Sustainability Innovation Awards 2022, hosted by BNC Publishing, is one of the leading events applauding the achievements of the region’s sustainability initiatives and projects from all sectors in the Middle East.
In October last year, the United Arab Emirates announced the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to do so.
The UAE has always been a front-runner in spearheading change and building a tolerant, modern society. The country is now committed to cementing its role on climate change in the region and taking this key economic opportunity to drive development, growth, and new jobs. The Sustainability Innovations Awards 2022 reflect the leadership’s vision for the country.
Here are the list of winners at the Sustainability Innovation Awards 2022.
UTILITIES PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: TRANSCO
Delivering its first megawatts of carbon-free electricity from the second of four units, this milestone was the result of close planning and collaboration between TRANSCO and its partners, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and operators Nawah Energy Company and EWEC.
The Barakah Plant will produce up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs when fully operational and will prevent over 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of 4.8 million cars.
By 2025, the plant will generate more than 85% of Abu Dhabi’s clean electricity, making it the largest contributor to reducing the emirate’s carbon emissions by 50%.
INNOVATIVE SMART ELECTRIC CHARGING SOLUTION AWARD
WINNER: AL MASAOOD POWER DIVISION FOR SHAMS PLUS
The first-of-its-kind project is the first system to be fully manufactured in the UAE. It’s a solar-powered charging system with a large network of charging stations that can satisfy all the charging demands of both the automobile and maritime industries, with a charge period of about 25 minutes.
The plug-and-play system can be set up in remote areas and has the capacity to charge multiple types of vehicles at the same time, which includes cars, buses, trucks, and marine vessels. The smart internet-based charging station consists of one DC fast charger with a dual outlet, two battery energy storage systems, a solar PV power plant, and electrical distribution and control systems, all designed with adequate sustainability standards in place. It has an automatic matching voltage fluctuation for stable charging.
SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Saudi Electricity Company PEAK Program
The Saudi Electricity Company PEAK Program is an integrated and global best practice corporate talent accelerator presented for the utilities sector. The aim of PEAK is to build corporate capability and talent of the company towards leading an integrated, efficient, and sustainable macro utility business.
This is done through a custom-made program of several components comprising digital assessment, simulated learning, video-enabled content, individual performance coaching and action application over the course of seven months.
Technology and digitisation play a central role in program delivery. Successful candidates receive a certificate of completion through fitt and the University of Cambridge. PEAK demonstrates SEC’s commitment to sustainability through a key strategic pillar: people capability and leadership.
ESCO COMPANY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ENGIE SOLUTIONS MIDDLE EAST
This company has achieved key milestones in 2021, exceeding targets for energy, water, carbon footprint and monetary savings for its clients in the GCC with accumulated cost savings exceeding USD30 million. They continue to invest in local skills, latest technologies, drive industry best practices, and maintain a leadership role in the energy transition in the region. As a leader in low-carbon energy solutions, this company has set itself the goal of being Net Zero Carbon by 2045 and of supporting its customers’ decarbonisation with a target of 45Mt CO2-eq per year.
ENERGY COMPANY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ALEC ENERGY
ALEC Energy, established in 2015 is a related business division of ALEC Engineering and Contracting and offers a complete turnkey solution for both rooftop and ground mounted solar PV plants. In a country where solar is the natural solution for clean power, ALEC Energy has established itself as a reliable provider that combines technical know-how and experience to deliver a cost-effective solution for its clients.
ESG CEO OF THE YEAR
WINNER: FAROOQ SHAIKH, CEO OF LOGIPOINT
Farooq Shaikh has made ESG a cornerstone of the LogiPoint value system, which is reflected in the fact that LogiPoint buildings have all been designed with green technologies at their center – from relying on renewable resources for energy needs to conserving water to eliminating waste, all new buildings adhere to strict environmental protocols dedicated to reducing carbon footprint.
As part of those initiatives, the company has recently also announced planting of thousands of trees in the LogiPoint projects. LogiPoint operations teams are trained to treat environmental concerns as top priority in all operations, while the company is building green commitments into their value system, designs and KPIs.
SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE FUTURE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HORSH BEIRUT: HARNESSING ECOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE BY STUDIOLIBANI
Horsh Beirut: Harnessing Ecology and Infrastructure – its project in Beirut showcases the ethics of its practice and how sustainability is the foundation of urban interventions.
studiolibani imagines Horsh Beirut, Beirut’s only forest landscape, as growing beyond its fences and expanding into the neighbourhoods, streets, and private roofs, in the form of a regenerative network that harnesses ecology as well as social, hydrological, and urban infrastructure, responding to the urgency for ecological resilience, climate mitigation, social inclusion, and economic uncertainty.
