An interview with Dr. Abdulmonem Almarzouqi,
Manager, Environmental Regulations Environment,
Health and Safety (Dubai World) Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (PCFC)

Dr. Almarzouqi has a PhD. in Environmental Science (environmental education and culture) from the Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University, Egypt. He is currently responsible for initiating, updating and upgrading the environmental rules, regulations and procedures for all Dubai World businesses in accordance with local, federal and international requirements. He also trains and educates UAE nationals on environmental practices as part of day to day operations and part of his knowledge transfer responsibilities.

Q.

What do you foresee as the condition of UAE in the next 10 years at the present rate of development and urban growth?

A.

With the rate that the development is going at present, UAE will be the world’s leader when it comes to most aspects of development and urban growth - showcasing modern and one-of-a-kind structural projects that incorporate the “green concept”. It will see a serious campaign for environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Q.

According to a recent WWF report, Dubai has the world’s worst carbon footprint. How should we address this issue?

A.

Carbon footprint is the shared result of all our activities. Resolving this issue would need a collective effort from all stakeholders with emphasis on programs to regulate industries contributing to carbon pollution, activities to minimize carbon emissions, promotion of clean production and environmental education to arrive at long-term solutions.

From the simplest reduction of energy consumption to regulatory actions for emitters, collective action alone can contribute to resolving this problem.

Q.

Would you consider Greening the Gulf region as a necessary measure to bring down the ecological footprint?

A.

Yes, the greening program can be one effective way to help bring down the damage to our environment. Trees can absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, can aid natural water recycling, serve as habitat for birds and other animals and help minimize air and noise pollution.

Q.

Dubai is regarded as an ‘instant city’; how do you assure that the ecological systems remain intact?

A.

Dubai has become a leader when it comes to modern architecture and mega development projects – some that were not even imagined possible. To match this fast development, the government is equally committed to come up with programs to protect natural resources, such as the “Green Dubai” resolution.

Speaking as a representative of a regulatory body, I can help assure the protection of the ecological system by coming up with specific regulations and policies on how to carry out and realize the “green concept” (for e.g. charging penalties from environmental violators).

Q.

How can we balance corporate goals with environmental conservation?

A.

In companies, generating income should be matched with the feeling of responsibility to give back something to the community and the environment. This would benefit more people over a longer period than monetary gains. Commercial institutions can contribute by engaging not only in commercial activities but also in cause worthy projects like environmental enrichment and conservation. They could come-up with promotions like waste reduction, clean-up or tree planting activities for their employees.

Q.

This is an Awareness and Action campaign: What tips and tools would you recommend to the average person in terms of conservation and ecological footprint?

A.

The simplest tip that I can recommend to people is that they do what they can in their household is to save energy, water and manage their waste. If all households will do this, much can be contributed to save our environment.

Q.

What would your Stand Up statement be to our readers in one sentence?

A.

Earth is the only living planet and home to all living creatures: we all share not only the nature's gift but also the responsibility to keep it healthy and alive.  

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An interview with Ms. Amal Koshak,
Manager Investor Services,
Customer Relations Department Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

Winner of the Energy Engineer Award for the 2007 Emirates Energy Award, Eng. Amal Koshak has been the driving force behind most of the conservation efforts carried out by DEWA. Her passion for saving the environment and raising awareness about conservation has lead to significant savings of water and electricity in Dubai. With a BS in Operation Engineering Technology from the University of Central Florida, Amal has brought with her the best of international expertise to utilize and implement in Dubai.

Q.

What role does DEWA play in ensuring a sustainable environment in Dubai, especially taking into account the rapid pace of construction and urban development?

A.

As far as DEWA is concerned, it saves no effort in addressing environmental issues related to its operations. DEWA employs the best practices in generating electricity and water that reduce waste and emissions.

Furthermore, DEWA is implementing a campaign all over Dubai to raise awareness of the need to conserve electricity and water consumption in the Emirate. This aims at both a cleaner environment as well as saving natural resources. Our campaign covers all segments of the society, and special emphasis is placed on schools so that the new generation is brought up with a better understanding of the need to conserve energy and water.

