Why You Should Consider Sustainable Merchandise For Your Next Corporate Event

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Imagine your company’s next corporate event. You’re shaking hands, exchanging ideas – and gifts. But what if those gifts did more than just break the ice? What if they stood for something bigger?

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword anymore; it’s a business imperative. Companies weaving eco-friendly practices into their fabric are not only benefiting our planet but also scoring big with consumers and stakeholders who value environmental responsibility.

ecofriendly corporate merchandise

Now, let’s dive into why embracing sustainable merchandise is more than a mere nod to current trends – it’s an investment in your brand’s future and the world we share. Let’s have a look at the tangible perks of choosing green for your company’s image and underline how this move can boost internal culture, resonate with clients, and set the stage for genuine impact.

Corporate Responsibility

Nowadays, adopting sustainable practices and building an eco-friendly company culture is no longer something the “edgy guys” do. If you want to stay in the game, you have to get on with the trends – there’s no way around it.

According to a recent Nielsen global survey, 81% of respondents feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment. This is a powerful shift in consumer sentiment that’s been brewing for years, and it just started to feel palpable. However, with a bit of clever strategizing, it can also be an opportunity for profit.

Flipping the script on operational norms serves a dual purpose. It shores up your brand against rising scrutiny and fosters goodwill among your clientele, business partners, and workforce alike.

When you integrate sustainability into your corporate identity, it converts into currency—the kind that cultivates trust and attracts investment dollars focused on sustainable growth. Moreover, when done right, sustainability is a fantastic market differentiation technique in an economy ever more conscious of its ecological footing.

Sustainable Merchandise as a Statement

Have you ever stopped to consider what happens with all the merchandise and single-use items generated by a large corporate meeting or event?

We can tell you – a large majority of them (yes, your promotional items included) end up in landfills, and since they’re not eco-friendly will pollute the environment for hundreds of years. We all know plastic pollution is a huge problem, so why would you want to contribute to making it even worse?

Additionally, in a world of eco-aware consumers and talent, offering non-sustainable merchandise can turn into a huge brand image problem. Therefore, companies that use sustainable alternatives solve two problems in one swift move.

Ideas for Sustainable Merchandise

The good news is that you can find a wide range of sustainable and ethically-produced products that can be turned into merchandise for corporate events. For instance, you can use custom caps and beanies crafted from organic materials using energy-efficient processes.

How to Make an Eco-Friendly Company Culture

Nowadays, you can customize your own hat by using a specialized online service that covers printing and shipping. This way, you don’t invest extra resources, you use a highly efficient process, and you avoid high expenses – it’s a win-win-win situation!

Here are a few more ideas that may fit your company better:

  • Reusable Drinkware: Bid adieu to disposable bottles and cups by offering stainless steel water bottles or glass tumblers.
  • Seed Paper Products: Imagine handing out business cards or event agendas that can be planted afterward.
  • Solar-Powered Tech Gadgets: Solar chargers or calculators illustrate power need not always come from the grid.
  • Recycled Material Bags: Whether for toting conference materials or grocery shopping post-event, bags fashioned from recycled plastics make utility eco-friendly.
  • Bamboo Desk Accessories: Swap out plastic for bamboo in desk organizers, pens, and USB drives.
  • Biodegradable Lanyards: Made from materials like bamboo fiber, cotton, or corn-based plastic, these lanyards ensure even the small details are earth-conscious.
  • Edible Treats with Compostable Packaging: Share locally sourced snacks wrapped in compostable packaging

These products (and many others) are ambassadors of your company’s ethos. Moreover, such items spark conversations—anecdotes shared over coffee or anecdotes tweeted to networks—that multiply their value far beyond their physical lifespan.

Close the Event with an Invite to Meaningful Dialogue

Sustainable products—be they organic-material caps, energy-efficiently embroidered beanies, or plantable business cards—serve as icebreakers and kindle conversations around sustainability practices.

The choice of eco-friendly swag speaks of a company that does not only preach green philosophies but also marches on the path. This move can elevate brand integrity in the eyes of customers and increase engagement among employees who take pride in their employer’s commitment.

So, these tokens become more than mere gear—they turn into emblems of change, vehicles for influence extending far beyond tangible utility. The conversation started at your event might ripple outwards, inspiring broader change—a fitting testament to your brand’s foresight and dedication to shaping a greener future for all.

The Blue Belt Initiative: Promising Ambition To Transform Challenges Into Opportunities That Protect The Oceans

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It is good for the African continent to wrap itself with the belt of sustainability and the protection of marine biodiversity. What’s even better is for the ‘Blue Belt Initiative’ to launch from the furthest northwest point of the African continent (Marrakech, Morocco), a Mediterranean and African region, and in a global forum where the international community discusses a crucial issue for our planet’s security, the issue of climate.

blue belt initiative

The “Blue Belt Initiative” started during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP22), hosted by Morocco in 2016. The initiative serves as an international and African cooperation tool to change the way oceans are managed in the fields of fishing and aquaculture. The initiative serves as an international and African cooperation tool to change the way oceans are managed in the fields of fishing and aquaculture. This platform, which stimulates innovations, seeks to support actors involved in the creation of projects by facilitating the search for funding, monitoring their achievements, and sharing expertise, experiences and innovative solutions.

The initiative represents a valuable opportunity for Africa to join forces to preserve oceans, promote the blue economy, meet future challenges, and position African countries as key players in protecting the planet and sustaining marine activities.

Morocco has one of the most productive marine areas in the world. It is an important strategic repository of marine food resources. It has all the ingredients needed to develop a diversified blue economy. It has a high growth potential. The multiple strategic economic and environmental dimensions of marine areas place Morocco, together with all maritime countries, responsible for the preservation of the oceans.

The challenges of protecting the oceans and maintaining the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture are now clear. Changes in aquatic systems due to climate change will affect the fisheries sector and ecosystem services along the value chain. Thanks to Morocco’s natural resources and the recent efforts made within the framework of the national strategy “Halieutis, it has managed to establish a vibrant fish food industry, making it a sector that contributes to national food sovereignty and security, as well as to global food provision.

As food security has become vulnerable, it has become imperative to take urgent measures accommodate these changes and anticipate their effects on aquatic food production systems, as well as to promote scientific research and innovation in this field of blue economy and provide knowledge and information to those concerned in the sector.

The African experience has shown that effective political participation in fishing management is essential for the sustainability of this sector, but enhancing the regional participation of actors in the management process as well as adopting a regional approach seems to be a key factor that determines the success of any fishing policy.

It is necessary to work on supporting the resilience of oceans and marine ecosystems, especially marine biodiversity, by enhancing the capacity to adapt to climate change..

Therefore, the convergence of interests and interests in the environment, climate and oceans will contribute to the adoption of a basic ecosystem approach, the “Blue Belt Initiative”. It is a new tool for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the context of climate change and the new blue economy.

