and improved bottleless, plastic-free filtrations systems. These have been a boon for consumers moving away from harmful and unsustainable ways of sourcing quality drinking water. Much of the developments are responding to growing environmental awareness and we’re seeing a significant shift in consumer behaviour when it comes to the use of plastic, recycling waste and overall efforts to become more socially and environmentally responsible. The implementation of UV OUT lamps in water treatment solutions is a culmination of years of research and improvements. Through a series of filters that include a UV OUT lamp, we’re able to provide disinfected and sterilised water without 33

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

The same theory can also be applied on a smaller scale, specifically for drinking water dispensers. By placing the lamp inside the system or at the point-of-use, it acts as a barrier, preventing bacteria getting back inside the equipment, ensuring the quality of the water. Carbon block filters can also be added to water filtration systems to further enhance the quality of water delivered. Carbon block filters are the best technology available to remove chlorine, sediment, taste, odour and organic contaminants in the water. Amongst the positive consumer trends, reducing the amount of plastic used in products has been taken very seriously by big players in the industry, and steps have been made to eliminate plastic bottles entirely. This is a message we’ve been keen to highlight as the impact of plastic waste becomes more acute. Many people opt for buying bottled water because they dislike the taste of tap water, however, the average plastic bottle takes an average of 450 years to break down. We strongly believe in having a reusable alternative. There are now bottle-less, plastic-free systems that fit under household sinks and they have seen an overwhelmingly positive reaction in the region. At Culligan Middle East alone we have registered double digit growth of their sales in the last year. There’s a strong movement now for products that deliver instant boiling, chilled, still and sparkling drinking water that are also eco-friendly. Additionally, something as simple as switching to a natural refrigerant 34

gas such as R290 in water dispensers can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Other refrigerant gases contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) which has been proven to be one of the main contributors for climate change. There’s been a nation-wide drive to introduce more eco-conscious practices and many commercial businesses are incorporating water treatment solutions. Through the introduction of advanced technology that can distribute and store quality water, organisations can reduce their water wastage and protect their bottom line. The reduction in logistics and waste are the major points that are changing the view in the market and the idea of providing high quality water to employees, customers, colleagues and family is a growing concern. New and improved filtration technology also encourages sustainable living, ensuring consumers have access to water that is as fresh and tastes as good as bottled water, without creating the damaging plastic waste. Advanced water treatment processes such as ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis not only remove dirt, bacteria and contaminants from the water that other systems may not remove, but also plastic fibres with a 10 micron diameter which are not currently filtered out of our drinking water. Energy saving technologies have been truly influential to both manufacturers and consumers, and have proven to positively impact the environment as well as increase savings on energy bills. Both of these are crucial points as we see the market being driven by consumers’ decisions.

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Amongst the positive consumer trends, reducing the amount of plastic used in products has been taken very seriously by big players in the industry.

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the use of chemical treatment.

Thanks to a greater promotion of the technology behind water treatment products, people are more aware of the sustainable, logistical and health benefits. This message is extremely important, and one all manufacturers must adopt. It’s likely we’ll see more developments in technology to further advance convenience, as well as increase energy saving features.

Issue 12 | February 2019

FEATURE

A Regional Hub for the Sustainable Development Goals By HE Bernardino León Director General, Emirates Diplomatic Academy

ast November, the Emirates Diplomatic Academy launched the Sustainable Development Goals Center of Excellence for the Arab Region, SDGCAR. The centre has two important tasks. First and foremost, it will aim to become the go-to place in the region on information for universities, governments and businesses about the SDGs. Specifically, it will specialise in catalysing research, education and training that is relevant for the Arab region. Second, the SDGCAR is hosted at the UAE’s leading diplomatic training and research institution, which makes it an ideal place for exploring the synergies between these two areas: sustainable development and diplomacy. The SDGs are a universal agenda, and diplomacy, international cooperation and partnerships across boundaries will be crucial in supporting its realisation. So why does the region need a centre for the SDGs? There are, similarly, two key

reasons. First, sustainable development policy – as any policy – is only good if it is based on solid scientific evidence and data. Science-based decision making, in turn, can only be possible through a well-functioning relationship and communication between the academia and governments. With this in mind, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched in 2012 the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, SDSN. Led by renowned sustainable development scholar Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the SDSN has grown to a network of 800 universities and research institutions, all working to promote practical solutions for sustainable development that are grounded in scientific and technological expertise. As part of this network, the SDGCAR will be a platform that brings together research and training focused specifically on issues that are common and salient

for the Arab region, which range from sustainable water, food and energy resources to gender equality and to ending violence and conflict. Second, the SDGs were designed by multiple stakeholders and they are intended to be implemented similarly by everyone, including the private sector. The UAE is regional pioneer both in political leadership on the SDGs and in public-private partnerships in multiple areas. Having this regional centre of excellence hosted in the UAE will enable it to draw from this track record and to leverage the strong partnerships the UAE has built in the region through trade, investments and aid. This year, as the centre becomes operational, we look forward to working with knowledge partners across the region to identify the priority areas and ways in which actionable knowledge and know-how can support the Arab region in achieving the SDGs by 2030. 35

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

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FEATURE

Solar Vision for Ports and Trade

Dubai Carbon and DP World join forces on energy saving, in line with Dubai’s goal to provide 75% clean energy by 2050 with the help of the Shams rooftop solar programme.

