13th EEG Prize Giving Ceremony, Knowledge Village - 10th June 2010

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) organized its 13th cycle of Waste Management and Recycling Programs Awarding Ceremony in commemoration of World Environment Day on the 10th of June at the Knowledge Village. The Awards this year were honored by the presence of H.E. Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, former Minister of Environment and Water and EEG Honorary Member; H.E. Saeed Al Tayer, CEO of DEWA and EEG Honorary Member; H.E. Major General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General Department of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs, Dubai, H.E. Major General Abdul Rahman Rafee, Director General of the General Department of Community Services, Dubai Police; ambassadors, EEG Honorary members, Executive Committee Members and VIPs.

Every year, these Awards are held to honor and recognize the efforts of participants and members of EEG who are committed to recycling and managing their waste effectively. This occasion was also an opportunity for EEG to show its appreciation to its sponsors and supporters throughout the year.

The list of winners of each of the waste management programs is as follows:

Sponsors and media supporters of the Can Collection Campaign consisting of Emal, PepsiCo, Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment, Khaleej Times, 7Days and Gulf News were also honored at the event.

The Waste Management and Recycling Programs Awards this year were sponsored by Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment, Al Rostamani Group, Tiger Profiles and Insulation LLC, Brother International FZE, Swiss International, Xerox Emirates, Canon Middle East and Clifford Chance.

“A number of hotels supported the event by giving Vouchers to the volunteers and contributors.”

HSBC-Sponsored Recycling Centers - 8th March 2010

HSBC, a long time supporter of EEG, has once again come on board to give a boost to our Waste Management Programs based on the principle of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”. EEG has installed, in about 18 schools in the UAE, HSBC-sponsored recycling centers. These centers are a group of three large metal cages and are specifically meant for recyclables such as paper, plastics and aluminum cans.

Once the recycling center is full, school authorities can notify the EEG who sends its volunteers to empty out the same. EEG coordinates with its partner collection companies to transport the waste for recycling.

The HSBC-sponsored recycling centers from EEG inculcate in students a sense of responsibility towards the environment. They also teach students the importance of segregating wastes. HSBC and EEG, together, provide a unique platform to students and schools who want to help the environment in their own little way.

EEG at Cityscape Dubai Oct 5-8th 2009

Cityscape is a forum where the industry players congregate to facilitate networking between regional and international professionals. Architects, consultants, financial institutions, developers etc to showcase their projects and give all participants an insight in to the present state of the industry. EEG was present at Cityscape, invited by the organizing company to put up a stall at the event to disseminate information about the work that EEG was involved in; in addition to this we were able to spread the message on environmental protection and how people from all walks of life can join the cause and make a real difference.
At the event EEG chairperson was a part of an esteemed international judging panel of the ‘Cityscape Awards for Architecture in Emerging Markets’ held at the Grand Hyatt Dubai on October 6, 2009. The aim of the awards is to channelize the creativity of design, performance and vision in emerging regions such as the Gulf States, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America and South and East Asia and Latin America.

On the 7th of October Cityscape organized a one day event called ‘Green Day’. The green Day conference was very well received by the participants and audiences at the event and it was one of the value added events of Cityscape. The event was focused on sharing of ideas and knowledge and not just having speeches and presentations. The concept of Green day highlighted the fact that the construction industry- known as one of the largest polluters of the environment- is stepping up and taking charge of its social and environmental responsibilities. It was an event that not only spoke in great detail about green buildings, but it also included illuminating talks, discussions, question and answer sessions on topics such as energy saving issues, financing green initiatives in this industry, new materials etc.  EEG chairperson was present at the event to take part in a panel discussion called - Encouraging the Construction Industry to Adopt Environmentally Friendly Building Practices. ‘The topic is crucial in region with all the construction that is taking place’ she said. The topic  highlighted many facts such as approximately one in every 8000 buildings in the region is currently green,  but what we need to see in the future each and every piece of construction should look at changing their approach to achieve a sustainable environment.

Clean Up UAE Press Conference 14th October 2009 – please hyper link this to the clean up UAE page also

On the 14th of October 2009, with the view of getting the message to all the people of the UAE, EEG held a press conference to promote its upcoming event - The Clean Up UAE 2009 at The Movenpick Hotel. The event will be conducted on the 12th of December 2009 and hopes to break the previous records. Last year the event mobilized over 23,000 people, over 44 sites in the 7 Emirates; the numbers should be still higher this year as well.
Speaking at a press conference Mrs Habiba Al Marashi said ‘….this might be a year when the economic downturn has had a negative impact on our finances. But let this not be a year when the economic downturn affects our spirits to do good for the environment.’

Clean Up UAE is a national environmental campaign participated by families, schools, companies and government agencies.  The participants are tasked to clean a certain area as a symbolic gesture of concern for the environment.  This year as well, EEG will select areas which represent both the natural and built environments of the country in the seven Emirates. 

EEG thanked Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment who has been the overall sponsor of Clean Up UAE for the 5th year in a row. EEG also extended its  gratitude to the Government organizations that have helped make the Clean Up Campaign successful over the years, and have this year as well joined hands with the EEG: Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), Environment & Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA), Municipality & Planning Department-Ajman, Umm Al Quwain Municipality, Fujairah Municipality, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ).

9th Students’ Workshop - 19th to the 22nd of October 2009

EEG organized its 9th Students’ Workshop on the 19th to the 22nd of October 2009. The topic for this year’s student’s workshop was one that is highly relevant keeping in minds the changing economic trends and capricious market trends. From Green Education to Green Jobs- Opportunities in a Low -Carbon World was selected to educate the students on diverse leadership roles that integrate sustainability into the communities and provide a hands-on introduction to the growing green jobs market. The workshop is also centered on the different aspects on the concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), why relevance in today’s world in addressing environmental challenges and how it is incorporated in mainstream curriculum.