This initiative aims to complete regional and national strategies for the fisheries sector in terms of sustainable and environmentally friendly activities, while changing environmental constraints related to the effects of climate change into new economic opportunities with added value. It provides job opportunities and is based on a comprehensive goal of providing a collaborative platform that places ocean users at the heart of the process to work together. It ensures the resilience of the oceans, the sustainability of the fishing sector and the health of the ecosystem, and is supported by scientific research and sound data.

The initiative proposes a set of priority solutions aimed at adaptation and contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change in order to support the emergence of coastal observation systems and their integration into international systems, promote participatory science through the “user-monitor,” concept, improve ocean observation in priority African regions and encourage the development of adaptive strategies.

The proposed solutions aim to enable the industry in the field of sustainable fisheries to achieve climate and economic control by reducing fishing, better protection and better assessment. Additionally, for sustainable aquaculture that contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change, such as large marine algae, microalgae, or integrated multi-nutrient aquaculture.

It is worth mentioning that the initiative has been joined by 31 member countries, including 23 African countries and the European Union.  It mainly focuses on coastal areas and economic zones, especially those that focus on the majority of fishing and aquaculture activities, representing more than 85 percent of global fishery resources.

It is worth mentioning that the city of Agadir in Morocco hosted the second high-level conference of the “Blue Belt Initiative” in January 2023 under the slogan: “Towards scientific, economic, and environmental integration for the benefit of the blue economy,” aimed at providing examples of sustainable projects aimed at commercial businesses.

blue belt initiative

The conference brought together 32 speakers, comprising about 20 delegations including 15 African countries, held in a context characterized by the urgent need to preserve precious oceans while ensuring the viability of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Africa, aware of these critical issues, has pooled its resources to craft a collective, comprehensive, and integrated vision for the blue economy. At the heart of this dynamic cooperation, regional and sub-regional cooperation, South-South, has proven to be a fundamental pillar, enabling the harnessing of international support and successful addressing of these urgent challenges.

The forum provided an opportunity for dialogue and enhancing cooperation and synergy among various parties.  It also served as a chance to strengthen technical and scientific cooperation, through the signing of memoranda of understanding to conduct fish stock assessment campaigns in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Benin and Liberia by the National Institute for Fisheries Research. Morocco mobilized the research vessel “Al Hassan Al Marrakchi” and scientific teams from the National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH) for a mission at sea lasting approximately two months from January 16 to March 10, 2024, covering initially both Benin and Liberia, with financial contribution from the international governmental organization “Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation Among African Atlantic Coastal States (COMHAFAT).”

The conference brought together 32 speakers, comprising about 20 delegations including 15 African countries, held in a context characterized by the urgent need to preserve precious oceans while ensuring the viability of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Africa, aware of these critical issues, has pooled its resources to craft a collective, comprehensive, and integrated vision for the blue economy. At the heart of this dynamic cooperation, regional and sub-regional cooperation, South-South, has proven to be a fundamental pillar, enabling the harnessing of international support and successful addressing of these urgent challenges.

The forum provided an opportunity for dialogue and enhancing cooperation and synergy among various parties.  It also served as a chance to strengthen technical and scientific cooperation, through the signing of memoranda of understanding to conduct fish stock assessment campaigns in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Liberia by the National Institute for Fisheries Research. Morocco mobilized the research vessel “Al Hassan Al Marrakchi” and scientific teams from the National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH) for a mission at sea lasting approximately two months from January 16 to March 10, 2024, covering initially both Benin and Liberia, with financial contribution from the international governmental organization “Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation Among African Atlantic Coastal States (COMHAFAT).”

BENRAMEL MOSTAFA Président de l’Association Minarets Ecologies pour le Développement et Climat emphasized the importance of the Blue Belt Initiative at the national level by enhancing sustainability in the marine fishing sector and developing sustainable fishing techniques, as well as protecting marine biodiversity. This initiative aims to create job opportunities by supporting aquaculture projects and developing the infrastructure of the maritime sector.  Additionally, it aims to improve food security by increasing fish production and enhancing access to fish for all segments of society. Furthermore, it seeks to adapt to climate change by supporting projects that mitigate the impacts of climate change on the maritime sector.

At the regional level, Benramel emphasized that the initiative seeks to enhance cooperation between African countries and the Mediterranean region in the field of marine fishing and the blue economy. It aims to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences among countries in the fields of marine fishing and the blue economy. Additionally, it aims to mobilize financial resources to implement sustainable development projects in the field of marine fishing and the blue economy, and to protect marine biodiversity through cooperation in combating illegal fishing and marine pollution.

Benramel also highlighted the initiative’s effective contribution, in its international dimension, to achieving sustainable development goals, eradicating hunger, and protecting marine environments. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen international cooperation and provide a framework for cooperation between countries to enhance the sustainability of marine fishing and the blue economy, adapt to climate change, support innovation, and attract necessary funding to address all the challenges facing the sea, which serves as a food source, a reservoir of carbon dioxide, and a regulator of various atmospheric phenomena.

Mr. Mohamed Rida Derdabi, president of the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Marine Environment and Sustainable Development, considered that the “Blue Belt Initiative,” adopted by Morocco along with several partners, serves as a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving a smooth transition towards an environmentally friendly blue economy. It ensures the balance between the integrity of marine ecosystems and the dignity of individuals working in the maritime sector, providing the sector with options and alternatives to address the impacts of climate change.

The deterioration of fish stocks at the local, regional and international levels is pushing many countries, including Morocco, to seek implementable solutions and alternatives based on sustainable practices such as sustainable fishing and aquaculture. The success of these solutions remains inherently dependent on the development of scientific research, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experiences.

“So, it can be said that the Blue Belt Initiative is an initiative with multiple economic, environmental and social dimensions. Its aim is to adapt and adapt to the current reality of scarce products, rising sea water temperature, rising sea acidity, changes in the structure of marine ecosystems. It seeks to adopt new and sustainable practices such as expanding protected areas to restore the health of ecosystems and fish stocks, creating quality marks, and granting ecological certifications to specific products, as well as valorizing underutilized fish species,” added Mohamed Rida Derdabi. Mohamed Rida Derdabi

Dr. Patrice Brehmer, an oceanographer at the French Research Institute for Development (IRD) and the Scientific Advisor to the Permanent Secretary of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (CSRP) said that at the political level, following several pilot initiatives, the Blue Belt Initiative has effectively achieved its goals within a timeline. However, now is the time to give it the scope it deserves to achieve its goals, a work that has been focused on in recent years.

The signing of the “Agadir Declaration” (16 countries) was a great success and an important step forward. In addition, the Blue Belt Initiative now has a strategic framework extending from 2023 to 2027, which will allow it to start operating and still find sources of funding. It is important to emphasize that any large-scale action requires a long preparation time in order not to disappoint partners, achieve tangible results and achieve tangible results for the ultimate beneficiaries of this initiative. We are confident that the initiative is on track to achieve its full potential and continue to promote marine sustainability and environmentally responsible practices in fisheries.