ontinued decarbonisation of energy supplies is expected over the next 20 years. By 2035 renewable energy is predicted to account for 50% of the global energy mix, a four-fold increase in capacity when compared to current supplies. Modern marine terminals face increasing demands for electric power. Generating renewable power on-site at the port terminals can significantly reduce this offsite pollution and reduce the terminal’s energy expenses. Container terminals in sunny climates, such as Dubai are particularly good candidates for on-site

solar power generation. Already making strong efforts in renewable energy innovation, DP World says this is a key pillar for its global vision. Over the summer in 2018, the company launched the UAE’s first green storage and warehouse facilities and is set to install 88,000 PV modules across its Dubai facilities’ rooftops as part of DP World’s Solar Programme. In a recently signed, strategic partnership with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE), DP world will save costs and reduce its carbon footprint significantly, as well as provide renewable energy to

businesses in Dubai. Dubai Carbon is set to several lots of Phase 2 amounting to 20 MW to DP World’s facilities located at Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and National Industries Park, with a 22-year lease agreement. The partnership further supports the company’s sustainable, long-term growth plan that is aligned with the United Nation’s ninth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. Job creation and security will be boosted, as the construction activity is expected to

Issue 12 | February 2019

“

“Creating a sustainable business model through the implementation of green technologies is a core focus for DP World, and one of our key initiatives is our ground-breaking Solar Power Programme that will generate enough energy to power 4,600 homes upon completion. We are pleased to work with

“

result in significant logistics traffic with almost 80,000 PV panels to be installed, which corresponds to more than 150 containers. The same for the other various equipment: inverters, structure, cables. Moreover, the construction phase will involve a significant team effort resulting in 500,000 to 1,000,000 man-hours over a period of 18 months. The operations and maintenance (O&M) teams of more than 20 people will be employed for the O&M period - the next 2 years.

The Solar Power Programme is part of DP World’s larger goal to create a better future for our people and community. We recycle over 9,700 tonnes of waste each year, and have managed to reduce CO2 emissions intensity by 24 per cent since 2008.

another industry leader to help build the largest photovoltaic project in the GCC,” said Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director at DP World. “The Solar Power Programme is part of DP World’s larger goal to create a better future for our people and community. We recycle over 9,700 tonnes of waste each year, and have managed to reduce CO2

emissions intensity by 24 per cent since 2008. We are simultaneously developing the Jebel Ali Free Zone Zero Waste Project, with the ultimate goal to develop the world’s first Zero Carbon Emission supply chain across our portfolio.” This new high-profile agreement took place after the recent successful organisation of the third Dubai Solar Show by DEWA during which it reemphasized the important role of its Dubai Shams initiative also part of Green Dubai. The objective is to encourage building owners to install photovoltaic (PV) panels on rooftops to generate electricity and connect them to DEWA’s grid. While the majority of renewable energy capacity installed by 2030 is expected to emanate from the MBR solar development, Dubai is relying on the successful implementation of its ambitious Shams rooftop solar programme to meet its 75% clean energy goal by 2050. “Our journey to create a sustainable environment and helping the government in establishing Dubai as a smart and sustainable city has reached a peak with our new partnership with DP World. Such a deal with a major global market player clearly put us on the map and further cements our position as the leading provider of solar energy in the UAE. We witnessed a rapid growth in only three years and our plan now is to expand our offering to other emirates and countries in the GCC, as well as making a foray into the residential market to truly become the regional green champion,” he added. To date, DEWA has connected its grid to 1,177 solar systems placed on the roofs of buildings in Dubai with a total capacity of 54.7 MW. 37

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

SCHOOL

Future-Proofing Children’s Careers Seventy per cent of UAE parents believe creative thinking and languages are the most important skills to future-proof children’s careers.

he Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD) recently reported that parents in the UAE are increasingly aware of the importance of selecting a school curriculum that teaches skills that are essential for future careers. In fact, 95% of UAE parents recognize the importance of checking a school’s curriculum to ensure it covers the required skills for future jobs. According to the survey, parents believe that the top three important skills required will be creative/innovative thinking (75%), emotional intelligence (70%) and languages (70%). Experts have talked about the changing face of jobs for the future. The World Economic Forum (WEF) report in 2016 revealed that some of the most in-demand occupations/specialisms did not exist ten or even five years ago. The pace of change in the business and government sectors is set to accelerate again over the next few years. WEF also reported later in 2017 that employers’ top ten mostdesired skills by 2020 include complex problem-solving, critical thinking,

creativity, emotional intelligence, people management, judgement and decisionmaking, negotiation, service orientation, coordination, cognitive flexibility – practical and emotional skills. The survey conducted by YouGov showed that 80% of UAE parents believe schools are preparing their children for future careers. Across 17 different curricula from American, British, Emirati, International Baccalaureate (IB) or Indian, each has an individual mission and vision for a child’s education. Some focus more on the academic content and traditional learning methods, others are mapping to the trends that deliver an all-rounded education across subjects with self-learning and bilingualism to prepare for future jobs that currently do not even exist. “The YouGov survey shows that critical thinking, emotional intelligence and languages are important skills considered by majority of UAE parents. Our school’s IB Curriculum ensures students gain critical thinking skills and inquire into the process of learning, rather than merely learning a specific body of facts

and figures. Our well-rounded bilingual curriculum, taught in the German/ English and French/English streams. fosters bilingualism, biliteracy, enhanced awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, and high levels of academic achievement through instruction in two languages. At the end of the day, we want to be a progressive school that teaches students the most important skills for the future. They have to be competitive in a workforce that will demand well-rounded individuals able to cope with the effects of technological innovation,” said Norbert Foerster, Head of SISD. One further statistic from the YouGov data showed that the majority of UAE parents (80%) believe that Dubai’s education system offers the best educational opportunities for students to prepare for future work life. Dubai is a fast-evolving, multicultural and forward-thinking city that is already a global hub for many sectors. This is why it is crucial to teach students skills that will allow them to interact with others in a context that is more than ever globalised and in constant evolution.

Issue 12 | February 2019

TOP TIPS

Be Smart!

Switch to Cloud Computing Cloud-based applications allow employees to share and access information from anywhere, potentially reducing travel costs and the need for hard-copy printing of documents.

Web Hosting Choose green hosting. You can ensure that part of the energy comes from a renewable power source. Apart from being friendly to the environment, green web hosting is also affordable.

Recycle Electronics Non-recycled e-waste ends up in landfills, incinerated, or illegally exported to developing countries. Keeping your surplus electronic equipment out of the landfill is a great way to help the environment (and possibly benefit charity).