DEWA also plays an active role in all environmental initiatives in Dubai, in order to promote a sense of responsibility among Dubai residents of the need to conserve natural resources, thereby conserving the environment. We participate and support awareness initiatives such as The World Environment Day, The World Water Day, The Earth Hour, The Earth Day, and The National Environment Day with special programs specifically designed to promote awareness of environment issues.

DEWA, within its scope of work, has also endorsed a Global Conference on Water Management that is going to be held in October 2009, which will encompass several important themes that address water management concerns locally, regionally and globally.

With the rapid expansion of the inhabited areas in Dubai DEWA has taken special care to provide all the new areas with electricity and water. This of course is augmented by DEWA's SCR program that makes sure all services keep in mind that we must have a sustainable environment.

Q.

What do you foresee as the future of the state of environment in the UAE in the next 5-10 years?

A.

I am confident that with the massive attention and care directed towards improving and conserving the environment, proven and closely instructed at the highest levels, the state of the environment will be good.

There is a specialized Ministry for the Environment and Water in the UAE, and many authorities and societies span the Emirates each tackling environmental causes from a different perspective.

In Dubai, in particular, HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has given special emphasis on the environment in the "Dubai Strategic Plan 2015", in which he clearly stresses the need to maintain and conserve the environment in Dubai. Dubai is home to environmental societies such as the Emirates Environment Group and Dubai Diving Group, in addition to specialized departments in governmental and private organizations. Being an international City, I also believe Dubai has a population which is very aware of environmental issues.

DEWA recognizes the importance and utility of the environment, and that we should take care of it and hand it in good condition to future generations. To ensure this, it implements many special programs through its Customer Relations Department. We are trying to involve the wider population of Dubai in our endeavors, and seek their participation in our events to conserve electricity and water utilization.

Q.

How do you balance the needs of the property boom with water and energy conservation?

A.

DEWA has plans to provide all Dubai inhabitants with their requirements of electricity and water. While the existing capacity of DEWA is sufficient to fulfill current needs, the construction boom in Dubai means that many new areas keep emerging that need to be serviced.

To keep up with the boom, DEWA has in the past months signed contacts with several providers and companies to expand the capacity of some existing power plants and water desalination facilities. It has also awarded contracts to other companies and providers to establish new stations, reservoirs, and facilities in order to cater to the needs of the new developments in different parts of Dubai.

Q.

What are the environmental codes and standards which DEWA follows and how vital is it to follow them?

A.

DEWA was entrusted, along with Dubai Municipality, to set forth the specification of "Green Buildings," which became an obligatory condition for buildings erected in Dubai starting 2008, as per instructions of HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Once the guidelines and specifications for these Green Buildings are approved, innovative methods are going to be followed to make sure all sectors and stake holders are familiarized with the new regulations.

Q.

How do you convey these rules and regulations to the householders/ developers/ landscapers/ horticulturists- how can they help in water and energy conservation?

A.

DEWA takes several approaches to conveying its regulations and specifications as well as tips for the conservation of electricity and water and maintaining the environment to a wide spectrum of audiences.

These include direct contact, communications and use of media outlets, advertising, distribution of booklets and brochures, preparation of posters and leaflets and distributing them to targeted audience, and designing and implementing special campaigns to the general public in Dubai.

Q.

Raising awareness and educating people on choosing the right kinds of plants and trees and maintaining gardens is a necessary step. What measures and tools would you use to increase awareness among the average person?

A.

Given the peculiarity of the GCC region, special plants and trees are more suitable than others to be grown in this area. There are some good research programs carried out by scientific institutions around the Gulf area on this issue - particularly in the UAE University, as well as the Bio-saline Agriculture Center, funded by the Islamic Bank for Development.

DEWA's effort in this regard is to use plants that need the least amount of water, and for irrigating those plants only when they need water and when irrigation is more efficient i.e. when plants and trees make the most of water given to them.

We include in most of our tips to residents of Dubai the need to irrigate plants and trees in early morning or evening hours to reduce the amount of evaporation. We also advise people of Dubai to irrigate plants only when they need water to avoid excess irrigation.

We normally use the regular ways to advise people to do that through brochures, leaflets, posters, and media outlets.

Q.

What one message would you like to convey to those participating or reading about the Mission Green Earth Challenge?

A.