This year was historical not only in the number of participants that the workshop saw more than 600 students from over 100 Schools and University , but also because for the first time in the history of EEG, the level was extended from Schools, broken up in to three different batches -juniors, sub-seniors and seniors- to Universities as well. The jump was made to accommodate the high demand for such workshops from older students as well as the faculties.
On the 19th of October, on Dubai Women’s College, the Students’ Workshop saw students all eager to know more about the topic, their dream jobs being just a few year away. On the 20th to the 22nd the workshop took place at Al Rashid School for Boys who have hosted the workshop on their campus since its inception.

‘Green Education to Green Jobs’  was conducted with the aim to promote the green jobs movement by investing in training young people with the critical thinking skills, stewardship ethics, and practical know how that will empower them to implement solutions and create new approaches to the social and ecological problems we face as a society.

Some of the important highlights of the workshop were that it interweaves theory with practice.  A lot of emphasis was given to asking questions and having group discussions. The junior category was asked to participate in an activity called – what I can do when I grow up? As for the seniors, several sessions held great interest; some of which were -Green Jobs from the UAE’s perspective, Skills required for the future, educating on closed loop economy, what needs to be changed? What can be easily changed?

The speaker and main facilitator for the event was Mr. Ken Webster, supported by Ms. Caroline Walker both of who had travelled from the UK for this event. Mr. Kenneth Roy Webster is an international consultant in ESD. Ms. Caroline Walker has done her MSc in Environmental Education. Three of EEG’s youth members were also introduced at the event: Elie Nasr, Muna Al Amoudi and Jaffar Owainati, who were present at the Workshop to contribute to the event by sharing their personal experiences.

In the opening speech EEG Chairperson said that “greening the nation’s workforce… in emerging “green” sectors is no easy task. But this workshop is one small step in a series of efforts that are slowly emerging to create awareness.”She also drew the attention of the older students and informing them about the upcoming climate conference – SEAL THE DEAL!- which will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark on the 7th of December 2009. Challenging their sense of accountability she said ‘Each and every one of us has a responsibility towards our planet; please join this campaign to let people all over the world know that the youth are just as concerned about the fate of this planet as anybody else’.

EEG would like to thank Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment and a special thanks to Rashid School for Boys for hosting the event at the school level for three consecutive days. Adding to this list is Drake and Scull International, the British Council, and Dubai Women’s’ College for hosting the pilot workshop on their campus for the university level.

Arabia CSR Awards 2009, October 26th 2009 – please hyperlink this to the Arabia csr awards website

On the 27th of October 2009 EEG honored leaders of CSR in the Arab world in a ceremony that took place at the Raffles hotel, Dubai. With 57 companies from the GCC, Levant and Northern Africa competing for the Arabia CSR Award, the evening was truly a celebration of Arab leadership in CSR.

The Awards highlighted a commitment to CSR and sustainable development despite the financial crisis. In her opening speech, Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson
EEG, lauded the overwhelming response from companies to the call to participate in the second cycle of the Arabia CSR Awards, regardless of these challenging economic times. She stated that “This proves that companies are serious about acting like responsible citizens, and do not hide behind the economic crisis to absolve themselves of their responsibilities towards the society and the environment”.  Despite the pressures of budget cut backs, 60 local and multinational companies from 7 countries entered the award.

Mr. Matthias Stausberg, Spokesperson for the UN Global Compact, also on the judging panel, commented that, “many of the winners this year have demonstrated a really outstanding commitment to and understanding of CSR, and could be regarded as best in class internationally in their respective sectors.” Mrs. Al Marashi, also noted that “Companies in the Arab world are not merely adopting international standards, but are actually leading by example. Some of the CSR strategies we have seen are really going above and beyond what is expected of them, and can serve as examples of best practice not only to the region, but to the entire world.”

The judging panel this year was made up of: Dr Grace Ugut: Dean, Asian Institute of Management, Philippines,Dr Ralph Thurm, Sustainability Director, Deloitte Netherlands, Mr Matthias Stausberg, Spokesperson,UN Global Compact New York
Two technical advisors also provided advice and guidance on the Awards process: Dr Elizabeth Ness, Director, Crest Nicholson UK, and Mrs. Hope Sherwin, Synergy Global Consulting and CSR Advisor to EEG.

EEG hosted two question and answer seminars to support first time entrants in the process. These were facilitated by EEG’s CSR Advisor Hope Sherwin.
In addition to honoring the winners of the Arabia CSR Awards, the evening was dedicated to the ongoing UN Seal the Deal campaign, aimed at raising awareness for the upcoming Climate conference in December. Mrs. Al Marashi called on all guests to sign the petition on www.sealthedeal2009.org and to express their support through CEO statements.

The winners of the Second Cycle of the Arabia CSR Awards are as follows:

Updates from UNGC – please hyperlink this to the UNGC site
October 2009
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• CEO Letter on Anti-Corruption: Final Month to Sign On
• Climate Action Campaigns: Seal the Deal! and The Copenhagen Communiqué

November 2009
Anti-Corruption Meetings in Doha:

• Meeting of the Global Compact Anti-Corruption Working Group (5-6 Nov, Doha)
• Strength in Unity: Public-Private Partnerships to Fight Corruption (7-8 Nov, Doha)
• 3rd Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against   
     Corruption (9–13 Nov, Doha)