Green Procurement Choose to source goods and services that have been produced sustainably and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require excessive packaging. In terms of logistics, find couriers who commit to carbon-neutral delivery methods.

Teleconference Technology makes it possible to conduct teleconferences, which can cut down on the need to gather for offsite meetings. This can not only save you money, but also can help you to reduce your carbon footprint.

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

Eight Journeys to a Sustainable Knowledge Economy ADSSSA has identified eight new end-to-end journeys under Abu Dhabi’s TAMM Initiative, in line with Abu Dhabi Government’s Accelerator Program ‘Tomorrow 21’.

n line with Abu Dhabi’s Digital Transformation Program aimed at supporting the emirate’s efforts to build a sustainable knowledge economy, the Abu Dhabi Smart Solutions and Services Authority (ADSSSA) has identified eight new end-to-end journeys under the TAMM integrated platform to provide a range of services for citizens, residents and investors. The new integrated journey solutions offer services in capacity building, attracting talents, supporting social activities and the local community, and facilitating investments.The new journeys within TAMM include the “Find and Secure a Job”, which facilitates the employment

and Emiratization programs in line with the goals of ‘Tomorrow 21’ agenda. The journey is set to ease the job search process within the emirate and ensure the effective participation of citizens in the labour market and reduce unemployment rate in Abu Dhabi. The second journey, ‘Get Education’, aims to save time and effort of parents by simplifying the process of applying and attending schools and improving the experience of customers by providing centralised educational services under one platform. The third journey, ‘Get Support’, looks to enhance the procedure for UAE families seeking social assistance and simplify the process of obtaining

government support procedures for citizens. The fourth journey ‘Get Married’, provides the essential platform to obtain all information related to marriage, streamlining the process which includes pre-marriage procedures, marriage contract registration, marriage grant and marriage ceremony. The fifth journey is the ‘Honour the Dead, aimed at reducing the clearing process - from reporting of the death, investigation and documentation to inheritance procedures and completion of post-mortem procedures. The sixth journey focuses on start-ups and small and medium enterprises aimed at driving growth for SMEs which are a

Issue 12 | February 2019

strong foundation for the local economy. Through the ‘Start Your Business’, small businesses are guided in an easy journey from inquiring about the registration and licensing procedures, research and contract with business partners, registration in support programs for startups, establishment of the company and the hiring of employees and business. The seventh journey, the ‘Register a Foreign Company’ simplifies the procedures for foreign companies and investors keen to set up business in Abu Dhabi and work with local partners. This journey is aimed at providing a comprehensive view of the processes and procedures for foreign investors in line with the emirate’s strategy to encourage knowledge transfer and development of new skills within the local labour market. The eighth journey ‘Discover Abu Dhabi as a Business Destination’, provides a single platform for foreign investors to explore the business environment in Abu Dhabi on the range of future business development and programs in the emirate and help promote Abu Dhabi as an investment and commercial destination. The announcement came on the sidelines

of a workshop organised by ADSSSA with key officials and representatives from various government entities. The workshop is in line with the Authority’s continuing efforts to achieve the ‘One Government’ model in providing services in Abu Dhabi, encompassing all sectors including housing, education, health, entertainment, family, work and community participation, through a single digital platform and an integrated service centre.

Al Saadi also emphasised that the Authority constantly works in cooperation with public and private entities for its digital transformation initiatives aimed at modernising and developing the digital infrastructure in the emirate and enable government agencies to manage their institutional and developmental functions through innovative systems and legislations that contribute to raising the efficiency of government performance.

“ADSSSA continues its effort to provide efficient and simple government services to customers and government entities through an integrated service system that uses innovative digital technologies to provide easy, convenient and personalized services to customers and enhance Abu Dhabi’s position in technological and digital development. The new journeys reflect the role of Abu Dhabi Government to enhance its business environment and facilitate the lives of people and provide happiness, success, prosperity and protection for them in line with the objectives of Abu Dhabi Government Accelerator Program ‘Tomorrow 21’,” HE Dr. Rauda Al Saadi, Director General of ADSSSA, said.

The Authority has recently launched three new digital channels that allow customers to access government services in an easy manner such as the digital portal, smart application and customer service centres. These channels are aimed at providing a convenient and smooth experience and specialised services for customers through a single access point. The customer-specialised digital wallet has been launched to provide a single reference to the customer where they can access relevant updates on service, journeys, payment, subscription and event status and is continuously updated as a single source and data security.

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

Connectivity Over High Tech: What Makes a Smart City? Research from Juniper Networks launched in 2018 reveals that consumers look to service providers and governments working together to lead, educate and assure communities.

hat do artificial intelligence, virtual systems, digital consumer engagement, and valuebased contracting all have in common? The answer—all of them require interoperability for realizing a return on investment. However, there are still large gaps in the system serving consumers with complex needs, and the pursuit of interoperability has become more difficult as new technologies emerge. But according to studies, this kaleidoscope of cooperation is what the people really want, and will mark the future of true Smart Cities. Juniper, an industry leader in automated, scalable and secure networks, carried out market research in partnership with YouGov which suggests that consumers place capabilities like interoperability over technological advances like 5G, cloud, IoT and automation when it comes to which key factors will support the enabling of “smart communities”. The market research focused on the theme of driving future urbanism and highlights how communities 42

are using information technology to act as a catalyst for transforming life and work, across a wide variety of environments and use cases. Spanning rural villages all the way to the newest megacities, these use cases include innovations in automated infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, autonomous vehicles, social change and population information and protection. In the UAE, more than half (54 per cent) cited interoperability as a key factor to support the success of any smart community initiative. Furthermore, more than a third (39 per cent) cited sensors and connected devices i.e. IoT as a vital enabler of success. These were ranked as higher importance than internet-based infrastructure i.e. cloud (38 per cent), next generation mobile connectivity (36 per cent) automation through machine learning and artificial intelligence (31 per cent), and cybersecurity (30 per cent). “Smart community projects and initiatives have the potential to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, 5G, multicloud and machine learning to enhance, and even

