Latest news with #EarthHour
Al Etihad
04-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Hotel groups doing their bit to save water and energy, reduce waste and single-use plastics
4 June 2025 23:28 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)On the occasion of World Environment Day 2025, hotels across the UAE are ramping up efforts to reduce waste, save energy and support local sustainability First Group Hospitality has placed sustainability at the core of its UAE operations. "Through our recycling programme, we have introduced structured waste separation and partnered with Veolia to divert significant volumes of food waste from landfill," Tom Stevens, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations at The First Group Hospitality, told Aletihad . Energy and water-saving systems, solar integration, and a growing network of electric vehicle charging stations are also being introduced across the group's line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Dubai Sustainable Tourism strategy, The First Group Hospitality is also moving away from single-use plastics and embracing sustainably sourced materials in their properties."Our aim is not simply to adapt to shifting expectations, but to lead with purpose and ensure that exceptional hospitality is delivered with lasting environmental responsibility," Stevens Al Jaddaf, part of the global Barceló Hotel Group, is equally committed to local impact and environmental to Eduardo Espiritusanto, General Manager of Barceló Al Jaddaf, the hotel sources at least half of its fruit and vegetables from local producers. "In addition to this, the property has implemented a series of measures to reduce water and energy consumption, such as the installation of solar panels in the hotel and the use of high-pressure shower beads in the bathrooms of all rooms, reducing water consumption by 50%," Espiritusanto told Aletihad . Beyond infrastructure, Barceló Al Jaddaf also participates in community initiatives, including Earth Hour, Tree Planting Day, and food donations to the UAE Food by Hilton Jumeirah Beach is also playing a key role in driving hospitality sustainability forward in the UAE. "At our hotel, we have phased out single-use plastics by observing dedicated 'No Plastic Days' and replacing disposable items with reusable alternatives," Elif Yazoglu, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Jumeirah Beach, told Aletihad . "Every plastic container is segregated through our structured recycling programme and handed over to certified vendors, ensuring that no plastic waste ends up in landfill or our oceans."In line with the World Environment Day 2025 theme, "Beat Plastic Pollution", the hotel takes part in campaigns such as "Recycle. Reforest. Repeat", where each 1,000kg of collected cartons funds the planting of a tree in partnership with the Emirates Environmental Group."Beyond plastic reduction, we support the nation's broader sustainability goals through energy-efficient technologies, such as 100% LED lighting, motion-sensor fixtures, 3M heat-resistant window film, and a Building Management System that optimises cooling," Yazoglu hotel also offers on-site electric vehicle charging stations and converts non-recyclable waste into energy, in collaboration with Dubai Municipality under its "No Waste to Landfill" policy. "By integrating responsible waste management, circular-economy practices, and energy-saving initiatives across our operations, we proudly contribute to a greener UAE and a future free of plastic pollution," Yazoglu said. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
15 Years of Caring: Blue Diamond Resorts Turns Milestone Into Movement
Blue Diamond Resorts: 15 Years of Caring, 15 Acts of Change ST. MICHAEL, Barbados, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Blue Diamond Resorts enters a milestone year, the company is proud to unveil its '15 Years of Caring, 15 Acts of Change' initiative, a program that reinforces its ongoing commitment to social responsibility and sustainability across the Caribbean. Marking its 15th anniversary under the motto Fifteen & Forward, this yearlong celebration is not only a reflection of the company's journey but also a renewed pledge to create meaningful change in the destinations it calls home. Blue Diamond Resorts has long recognized that the success of its operations is deeply connected to the wellbeing of its surrounding communities and environments. The '15 Years of Caring, 15 Acts of Change' campaign brings this philosophy to life through a series of purposeful monthly actions, each aligned with global awareness days and designed to generate lasting impact. The campaign began earlier this year with a wetlands clean-up and restoration initiative in recognition of World Wetlands Day, followed by a series of immersive Earth Hour activities including beach cleanups, coastal dune reforestation, recycling contests, and the coordinated shutdown of