Latest news with #DubaiCan
ME Construction
20-05-2025
- Business
- ME Construction
Public transport links and the rise of sustainable tourism
Experts Public transport links and the rise of sustainable tourism By The seamless integration of sustainable practices across all sectors of Dubai's tourism industry is key to its long-term success writes Frank Porter's Anna Skigin Sustainable tourism is increasingly important to travellers seeking memorable trips and authentic experiences while minimising environmental impact. Efficient public transport links are essential, helping to reduce car dependence and to enhance community engagement. Tourist destinations that are to be transformed into eco-conscious hubs require integrated infrastructure, forward-thinking government policy and a collective shift in mindset from residents and tourists alike. Dubai is well-known for its rapid expansion and visionary leadership and is actively pursuing sustainable tourism through its strategic public transport development. The Dubai Metro, a lower-emission transport option, connects key tourist and residential areas and is estimated to have saved about one billion car journeys since its launch in 2009 according to the Roads and Transport Authority. The Dubai Metro has been credited with reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 2.6m tonnes. Initiatives like the new Dubai Metro line extensions and the deployment of new electric buses underscore this commitment. Dubai has also recently launched the 'Dubai Can' initiative, promoting refillable water bottles, reducing the need for single-use plastic and addressing the significant environmental concern of plastic waste. Beyond the Metro, the tram and water taxi systems contribute to a comprehensive, integrated public transport network. Tools of the Trade Technology is a vital tool in sustainable travel, mitigating the effects of climate change on tourism and finding new and more efficient ways for tourism to operate with a reduced carbon footprint. Mobile applications, for example, provide, real-time information improving traveller convenience and reducing the need for printed schedules. Contactless payments and integrated ticketing streamline this process further. With new electric bus fleets added to the streets of Dubai, smart city technologies like traffic management systems help to reduce congestion and optimise operations. Real-time data analysis tools minimise traffic delays and fuel consumption and allow for dynamic traffic adjustments. Dubai's commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by solar-powered bus shelters that provide respite from the heat for commuters. The emirate has also announced plans to explore autonomous vehicles, revolutionising transport and reducing emissions. Guests travelling to Dubai are encouraged to utilise public transport links to explore local neighbourhoods. When it comes to short-term rentals, we recommend that property owners provide information about local transport links, helping support guests who are interested in sustainable travel. Driving Sustainable Tourism The future of Dubai's sustainable tourism industry is hinged on technological integration and ongoing public transport development. Continuous infrastructure investment is essential, especially in tourist hotspots. Public transport use can also be incentivised by policies like congestion charges and dedicated pedestrian zones. Awareness and education campaigns are also useful tools to promote sustainable travel. Effective, accessible public transport is vital for building a sustainable tourism industry that reduces its carbon footprint, while encouraging visitors to explore the emirate's diverse offerings. This isn't just about infrastructure, this is about creating a forward-thinking mobility ecosystem that aligns with Dubai's ambition to be a global leader in sustainable urban development. By prioritising the public transport system with the metro, tram, bus and water taxi services, Dubai can minimise reliance on private vehicles, and effectively reduce carbon emissions. Dubai's integration of cutting-edge technology into its urban development signals its commitment to sustainable growth, offering a global model for responsible city planning. Promoting sustainable tourism which extends beyond transportation with the 'Dubai Can' demonstrates that even small changes can have a significant impact on reducing environmental waste. By promoting the usage of refillable water bottles across the city and placing water refill stations across busy hotspots, tourists are encouraged not to use single-use plastic bottles and be mindful of their plastic pollution. Beyond the 'Dubai Can', the city's sustainable tourism initiatives also include the development of extensive cycling routes and pedestrian-friendly zones to promote active transport, the adoption of innovative technologies such as vertical farming and increased investment in green spaces and urban parks to improve air quality. What's more, the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp was also launched recently by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Recognising hotels that adhere to stringent sustainability requirements, including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and staff engagement. With a tiered recognition system of Gold, Silver, and Bronze, the DST Stamp incentivises hotels to continuously improve their environmental practices, aligning with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy. By establishing clear benchmarks and promoting transparency, this initiative not only enhances Dubai's reputation as a sustainable destination but also encourages the tourism sector to contribute to the emirate's broader environmental goals. Dubai's plans for sustainable mobility also include an extensive cycling network with dedicated bike lanes and shared cycling schemes for tourists and residents to use. Shaded walkways and pedestrian-friendly zones also encourage people to explore Dubai on foot. The seamless integration of sustainable practices across all sectors of Dubai's tourism industry is key to its long-term success. By investing in efficient public transport, promoting active travel, creating green spaces, and embracing sustainable technologies, Dubai is creating a blueprint for responsible tourism development. This dedication to sustainability benefits both the environment and the visitor experience, solidifying Dubai's position as a forward-thinking and eco-conscious destination.