I would like to say that the earth is home to all of us - so whatever we do we do to it, we do to ourselves. Therefore, our actions to conserve the environment of the earth should be cooperative, synchronized, and unified, in order to produce the maximum effect which will result in saving our planet.   

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An interview with David Gottfried,
Founder of US and World Green Buildings Council
www.worldgbc.org, www.usgbc.org

A green building is a building designed to conserve resources and reduce negative impacts on the environment - whether it is energy, water, building. Meet Mr David Gottfried, who founded the US and World Green Building Council in 1992-93. David also developed the LEED Green Building rating system to define Green buildings. Today World Green Building Council has established councils in 12 countries, including Emirates Green Building Council. 50 other countries are developing emerging councils. The World Green Building Council is the UN of buildings councils to share knowledge, rating tools, collaborative initiatives and support emerging councils. Recently in Dubai, David says, “Dubai has an incredible opportunity, it is building like crazy and if it misses this opportunity, it will not only hurt the earth but those buildings when 40-50 years old will only increase CO2 and other pollution”.

Q.

What do you see as threats in this region to environment sustainability?

A.

A: First - we have already embarked on hundreds of buildings that are not green. We lost those in terms of their design and construction. However, we can catch those somewhat if we go through greening of operations and maintenance, maybe water efficiency, energy efficiency and air quality.

B: The second barrier is the typical developer mentality- perceiving green as a cost increase, a risk and a liability. It is a prioritization to achieve energy efficiency, water efficiency, health and transportation. I can take any developer’s budget and create green. But you need to be flexible in how you spend money. The need is to educate, train, develop and open minds. What the data is showing in North America is that those who embrace green buildings are achieving higher rental rates, lower expenses and better sales prices. At the end of the day, a green building is making them more money. So we need to wake up and that is my mission.

Q.

How do you achieve a balance of social, developmental and environmental needs?

A.

Well, these are competing needs and balance is important. But ultimately there is only ONE great need as a human race. And that is that we survive. The secondary need is that we don’t obliterate all other living systems here, which if we do, we won’t survive as well!

The problem is, we build an economy that doesn’t value life and life sustaining and preservation of the earth's lungs and resources. It should be synonymous where you can meet the financial needs of profitability and capitalism, while being congruent with the earth, laws of earth, nature and physics.

What’s occurring right now globally is a shift where people’s needs, economy and earth's needs are starting to align and that is going to be the essence of profitability for the future. I hope they will balance out. If they don’t, the consequences will be catastrophic and when that starts occurring, it will have to balance out.

Q.

What are the scientific tools/ monitoring systems, early warning systems?

A.

I think the scientists have tools, data, but what is missing are the communication tools - to get everyone to understand the imperative in simple terms and then the conversion of that data into codes and standards for how we build and make things. We are nowhere near ‘sustainable’ or ‘restorative’ and the dream of ‘regeneration’ is still a far away. The data for climate change measured in particles per billion is somewhere near 385 and our continuance for life systems threshold is 350. So we are living in the RED ZONE already and we should have alarm bells going off. We should be turning the ship away from the iceberg before we crash. And yet in some ways what we are doing is putting solar panels on the Titanic!

Q.

How can we make this campaign last and maintain it?

A.

Beyond communication, we need requirements. And the government is moving in a very positive direction here to require Green buildings. However, I would like them to ‘require’ at higher levels. If you look at LEED, I would say we need a minimum LEED Silver for this country. There should be significant incentives to go to the higher levels, so if you go to LEED Gold maybe you get a fast permit, you go to the front of the line. If you go to LEED Platinum, you get to build 2 more storeys on your building. If you go beyond the Platinum, towards a carbon/ water/ waste neutral or zero building, maybe you get other incentives or cash.
We could also advocate green procurement across the region and have cost efficiencies by bringing things like solar energy to be incredibly cost effective. Here we have so much solar we should be able to generate beyond our need and still benefit financially. We should also be super water efficient because water is a dear commodity, specially in the desert.

Q.

What are your suggestions for sustainable landscaping?

A.

