UAE companies showing progress in their environmental performance

This finding was consistent among UAE-based firms as well as the local branches of multinational firms and almost all firms reported that they expect to further improve their environmental performance over the next 12 to 24 months.

The report, entitled 'The State of Environmental Initiatives Among UAE Companies,' summarizes the results of a survey of 32 UAE companies conducted by EcoVentures.

The survey was administered by telephone and email and was based on companies reporting on their own progress in the areas of environmental awareness and action. EcoVentures announced today that it will be carrying out this survey on an annual basis going forward.

The results show an advanced level of environmental awareness among UAE companies with 91% of respondents stating that they feel their company has a responsibility not to harm the environment.

Respondents also showed a high degree of commitment to taking concrete action. 100% of responding companies reported that they expect to create an environmental committee and release an environmental strategy within 24 months and 66% of respondents expect to calculate their carbon footprint in the same timeframe. 93% of respondents report that they are taking actions to reduce their energy use and 100% expect to do the same within two years.

The report also shows UAE-based companies to be leading local branches of multinational companies 'multinationals' in their environmental awareness and implementation of actions.

Specifically, a higher proportion of UAE-based companies are conscious of their responsibility to the environment (100% v. 89%) and 100% of UAE-based companies expect to create an environmental strategy in the next 24 months compared to only 89% of multinationals. More UAE-based companies are also willing to commit resources to environmental initiatives than multinationals (100% v. 78%).

EcoVentures further reported on companies' perceptions of their customers' level of environmental awareness. 91% of respondents felt that their customers do care about their environmental performance and 91% also felt that their customers are becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues.

The findings illustrate specific notable initiatives taken by UAE companies such Al Futtaim and its efforts to reduce its use of air freight by 41% and launch 100% organic reusable bags in its stores and Barclays, which will purchase carbon credits to offset emissions from its global banking operations by the end of 2009.

"We are pleasantly surprised by the high level of awareness and the willingness to take tangible steps to reduce their impact on the environment expressed by all UAE companies in the study," commented EcoVentures Managing Director Shezan Amiji. "EcoVentures is proud to continue to support and partner with UAE companies as they seek to reduce their impact on the environment."

To mark the occasion of Earth Day 2009, Amiji announced that EcoVentures will conduct a climate change workshop for any interested UAE company at no charge. "The goals of these workshops are to educate and show UAE companies how they can take control of their carbon footprint, thereby reducing their contribution to the defining issue of our generation, climate change."