Patrice added that the promising prospects of the initiative include enhancing the ability to adapt to climate change through sustainable practices in the marine and fisheries sectors, promoting economic growth through the responsible exploitation of marine resources, preserving marine biodiversity necessary for the food security of coastal populations, enhancing regional cooperation in order to effectively manage marine resources, and developing local expertise by supporting research and innovation in the management of marine resources, providing a path towards a positive transformation of a more sustainable and equitable management of the oceans, especially in Africa, where expectations are high and the prospects are very promising.

For further clarification, a brief interview was held with Dr. Abdelmalek Faraj, the Director General of the National Institute for Fisheries Research in Morocco

Question 1: Has the initiative achieved the prospects set for it since its launch in terms of conserving resources, in terms of African coordination and creating a unified vision to address major and common problems?

Since its launch, the Blue Belt Initiative has made many achievements, especially in terms of coordination and mobilization of stakeholders around priority areas. So far, the initiative has 31 member states and has organized two major high-level conferences in 2019 and 2023. These events have presented several topics that are now considered as priority tools and solutions for the conservation of marine resources. From this point of view, the “user-monitor” concept promoted by the initiative has been implemented through the programs and projects of “Controlled Fishing” (LA Pêche Sentinelle). These initiatives have been well received by professionals and are currently being developed, generating interest at the national and regional levels, especially along the West African coast.

In addition, this initiative provides a framework for coordination and a platform for dialogue that has facilitated the implementation of memorandums of understanding with member states such as Benin and Liberia. These memoranda were implemented through scientific exploration campaigns in the sea carried out by Morocco, forming part of the Royal Integrated Vision of Atlantic Integration.

Question 2: Morocco is in a good position in the field of marine research. Marine research has made tremendous progress in terms of scientific results. What is the role of marine scientific research in the context of the initiative?

Fishery research plays a crucial role. Through research and innovation, we can increase and disseminate our knowledge of the marine environment and make it accessible to all users. By investing in research and innovation, we will develop new ways to sustainably exploit our oceans and thereby respect their environmental integrity. There is a significant global knowledge gap in the field of oceans, which is why Morocco is committed to strengthening its capacity and developing knowledge at the national and African levels.

Question 3: Is the Moroccan coastal strip in the Mediterranean Bank involved in the initiative?

Yes, obviously, and it is important to note that the General Fisheries Authority for the Mediterranean (CGPM)is a partner in the initiative. In general, although the Blue Belt Initiative currently focuses on Africa, the initiative is by definition open to all coastal areas as it focuses on most fishing and aquaculture activities on a global scale, and up to 85 percent of the world’s catch is from fisheries. However, these areas are also areas that are more exposed and more sensitive to human activities and their impacts. Hence, there is a need to act at this level as a priority, both in terms of scientific monitoring and transforming ocean exploitation systems for sustainability.

Finance for Green Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, and SMEs: Perspectives for Jordan

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Jordan is one of the most water scarce countries in the world where resources are far below the water poverty line which is 1000 m3 per capita per year. Adding to water scarcity, energy availability is another challenge where 96% of the demand is imported from outside.  Due to climate change, both water and energy sectors are expected to be negatively impacted. Lack of water and high prices of energy will both hinder the economic growth and employment rates adding further stress on the current high unemployment percentage specially among youth.

green finance in middle east

Need for Green Economy

To get out of this bottleneck, there is a need to employ youth through green economy and to promote green entrepreneurship, start-ups, and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Even the green innovation culture in Jordan is still new, there are few organizations that work in this field such as Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship (QRCE), Business Development Center (BDC), Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation (AHSF), Oasis 500, CEWAS, and Shamal Start.

Shamal Start – Leading the Way

Shamal Start is one of the business accelerators in Jordan which works on green entrepreneurship and start-ups. Students from Irbid and Mafraq submit their green ideas to benefit from the mentoring and financial support. Here are some of the green start-ups that have passed the eligibility criteria for Shamal Start:

  • Petra for Green Community Entrepreneurship is a social enterprise which works on solving environmental issues by developing solutions for water, energy, and food related challenges. One of their products is waste-free water filter which could save up to 50% of water.
  • Mattab which developed a speed pump that produce renewable energy from the hydraulic pressure of the vehicles movement.
  • BioJust which developed an automated device that convert organic waste from vegetable oils into biogas.
  • A+ Solar which uses the kinetic motion to improve the thermal comfort and day lighting through the efficient utilization of the sun light.

Business Development Center (BDC) provides the needed training and financial access for entrepreneurs and start-ups including the green ones through different fund programs such as SANAD and Youth Employability. There are many other national and international NGOs that promote entrepreneurship but with less focus on green innovation. Adding to that. Universities in Jordan have been always contributing to the green and sustainability culture.

The German Jordanian University in Amman launched a Green Hackathon in 2016 to raise awareness on water and energy-efficient solutions among students and to encourage the green entrepreneurship culture. The students were asked to come up with solutions for challenges in the industries and society. The topics in that event were renewable energy solutions for the university, waste/ water management in smart cities, energy consumption optimization for courier service, and sustainable shelter/ room for rural areas.

Also Read: Eco-friendly Factors to Consider When Investing in Company Stocks

Green Finance in Jordan

Financial support in the early stages and accessibility to fund were reported as the major obstacles for green entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs in Jordan.  SMEs represent 99 % of the private sector and employ 77% of the labor force. However, they receive only 13% of the total value of the commercial loans. Jordan was ranked 185 out of 189 countries in both 2014 and 2015 in terms of access to credit in a report for the World Bank.

This is a real need for early stage financial support and seed funding for green businesses in Jordan

Microfinance in Jordan has been a successful alternative for the commercial loans for start-ups and SMEs because of the flexible requirements and conditions to access credit. There are many private financial institutions that provide microfinance through international grants such as FINCA, The National Microfinance Bank (NMB), The Women Microfund, and Al-Ahli Microfinance Company.

Roadmap for Future

Moving forward, there is a persistent need for early stage financial support and seed funding for green entrepreneurship, start-ups, and SMEs in Jordan. A green fund for youth entrepreneurs and start-ups will promote green business, encourage youth to come up with clean technologies and innovations, and improve the financial accessibility for green start-ups and SMEs.

Government and international organizations should work together on establishing green funding mechanisms by advocating globally, enabling the environment, and setting the rules and regulations that allow for such mechanisms to take place. The lack of accessible green finance for youth entrepreneurs will have negative implications on the employment rates and the willingness to innovate in solving water and energy problems.

All You Need to Know About Renewable Energy in Jordan

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Renewable energy systems have been used in Jordan since early 1970s. Infact, Jordan has been a pioneer in renewable energy promotion in the Middle East with its first wind power pilot project in Al-Ibrahemiya as early as 1988. In the recent past, Jordan has witnessed a surge in initiatives to generate power from renewable resources with financial and technical backing from the government, international agencies and foreign donors. However, renewable energy in Jordan remains largely untapped due to high cost associated with non-conventional energy resources and relatively cheap availability of oil and natural gas.