Well, in green landscaping, there is a methodology called ‘Zeroscaping’ where we don’t use any potable water. First rule is that you grow only native plants that are drought tolerant, such as cactus and others. This is the highest used methodology. Second tier would be to capture your gray water from your sinks, baths, showers and filter it on site and then use that for landscaping. We have cisterns or barrels to capture water and then you use that for landscaping. If that’s the case you could have plant material which requires more water because you would source 100% and its your own grey water.
I don’t believe in lawns and grass and even if its grey water fed. We waste water every minute in showers, sinks and baths. The other simple and cost effective way to save water is to capture the grey water, treat it and put it into the toilets. Another item - solar hot water is the smartest idea for UAE and the Gulf region. Every home should have its hot water heater on the roof. There should be governmental program to install it in every building within 2 years. Even to cool things you should explore geo-thermal opportunities by running the air underground to have heat extraction.

Closing thought- main message:
Green technology is imperative but green technology and green building is only a subsect of a green life and just bringing green technology does’nt mean we have a green life. So we have to go deeper and look at our relationship with ourselves and with other people and with other living things and evaluate what is a humane approach. Until we learn how to green ourselves and how to have a relationship with others, we will just have green technology but will have a toxic earth. And I encourage all of us to take that look and incorporate the social side of green as the overriding principle and have technology as an enabler. Unless we look at our social footprint and go from human to humane, we won’t prevail here.

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An interview with Dr Prabhakar Rao,
Horticulturalist and Chief Operating Officer,
International Association for Human Values

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES IN DUBAI

Q.

Tell us about International Association for Human Values' (IAHV) projects related to environment in the UAE.

A.

We are launching a new campaign called "Sustainable Landscapes" as a part of the "Take Action" component of the Stand Up & Take Action Campaign, 2008. It will be an awareness campaign that will start off with the official launch of the Mission Green Earth website and will continue for all of 2008 and 2009. It is the culmination of more than 10 years of research into Dubai's "disturbed landscapes" and proposes appropriate, sustainable solutions to them

Q.

What do you mean by "Disturbed Landscapes"?

A.

Today, Dubai is growing like no other city in the world. It is not just the quantum of construction but also the nature of groundbreaking projects that have no precedent in the world. Take the Palm Projects, The World Project or The Lagoons Project, where land is being shaped and reshaped on such a massive scale. This has never been done before. Whenever changes on such a massive scale occur, the resulting topography is known as a "Disturbed Landscape".

Q.

Reshaping of land is an expected cost of development. How is the development here different from any large development elsewhere in the world? Why label only this a "Disturbed Landscape"?

A.

That is an excellent observation. There are two important reasons ways in which Dubai is different. First, this land is a desert. This is a fragile ecosystem that requires a lot of sensitive understanding and care. Second, the projects here are reshaping the landscape on a scale not witnessed before. The created land is essentially dredged barren coral sand, taken from the sea. Thus, it not only impacts the land but also the sea floor. It results in disturbance on a massive scale, hence the term. However "Disturbed Landscapes" does not mean that there is no scope for development or that they cannot be converted into "Sustainable Landscapes."

Q.

Why isn't there more of an emphasis on converting “Disturbed Landscapes” to "Sustainable Landscapes" at the moment?

A.

Priorities get shifted when projects are on the ground. If you observe any of the completed projects, aesthetics gets the highest priority with cost, environmental Impact and sustainability following in that order. It means that while the original vision may have been right, by the time the project is completed, the factors that drive it are different from the original intent. When you observe the external landscaping, it is predominantly face-value driven with emphasis on a "Look-Good" feel. The developers are willing to spend, but somehow sustainability slips to the lowest level of importance.

Q.

What exactly do you mean by the "Look-Good" feel?

A.

Landscaping is one of the last phases of a project. Invariably, the developer is in a rush to open the project and tends to focus on just getting the project to "Look-Good". Aesthetics tend to overshadow everything else by the end.

Q.

How are these “Look-Good” landscapes different from "Sustainable" landscapes?

A.

I would say that 99% of the plants used in landscaping in Dubai are not native to its environment. Most are of Asian origin, suited to more tropical environments with more rainfall. They are being used more out of habit than suitability. It is a vicious cycle. The industry uses plants that are available in the nurseries and the nurseries, in turn, only produce what they are familiar with. So we use ill-suited plants and establish elaborate irrigation systems and spend lots of money pumping fertilizers and pesticides trying to grow plants that were never meant for this land. Why should we rely on a plant palette that struggles to establish itself in this environment, and that requires lots of sweet water? This is definitely not a "Sustainable Landscape."

Q.

Talking about the plants used in the UAE, what research has been done by IAHV?

A.

IAHV worldwide has been doing pioneering research work in the field of sustainable environmental engineering. At the Sri Sri Institute of Agriculture, germplasm banks are being created and nearly extinct plant species are being revived for the purpose of sustainable development. With reference to Dubai and the Middle East, we looked at hyper-saline, drought-tolerant and heat-resistant species that could grow on a more sustainable basis. We started this work in 1994 and are pleased to say that today we have an established palette of plants that can grow in extreme conditions, look good and are sustainable.  

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An Article by Dr. Robert Reid,
Creator, Al Ain’s First Indigenous Arabian Garden

Dr. Reid is a consultant anesthetist with 30 years experience. In addition, he obtained a B.Sc. Honours in Wildlife Management in the early ‘70’s at the University of Pretoria (the university is host to the Chair of Wildlife Management of South Africa), and worked in the research section of the Etosha National Park in Namibia for a year before returning to the medical profession. Dr. Reid has had a lifetime interest in environmental conservation with a broad global perspective, in desert plant ecology and the geomorphology of deserts. In particular, his interests include cultivation of desert succulent plants; landscaping and design of indigenous gardens and cultivation of indigenous trees, shrubs and forbs.

IN SUPPORT OF GROWING INDIGENOUS PLANTS

The idea of indigenous planting is growing in popularity in many parts of the world as people think more carefully about gardening with a meaningful and integrated theme, rather than a haphazard agglomeration of plants from all over the world. Local pride is also dictating that people want to showcase their “own” plants in the same way they try to showcase their culture, history and architecture. There is then, for many people, an aesthetic imperative to grow such plants.
However there is much more to indigenous planting than aesthetics.

First and foremost, there is an ecological imperative. A significant land area of the average city is given over to gardens and parks, and if that area is planted with flora which has developed in unison with the local soil, climate, ground water, insect life, birds and other small animals, they will encourage the maintenance and development of all these pieces of the ecological jigsaw puzzle. There will be better pollination and seed distribution for the plants, less disease and a more robust and resilient garden which can weather tough conditions and harsh seasons.

Such gardens will lend a great support to the wider ecosystem outside the city, so that cities are no longer at odds with the countryside, but instead are extensions of the surrounding natural systems. You may even be lucky enough to attract a nesting bird, unusual migrant, a Semaphore ghecko or a family of field mice!

Indigenous plants also need less care. The principle of water-wise gardening using water-frugal, desert-adapted plants in a desert country should require no further elaboration! – but in the UAE, we continue to plant thirsty foreign plants in our gardens and irrigate them copiously to help them grow. If one considers the grounds of hotels, corporations, shopping malls, private gardens, municipal parks and road verges, they collectively represent a huge and unnecessary amount of water usage in the Emirates.

On the flip side, introduction of foreign plants into an area where there are no natural checks and balances on their growth, can lead to the unexpected escape of species which spread uncontrollably and become invasive. Every country has had its bad experiences with the creation of such pests, but once the genie is out of the bottle, there is no putting it back!

Then there is the cultural imperative. In the same way that a people’s architecture, monuments, and historical places reflect their unique origins, nature and culture, so do their urban and rural landscapes. The distinctive natural vegetation which is in evidence to travelers in the towns and cities contributes to the “local flavour” of a country.

What the creators of commercial-scale gardening projects (especially those associated with the tourist industry) need to turn their back on is the creation of more developments which reflect a certain faceless, homogenized uniformity. Such landscaping removes the unique local flavour which helps proclaim that you are not just anywhere in the world, but in one particular and special place. I have frequently wondered why such institutions reduce each distinctive country, with its special identity, to another tasteless international replica!

His message for us:

To some courageous and far-sighted commercial nursery – take the risk and be the first on the new road to re-create an Arabian urban environment in harmony with the desert, and grow commercial quantities of 40 suitable indigenous plants.

And to some inspired and imaginative developer – be the first to think outside the standard envelope, and specify only indigenous plants in the layout of your ne­xt big development!

Create a need; set an example; lead to the future!!

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