OVERALL RENEWABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HYDROPONIC FARM PROJECT BY RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
With Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to net zero by 2050 in mind, our hotel has implemented a hydroponic farm in our iconic Fish Market restaurant this year. The project continues the legacy of Expo 2020, where the farm was on display at the Czech pavilion during the six-month event.
Created by Czech startup Greeentech, the hydroponic containers are a technological solution to enable local cultivation of vegetables, micro greens, and small fruits. The main benefits include up to 95% savings in water consumption, a significant reduction in transport distances, the possibility of growing without protective sprays and rapid plant growth. The restaurant is now currently growing its own lettuce and radish for guests to enjoy with their meals.
The implementation of the hydroponic farm is the latest of a series of projects under-taken at the landmark property. Despite being one of the oldest hotels in the city, and the first five-star hotel to open its doors in 1975, Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek is already leading the way in its commitment to sustainability with modern technology and solutions. The hotel won the MENA Green Building Award last year after implementing solar panel boilers.
SUSTAINABLE COLD-CHAIN OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AL-FUTTAIM LOGISTICS
This company is able to offer customers a range of products that can be stored at its state-of-the-art warehouse, which was opened earlier last year. The announcement came as the company scaled up its end-to-end fulfilment services to meet the needs of eCommerce and marketplace clients with all-inclusive last-mile home delivery solutions.
The facility integrates world-class warehouse management technology including capturing all the attributes of the products combined with double-deep storage that optimises space utilisation and enables high throughput. The multi-temperature facility ranging from +18°C to -22°C has scalable space for the growing needs of its customers.
Some of the benefits offered include real time visibility, seamless system integration and instant retrieval of data among others.
Furthermore, the facility is built with airlocked loading docks, and the temperatures are mapped throughout the facility to ensure that the temperature integrity is being maintained.
INNOVATIVE ENERGY PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Energy Conservation Measures – Implementation at Motor City and Uptown Mirdiff by ServeU
Since 1985, ServeU has served facilities management industry in the UAE. The FM company is now championing sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives especially in energy saving – ServeU has introduced efficiencies in HVAC procedures, chilled water practices, lighting replacements, and lighting controls. This has helped achieved energy savings of 68% on utility bills and approximately 8.4M KWH for its clients.
SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
WINNER: FortyGuard
FortyGuard is an environmental data startup aiming to solve the problem of urban heat which is impacting 400 cities internationally. FortyGuard is on a mission to cool hot cities and envision improving outdoor temperatures, using granular urban temperature data. Their process provides measurements and insights that will guide informed decisions on cooling outdoor space for property owners, city managers and eventually consumers.
By deploying an environmentally responsible collection method for their data FortyGuard have adhered to their ESG goals, utilising existing service vehicles, without adding congestion, without adding emissions or extending the clients carbon footprint.
ECO WARRIOR INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
WINNER: RECAPP by VEOLIA MIDDLE EAST
With the UAE and its 9.6 million inhabitants generating approximately 7 million tonnes of waste per year and is among the highest generators of waste per capita, this company decided it was time to do something about it.
This winner’s solution, a UAE-first, is a free-of-charge digital door-to-door service collecting recyclables and rewarding responsible behaviour. Users are able to redeem rewards from local partners such as Carrefour, Upfill, Snaxsouq, Delarta, Rite, Beauty Binge, and Essentially Juices.
The company has partnered with Agthia Group, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, FrieslandCampina to support the service across the UAE and to actively contribute to building a circular ecosystem for the plastic, aluminum and metal waste. Furthermore, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has endorsed the initiative since its launch.
SUSTAINABLE FIT-OUT FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AL SHAFAR INTERIORS
A.S.I. is the interior fit-out subsidiary of construction conglomerate A.S.G.C. established in 1997. Having a state-of-the-art woodworking factory in DIP as well as the in-house capability for most of the fit-out trades gives ASI an advantage and competitive edge in the market.
The company is committed to delivering projects that have economic, social, and environmentally sustainable outcomes, benefiting clients and end users alike. It maintains a carefully selected network of suppliers who share its mutual vision for an economically sustainable fit out solution.
SUSTAINABLE REAL ESTATE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ZĀZEN ONE BY ZĀZEN PROPERTIES
ZāZEN Properties’ flagship development, ZāZEN One, located in the vibrant JVT community, efficient equipment and fixtures were selected to reduce energy and water waste, as well as guarantee the building lives up to its promise of sustainability and provides the best facilities for occupants.
The orientation and shape of the building was specifically designed to allow a part of it to be always shaded, and lower overall sun exposure. Hard surfaces used have an SRI (solar reflectance index) value of more than 78, which helps reflect heat. Additionally, solar panels on the roof double as shade elements and as an environmentally friendly source of energy for the building.
INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE TYRE TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: BRIDGESTONE
Bridgestone offers a diverse portfolio of premium tyres, tyre technologies and advanced mobility solutions. The company’s vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment – a framework of eight values (energy, ecology, efficiency, extension, economy, emotion, ease, and empowerment) – guides strategic priorities, decision making, culture evolution and sustainability actions towards the achievement of this vision.
SUSTAINABLE HOTEL GROUP OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ACCOR GROUP
As a multinational company with 5,300 properties that employs more than 230,000 team members in 110 countries, ACCOR believes they can and are shaping the future of travel and contributing to making it more sustainable with initiatives like #nomoresingleuseplastic; and SEED (Saving the Environment Every Day) – a movement to raise awareness, learn and engage.
Accor is aiming for net zero emissions by 2050 with intermediate targets and recently placed its first bond issue indexed to its sustainable development goals (Sustainability-Linked Bond).
SUSTAINABLE HVAC MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: CMS Global
With its innovative high performance air filters one can improve the IAQ by upgrading the air filtration of a building and at the same time with such a low pressure drop, the energy consumption can be reduced drastically. This helps in reducing the overall carbon footprint of a building.
CMS – Century Mechanical Systems Company is a 40-year-old company in UAE, spread across globally. CMS as a group has been involved in the HVAC industry for over fifteen years.
ZERO PLASTIC INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ANANTARA THE PALM DUBAI RESORT
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort has made considerable efforts to combat unsustainable plastic use; in turn creating a greener environment for the foreseeable future. Today the resort is fitted with 100% recyclable glass bottles- Guests receive purified fresh water through the in-house water bottling system, saving over a million plastic bottles each year!
Anantara as a brand is committed to upholding its drive toward promoting a way of living that is beneficial towards the ecosphere. This forms the basis for stable, lasting success throughout the resort and maintaining their Platinum status of ‘Green Growth 2050’.
BEST TECH SOLUTION FOR F&B INDUSTRY
WINNER: DELIVERECT
The winner has made a name for itself by building a platform to manage orders from various food delivery services through just one seamless app.
Now, the market for taking and filling food orders is traditionally very fragmented, but our winner tonight has succeeded in this landscape by building a single software-as-a-service platform that is able to manage a multitude of different channels in one single place.
As a company founded in 2018, our winner is thus the creator of a solution that was in high demand through the COVID-19 pandemic, which attracted the attention of investors as well, and therefore led to this Belgium-based startup recently closing a USD65 million funding round.
ECO-CONSCIOUS WATER COMPANY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: MASAFI
Masafi was established in 1977 and has retained its market leadership for over three decades by providing world-class products which are renowned for their pure natural freshness.
Being a leading brand that delivers to consumer needs, Masafi’s wide product portfolio includes premium drinking water; tissues, juices, hygiene kits, oil; and rice.
Since its inception, Masafi has always cared for the environment and is ready to go the extra mile towards a better tomorrow for the people and society.
WOMAN PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
WINNER: FATIMA AL SHAYGI – TAQA
Fatima Al Shaygi is the Vice President for UAE Asset Management at TAQA Group. She began her career at Masdar as an analyst for strategy and portfolio management in 2009 just as Abu Dhabi launched its push into renewable energy.
Since July 2021, she’s been TAQA, where she’s contributing to the future of low carbon power and water. Fatima is passionate about the UAE’s renewables journey and is committed to advancing the UAE’s energy strategy.
GREEN CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AECOM
AECOM is a true green consultant; ESG is embedded in the company’s core and the nearly 4,000 professionals across the Middle East & Africa bring this passion to life every day, no matter their role in the company, to deliver a better world.
As a purpose-driven organisation, AECOM’s industry-leading ESG strategy that was launched one year ago integrates four key pillars that embed sustainable development and resilience across the company’s work, improve social outcomes for communities, achieve net zero carbon emissions, whilst enhancing governance.
Included in the company’s updated strategy are more ambitious net zero targets that are among the first in the world to be approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
More locally in the region, AECOM have been leaving a greener legacy behind, which can be seen in the LEED Platinum Mall of Oman project, as well as the soon to be completed MOTC Bus Infrastructure program in Qatar which will contribute to the transformation of the long-term sustainability of the State of Qatar.
Following the meaningful accomplishments made over the past year, AECOM are excited to continue the next phase of their ESG strategy, especially as they partner with clients on their own increasingly complex, multi-decade sustainability initiatives.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: DIAMOND DEVELOPERS
Diamond Developers was founded by a team of visionary entrepreneurs, architects, and civil engineers.
It was one of the first companies in Dubai to enter the freehold property and real estate development market since the introduction of freehold property ownership in 2002 and is a pioneer of the world’s first fully sustainable community.
Its project Sharjah Sustainable City is the first operational net zero energy city in the emirate. Redefining sustainable living in the heart of Sharjah, it offers an exclusive community of townhouse villas designed to provide high standards of living with minimum impact on the environment.