Issue 12 | February 2019

transform, people’s daily lives, particularly for those in rural and developing areas,” says Yarob Sakhnini, Head of Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Juniper Networks. “This research shows that consumers recognise this, but want common standards and security to be at their heart. Similarly, the wide scope and variation within any given smart community initiative reinforces the need to inform and reassure constituents about specific benefits and how challenges are addressed,” he adds. The online survey of over 2,000 adults living in the UAE also reveals that service providers and local authorities are the lynchpin to enabling, securing and educating smart communities. Furthermore, the research highlights that there are high expectations for the potential benefits that smart communities can deliver, but also shows that there is still a need for education on how specific communities can benefit from individual projects. For example, 29 per cent of those surveyed said that the local authority or government should be primarily responsible for the security of all devices, services and data within a smart community. More than a quarter (26 per cent) said this responsibility should lie with network operators and service providers. Together, this represents more than half of the respondents and highlights the need for a joint approach to ensure the successful acceptance of any smart community project. Better access to public services and information was the primary benefit, cited by more than half (58 per cent) of respondents, followed by increased public safety and improved emergency services (50 per cent), environmental

improvements (48 per cent) and services that enhance lifestyle (44 per cent). Four per cent said they did not know what benefits a smart community project could bring, reflecting the need for education. When asked how they would expect the connectivity across smart community services to be achieved, over four out of ten (42 per cent) said that it should be “a collection of network service providers relying on common standards”. However, a quarter (25 per cent) said it should be a single network that is owned and operated by the local authority/government and 12 per cent cited that it should be a single provider commissioned by the local government. When it comes to the potential challenges of implementing a smart community project, data privacy (46 per cent), cost of implementing and running extensive systems(40 per cent) and data and infrastructure security (39 per cent) were highlighted as the top three concerns. Smart community implementations can deliver a wide range of benefits, but different opportunities exist for different groups. The location, environment and types of available technology will all impact the nature of a given initiative, as highlighted by the variation in responses about what potential benefits smart communities offer and what environments are expected to benefit most. This can lead to confusion when talking about smart communities and reinforces the need for clear education on the benefits to the community, as well as reassurance about privacy and security concerns. “We see there is a great opportunity for service providers in the UAE to become a fundamental part of a community’s fabric, supported by local authorities and

government. Implementing, evolving and sustaining these smart community projects are often complex undertakings and Juniper Networks is committed to simplifying that complexity with service providers by delivering a simplified, secure and automated infrastructure,” Sakhnini adds. Key Factors in Smart Community Success According to UAE residents

54% 39% 38% 36% 31% 30%

Interoperability

IoT

Cloud

Mobile Connectivity AI & Machine Learning Cybersecurity

What Do People Want from a Smart Community?

58%

Better access to public services and information

50%

Increased public safety and improved emergency services

48%

Environmental improvements

44%

Services that enhance lifestyle

Do not know what benefits a smart community project could bring

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

INTERVIEW

BonApp: Reducing Consumer Food Waste

UAE restaurants are selling off excess food at discounted prices to customers via the app.

ounded by a Scandinavian trio, Erika Daintry, Malin Raman Delin and Alice Kaboli, the Dubai-based BonApp is beginning to make inroads and an impression into the city’s internationally renowned food industry.

Organisation estimates that about a third of food produced for human consumption - around 1.3 billion tonnes globally - is lost or wasted every year. In the UAE, almost half the food served in lunch buffets at hotels is wasted, according to a 2017 study by Masdar Institute.

Eliminating wastage is BonApp’s USP – an apt illustration is the city’s famous brunches which offers unlimited amounts of food - and it allows access to delicious food at inexpensive amounts by collaborating with outlets in Dubai and presenting a platform for the commodities to be sold.

The mobile application enables customers to purchase surplus food directly from restaurants with discounts, thus preventing it from ending up as waste which is such a huge issue in the food and hospitality industry. Still in its infancy, the application needs improvements but its purpose much be celebrated. still new and improvements are in order, but it is easy to use.

The inspiration for BonApp came from the UAE Food Bank programme (2017) and the #ZeroFoodWaste movement launched by the Dubai Government. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture 44

Speaking to The Sustainabilist, the brains behind BonAPP co-founders, Erika Daintry, Malin Raman Delin and Alice

Kaboli throw light on their pet project. Can you tell us a little more about your background and how the concept of BonApp came to life? We are a Nordic all-female trio, who have always dreamt about starting our own business. After working many years in the corporate world, with backgrounds in corporate finance and sustainability, we decided to work on a business idea of our own. We wanted to come up with a business model where all external entities could contribute, thus having a positive impact on society. Once we realised how much food is being thrown away on a daily basis, it finally fell into place: we decided to combine our two big passions in life - food and a sustainable way of living - through a mobile app that

Issue 12 | February 2019

addresses the issue of food waste.

to partner with us.

awareness, collaborations etc.?

We started speaking to hotels and restaurants and got confirmation that almost half of the food prepared every day was wasted. From an ethical point of view, we found that shocking. We also learned that wasting food causes CO2 emissions and contributes to global warming.

Another challenge for any start-up is to get initial funding. There is a lot of capital in the region, but there are no structured ways of finding it. One has to be very proactive, but it is achievable. We spoke to at least 50 investors before we got our first investor on board. He believed in us and the idea, with only a prototype of the product.

We are excited to be expanding to Abu Dhabi in September. Expansion outside of UAE is being explored, as we believe reducing food waste is applicable in any market. We are working hard to continuously improve the app and the customer experience. The biggest development in the near future will be that of delivery which will be available in the beginning of August. You will also be seeing more grocery items offered soon.