Khaleej Times
24-04-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
CSR That Makes Waves: Galadari Brothers Employees Join Hands for Beach Clean-Up
Plastics are everywhere. From remote mountaintops to the depths of the ocean, plastic waste has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. According to the United Nations, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, and over a third of it is designed for single use. Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans. And without intervention, by 2050, there could be more plastic in the sea than fish by weight. Turning awareness into action, Galadari Brothers employees took part in a beach clean-up drive on April 12, removing 287 kg of plastic waste from the shoreline. The clean-up was part of the company's ongoing environmental efforts, focussed on reducing plastic pollution and promoting a more responsible approach to waste. This hands-on initiative served as a powerful reminder that small, collective actions can contribute to meaningful environmental change. Mohammed Galadari, Co-Chairman and Group CEO of Galadari Brothers, said: 'At Galadari Brothers, we believe that sustainability must be reflected in our actions, not just in our policies. Initiatives like the recent beach clean-up demonstrate the kind of responsible leadership and participation we aim to foster across the organisation. We're proud to see our teams actively contributing in ways that reflect both our values and our commitment to the communities we serve.' Among the volunteers was high school student Gesandi Wijesundara, who joined the clean-up alongside her mother, Menaka Perera, a member of the Galadari Brothers corporate team. For Gesandi, the experience was unexpectedly eye-opening. 'I have studied plastic waste in school, but this made it feel very real. Seeing it everywhere, from buried in the sand to floating near the shore, it hit differently,' she said. 'It made me think about how much we use without realising. It was an experience I will carry with me throughout my life.' A local problem with global urgency The UAE, like much of the world, faces increasing challenges from marine pollution. According to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, plastic accounts for 94% of waste found on UAE beaches. Recognising the urgency, the country has taken strong steps: banning single-use plastic bags, promoting the use of reusable products and launching the 'UAE Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy' to conserve marine resources. Initiatives such as 'Dubai Can' encourage people to refill bottles at free water stations, while nationwide policies are pushing businesses to reduce packaging and rethink materials. These efforts are part of the UAE's larger vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Galadari Brothers' ESG commitments The beach clean-up is one of several initiatives that reflect Galadari Brothers' ongoing and expanding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agenda. With a focus on community, climate and compassion, the company has steadily cultivated a culture of positive impact across its business units. Recent efforts include a Dh10 million contribution to the UAE's Fathers' Endowment Fund to support long-term community welfare projects and the planting of 10,000 mangroves along the country's coastlines to aid reforestation and carbon sequestration. Galadari Brothers has also led clothing donation drives and distributed Iftar meals during Ramadan to communities in need. Looking ahead Galadari Brothers is committed to expanding its ESG footprint with initiatives such as employee-led volunteerism, investing in green infrastructure and transparent reporting. Plans for the coming months include wadi clean-up drives in collaboration with local authorities, making sustainable self-care kits for low-income communities and toy-making workshops aimed at bringing joy to underprivileged children. Through both ongoing and upcoming projects, the organisation is working to meet global sustainability standards and help shape local benchmarks for responsible corporate leadership. From removing plastic waste on the ground to supporting national-level endowments, Galadari Brothers continues to demonstrate that CSR is most effective when purpose is backed by participation.
