Dubai Investments reduces carbon footprint through eco-friendly initiatives

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20 Feb 2016

In line with its commitment to ensuring a sustainable future, Dubai Investments PJSC [DFM: DIC] – the leading, diversified investment conglomerate listed on the Dubai Financial Market, has significantly reduced its carbon footprint at the group level as well as subsidiaries, through a wide array of eco-friendly initiatives in the last 20 years.

These include the launch of a number of pioneering technology, concepts and processes to conserve energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions, implementing energy-efficient solutions and cutting energy consumption in the offices besides supporting environmental causes in the wider community.

The company has also won a number of awards and certifications for furthering the cause.

In a major recognition of its eco-friendly strategy, Dubai Investments’ glass subsidiary Emirates Float Glass [EFG] was conferred the Emirates Appreciation for Environment award by UAE Ministry of Environment and Water recently, in collaboration with Zayed International Foundation for Environment. Khalid Bin Kalban, Managing Director & CEO of Dubai Investments, received the award from H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at an awards ceremony in Dubai.

Talking about its commitment, Khalid Bin Kalban said: “Dubai Investments has remained steadfast on conducting its business in a sustainable manner, aligning it with its corporate strategy, growth opportunities and long-term value creation, and passing on a sustainable and healthy environment to the future generations. At the heart of the sustainability mandate is the creation of inclusive communities that promote well-being and socio-economic development.”

The company’s CSR and sustainability goals are in line with Dubai Government’s strategy to become one of the top 10 sustainable cities in the world by 2020. “Dubai Investments has a strong role to play in partnership with the Government to execute initiatives that will help achieve the overall sustainability goals. We want to apply international best practices across our business operations to help this cause,” Kalban added.

Some of the Dubai Investments environmental initiatives include the launch of the coloured solar panel technology, the first-of-its-kind in the world, through its joint venture Emirates Insolaire; the launch of a new district cooling concept with its JV Emirates District Cooling LLC [Emicool] in 2003; and the ISO 14064-1: 2006 certification in 2013 for its HQ Building, DI House.

To reinforce the eco-friendly mandate, Dubai Investments also initiated a unique Green Race in 2014 for its employees, to encourage them to conserve energy at their homes. The Green Race monitors the utility bills on a regular basis through installation of specific energy saving devices.

Dubai Investments also recycles print cartridges, electronic waste, newspapers and stationery on an ongoing basis by partnering with relevant organisations to mitigate the environmental damage besides supporting various environmental initiatives, including recycling and clean-up campaigns, from time to time.

Similarly, Dubai Investments’ wholly-owned subsidiary Dubai Investments Park [DIP] – the largest integrated commercial, industrial & residential community in the Middle East, has helped reduce over 1.25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide through its energy-efficient sustainability programme over the last decade.

DIP is also one of the green zones in Dubai, with over 20,000 trees planted along the common areas and gated communities of the 2,300 hectare development, besides landscaping along 70km of road side. It is mandatory for DIP business clients to landscape between 10-20% of their plot areas.