Key environmental experts say UAE holds potential to become global leader in green technologies

His comments came while delivering a keynote address at the one-day environment master class organized jointly on February 10 by the Dubai School of Government (DSG), the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Jimmy Brannigan and Joss Tantram, members of the "One Planet Leaders" initiative of the World Wildlife Forum, conducted the master class at the DSG premises, sharing valuable insights with over 40 regional business leaders. Outlining tools for setting non-financial reporting criteria, the team elaborated on the benefits and importance of corporate social responsibility as an essential component of business strategies.

Jimmy Brannigan, Director of ESD Consulting Ltd., said:

"This is an incredible opportunity for us to share key perspectives and help the UAE make a big impact in terms of environment and social sustainability. We are here to inform the business leaders on how to identify and develop environmentally sustainable business models."

Joss Tantram, Partner - Corporate Sustainability at Terra Consult, said: "The time is right to address the larger issues of water and energy conservation, and prompt thought leaders to explore innovative solutions for achieving sustainability. We firmly believe the UAE has the leadership and vision to become a leader in green technology and related areas, and show the world that it can offer creative solutions to the problems that the world faces."

Dr. Mohamed Lahouel, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor at DSG, said: "We are indeed living in an interesting phase, where environment and social sustainability are becoming key issues, not just on the government level, but in the private sector too. It is imperative that we create an understanding of how each one of us can contribute to the growth and understanding of sustainable business practices."
Pointing out that businesses today are paying more attention to non-finance aspects of sustainability, Lahouel added: "A sustainable business must take into account the gamut of factors that make an ecosystem sustainable and help the business or community thrive. We are also witnessing a great shift in perception and increased public-private partnerships in place. With improved environmental regulation and a reduced ecological footprint, the region has what it takes to become a role model for other nations globally."

Established in 2005 in conjunction with the Harvard Kennedy School, the Dubai School of Government is committed to the creation of knowledge, dissemination of global best practices and the training of policy makers in the Arab world.