Latest news with #environmentalresponsibility
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Barceló Mussanah Resort advances sustainability with Ecobia Bio-Digeste
Muscat – Barceló Mussanah Resort, Oman, continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Since assuming management of the resort in 2021, marking Barceló's debut in the Sultanate, the company has rebranded and upgraded the property to align with international hospitality standards and Oman's national sustainability initiatives. As part of its dedication to environmental responsibility, Barceló Mussanah Resort has partnered with Ecobia Middle East, an Oman-based company offering innovative and cost-effective sustainability solutions, particularly in addressing the challenge of food waste management in the hospitality sector. Several months ago, Barceló Mussanah Resort and OMRAN signed an agreement with Ecobia Middle East to install a cutting-edge bio-digester on the hotel premises. This technology efficiently addresses the issue of food waste by eliminating smelly garbage bags, reducing the attraction of flies and pests, minimizing long-haul waste transport to landfill, and significantly cutting down methane and CO₂ emissions from landfill sites. The installation of the Ecobia Bio-Digester is a dual victory for the resort. Not only has it enhanced the hotel's Corporate Social Responsibility profile, but it also produces rich, 100% organic fertilizer that is now used across the resort's expansive 230,000+ square meters of lawns and landscaped gardens. This eliminates the need to purchase chemical fertilizers, resulting in substantial cost savings. Further benefits include lower waste disposal costs, the elimination of unpleasant odors from rotting food, and the production of free organic fertilizer following the initial return on investment. General Manager David Faull estimates that the bio-digester will achieve ROI within approximately 16 months. David Faull also praised the professionalism, advice, and ongoing support provided by Ecobia Middle East. The company has delivered comprehensive sustainability training to all staff members—from chefs to housekeeping—and conducted intensive training for selected team members on operating, maintaining, and managing the bio-digester. This partnership exemplifies Barceló Mussanah Resort's unwavering commitment to sustainability and its alignment with Oman's environmental goals.
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ghana's Environment Minister to Champion Innovation, Sustainability at Mining in Motion 2025
The Mining in Motion Summit ( is pleased to announce the participation of Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Ghana's Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, as a speaker. Hon. Muhammed's involvement underscores the government's commitment to environmentally responsible mining, technological innovation and scientific advancement in the extractive sector. As the head of the ministry leading innovation and sustainability, Hon. Muhammed is spearheading initiatives to align mining operations with national development goals and environmental stewardship. His efforts include forging partnerships with global public and private stakeholders to implement science-based solutions and sustainable practices. In April 2025, the Minister met with Park Kyongsig, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea ( to Ghana, to explore bilateral cooperation on climate change and environmental protection. Their discussions centered on leveraging Korean expertise to restore water bodies impacted by illegal mining and address the root causes of environmental degradation. In February 2025, Hon. Muhammed reiterated the government's commitment ( to leveraging local innovation as a driver of economic growth, particularly within key industries like mining, which continues to play a vital role in Ghana's economy. Gold exports reached $11.6 billion in 2024, accounting for 57% of the country's total export revenue, highlighting the sector's significance in national development. In line with modernization efforts, the government, through the Minerals Commission of Ghana ( is equipping the next generation of workers with skills in emerging technologies such as drones, which are being deployed to support automation and improve sector monitoring. Under the World Bank-funded Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project ( the country is actively addressing land degradation and promoting sustainable practices among artisanal and small-scale miners, ensuring mining sector contribution to economic growth and long-term environmental and social sustainability. At Mining in Motion, Hon. Muhammed will engage with key stakeholders from the mining industry, academia and civil society to exchange insights on policy, innovation and the future of mineral resource governance in Ghana. The summit, led by the Ashanti Green Initiative under the leadership of Oheneba Kwaku Duah, Prince of the Ashanti Kingdom, is hosted in partnership with the World Bank and the World Gold Council. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact: sales@ About Mining in Motion Summit: Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting small-scale miners and medium to large scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Cook Islands PM leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia
By Losirene Lacanivalu , Cook Islands News Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: Tiana Haxton Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead a 11-member delegation to Australia this week for an "open dialogue" on seabed exploration activities. The Cook Islands government held a similar consultation tour in New Zealand in November last year, which Brown, also the Minister for Seabed Minerals, declared a significant success. According to the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the delegation will travel to Australia from 28 May to 6 June to engage Cook Islands communities in Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. The face-to-face sessions will focus on the Cook Islands' journey towards a "science-led, environmentally responsible, and sovereign approach to seabed minerals exploration". In a statement, SBMA said that this engagement marks the next step in strengthening the relationship between government and diaspora, "built on a shared commitment to sustainable progress and guardianship of our moana". The consultation is facilitated by SBMA in collaboration with community leaders "clarifying what is happening, what is not, and how Cook Islanders remain at the centre of this seabed minerals journey". Brown said that this was not about extraction or shortcuts. "This is about science, stewardship, and sovereignty. We are exploring, carefully, transparently, and with the future of our people and ocean in mind." Brown reiterated that no mining has been approved. All current activities are exploratory only, governed by Cook Islands legislation and robust environmental frameworks, and informed by global best practices, he added. "These conversations reaffirm who we are and what we stand for. Our diaspora carries our culture and pride with them. They are part of our national direction, and their voice matters," Brown added. According to SBMA, this national strategy is about building Cook Islands capacity to lead in environmental science, global research and sustainable ocean economies. "Public trust, transparent governance, and cultural legitimacy underpin every step of the process," SBMA said. "The Cook Islands vision is clear: to be a leader and steward in a sustainable minerals future, delivering benefits not just in revenue but in knowledge, capability, and intergenerational wellbeing." Consultation will start on 29 May in Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and ending in Melbourne on 5-6 June. -This article was first published by Cook Islands News .
Entrepreneur
14-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why Start-ups Must Think Green From Day One
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. As the founder and CEO of Netā, a company working at the intersection of technology and sustainable practices, she believes UK startups must treat environmental responsibility with the same seriousness as product development or fundraising. "Founders should approach sustainability the same way they approach building any part of their business: proactively and strategically," says Tullidge. "It's far easier to bake sustainable practices into your business model from the start than to retrofit them later under pressure from regulators, customers, or cost." Her message is not about idealism but pragmatism. Tullidge warns that failing to think long term can leave businesses exposed. "That doesn't mean being perfect from day one - it means matching ambition to resources, embedding future-proof foundations where you can, and setting clear milestones for where and when you'll close any gaps as you scale." For many founders, the challenge lies in squaring their sustainability ambitions with the commercial pressures of early-stage growth. Tullidge argues the two are not in conflict. "Balancing sustainability and financial realities isn't about choosing between them—it's about using the same entrepreneurial mindset that drives innovation to unlock opportunity," she says. She sees environmental constraints not as obstacles, but as catalysts. "Volatility in areas like environmental regulation, public perception, and technology adoption means there's real advantage for founders who build smarter, leaner, and greener." According to Tullidge, well-placed early bets on sustainability can pay dividends. "Small, early investments in resilience often turn into big competitive advantages later. The goal is to treat sustainability not as a compliance burden, but as a strategic lever that can drive growth, efficiency, and brand value." This strategic lens is increasingly shared by investors. "More and more, yes - particularly from institutional investors and impact-driven funds," she says, when asked whether ESG expectations are rising. "Strong ESG practices are increasingly seen as a marker of leadership quality, strategic maturity, and long-term risk management." Startups don't need to be perfect to earn investor confidence, but they do need to be intentional. "Investors aren't looking for startups to tick every ESG box from day one; they're looking for evidence that founders are thinking about these issues intentionally and operationally." For Tullidge, the winning mindset is clear: integrate, don't outsource. "ESG isn't just about signalling values anymore - it's about demonstrating that a business is being built to survive and thrive in a volatile, fast-changing world." Her advice to UK founders is simple: sustainability isn't a side project. "It should be integrated into the core operating model, designed to grow with the business rather than weigh it down."