Wind energy is feasible mainly in areas overlooking the Jordan Valley and Wadi Araba. Solar energy potential is also high since many parts of the country experience between 300 and 320 days of full sunshine throughout the year, it also lies within the solar belt of the world. Biomass energy potential is also attractive in the form of urban wastes, organic industrial wastes and animal manure. With rapid technological advancements, other sources such as waste-to-energy, hydro power and geothermal energy are also realistic options.

sustainability-jobs

Currently, Jordan is looking at having 10% of its energy mix generated from renewable energy sources by the year 2020. Thus, the country is implementing a plan to generate 600MW of wind energy, and 600MW of solar energy to reach this target. It is to be mentioned that Jordan’s renewable energy potential is certainly higher than this target, which may led to the possibility of exporting surplus renewable power within the region and beyond.

Solar Energy

The solar energy potential in Jordan is enormous as it lies within the solar belt of the world with average solar radiation ranging between 5 and 7KWh/m2, which implies a potential of at least 1000GWh per year annually. Solar energy, like other forms of renewable energy, remains underutilized in Jordan. Decentralized photovoltaic units in rural and remote villages are currently used for lighting, water pumping and other social services (1000KW of peak capacity). In addition, about 15% of all households are equipped with solar water heating systems. Recently, a solar pond for potash production was built in the Dead Sea area.

Jordan has major plans for increasing the use of solar energy. As per the Energy Master Plan, 30 percent of all households are expected to be equipped with solar water heating system by the year 2020. The Government is hoping to construct the first Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) demonstration project in the short to medium term and is considering Aqaba and the south-eastern region for this purpose. It is also planning to have solar desalination plant. According to the national strategy the planned installed capacity will amount to 300MW – 600MW (CSP, PV and hybrid power plants) by 2020.

Wind Energy

Wind energy resources are abundant and can cover a significant amount of Jordan’s energy requirement if implemented properly. There are a number of places known by their high wind speed (greater than 5 metre per second) and long windy times, such as Jordan Valley and Wadi Araba. The existing wind farms in Hofa and Al-Ibrahemiya are good examples of successful wind energy projects.

wind-energy

These farms are connected to the national grid and characterized by a high availability and excellent capacity factors. Currently, there is a plan for three wind farms with maximum capacity of 300MW each, distributed among three sites in the northern and southern regions of Jordan.

Waste-to-Energy and Biomass Energy

Municipal solid wastes represent the best source of biomass in Jordan. The per capita of waste generated in Jordan is about 0.9 kg/day. The total generation of municipal waste in Jordan is estimated at 1.84 million tons per year. The main resources of organic waste in Jordan that can be potentially used to produce biogas are summarized as follows:

  • Municipal waste from big cities
  • Organic wastes from slaughterhouse, vegetable market, hotels and restaurants.
  • Organic waste from agro-industries
  • Animal manure, mainly from cows and chickens.
  • Sewage sludge and septic.
  • Olive mills.
  • Organic industrial waste

According to a study conducted by the Greater Amman Municipality, around 1.5 million tonnes of organic waste was generated in Jordan in 2009. In addition, an annual amount of 1.83 million cubic meter of septic and sewage sludge from treatment of 44 million cubic meter of sewage water is generated in greater Amman area. The potential annual sewage sludge and septic generated in Amman can be estimated at 85,000 tons of dry matter.

biogas-Jordan

The Government of Jordan, in collaboration with UNDP, GEF and the Danish Government, established 1MW biogas plant at Rusaifeh landfill near Amman in 1999.  The Plant has been successfully operating since its commissioning and efforts are underway to increase its capacity to 5MW. Infact, the project has achieved net yearly profit from electricity sale of about US $ 100, 000.  The project consists of a system of twelve landfill gas wells and an anaerobic digestion plant based on 60 tons per day of organic wastes from hotels, restaurants and slaughterhouses in Amman. The successful installation of the biogas project has made it a role model in the entire region and several big cities are striving to replicate the model.

Storm Alexa – Positive Aspects for MENA

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storm-alexaThe year 2013 saw history being made when Storm Alexa swept across the Middle East and North Africa bringing blizzards, torrential rain and icy winds to a region that hasn’t experienced such a storm in over 100 years. Storm Alexa caused devastating floods in Arab cities, such as Gaza, and power cuts in certain areas of Jordan. Heavy snowfall in Jordan covered the streets, hindering mobility and forcing people into their homes for several days. The storm has also brought hardship and misery upon the Syrian refugees enduring the bitter cold in fragile tents and makeshift shelters.

Positive Aspects

However, with no intention of belittling or undermining the aforementioned difficulties and suffering, such a storm could be beneficial in terms of one aspect: the water it brings to the region. Storm Alexa brought an abundance of water to a region suffering from severe water scarcity. The effects of water scarcity are rapidly being felt across the region, with water shortages affecting countries such as Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan. Therefore, this outpour of water could bring some respite in terms of water availability in these MENA countries, with rainwater runoff and snowfall being large sources fresh water. Sadly these sources have been very poorly managed causing floods, and snow-covered streets.

Flooded rainwater has mixed with wastewater triggering an overflow of wastewater throughout local cities and towns. This has produced adverse health problems among the resident populations, who are calling out for rapid solutions to their strife. One solution that can be utilized is harvesting floodwater and the large amounts of snowfall available. Harvesting such water sources would help reduce the effects of water scarcity, and reduce physical harm to cities and towns.

Once these water sources are collected, they must be treated before they are reused. Once treated, the water can be used for a variety of activities such as irrigation or any type of domestic use.

Case Study – Amman

Over the course of the storm, Amman has seen ample amounts of snow and rainfall that have put the city in what seemed like a standstill. Residents were snowed in unable to go to work and perform their daily routines. The streets were covered with snow that reached up to 3 feet, making it very difficult to move about. Although the snowfall had its detrimental repercussions, it is a source of freshwater.  Harvesting it would have been a fairly simple procedure.

The procedure would require manpower, along with trucks, to set out to the streets and start collecting as much snow as possible. Once collected, it would be transported to the nearest wastewater treatment plant, such as the Samra wastewater treatment plant located in the greater Amman Russeifa-Zarqa area (there are currently 26 wastewater treatment plants that exist in Jordan). Once treated the water produced can be added into the water pipe systems and distributed among households.

Harvesting and treating these water sources eases the effects of water scarcity even if for a short time period. This is beneficial in several ways:

  • It allows over used water aquifers and rivers time to replenish (even if for a short period).
  • It reduces the financial costs spent on water extraction (for a short time period).
  • It reduces the amount of fossil fuels used during water extraction (reducing CO2 release).
  • It removes snow off the streets allowing people to go back to their daily routines, and to their work.

Challenges to Overcome

Needless to say, wastewater treatment has its downsides. First, it is energy intensive and financially demanding. Second, it requires very advanced technological capabilities. Third, it requires a large area in which it is to be implemented. With the exception of Jordan and a handful of other countries in the region, not many have the economic and technological capabilities to undergo this type water management.

wastewater-treatment-uae

The problem is further exacerbated by the political strife the region is currently experiencing. Countries such as Syria and Palestine have more political constraints than others that do not allow them to use this water source to its full potential.