In the spring of 2017, we resigned from our jobs, put our savings into the business and BonApp was created. It was a leap of faith for all of us but we have not regretted this decision for a single day. What obstacles did you face â&#x20AC;&#x201C; funding, acceptance from customers and restaurants, technical issues etc - when you started this business and how did you overcome them? Kicking off BonApp in the UAE did not come without its challenges. The first prototype of the app, that we had spent a lot of money on, was not user-friendly and the app development company did not stick to the deadlines, leading to the delay in the launch. We then decided to employ an in-house tech team and the operations became smoother. Restaurants and cafes that we initially spoke to, confirmed that wasting food is associated with high cost, however, they were initially reluctant to partner with us. They were afraid that customers would think they were selling old food, and seemed embarrassed to admit publicly that they were indeed wasting food on a daily basis. We had a goal of launching with 15 restaurants in Dubai, but with persistency and determination, we got more than 70 outlets on board at the launch in February. A few months later, restaurants are now calling us up wanting

Have you quantified the amount of food wastage diverted from landfills and corresponding reduction in emissions? Can you share statistics on the amount of food wastage avoided and emissions reduced since the launch of the app? Since the launch in February we have managed to save an estimate of 400kg of food from ending up as waste. That equals to 760 CO2e kg (this number is from an online Greenhouse Gas Calculator and does not include emissions which would have been caused from transporting the food to landfills). We launched BonApp with 70 partners six months ago, and in the same amount of time we have reached 6,000 users. We anticipate these numbers to grow and expect to work with 350 restaurants and reach 45,000 customers by end of the year. Restaurants who have been using BonApp have recorded that they throw away less food. At the same time they have increased their revenues and acquired new customers. So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next - in terms of product development, collaborations, geographical presence, education/

We are currently planning awareness events, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which will be organised with our partners, as well as Masdar City where we are based. We are also planning collaborations with food magazines and other startups. We feel that we have a very exciting fall ahead with a growing team and several engaging events coming up that we hope will interest the public. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs in the UAE, especially to women, who want to contribute to the sustainability sphere? The start-up scene in the UAE is developing fast and is becoming more and more friendly towards female entrepreneurs, which creates a lot of opportunities. Any innovative ideas which are in line with the UAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission of sustainable living are, in our experience, very well received. We would like to encourage everyone to think about how they can contribute be it a new innovative business idea, or just incorporating a sustainable practice into their existing ones. Even small changes can contribute to a greater positive impact for our society. 45

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

Developing Skills of The Future, Today By aggressively investing in education of digital skills, the region is preparing its youth for future employment and technology led economic development. By Paul Potgieter Managing Director â&#x20AC;&#x201C; UAE, Dimension Data

rtificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain are two significant technologies that are expected to change the regional landscape in terms of demand for specialized skills. A computing system that uses AI can sense its working environment and can think about it, learn about it, and take action within it. In general, AI helps better business decision-making through faster human responses, automation of 46

manual tasks, and creation of automated decision-making. The huge growth in data volumes is putting pressure on all competitive businesses to find innovative ways of managing the growth in volume. This includes the need to classify data as well as to draw business insights from the data. Significant benefits from using artificial intelligence led technologies,

have led global ICT research firm, IDC, to forecast that average Middle East and Africa spending growth will be 32% into 2021. Businesses will invest significantly in AI to grow the capabilities of employees in terms of productivity and efficiency. Across the region, banking and finance organisations will lead the artificial intelligence adoption curve.

rd | February October 20172019 Issue 01Issue | 2312

GREEN JOB Technology – to increase productivity; Education – to cut costs and enhance desire for education; Environment – to increase forestation rate. Blockchain technology on the other hand uses an open source platform and distributed computing architecture. It is a distributed ledger technology that drives any business that depends on high compliance standards of recording any transaction. Records of transactions on a blockchain ledger cannot be modified or hacked, making it suitable for the highest levels of national record keeping.

Government, education, healthcare and manufacturing organisations will follow in the adoption and implementation cycle. Early use cases of AI will appear in defense, investigation, government intelligence, automated customer service, fraud analysis and investigation. Innovation in development of use cases will be assisted by natural language processing, content aggregation, and machine learning. The UAE has already adopted such systems in selective organisations including Emirates NBD and Department of Economic Development (DED) Dubai through cognitive assistants Eva and Rashid. In October 2017, the UAE Government launched its UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. The broad objectives cover: Transport – to reduce accidents and operational costs; Traffic – to reduce accidents and congestion; Health - to minimise chronic diseases; Renewables – to manage facilities;

In April 2018, the UAE Government launched its Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021, which aims to capitalise on the blockchain technology to transform 50% of government transactions into the blockchain platform by 2021. By adopting this technology, the UAE government is expected to save AED 11 billion in documents processing involving annual printing of 398 million documents and 77 million work hours. Adopting blockchain to secure digital transactions, allows the government to assign a unique identification number for its customers, pointing to their repository of documents and transactions. So compelling are the use-cases that spending on blockchain solutions in Middle East and Africa in 2018 is expected to double over 2019, according to IDC. Technology spending on blockchain solutions will continue to grow into 2021 at an average growth rate of 77%. Regional governments have identified blockchain as a key enabler and will take the

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lead in adoption, followed by education, healthcare, financial services, distribution and other services. Adoption of all these technologies with their compelling use cases requires specialised education at regional college and university, grass root levels. The recent One Million Arab Coders initiative launched in October 2017 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is a movement in this direction. This program seeks to help one million young Arab programmers develop their digital and coding skills of the future for areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, cognitive and biological sciences, and programming. By developing skills of the future today, forward-looking nations are building employment opportunities for their youth, while ensuring the same nations prosper economically through the foundation of innovative technologies. 47

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

CASE STUDY

Future Tech for Water

Opportunities for advanced technology to help address global water and sanitation challenges.

he World Economic Forum recently published their series, “Fourth Industrial Revolution for the Earth” which highlights the opportunities for solving the world’s most pressing environmental challenges by harnessing technological innovations supported by new and effective approaches to governance, financing and multistakeholder collaboration. As part of this series, the opportunities for advanced technology to help address global water and sanitation challenges is possibly one of the most important. 48

According to the World Bank’s Unchartered Waters report, 60% of the world’s population lives in areas of nearpermanent water stress. This includes nearly all of South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Climate change impacts, manifested through more intense and frequent extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, threaten to make water supply more erratic and unpredictable, disrupting continuity across global economic value chains and upending social stability. Such scenarios could cost regions such

as the Middle East and Africa up to 6% of their GDP by 2050 due to water-related impacts on agriculture, health and incomes, while also having the potential to exacerbate other threats such as migration, food insecurity and the risk of conflict. The potential impact of technology Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies can offer a range of solutions to address poor water quality and its impacts on society and the environment.