non-essential lights across the resorts to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation. In April, tree-planting programs marked Earth Day across multiple destinations, and most recently, guests and staff participated in a friendly resort-wide recycling challenge in celebration of World Recycling Day. These early efforts have laid a strong foundation for the meaningful work still to come. In the months ahead, Blue Diamond Resorts will continue to activate properties across its brands—including Royalton Luxury Resorts, Royalton CHIC Resorts, Hideaway at Royalton Resorts, Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts, and Mystique by Royalton— with upcoming initiatives like a Sustainability Rally featuring themed educational stations to celebrate World Environment Day. This summer, the company will also welcome 40 children with medical conditions to Planet Hollywood Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, in collaboration with a charitable foundation, offering them a joyful week filled with memorable experiences and entertainment. Other upcoming initiatives include a plastic-free habits challenge in July, cultural fairs honoring Indigenous heritage in August, and community-driven actions such as food bank support, school adoption programs, and animal shelter donation drives. The year will culminate in December with a Volunteer Day focused on environmental and social improvements carried out in collaboration with local communities. These activities build upon a broader framework of sustainability practices that Blue Diamond Resorts continues to strengthen year after year. The company's resorts have been awarded global certifications that recognize their efforts in areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing as integral pillars of its operations. As it looks ahead, Blue Diamond Resorts remains dedicated to expanding its impact with purpose. The 15th anniversary is not just a celebration of what has been achieved—it is a reaffirmation of the company's forward-thinking values and its role in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for hospitality. For more information on Blue Diamond Resorts' 15th anniversary initiatives, visit About Blue Diamond Resorts Blue Diamond Resorts encompasses over 80 properties, exceeding 20,000 rooms in eight countries located in the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean. Its nine leading hotel brands include the Award-winning, All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts, where Everyone is Family. Whether guests come as friends, parents, kids, couples, weddings, corporate or incentive retreats, or solo travelers everyone is family in these properties that feature personalized services and signature amenities including All-In Connectivity™, DreamBed™, and the Sports Event Guarantee™. To refocus on valued relationships and friendships, Hideaway at Royalton offers an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations to enhance Togetherness among their guests. Party Your Way at Royalton CHIC Resorts, an adults-only vibrant and effervescent all-inclusive brand to revel in the unexpected. Mystique by Royalton is Miles from Ordinary, offering their visitors the chance to connect with their surroundings in a boutique-style resort collection full of endless beauty and hip vibes. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril offers guests over the age of 21, a unique and all-inclusive Au Naturel vacation along with a secluded shore for the utmost privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa offers a vacation designed whether you´re planning a family vacation, reuniting with friends, or just have a relaxing moment with your significant other, while Starfish Resorts provides amazing value, breathtaking surroundings, and rich culture and heritage. Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts invites guests to Vacation Like A Star™ with an engaging and interactive experience, plus famous pop culture items from iconic movies, music, and sports while you will Dodge the Paparazzi at Planet Hollywood Adult Scene where your adults-only vacation will be the center of fascination and attention with glam and exclusivity. To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts, please visit A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: For more information, contact media@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
AU Financial Review
02-06-2025
- General
- AU Financial Review
How AI is helping humans find bleached coral on the Great Barrier Reef
When Andy Ridley co-founded Earth Hour in 2006 to ignite discussion about climate change, he imagined some of Sydney's inhabitants would get involved and turn out their lights for an hour in solidarity. It turns out Ridley knows a thing or two about engaging communities: in just a couple of years, Earth Hour became a global phenomenon embraced by millions of people in hundreds of cities.
Campaign ME
23-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Al-Futtaim IKEA reveals rollout of Start at Home campaign for Earth Weeks
Al-Futtaim IKEA has launched its 'Start at Home' campaign in celebration of 'Earth Weeks'. The campaign aims to empower and inspire individuals to adopt more sustainable habits where they matter most – right at home. Launched across the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Egypt – in partnership BigSea Productions and Memac Ogilvy, which handled the creative, social and PR – the campaign rollout was designed to be integrated and reach the community through several channels, using both traditional and digital means. In conversation with Campaign Middle East, Carla Klumpenaar, GM Marketing and Communications, Al-Futtaim IKEA UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman, said, 'We wanted to demonstrate that sustainable living doesn't have to be a daunting or overwhelming task, and can be achieved through small, impactful everyday actions.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by IKEA UAE (@ikeauae) As such the campaign was structured around four key sustainability themes, covering a range of focal points from reducing energy and water usage to reusing products and cutting down food waste. This included: Week 1: Love it longer – promoted repair, resale, and recycling. – promoted repair, resale, and recycling. Weeks 2 & 3: Use less energy and water – offered practical conservation tips. – offered practical conservation tips. Week 4: Reuse it – spotlighted reusable items like IKEA 365 bottles and containers. – spotlighted reusable items like IKEA 365 bottles and containers. Weeks 5 & 6: Create less waste – focused on food waste reduction and waste sorting. The 'Start at Home' campaign messaging was first launched through billboards. The brand then activated a series of social media initiatives that were carefully timed to coincide with key days during 'Earth Weeks' to keep the conversation going. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IKEA UAE (@ikeauae) Klumpenaar added, 'This year, we wanted to approach Earth Hour with true empathy and inclusivity. We understand that not everyone can participate, whether it's due to university deadlines, work, or even reading to children at bedtime. That's why we introduced the 'Switch-Off Trade Off' — an activation where our coworkers volunteered to switch off the lights in our offices and showrooms on behalf of those who couldn't. It was our way of showing that even when life gets in the way, sustainability can still be a shared effort.' The brand also took a special moment during Mother's Day to honour mothers as the original sustainability heroes. 'From reusing, repairing, and repurposing to teaching children to care for their surroundings, mothers play a quiet but powerful role in building sustainable households. I think a lot of us, especially in this part of the world, can relate to seeing our mothers embed sustainability in their daily lives, without even knowing it,' Klumpenaar said. Al-Futtaim IKEA also released the 'Wait for the Drop' playlist – an online audio track designed to sound like running water. It encouraged people to play the sound instead of actually turning on the tap, a small change that can prevent waste. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IKEA UAE (@ikeauae) 'Running water at full flow can waste two to three gallons per minute, and research shows that nearly one in five people run taps just to mask other sounds. By swapping the faucet for a playlist, we're helping people make small but impactful behavioural shifts that conserve water and energy,' Klumpenaar explained. The brand also hosted a sustainability-driven event where its leadership team met with media representatives and eco-conscious influencers to talk more about its sustainability agenda, and the role of companies in encouraging more sustainable behaviour in the community. Klumpenaar said, 'We collaborated with a range of passionate, eco-conscious influencers who genuinely share Al-Futtaim IKEA's vision for a more sustainable future. They really brought our sustainable products and solutions to life, showcasing how they're not only environmentally friendly but also affordable and accessible. The content they created generated a lot of engagement and interest, really demonstrating the growing appeal of sustainable living.' The success of the 'Earth Weeks' campaign was defined by a combination of factors – both the business results and the positive impact on the environment. 'We kept a close eye on sales of our sustainable products. That really showed us the growing demand for eco-conscious solutions. We also tracked engagement with our social media content and influencer collaborations, measuring reach, impressions, and overall sentiment. It was important to understand how our message was resonating with the community,' Klumpenaar explained. 'Ultimately, for us, the real success of the campaign came down to its ability to raise awareness and understanding of sustainability within the community, empowering individuals to feel like they could make a positive difference through small, impactful everyday actions,' she concluded. The 'Start at Home' campaign was a six-week initiative, covering the period of 'Earth Weeks', which ran from March 14 to April 25. CREDITS: Client: Al-Futtaim IKEA Production house: BigSea Productions Creative, social and PR agency: Memac Ogilvy
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Green police: Punjab breaks the mold
Listen to article Every province in Pakistan possesses a nearly complete set of environmental laws, rules and regulations. However, their enforcement is largely absent. The primary reason cited by each province is typically the lack of a robust enforcement mechanism. Now, Punjab stands alone as the province that cannot offer this excuse. It has recently established its Environment Protection Squad, a team of uniformed personnel authorised to inspect every entity and individual within Punjab to ensure compliance with environmental laws. If significant violations are identified, this squad can impose immediate penalties and initiate legal proceedings against the offenders. It's highly unlikely that someone without a technical background, whether from the ruling political party or the bureaucracy, could have achieved this. These individuals often oversimplify technical issues for the sake of impactful rhetoric. Bureaucrats typically don't stay in a single department long enough to drive significant technical development, and politicians at the top, while desiring results, primarily focus on figures to satisfy superiors and critics. Therefore, it's a real mystery for those unfamiliar with environmental science to figure out who in Punjab took such a technical initiative, which has now finalised the environmental law enforcement system. Let's unravel the mystery and give credit where it's due for this remarkable achievement. It's a step long yearned for, one that eluded all provinces, including the former green leadership of Punjab, who hesitated due to the uncertain outcome of this unprecedented undertaking. But this time, the driving force behind it all was the provincial Environment Minister of Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb. Interestingly, before entering politics, she was a vibrant member of Karachi's environmental civil society. She actively championed environmental awareness in Karachi, even organising a major Earth Hour event at Mazare Quaid-e-Azam. Soon after entering politics, she became closely associated with Maryam Nawaz Sharif, often engaging in political sparring with opponents, and her involvement in environmental activities seemed to wane. Those who had known her professionally anticipated significant achievements in her new role. However, many were hesitant to voice high expectations openly, perhaps fearing she might prioritise defending the Chief Minister, as she had done previously. Yet, despite supporting her political leader, she also dedicated herself to her Ministry. This resulted in several noteworthy initiatives, including the green squad. Another contributing factor could be the current political landscape, where the same party holds power both at the federal and provincial levels. While the 18th Constitutional Amendment has decentralised power, this perception of unified governance can still facilitate action at all levels, especially when members of the same family lead both administrations. Nevertheless, it would be unfair to overlook the Chief Minister of Punjab's role, as she has shown the courage to support every initiative that serves the greater public good. Alright, after all that sweetness, let's switch gears and talk about some of the less pleasant aspects. For starters, there appears to be a significant amount of disorganisation within the functional levels of this new squad. It gives the impression that instead of focusing on actual performance, their primary concern is with appearances, given the abundance of fancy uniforms and gear, along with a long list of sub-departments that make it seem like they're operating with a highly advanced system. Consider the separate squads designated to monitor and control different types of pollution. What happens if the squad authorised to control plastic pollution observes industrial emissions exceeding the permissible limits? Will they intervene in another squad's area of responsibility, or will they simply call the relevant team to handle the situation? Another key issue is that no rules or regulations defining the roles and responsibilities of each squad have been officially announced or made public. Their primary function is to safeguard public health by controlling pollution. However, if the public doesn't understand how these squads operate, their presence will be ineffective until these rules are communicated. Furthermore, what happens if people witness environmental violations? Are there procedures in place to ensure the anonymity of complainants when investigating such incidents? If these standard operating procedures (SoPs) haven't been established yet, the entire green squad force will essentially just patrol the streets as a symbolic gesture — a "green flag march" intended to reassure people that their environment is being protected. While these are minor issues, they clearly persist due to the sluggish bureaucracy within our government sector. A file crawls through numerous levels of authority before finally reaching approval. At each step, from Section Officer to Special Secretary, the same phrase — "the above paragraph may be approved" — simply travels along with it until it reaches its final destination. Interestingly, the highly qualified individuals at each level, mostly from the civil services, earn a substantial salary to essentially endorse these approval requests, known as 'note-sheets' in government parlance. So, how long will it take for the higher-ups to approve taking action against someone caught under this new enforcement system? However, we must commend the entire environment department of Punjab. They have realised a long-held dream for those who have been advocating for it for the past 25 years — ever since the formal establishment of the government environment sector in Pakistan — by creating a green police force to enforce environmental laws. Previously, this task fell to our widely renowned local police. Given their notorious ability to extract profit from even the most worthless items, it's perhaps no surprise that environmental oversight wasn't spared their unique methods of handling violations, the details of which need not be elaborated here.