However, there are simpler ways to treat wastewater that are not so economically and technologically reliant. Such techniques require a large area where the excess rainwater is allowed to be stored for a certain period of time, which allows the waste to settle at the bottom of the area (in which the water is stored). The water is then passed through a large filtering screen that removes the remaining waste and bacteria from the water. This method does not treat water as thoroughly as wastewater treatment plants, but it treats it enough for it to be reused for certain water intensive practices (e.g. irrigation, washing machines, showering).

Conclusions

Water scarcity has become the most dangerous threat the world is facing. Water scarcity in MENA is further intensified as it only holds 1% of the usable water resources in the world, while having 5% of the world’s population. With regional population set to increase even further, water scarcity is likely to increase, with predictions indicating that the MENA region will run out of water by the year 2050.

Although harvesting the water provided by Storm Alexa does not provide a long-term solution to water scarcity in the region, it offers a short-term respite from its effects. This gives countries more time to plan ahead and to develop further in their quest to mitigate water scarcity. With scientists indicating that such storms are to become even more rare due to the effects of climate change, there are good opportunities to use these events for the welfare of mankind.

The Significance of Domestic Water Conservation

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The Middle East region is plagued by water scarcity and water management issues. Despite heavy investment in the water sector, water management remains a serious economic and environmental issue throughout the region. Overconsumption of water is a serious issue as per capita use of water in most of the Middle Eastern countries is several times more water than the global average. For example, on an average each UAE and Saudi Arabian resident consume 550 liters and 250 liters of water per day respectively.

On the other hand, per capita water consumption in United Kingdom and Germany is 150 liters and 127 liters per day respectively. These statistics are a grim reminder that excessive consumption of water must be curbed urgently in order to secure water supplies for the coming generations.

water-conservation

Water scarcity is a reality in almost all Middle East countries, be it arid Kuwait or green Jordan. However, most of the people are either unaware or have ignored this stark fact. High population growth coupled with rapid industrialization calls for a sustainable water use pattern in domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors. Domestic sector is responsible for one of the largest water consumption in the Middle East.

For example, in United Arab Emirates private households account for about one-fourth of total water consumption. Households use water for drinking, washing, air conditioning, gardening, landscaping etc. Due to rising water demand and dwindling freshwater supplies, domestic water conservation is an urgent need of the hour. Water conservation can help not only help in saving water but will also conserve energy required for desalination, wastewater treatment and transport of water.

Domestic water conservation can be used in all types of residential, institutional, and commercial buildings in the Middle East. Installation of technologies and products like faucet aerators, low-flow or sensor-based faucets, low-flow showerheads, low-flush and composting toilets, water-saving dishwashers and clothes washers can play a significant role in saving water at the domestic level.

Moreover, detecting and fixing leaks in water system, and ensuring operation of valves at the optimum pressure, can save good deal of water. Fixing leaks in pipes, fittings, tanks, and fixtures enhances the effectiveness of water-saving products. Pressure-reducing valves can be used to lessen the force and amount of water flows. However, different applications require different kinds of valve like ball valve, gate valve, butterfly valve etc. So make sure you are choosing the right valve to control the flow better.

water-saving-tips

Basis water-saving tips for a common man

To promote conservation, water supply should be metered and monetized. Monitoring and metering can increase efficiency of water distribution network and can provide accurate data of consumption level of a particular consumer. Removal of subsidies and appropriate pricing of water can be a powerful tool to enforce water conservation at household level. Pricing of water will not only help in improvement of water infrastructure but may also a strong message to the public that water has certain monetary value and should be conserved.

Providing subsidies on water-saving devices, like toilet retrofits, can be an attractive inducement. Encouragement of xeriscaping or natural landscaping can significantly reduce outdoor water use in arid climate, like that of the Middle East. Water conservation is often confused with reduction of water consumption. However, it also includes use of improved technologies and practices that deliver equal or better service with less water.

Effective Ways to Tackle the Menace of E-Waste

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Daily life has been made far more efficient, and glamorous, as technology improves at phenomenal rates. We are encouraged to go paperless, and drastically reduce waste from paper materials. However, technology has its own waste issues to deal with. Electronic waste (or e-waste), is the fastest growing waste stream, and its disposal is a major environmental concern in all parts of the world. When new technology does out with the old, our current model of disposing of ‘outdated’ technology is harming people, profits and most importantly, the planet.

e-waste-burning

More than 50 million of tons of e-waste is generated globally and the quantity is rapidly increasing with each passing year (Zafar, 2015). Less than 5% of which is being recycled, or reused appropriately. The content of this waste includes toxic materials as well as valuable and energy-intensive precious metals (Allam, 2009).

Televisions, toaster ovens, you name it, you will find old models no longer being used, stacking up in landfills around the world. If current consumption rates pattern continue, two planets will be needed by 2050 (Allam, 2009). Effort towards more sophisticated methods of dealing with E-Waste has numerous advantages, including: public health, job creation, money saved by firms in procurement of raw materials, and new uses for public spending that would have otherwise gone towards environmental cleanup.

In developing countries such as Egypt, the capacity for safe recovery methods and disposal of e-wastes are lacking. There is clear evidence that the informal recovery industry exploits women and child labourers who cook circuit boards, burnt cables and submerge equipment in toxic acids to extract precious metals such as gold (Seitz, 2014). A vast majority of the workers involved in e-waste recycling in developing countries are afflicted with severe respiratory problem.

E-Waste workers often work in pathetic conditions

What businesses and governments can do?

Create an environmentally sound e-waste recycling chain. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the following steps are required in an e-waste recycling facility:

  • De-manufacturing into sub-assemblies and components – this involves the manual disassembly of a de- vice or component to recover value.
  • Depollution – the removal and separation of certain materials to allow them to be handled separately to minimize impacts, including batteries, fluorescent lamps and cathode ray tubes (CRTs)
  • Materials separation – manually separating and preparing material for further processing
  • Mechanical processing of similar materials – this involves processing compatible plastic resins, metals or glass from CRTs to generate market-grade commodities
  • Mechanical processing of mixed materials – this involves processing whole units followed by a series of separation technologies
  • Metal refining/smelting – after being sorted into components or into shredded streams, metals are sent to refiners or smelters. At this stage, thermal and chemical management processes are used to extract metals.
e-waste-recycling

E-Waste workers often work in pathetic conditions

What You Can Do

  • Recycle: look for e-waste recycling businesses in your area. There are many organizations who will take your E-waste free of charge! Large corporations like Sony and Samsung have take-back programs.
  • Upcycle: you can find great art ideas on the internet for making new art out of old materials
  • Start your own E-waste recycling business

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Allam, H. and Inauen, S. (2009): E-Waste Management Practices in the Arab Region. Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region (CEDARE), Cairo, Egypt.
  2. Baldé, C.P., Wang, F., Kuehr, R., Huisman, J. (2015), The global e-waste monitor – 2014, United Nations University, IAS – SCYCLE, Bonn, Germany (https://i.unu.edu/media/unu.edu/news/52624/UNU-1stGlobal-E-Waste-Monitor-2014-small.pdf)
  3. Basel Convention, 2012, Lundgren, 2012
  4. Seitz, J. (2014), Analysis of existing e-waste practices in MENA countries -2014, The Regional Solid Waste Exchange of Information and Expertise Network in Mashreq and Maghreb Countries, SWEEP-Net, Deutsche Gesellschaft,
  5. Zafar, S. (2015), Significance of e-waste management, EcoMENA, Qatar, (http://www.ecomena.org/tag/e-waste-management-in-middle-east/).