Issue 12 | February 2019

Development level of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology applications that address water and sanitation challenges

While these technologies will not provide a single or complete solution to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water challenges, they will profoundly improve the toolkit available for leaders from government, business and everyday communities to understand, manage and use water resources.

By coupling these breakthrough technologies with innovations in financing, partnerships and governance models, existing institutions can help ensure they are both useful and accessible to decision-makers on the front lines of addressing the water challenge and that they continue to benefit the poor. In some cases, entirely new platforms will be required to enable water experts, policymakers, practitioners, technology providers and investors to co-develop, test and ultimately scale up such innovative solutions. New dialogues and convenings that bring incumbents together with entrepreneurs and innovators from other sectors will be essential in promoting a new wave of multistakeholder collaboration, charting a path forward for a 21st century global action agenda on water.

The following game changers represent five of the most profound ways in which the Fourth Industrial Revolution will transform approaches to water management:

The Fourth Industrial Revolution holds the promise of ensuring universal access to safe drinking water along with water for industry, energy, agriculture and ecosystems. The pace and scale with which this transformation happens depends entirely on the urgency and creativity displayed by our institutions. Technology innovators are starting to identify the opportunities for disruption in the water sector for Fourth Industrial Revolution-enabled solutions, and this paper has highlighted numerous examples of successful technology enabled water solutions in the public and private sectors. 49

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

INNOVATION

Achieving Leadership through Artificial Intelligence ADDC’s water pumping station using “Real time Pressure Optimisation Based on Actual Demand.”

he World Bank and the International Water Association (IWA) estimated that “In developing countries about 45 million cubic meters of water are lost daily with an economic value of over US$3 billion per year. Saving half of those losses would provide enough water to serve at least 90 million people”. As per IEA, pumps consume almost 10% of global electrical energy. Most of the pumps installed today are working inefficiently and are oversized. Much of this water and energy waste can be saved by using smarter and more innovative technology; pressure management of pumping stations by means of new technologies such as “Real time Pressure Optimisation Based on Actual Demand” and using advanced control valves at main consumers. Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC), as a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Power Corporation, has completed the installation and operation of an automatic water pumping station working on optimised pressure based on real time change in demand. This optimised pumping station is the first of its kind serving industrial facilities. The optimised pumping station is implemented as part of the project “Water Supply to Strategic Facilities in Habshan and BuHasa” in Al Dhafra area of Abu Dhabi Emirate. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, said: “The installation of this pumping station is part of the company’s strategy targeting management of distribution water networks in a smart and sustainable

Issue 12 | February 2019

“

In developing countries about 45 million cubic meters of water are lost daily with an economic value of over US$3 billion per year. Saving half of those losses would provide enough water to serve at least 90 million people.

“

way and providing safe and effective services that meet the aspirations and expectations of our customers, to be in line with ADDC strategic plan and Abu Dhabi objective “building sustainable utilities and sanitation sector ensuring the optimal usage of natural resources”. This leads to reduction of leakage part on non-revenue, waste of energy, operation and maintenance

costs and extending network life”. Eng Mohamed M. Al Mazrouei, Projects and Connections Director, added: “This pumping station is one of the leading stations that uses the latest modern technologies to ensure real time optimised pressure control of the network based on change in demand including advanced control valves at end points to ensure optimised pressure control for the facilities which are used for the first time in the country. “Habshan pumping station is considered as one of the most complicated water pumping stations due to the continuous change in demand by the facilities in comparison with other stations serving residential sectors which follow a certain pattern of demand” he also added. According to Eng. Mahmoud Al Khatib ADDC’s Project Manager, the achievement comes by the application of artificial intelligence within the control philosophy of the pumping station to adopt the pressure set point dynamically depending on real-time change in demand utilising different optimised system curves and recommended number of pumps operating with no pressure or flow set point. Combination Pressure Reducing & Pressure Sustaining Electronic Actuated pilot control valves have been used at all branches which are monitored and controlled by intelligent RTUs. The use of the optimised pressure control based on demand has led to reduction in energy consumption by

40-60%. This achievement comes as part of the company’s efforts to implement best practices in projects execution followed by similar best local and global companies.

Pressure Optimisation based on demand has the following benefits:

Saves Energy. Reduces leakage losses

Reduces wear and tear Reduces maintenance costs Extends Assets life time Postpones investments in new assets Real time response avoiding Operators influence Reduces required operation manpower 51

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

RESEARCH

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Issue 12 | February 2019

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The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

FEATURE

A New Global Architecture

In 2018, the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils held in Dubai closed with a call to shape a new global architecture.

he world needs a new global architecture capable of supporting a “new deal for nature”, tackling social polarisation and providing people with the means to access the education and skills needed to ensure mobility and prosperity in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This was the message delivered at the close of the Annual Meeting of the Global Future 54

