The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) issued its first annual sustainability report. The report highlights the measures it has taken to reduce its carbon footprint and support the country’s efforts in sustainable development.
Sustainability standards
The report monitors the adoption of environmental sustainability standards, which include waste reduction, pollution, rationalizing water and energy consumption. It confirms ADDED’s commitment to local environmental laws and legislation and also reviews its vision and goals for sustainability.
The report indicates the department’s success in reducing its total daily waste by 15 percent. Moreover, it highlights ADDED’s efforts in recycling 6.65 tons of waste, a 78 percent increase from 2021. In addition, ADDED reduced its employees’ electrical energy consumption by 7 percent and general energy consumption by 2 percent.
Green Business Network
Due to its firm commitment to sustainability and the actions it has taken in the field of sustainability, ADDED qualified for the Green Business Network (GBN) Award presented by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP) which is supervised by ADDED, demonstrated a 9.3 kilotonnes/year reduction in CO2 emissions. Moreover, it increased its non-oil trade by 15.6 percent.
Achieving climate neutrality
Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, under-secretary of ADDED, said, “We have long been committed to a greener future. Our first Sustainability Report reaffirms how we are leading when it comes to supporting the UAE’s transition to a net-zero world. This report showcases what we’ve achieved but more importantly what we will continue to do both within ADDED and with our partners to help government and businesses meet their net-zero emissions targets.”
“This report demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s commitment to a future where environmental innovation and economic prosperity come together”, he added. “This commitment to sustainability is based on strong beliefs and a long history of the wise use of resources and has long propelled us to act responsibly towards the planet for current and future generations,” he explained
The report, which covers the period from January 1 to December 31, 2022, outlines ADDED’s operations and contains valuable insights into the Department’s sustainability strategies and goals. The report is divided into four main sections, covering ADDED’s approach to Sustainability, Environmental Stewardship, Social Commitment, and Governance.
Read: Abu Dhabi boosts climate action by planting 44 million mangrove trees
Report results
Among the most prominent results mentioned in the report are:
- 37 percent of the total employees at ADDED are women.
- 42.8 percent contribution of small and medium enterprises to Abu Dhabi’s GDP
- 59 sectors registered for the Industrial Sustainability Program and Guidelines (ISG)
- 99 percent score for cybersecurity maturity
- Silver Award from the British Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
ADDED works on implementing its core tasks that are consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to make a positive impact.
This includes providing decent work for all and promoting economic and sustainable growth that achieves the interests of various segments of society. Moreover, it includes industry, innovation, infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, and establishing partnerships for the goals.
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