Waste-to-Energy in Jordan: Potential and Challenges

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Effective sustainable solid waste management is of great importance both for people’s health and for environmental protection. In Jordan, insufficient financial resources, growing population, rapid urbanization, inadequate management and lacking of technical skills represent a serious environmental challenge confronting local government. At the same time, energy remains Jordan’s top challenge for development. The energy needs to be produced in a sustainable way, preferably from renewable sources which have a minimum environmental impact. To face the future problems in waste management, as well as securing the demand of renewable energy, it is necessary to reuse the wasted resources in energy production.

Jordan has definitely acknowledged that making affordable energy solutions available is critical to support industries, investment, and attain sustainable growth. One option is to use solid waste to generate electricity in centralized plants. Waste-to-energy has been recognized as an effective approach to improve recycling rates, reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills and to avoid pollution.

alghabawi-landfill-jordan

Waste-to-Energy Potential in Jordan

According to recent statistics, Jordan population stands at around 9.5 million. The estimated municipal waste generated according to the last five years average production is around 3,086,075 ton/year. This huge amount of waste generated is not only a burden, but a potential resource for use in energy production.

Considering the country average waste composition 40% is organic waste e.g. avoidable and unavoidable food waste (1,200,000 ton), 10 % are recyclable e.g. paper, plastic, glass, ferrous metals and aluminum (300,000 ton) and 50% are suitable for incineration e.g. garden and park waste, wood and textiles (1,500,000 ton) with high calorific value and energy potential (8.1 MJ/Kg) that is capable to produce electricity 340 kWh/ton waste. The high organic waste is suitable for methane gas capture technologies which is estimated at 170 m3/ton waste.

Waste-to-Energy Technology Options

Nowadays, there are many waste-to-energy technologies available which makes it possible to harness the energy potential of waste in Jordan. The major technologies for large scale waste management are incineration, landfilling and anaerobic digestion. These technologies are affordable, economical visible and associated with minimum environmental impact.

The production of electricity is combined with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the current energy situation (90% of the country energy produced from fossil fuel), the country emission factor is around 819 CO2-eq/kWh. However, the use of waste to energy solutions is considered to be a clean and definitely the amount of GHG emitted is a lot less than the gases generated by ordinary practices (open dumping and unsanitary landfills).

Construction of an incineration plant for electricity production is often a profitable system even though the installation cost is high since production of electricity often leads to a large economic gain. Landfill gas utilization avoids the release of untreated landfill gases into the atmosphere, and produces electricity to sell commercially in an environmental friendly manner. However, landfilling is associated with methane production. Methane is a potent GHG, contributing 21 times more to global warming than carbon dioxide.

Anaerobic digestion technology is another option. Anaerobic digestion not only decrease GHGs emission but also it is the best technology for treatment of high organic waste through converting the biodegradable fraction of the waste into high-quality renewable calorific gas.

Currently, with the growing use of anaerobic digestion technology for treating waste and wastewater, it is expected to become more economically competitive because of its enormous advantages e.g. reduction of pathogens, deactivation of weed seeds and production of sanitized compost.

waste-to-energy-jordan

تمثل النفايات البلدية الصلبة أفضل مصدر للمواد العضوية في بلدان منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا

Sorting at the place of generation and recycling e.g. paper, plastic, glass and metals needed to be practiced at the country level or at least where these technologies implemented. Incinerated waste containing plastics (not sorted) releases carbon dioxide, toxic substances and heavy metals to the atmosphere and contributes thereby to climate change and to global warming.

Challenges to Overcome

Waste-to-energy technologies offer enormous potential as a renewable energy source, solve the waste crisis and to mitigate climate change in Jordan. However, these technologies pose many challenges to the country and discussion makers.

Currently, the waste sector is administrated by the government. Poor regulation and insufficient financial resources are limiting the available options toward adapting these new technologies. Private investments and collaboration with the private sector is the key solution in this regard.

Green Sukuk: A Shariah-Compliant Green Financing Instrument

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Is it possible to sustain eco-friendly projects without incurring the violation of shari’ah principles of Islamic finance? The answer is positive, and the sustainable instrument which allows to do it is the green sukuk.

Sukuk is the plural form of the Arabic word “sakk”. Since the Umayyad period, the sakk represented a payment tool to remunerate state-salaried officials as military forces and government bureaucrats. It functioned as a trustee certificate that entitled the holders to redeem a specific and determined-in-advance number of commodities from the state treasury at a precise time.[1]

green-islamic-finance

In its contemporary meaning, according to the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), investment sukuk is classified as “certificates of equal value representing undivided shares in ownership of tangible assets, usufruct and services or (in the ownership of) the assets of particular projects or special investment activity“.[2]

Besides, the World Bank defines sukuk as “an interest-free bond that generates returns to investors without infringing the principles of shari’ah (Islamic law) which prohibits the payment of interest. It is a shari’ah-compliant security backed by a specific pool of underlying assets“.[3]

In this regard, a sukuk to be considered a shari’a-compliant security must assure that the raised funds are used only for halal business activities and that the revenue entitled to the sukuk holders must only be derived from the earnings generated by the sukuk asset itself. Besides, the sukuk issuance cannot guarantee a fixed return since its capacity for getting profit or loss depends on the performance of the underlying assets or projects.[4]

Therefore, when the sukuk combines its nature of proper Islamic financing tool with an eco-friendly purpose, what emerges is the green sukuk which in general terms represents a shari’ah compliant financial product aiming at sustaining environmental and climate-friendly projects.

The debate about green sukuk in Islamic finance started in 2012 when a coordinating platform – known as Green Sukuk Working Group (GSWG) – was jointly established by the Climate Bonds Initiative, the Clean Energy Business Council, and the Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association with the task of defining, developing, and promoting new financial products able to combine shari’a compliant investments with eco-friendly investments. It was in this very framework that the GSWG arrived at defining the green sukuk as «Shari’ah compliant investments in renewable energy and other environmental assets. They address Shari’ah concern for protecting the environment»[5].