Champions (AMGFC) 2018 in Dubai. Organised by the UAE Government in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, the Councils discussed pressing regional and international issues in various strategic sectors that affect the future of the region and the world. “Over the last two days we have heard

your calls for a new narrative for global governance that joins together issues which have become too fragmented. One that weaves together action on climate change, oceans and biodiversity and promote tolerances and dialogue,” said Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum. Future Frontiers During the meeting, the World

rd | February October 20172019 Issue 01Issue | 2312

Economic Forum published the inaugural Future Frontier Survey, a look at those areas of scientific research that have the most potential, as well as the greatest concern, for humankind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Eight areas of scientific research were identified as having the potential to have the greatest impact on life on earth. The list is an attempt to show how the simultaneous coming of age of a range of technologies is already affecting our future in ways beyond their original premise. By focusing on frontiers with negative as well as positive implications for life on earth, the survey’s findings are also an attempt to galvanize efforts to put in place safeguards to prevent future misuse.The inspiration for the list comes from a survey of 660 global experts from the Forum’s Global Future Councils and Young Scientists community as well as users of its Transformation Maps. Tellingly, many of the technologies that caused respondents most concern stem from breakthroughs designed to solve problems. The question of how to regulate the “dual use” of technology without stifling research that could lead to sizeable societal benefits is becoming one of the greatest challenges for leaders in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Future Frontiers of 2018

CAUSE FOR HOPE Quantum biology: Birds’ ability to navigate thousands of miles or DNA’s propensity to mutate are examples of how biology has evolved to take advantage of quantum behaviours. Nascent research into the role quantum physics plays in the human brain could unlock some of science’s greatest mysteries.

Venomics: If only the medicines we use today were as effective as natural toxins and venom in binding themselves to specific targets in the human body. With more than 220,000 individual species producing nature’s perfect “super drugs”, the race is on to harness this potential for good.

Machine learning through small data: Artificial intelligence (AI) currently requires huge amounts of data to make relatively small advances in functionality. Conversely, the human brain can typically achieve excellent outcomes through its ability to generalise using very little data. Machines gaining the agility of the human mind would be a game changer.

Room temperature conductivity: The ability to transmit and store electricity without loss or degradation could herald a clean energy revolution and enable new technologies. Currently, superconductivity is difficult to achieve and prohibitively expensive, a situation that scientists are working to change.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN Lethal autonomous weapons (LAWS): Drones and robots have a huge role to play in building prosperous, peaceful societies. Unfortunately, they can also be used in warfare. More worrying still, once deployed they could make their own decisions about the use of lethal force.

Predictive Justice: AI, neuroimaging and big data has opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to identifying individuals and scenarios where a crime is likely to occur. The downside is the risk that the same techniques are used to produce fake evidence and protect the guilty.

Non-invasive neuromodulation: The ability to stimulate the brain using electrical currents is opening up a world of new treatment for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or depression. Without clear regulation, the same techniques could be used to deliver unfair advantages, reinforcing inequalities. Worse still, there is the potential for government to use it to manipulate the mental states of specific groups, such as soldiers.

Digital phenotyping: The ability to use technology to predict illness or ailments that are invisible to the human eye is rapidly becoming a reality. The implications for privacy and digital rights are profound if government, companies or third parties discovered a means by which to use the same techniques to secretly capture changes in our mental health.

“The frontiers of science should not be seen as barriers, but rather opportunities to enable collective action in pursuit of solutions to the challenges facing our world today,” said Lee Howell, Head of Global Programming at the World Economic Forum. 55

Where stories happen Douglas Coupland Cassandra Clare Jane Hawking Peter Frankopan Jennifer Palmieri Ahmad AlShugairi Charles Cumming Ian Rankin Cixin Liu Jeff Kinney Clare Mackintosh + 150 more thought leaders, opinion formers, thinkers, and authors to intrigue, inform, astound and entertain.

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Issue 12 | February 2019

PERSON

Smart Tech for a Sustainable City HE Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the integrated free zone technology park, is advocating for sustainable development through technology, entrepreneurship and investment.

e recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners AffairsDubai (GDRFA) to further facilitate the delivery of smart services to investors, entrepreneurs and startups, particularly homegrown entities, and help them develop their businesses in areas such as technology, AI, and smart city applications. “DSOA is committed to growing and developing its services according to the Smart Dubai initiative, which aims to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. We are pleased to sign this partnership agreement with a pioneering entity such as GFRFA that is known for its extremely effective and efficient smart government services and for achieving high levels of customer happiness. Notably, the agreement supports the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 and

Dubai Plan 2021 in shaping an attractive environment that empowers creative entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful projects that serve the national economy,” Dr Alzarooni said. “We continue to work towards DSO’s strategy to become the first integrated smart city in Dubai while proactively looking to gain valuable expertise from other renowned entities. Such partnerships are crucial to DSOA and its business partners for they ease the operations of existing businesses and make it more attractive for investors, entrepreneurs, and startups to establish their creative and commercial projects at the integrated hi-tech park,” he added. Aligned with Dubai’s Smart Government Strategy and the UAE Vision 2021, the agreement will ensure the protection of intellectual property and enhance creative thinking skills and applications, while boosting cooperation in the scientific,

training and professional fields as well as the exchange of expertise in legal, technical and administrative matters. As part of the MoU, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs will set up an office in DSOA’s headquarters to provide government services directly to DSO-based entrepreneurs and investors. The agreement is continuing Dubai’s drive to join ventures between entities, in its mission to achieve the UAE’s Strategy and Vision 2021, as well as to build an attractive ecosystem and innovative work environment for emerging businesses. DSOA is seeking to enable the provision of various smart services as part of its contribution to the Smart Dubai strategy that focuses on the six key sectors of smart governance, smart society, smart economy, smart environment, smart mobility, and smart lifestyle. 57

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

PROJECT

Turning the Desert Green The desert in the UAE may soon look a little more lush as an Agritech startup, that believes it has a solution to turn sand into soil, sets up in Dubai.

ertile soil used to be the beating heart of every thriving civilisation, and today sprawling green hills and miles of arable land are a source of wealth for many countries. And if the UAE continues its funding for futuristic advancements in agriculture and environment, the country may soon be turning its sand into soil. Desert Control, a Norwegian startup, has come up with an innovative yet simple mixture of water and clay that transforms dry, sandy soil into lucrative arable land, and is setting up their very first commercial operations in Dubai. The idea came to Norwegian scientist Kristian P Olesen while travelling through the Middle East, when he saw that farmers were applying clay on sandy patches of land to grow their crops. Kristian, a veteran of 25 years in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry, and an innovator by nature, combined what he saw the farmers doing with his knowledge of oil and gas to create a process by which nanoparticles of clay could be mixed with water and added to particles of sand.