Khaleej Times
24-04-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Galadari Brothers employees join hands for beach clean-up
Plastics are everywhere. From remote mountaintops to the depths of the ocean, plastic waste has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. According to the United Nations, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, and over a third of it is designed for single use. Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans. And without intervention, by 2050, there could be more plastic in the sea than fish by weight. Turning awareness into action, Galadari Brothers employees took part in a beach clean-up drive on April 12, removing 287kg of plastic waste from the shoreline. The clean-up was part of the company's ongoing environmental efforts, focused on reducing plastic pollution and promoting a more responsible approach to waste. This hands-on initiative served as a powerful reminder that small, collective actions can contribute to meaningful environmental change. Mohammed Galadari, Co-Chairman and Group CEO of Galadari Brothers said: 'At Galadari Brothers, we believe that sustainability must be reflected in our actions, not just in our policies. Initiatives like the recent beach clean-up demonstrate the kind of responsible leadership and participation we aim to foster across the organisation. We're proud to see our teams actively contributing in ways that reflect both our values and our commitment to the communities we serve.' Among the volunteers was high school student Gesandi Wijesundara, who joined the clean-up alongside her mother, Menaka Perera, a member of the Galadari Brothers corporate team. For Gesandi, the experience was unexpectedly eye-opening. 'I have studied plastic waste in school, but this made it feel very real. Seeing it everywhere, from buried in the sand to floating near the shore, it hit differently,' she shared. 'It made me think about how much we use without realising. It was an experience I will carry with me throughout my life.' Local problem with global urgency The UAE, like much of the world, faces increasing challenges from marine pollution. According to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, plastic accounts for 94 per cent of waste found on UAE beaches. Recognising the urgency, the country has taken strong steps: banning single-use plastic bags, promoting the use of reusable products, and launching the "UAE Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy" to conserve marine resources. Initiatives such as "Dubai Can" encourage people to refill bottles at free water stations, while nationwide policies are pushing businesses to reduce packaging and rethink materials. These efforts are part of the UAE's larger vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Galadari Brothers' ESG commitments The beach clean-up is one of several initiatives that reflect Galadari Brothers' ongoing and expanding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agenda. With a focus on community, climate, and compassion, the company has steadily cultivated a culture of positive impact across its business units. Recent efforts include a Dh10 million contribution to the UAE's Fathers' Endowment Fund to support long-term community welfare projects, and the planting of 10,000 mangroves along the country's coastlines to aid reforestation and carbon sequestration. Galadari Brothers has also led clothing donation drives and distributed iftar meals during Ramadan to communities in need. Looking ahead Galadari Brothers is committed to expanding its ESG footprint with initiatives such as employee-led volunteerism, investing in green infrastructure, and transparent reporting. Plans for the coming months include wadi clean-up drives in collaboration with local authorities, making sustainable self-care kits for low-income communities, and toy-making workshops aimed at bringing joy to underprivileged children. Through both ongoing and upcoming projects, the organisation is working to meet global sustainability standards, and to help shape local benchmarks for responsible corporate leadership. From removing plastic waste on the ground to supporting national-level endowments, Galadari Brothers continues to demonstrate that CSR is most effective when purpose is backed by participation.
Hi Dubai
24-02-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Can Reduces Single-Use Plastic Bottles by 30 Million in Three Years
Launched on February 15, 2022, by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Can initiative has made impressive strides in combatting plastic waste. Over the past three years, the program has helped eliminate the need for more than 30 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles and dispensed over 15 million liters of drinking water through 53 strategically placed refill stations across the emirate. Aligned with Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan and the UAE's sustainability goals, Dubai Can promotes eco-friendly hydration solutions, raising awareness about alternatives to plastic. The initiative supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including responsible consumption, climate action, and life below water. Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Performance at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, praised the initiative's success, emphasizing its role in fostering a culture of conscious consumerism in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The stations, which offer free, safe drinking water, have made sustainable hydration easily accessible, further cementing Dubai's position as a global leader in sustainability. Key partners such as talabat, Dubai Municipality, and DMCC have played a crucial role in expanding the program's reach. The Dubai Municipality, for example, has provided refill stations at various public locations, supporting the goal of reducing plastic consumption. Dubai Can's future expansion plans include additional refill stations, reinforcing the city's commitment to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices. The initiative is also part of the broader DUBAI REEF project, which aims to boost marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, contributing to global conservation efforts. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Mid East Info
18-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Bluewater Achieves Showstopping Brand Success in UAE and Middle East After World of Coffee Trade Show in Dubai
Dubai, UAE, February 16, 2025 — Bluewater, a globally recognized leader in innovative water purification and beverage solutions for home, work, and play, has achieved a breakthrough in brand awareness across the UAE and the Middle East following a highly successful engagement at the Dubai World of Coffee trade show. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre in early February, the event proved the perfect platform for Bluewater to showcase its cutting-edge products and sustainability mission, drawing widespread attention from coffee professionals, UAE businesses, and local and international media – and winning the accolade of Best New Product for the game-changing Bluewater Café Station. Highlighting Bluewater's presence was the debut of the brand's Café Station, recently named a 2024 'Best Buy' for specialty coffee shops by the The Caterer Magazine. The solution – slated as the next evolution in the coffee industry – attracted unprecedented footfall to the Bluewater booth, with hundreds of visitors eager to experience the benefits of its advanced water purification technology firsthand. The immense interest and positive feedback from industry professionals cemented Bluewater's status as a premier water solutions provider for specialty coffee establishments, Horeca businesses, and consumers across the Arabic. In close collaboration with its local UAE distribution partner, NIA, Bluewater's participation in the trade show further solidified its position as a major player in the UAE's water sector. NIA CEO Kamran Khan expressed his enthusiasm about the growing recognition of Bluewater's products, stating, 'We are thrilled to witness the overwhelming response to Bluewater's innovative solutions. The engagement at World of Coffee Dubai has reinforced Bluewater Brand's leadership in sustainable water purification and beverage solutions, marking a significant milestone in our joint journey to provide pristine drinking water across the region.' Beyond its trade show booth, Bluewater made a tangible impact on the event by strategically placing its state-of-the-art water dispensers – including the outdoor City Station, offering digital signage options via two giant 55-inch screens – at key locations around the venue. These dispensers provided thousands of visitors with free, purified drinking water, encouraging them to refill their reusable bottles and actively support sustainability efforts. This initiative demonstrated the commitment by Bluewater and NIA to reducing single-use plastic waste and promoting eco-conscious hydration practices. Further amplifying its sustainability efforts, Bluewater has now affiliated with the Dubai Can initiative and is officially listed as a supplier on the Dubai Can website. Dubai Can, a visionary initiative launched by the Crown Prince of Dubai, aims to reduce single-use plastic waste and encourage the use of refillable water bottles across the city. Bluewater's participation in this initiative marks a significant step toward establishing itself as a key player in the region's sustainability movement. Commenting on the partnership, NIA's Kamran Khan emphasized the significance of this collaboration, saying, 'Dubai Can's invitation for providers like us to become exclusive suppliers of water filtration systems is a testament to the quality and sustainability of the Bluewater solutions. By signing up, we have joined a cause that directly contributes to reducing single-use plastics around the city.' Bluewater's Founder and CEO, Bengt Rittri, who was recently recognized as a top 2025 ecopreneur by the UK's British Sublime lifestyle magazine, expressed his pride in supporting Dubai Can's mission. 'We are deeply honored to be associated with and committed to this sustainability initiative spearheaded by the Crown Prince of Dubai. It's an important city-wide movement that champions a refill culture, reduces plastic waste, and safeguards our oceans and marine life for generations to come. Our goal is to help provide residents and visitors in Dubai with safe, great-tasting drinking water while driving a culture of refill-conscious consumerism.' Rittri further highlighted the alignment of Bluewater's mission with Dubai Can, stating, 'We admire Dubai Can's efforts to reduce waste and prevent millions of plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. At Bluewater, we are dedicated to pioneering innovative water purification solutions that empower individuals and businesses to make sustainable choices without compromising on quality or convenience.' With the overwhelming success at the World of Coffee trade show and its growing footprint in the UAE and Middle East, Bluewater is poised to lead the region's shift toward sustainable, high-quality drinking water solutions. As the company continues to expand its reach, its unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and consumer well-being will remain at the core of its mission. For media inquiries, please contact: Bluewater local press inquiries UAE/GCC, contact: Hannah Hall, +971 52 549 3067 / hannah@ NIA media inquiries, please contact: Rohith Thomas, Asst Manager – Marketing & Communications, rohith@ / +971 56 5391445 About Bluewater Founded in 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden, Bluewater has set its sights on being the world's most planet-friendly water purification and beverage company by innovating and marketing disruptive hydration solutions for home, work, and play. Honoured with two Fast Company World Changing Ideas Awards, a K&B Kitchen Innovation of the Year Award, and a coveted 2024 GOOD DESIGN® Award from the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, Bluewater products are available in the UAE and elsewhere across the GCC region to consumers, hotel and catering operations, event and venue organizations, and educational institutions. Discover how Bluewater empowers businesses and consumers to achieve unparalleled water and beverage excellence here. About NIA NIA is a leading supplier of quality and innovative HVAC solutions, living appliances and well-being products to the Middle East region; driven by the pursuit to bring the best products to the home and workplace. Its operations are administered through a network of subsidiary companies in the United Arab Emirates and other parts of the GCC with its office registered in JAFZA.