In this regard, green sukuk represents a highly flexible financing instrument because it is eligible to sustain both eco-friendly mitigation and adaptation initiatives. For instance, mitigation projects are those initiatives that aim at researching new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and at improving the energy efficiency of transport systems, industrial facilities, buildings, and waste management; while adaptation projects aim at improving food and agricultural security, at reducing environmental disaster risks, and at managing forests in a sustainable way.[6]

green-investment

The first green sukuk has been issued in Malaysia by Tadau Energy Sdn. Bhd (Tadau Energy) on 27th July 2017. The initiative is a 10-year project that aims to realize a 50 MW ac solar photovoltaic power plant in Kudat, a district of the Malaysian state of Sabah in the northern portion of Borneo.[7]

Concerning the solidity of the financing operation, the rating agency RAM holdings Berhad has recently confirmed the AA3/Stable rating of the MYR 250 million green sukuk programme (2017/2033). Even though Tadau Energy remains exposed to single-project and regulatory risks and to solar irradiance variability and plant performance risks, the programme is promising. In this regard, the solar power plants extremely well-performed in their energy output which exceeded the production’s previous projection level.[8]

Since its introduction in 2017, the green sukuk as an eco-friendly and shari’ah compliant financing tool has experienced a fast-pacing growth. However, it still represents only a minimal part of the market of green investment at a global level. As a matter of fact, while the global green bond issuance amounted to USD 257 billion in 2019,[9] the green sukuk issuance attested at USD 3.5 billion in the same year.[10]

However, even if it is still limited in terms of market value, green sukuk is a promising financial instrument, and it has the merit to have shown the great potentialities of Islamic finance in tackling environmental concerns.

As far as the awareness regarding environmental protection and sustainable development is expected to increase among Muslim countries day after day, so the demand – and consequently the offer – for environmental-sensitive and shari’ah compliant financial products is bound to accelerate even further in the following years. As a result, green sukuk is bound to increase its crucial role of eco-friendly and Islamic financial instrument soon.

References

[1] Bacha, O. I., & Mirakhor, A., (2013). Islamic Capital Market: A Comparative Approach. Singapore: Wiley, pp. 171-210.

[2] AAOIFI, (2009) AAOIFI’s Shari’a Standard No. 17 – Investment Sukuk, Pub. L. No. 17, p. 468. Source: http://www.nbfi-modaraba.com.pk/Data/Sites/1/skins/nbfi/images/AAOIFI/ShariahStandard17.pdf. Last Access : 27/03/2021.

[3] World Bank Group, (2020). Pioneering the Green Sukuk: Three Years On, p. 17. Source: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/34569/Pioneering-the-Green-Sukuk-Three-Years-On.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. Last access : 27/03/2021.

[4] Bacha, O. I., & Mirakhor, ivi., pp. 171-210.

[5] Green Sukuk. Climate Bond Initiative. Source: https://www.climatebonds.net/projects/facilitation/green-sukuk. Last access: 27/03/2021.

[6] Panda, P. (2017). Green Bond: A Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Instrument, Research Bulletin, Volume 43, No. I, pp. 97-113.

[7] Rahim, S. R. M., & Mohamad, Z. Z. (2018). Green Sukuk for Financing Renewable Energy Projects, Turkish Journal of Islamic Economics, 5(2), pp. 129-144.

[8] RAM (2020). RAM Ratings reaffirms Tadau Energy’s AA3 SRI sukuk rating. Source: https://www.ram.com.my/pressrelease/?prviewid=5389. Last access: 28/03/2021.

[9] Henze, V., (2020) ‘Sustainable Debt Sees Record Issuance At $465Bn in 2019, Up 78% From 2018’ BloombergNEF, source: https://about.bnef.com/blog/sustainable-debt-sees-record-issuance-at-465bn-in-2019-up-78-from-2018/. Last access: 28/03/2021.

[10] World Bank Group, (2020).

حماية البيئة هدف إستراتيجي في رؤية السعودية 2030

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لعقود مضت وصمت أنماط الإستهلاك السائدة آنذاك بغير المستدامة (الإستهلاك المفرط في إنتاج وإستهلاك السلع والخدمات على حساب الإستنزاف الجائر للموارد الطبيعية و حقوق الأجيال القادمة)، فقد فرضت التحولات الاقتصادية والاجتماعية و البيئية ضغطا على الدول لإعتماد أنظمة تنموية وإقتصادية حديثة تراعي تحقيق التوازن بين الحفاظ على الموارد الطبيعية و تعزيز النمو الاقتصادي على نحو مستدام.

ولذلك تعمل المملكة العربية السعودية في تشكيل سياساتها على النحو الذي يحمي ثروتها النفطية، ويحسن من كفاءة إستهلاكها للطاقة ويدعم إستخدم المزيج الأمثل للطاقة الذي يشمل الإستفادة من الموارد الطبيعية المتجددة (تذكر الرؤيا إمكانية السعودية في توليد الطاقة من الطاقة الشمسية وطاقة الرياح بحوالي 9.5 جيجاوات بحلول العام 2023م) والبديلة (مثل الطاقة الذرية للمساهمة في مزيج الطاقة الوطنية السعودية) وذلك لتحقيق أمن وإستدامة الطاقة وحماية البيئة في المملكة العربية السعودية. كما وقد تم الإعلان مؤخرا عن الاتفاق مع البنك الإستثماري “سوفت بنك” لبناء مشروع ضخم للطاقة الشمسية بطاقة إنتاجية تصل إلى 200 جيجاوات.

المملكة العربية السعودية دولة نفطية ، ولذلك تعتبر حماية البيئة و المحافظة على إستقرار أسواق الطاقة هي في قلب التنمية المستدامة. ومن المقاصد الرئيسة في رؤية 2030م تبني الخطط الإقتصادية الطموحة لتنويع مصادر الدخل للإقتصاد السعودي المعتمد بشكل أساسي على النفط، ولهذا فإن إدراج سيناريوهات للتنويع الاقتصادي مع تحقيق منافع مشتركة للتخفيف م الآثار المترتبة على تغير المناخ سيحقق إستراتيجية ناجحة لأهداف التنمية المستدامة في الشقين الاقتصادي والبيئي على حد سواء.

حيث ستساهم معايير كفاءة إستهلاك الطاقة، والإستثمار في الطاقة المتجددة وزيادة مساهمتها في مزيج الطاقة الوطني وتكثيف البحث والتطوير في تقنيات إلتقاط وتخزين الكربون أو الإستفادة منه في تطبيقات صناعية و الحد من تسرب غاز الميثان كجزء من برنامج الإستدامة وإدارة الكربون في السعودية، و أيضا، دعم إستخدام الغاز الطبيعي وزيادة حصته في مزيج الطاقة الوطني.

تهتم رؤية السعودية 2030م ، بتعزيز مكانة المملكة العربية السعودية السياسية والتنموية والإقتصادية. وقد وضعت الرؤية البيئة والتنمية المستدامة من الأهداف الرئيسة لها، و نصت على ضرورة الحفاظ علىها، وفي المقام الأول كواجب ديني ووطني وإنساني و مسؤولية أمام الأجيال القادمة، وهو أيضا من المقومات الأساسية لجودة الحياة وضرورة للحد من مستويات التلوث في البيئة.

بالإضافة على الحد من ظاهرة التصحر، و العمل على الإستغلال الأمثل للثروات عبر الترشيد في الإستهلاك و تشجيع الممارسات الصديقة للبيئة كتدوير النفايات. ومن زاوية أخرى تشير الرؤية إلى أهمية البيئة والتنمية المستدامة كركيزة أساسية لرقي الشعوب وشريك في نجاح الخطط التنموية الطموحة. و كل ذلك لخدمة سياسة الطاقة في الممكة العربية السعودية والتأكيد على مكانة المملكة المهمة كشريك عالمي لتزويد الطاقة الموثوقة والمسئولة.