This eventually culminated into Desert Control’s ‘liquid nanoclay’, and could help prevent a future global food crisis, with the United Nations estimating that agricultural productivity must increase by as much as 70% to feed the expected 9 billion people on the planet by mid-century. Liquid nanoclay – a scientific mixture of water and common industrial clay – can be sprayed directly onto affected land using existing irrigation methods. The liquid nanoclay particles seep into the sand and create spongy, hollow structures that retain water about 40 to 60 centimetres underground – the typical depth of plant roots. The conditions created by liquid nanoclay allow water and nutrients applied to the soil to be retained far longer than traditional irrigation methods, allowing grass, wheat, carrots, corns and other vegetation to thrive. Eight years of research and development later, Desert Control has proven the effectiveness of liquid nanoclay and intends to start the first commercial application in the UAE. Agricultural field tests in

Egypt have shown the liquid nanoclay process cuts the need for irrigation by more than 50% and produces similar or increased crop yields, with the effects lasting up to five years. “Liquid nanoclay is going to be a game-changer for the agriculture and landscaping industry in desert regions. In line with the UAE leadership’s vision to push the limits of innovation, we are glad to have this country as the first benefactor,” says Atle Idland, Director – Middle East at Desert Control. With less water costs and better quality yields, Desert Control claims farmers can recoup the cost of liquid nanoclay within six months, and even faster for commercial greeneries. Desert Control is receiving a major boost from global social impact programme, Expo Live, run by organisers of the next World Expo, Expo 2020 Dubai. The company will use the Expo Live grant to build new mixers with larger capacity. Remaining funds will go towards further research and development.

Issue 12 | February 2019

PRODUCT

The World’s First Satellite Smartphone Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a subsidiary of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), has launched the world’s first satellite smartphone, the Thuraya X5-Touch.

n industry first, the Thuraya X5-Touch runs on the Android Operating System and has a 5.2” full HD touchscreen. It targets users who frequently move in and out of terrestrial coverage across a range of market sectors including government missions, energy projects, enterprise communications, and NGO deployments. The phone offers fast and simple connectivity on the move, in remote areas normally beyond the reach of smartphones. The Thuraya X5-Touch is equipped with full dual-mode and dualSIM capabilities and with its dual-active mode; it has the ability to have both its satellite and GSM (2G, 3G, or 4G) modes ‘always on’ simultaneously.

within the government sector. With the Android platform, there is already a multitude of Apps readily available to work on the phone, however developers will be provided with easy access to develop and customize Apps for the needs of users. This complements the “Bring Your Own Application” (BYOA) concept, where customers have the flexibility to download any App of their choice, thereby breaking the paradigm and revolutionising the way the satellite handset is used.

Shawkat Ahmed, CCO at Thuraya said, “A pioneer of many firsts in the satellite industry, we are proud to finally announce the commercial availability of Thuraya’s new X5-Touch android satellite phone.” He added, “ The X5-Touch reaffirms our commitment to offer our partners and endusers the best products available, and the best value no matter where they are.” The phone has a host of advanced features and functionalities the most important being its safety features such as advanced navigation and tracking functions as well as a built-in SOS button. Other specifications encompass a high-capacity battery for extended talk and standby time, a front and rear camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. Thuraya X5-Touch also delivers a unique and interactive experience to customers

Thuraya, is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of Yahsat, a leading global satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), fully owned by Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya offers innovative communications solutions to a variety of sectors including energy, government, broadcast media, maritime, military, aerospace and humanitarian NGO. Thuraya’s network enables clear communications and uninterrupted coverage across two-thirds of the globe by MSS, quasi-global VSAT coverage and around the world through its unique GSM roaming capabilities. The company’s diverse range of technologically advanced and dependable mobile satellite handsets and broadband devices provide ease of use, value, quality and efficiency. Through relevant partnerships, Thuraya stays ahead by delivering solutions and supporting applications that meet the rapidly transforming nature of market demands. Thuraya remains committed to keeping everyone within reach in any circumstance by making accessible the essential tools required for vital connectivity. 59

The Sustainabilist | HAPPINESS

INDEX

Digital Investments & Potential Venture capital funding has room for improvement in the region VC in digital, per million nominal GDP, USD Lebanon

2,300

100 Jordan

400 0.05 Kuwait 3.7 Bahrain

Egypt 640

United States

Asia Pacific

370 Europe

0.70 Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates 530

120

0.03 Oman

Middle East

The Middle East captures just a fraction of its digital potential Captured digital potential by country, % 18.0 15.2 8.4

United States

Europe

Middle East

Source: McKinsey Digital Newsroom : Source: Gulf News, Khaleej Times

16.4 >50%

13.6

11.5

8.5

8.2

7.6

6.6

4.7

United Bahrain Saudi Jordan Oman Kuwait Egypt Lebanon Arab Arabia Emirates

YOU BRING THE ATTITUDE, WE BRING THE KNOW-HOW.

Why should you consider a sustainability report? IT’s time to:

IDENTIFY

MEASURE

Make your achievements count

Define your long-term vision

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Dubai Carbon is the ‘go-to’ thought leader with the ability to connect the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the GRI Reporting Framework. Dubai Carbon provides tailor-made solutions to accelerate sustainable change. Our collaborative framework allows you to kick-start your sustainability reporting journey in the point most suitable for your internal capacity and experience.

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Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence PJSC PO Box 333992, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Phone +971 4 322 9853 Facsimile +971 4 385 4295 Email info@dcce.ae www.dcce.ae