Latest news with #EAD-led
Web Release
01-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
EAD's Bottle Return Scheme Drives Record Recycling Success with Sparklo
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, has made remarkable strides in its commitment to sustainability through the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy. As part of this initiative, the EAD-led Bottle Return Scheme, launched in 2023, has seen unprecedented success in recovering more than 2,000 tonnes of bottles. The scheme has significantly advanced recycling efforts across the Emirate, empowering residents to adopt responsible waste disposal habits. The Agency has collaborated with several partners from the retail industry, waste operators and cleantech providers and, with EAD's strategic oversight, Sparklo, a cleantech leader, has deployed more than 100 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, across Abu Dhabi offering convenient return access points for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. As a direct result of this initiative, an impressive 23 million recyclables were collected in 2024 alone, including over 544,000 kilograms of plastic and 18,000 kilograms of aluminium. The cumulative impact of this initiative has prevented over 3.5 million kilograms of CO ? emissions, aligning with Abu Dhabi's ambitious goal of a 22 per cent carbon emissions reduction by 2027. In a single-day milestone, one Sparklomat processed more than 8,500 items, setting a record for individual unit performance. Commenting on these results, Sheikha Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Planning and Policy Sector at EAD, said: 'We seek to integrate sustainability practices into daily life in the Emirate. The EAD-led Bottle Return Scheme, held in collaboration with private sector organisations, including Sparklo, embodies the importance of partnerships, technology, and community engagement in creating a sustainable environmental impact. This initiative, with its objectives, represents a strategic investment that consolidates the concept of environmental responsibility. By supporting the principles of the circular economy, we seek to strengthen Abu Dhabi's leading position in the global transformation towards building a sustainable future.' Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo , commented: 'The partnership with EAD exemplifies the success of government-private sector collaboration. With EAD's unwavering support, we have expanded the RVM network, contributing directly to Abu Dhabi's sustainability agenda. The results speak for themselves – when recycling is made simple and engaging, communities embrace the change, reinforcing the role of practical solutions in environmental progress.' As EAD and Sparklo continue to scale the initiative, efforts will focus on expanding the RVM network and deepening community engagement, further solidifying Abu Dhabi's leadership in sustainable innovation.
Al Etihad
16-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi taps power of AI to lead sustainable future
17 Apr 2025 01:12 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi is harnessing artificial intelligence to drive sustainability, with AI-led projects slashing costs and boosting efficiency, according to Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).'We stand at a pivotal moment where climate and biodiversity challenges demand innovative action. The air we breathe, our Arabian Gulf waters, and our delicate desert ecosystems require immediate attention,' she said during the ninth Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Forum 2025, which kicked off on year's edition is held under the theme 'Collaboration for Impact: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Business Practices'. The forum brings together business leaders, technology experts, and sustainability advocates to explore how AI can be responsibly applied to accelerate environmental Abu Dhabi's leadership in the field, Dr. Al Dhaheri cited a number of AI-powered initiatives, including an EAD-led habitat assessment project that mapped 11,000 hectares with 90% cost savings, and the use of AI robotics in mangrove restoration under the Nabat partnership.'Across our emirate, AI optimises water, enhances biodiversity monitoring, and improves waste management,' she noted. Dr. Al Dhaheri also pointed to Masdar City's NZ1 project — the capital's first net-zero energy office building — as a model of AI-driven sustainable construction, producing 102% of its annual energy needs and reducing energy use by 101% compared to international insights show AI could inject $15.7 trillion into the economy by 2030, with sustainability central, Dr. Al Dhaheri noted. 'For Abu Dhabi, AI drives our 22% carbon reduction goal by 2027, aligning with UAE Net Zero 2050.'The forum featured in-depth discussions on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable business leadership in the era of emerging technologies, the growing influence of the impact economy, and the vital role of multi-stakeholder engagement in advancing sustainable practices. Collective Approach Collaboration is key to unlocking AI's full potential and navigating its challenges, according to Al Dhaheri. 'The true power of AI is collective,' she said. 'Imagine AI predicting storm surges and intelligently managing water. Over these two days, we'll explore AI in energy, resources, and climate adaptation, while addressing ethical considerations. The challenges we face are too complex for any single entity to tackle alone. We must form strong alliances across government departments, industry sectors, and beyond our borders.'Huda Al Houqani, Director of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG), agreed that real progress happens when businesses, governments, and innovators work together. 'By sharing knowledge, aligning goals, and co-developing solutions, we ensure AI is used responsibly, inclusively, and effectively,' Al Houqani told Aletihad . 'This collective approach drives greater impact, accelerates innovation, and supports the transition to a more sustainable, tech-enabled future,' she added. The ADSG supports its members through workshops, knowledge-sharing, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure AI adoption is ethical, inclusive, and aligned with sustainability goals, delivering tangible impact across climate action, circularity, and social responsibility.