وختاما، لابد من التأكيد على أهمية تضمين السياسات المتعلقة بالتنمية والإقتصاد في المملكة العربية السعودية-بصفة خاصة- لمعاييرالإستدامة البيئية بشكل عام و لسياسات تغير المناخ بشكل خاصع ويشمل ذلك سياسات التكيف والإستجابة والتنفيذ لتخفيف، وكل هذا لتكون التنمية البيئية هي الدرع لحماية وإستدامة متطلبات التنمية الاقتصادية في المملكة العربية السعودية.

4 Options To Control Pigeons in A Large Area

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Getting rid of pigeons from roofs, balconies, and industrial areas is one of the most frequently asked questions by people who have pigeon problems. Pigeons are frequently fed through leftovers and trash, but some pigeon lovers nourish the pigeons with good daily feed.

It causes more damage than good for the birds because the pigeons start to congregate in huge figures, which leads to different difficulties for residents of the area. As a result, some people use fatal and non-humane methods for getting rid of pigeons.

pigeon-problem

Pigeons cause annoyance and health hazards. In large cities, easily accessible food and water, plenty of free housing, rare predators are the factors that support pigeons’ growth. When pigeons’ population becomes too large, causing a disturbance, then the pigeons’ carnage is often the primary step. However, the killing of pigeons is ineffective, and there are improved, non-fatal solutions to pigeon problems.

Different Problems Caused by Pigeons

The most common type of pest bird, e.g. pigeon, is causing a wide range of problems in a wide range of structures, from manufacturing plants to airports, offices, the rooftops of stores and homes. Pigeons excrete extremely acidic droppings; therefore, they can do much damage in a small phase. Every year, pigeons cause huge damage in city areas.

The major problems caused by pigeons includes

  • They can harm a company’s or commercial enterprise’s image by creating a negative impression.
  • The debris from roosting pigeon flocks can clog gutters and drains.
  • Air conditioning and rooftop machinery are frequently damaged.
  • The droppings of pigeons create hazardous surfaces, putting people at risk of slipping and falling.
  • Pigeon droppings can cause several diseases.
  • They carry fleas and other parasites that are harmful to human health.

But as we know that it is illegal to kill pigeons or any other wild bird species, we need to follow some humane methods for getting rid of them. Read on to know more about the humane ways to control pigeons in a large area:

Ways to Control Pigeons in Large Areas

1. Pigeon Birth Control Program

One of the most effective and humane methods to solve the pigeon problem in large areas is the birth control program for pigeons. Ovocontrol is a globally used birth control program for pigeons. It is a controlled baiting system that works like a contraceptive. It is carefully administered and strictly observed to avoid any impact on non-target birds. Scientific research has proved it to be both environmentally friendly and safe for the hatchability of eggs of most other birds.

2. Anti-Bird Spikes

Anti-bird spikes, also known as spike strips, are a set of attachable spikes that can be fastened to a surface to prevent pigeons from nesting in areas where you don’t want birds. The spikes will not necessarily harm the birds, which is a good thing if you want to stay on the right side of the law. However, the spikes will deter birds from nesting wherever the spikes are laid.

Bird spikes, when properly installed, will prevent larger birds from landing anywhere on or around your business. It is important to note that some smaller bird species, such as starlings and sparrows, will not be permanently deterred if only bird spikes are used. Bird and pigeon spikes are not harmful to birds; instead, they serve as a visual and physical barrier. Because the birds do not directly contact the bird spikes, it is a humane bird deterrent.

3. Bird Repelling Gels

If you’re wondering how to get rid of pigeons on your roof, keep in mind that you need to make it less appealing to them. You can do this by using pigeon repellent gel to make their roosting areas uninhabitable. A sticky trap, also known as sticky gel, is a bird repellent that uses a chemical to create a translucent barrier across structures, causing a bird’s feet to become stuck to the surface, causing the bird to struggle to get free.

A pigeon will avoid landing on structures that contain the gel because it does not want to go through the experience of breaking free from the sticky chemical a second time.

4. Ultrasound repeller for pigeons

Birds have a keen sense of hearing, allowing them to pick up on sounds that human ears cannot. They must have an acute hearing to hear the calls of other birds.

It helps them detect food, a potential mate, and danger. Use this to your advantage and use sound to get rid of pigeons. The Ultrasonic Bird Repellers can help remove pigeons from your property by emitting bird distress calls and predator sounds.

It has several settings that allow you to blend several pre-recorded sounds to make it sound more natural. Other types of pigeon control devices that use sound to get rid of pigeons use frequencies that only these birds can hear. It has a lower frequency than human ears can detect, but it is irritating to pigeon ears. Hence, using ultrasonic repellents are safe for both humans and pigeons.

Hazardous Wastes in UAE

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Hazardous_Waste_UAEThe United Arab Emirates signed the Basel Convention* in November 1992 and established a legislation called ‘Regulation for Handling Hazardous Materials, Hazardous Wastes and Medical Waste (Law 24 of 1999)’. Article 12 of the law states ‘Transportation and disposal of locally produced hazardous waste through land borders, marine environment limit and air space shall be controlled in accordance with the rules, procedure and controls mentioned and specified in Basel Agreement and in coordination with Federal Environmental Agency’.

UAE is not yet a signatory to Basel BAN amendments of Sep 1995 thus there is no mention of the Basel BAN amendments in the current federal legislation. At emirates level, various legislation were passed to organise the waste management sector in each emirates. Abu Dhabi passed the Law 21 of 2005 concerning Waste Management in emirate of Abu Dhabi. Centre of Waste Management is the Competent Authority to monitor and manage the transportation of hazardous waste in the Emirates.

Major hazardous waste streams in UAE are Petrochemical waste, Medical Waste, and e-Waste. To avoid hazardous waste export the cash-rich government-owned petrochemical companies have established centralised treatment facility. Centre for Waste Management (CWM) has established treatment facilities for Medical Waste Incineration, Engine Oil treatment, Tyre Shredding through PPP business model.

The UAE Government is encouraging private companies for e-waste recycling. Major electronic distributors have established e-waste collection centres and subsequent transfer to established facilities. However, good fraction of e-waste is still collected in an unorganised manner and exported to South and Southeast Asian countries.

Shipment of hazardous waste coming into UAE is being well-monitored and well-controlled. In recent past only a single incident of mixed plastic waste was reported. The waste was imported through Dubai ports to be treated at a facility in Ajman. The Dubai government objected to import and the issue was raised at Environment Agency (UK). As a result, the transporting company was fined about GBP 75,000.

UAE has efficient law enforcement machinery. Thus after the establishment of CWM in 2008, there has been significant improvement in waste management in general and hazardous waste transportation in particular. Further impetus is required by the government to invest into the better treatment/storage facilities for e-waste, nuclear waste and other such waste. The legislation shall also be made more illustrative to check the aberrations regarding trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste.