EAD and Borouge kick off sustainability program

THE Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) have launched the Sustainable Campus Initiative (SCI). The program is part of EAD’s ongoing projects to spread awareness among university students across the United Arab Emirates about important environmental issues toward encouraging them to reduce their environmental footprint. 

EAD and Borouge launch the Sustainable Campus Initiative in Abu Dhabi

The initiative is in alignment with Abu Dhabi’s Environmental Vision 2030, which acknowledges the role of the youth in building sustainable communities and safeguarding the country’s environment and natural heritage.

Held at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the event was attended by Dr. Saeed Al Hassani, undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Abdullah Zamzam, assistant secretary general of Operations at EAD; and Obaid Saeed Al Dhaheri, senior vice president for  Corporate Affairs at Borouge.

The SCI serves to expand on the work of the Sustainable Schools Initiative, which was launched by the EAD in 2009. The latter was successful in establishing environmental concepts and boosted the awareness of students and teachers about various environmental issues in the UAE. The efforts of the Sustainable Schools Initiative have resulted in concrete and measurable actions in lowering the environmental footprint of schools. 

To complement these efforts, the SCI hopes to engage the youth in identifying and addressing the society’s environmental sustainability issues. It will serve as a platform for students to network and share ideas with students outside the UAE in tackling key environment concerns such as water scarcity, waste, energy, climate change, and biodiversity.

EAD launched earlier this year the initiative’s pilot phase. This was supported by 100 students from four universities in Abu Dhabi, namely the Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology – Women’s College in Khalifa City, Higher Colleges of Technology – Men’s College in Madinat Zayed, and Higher Colleges of Technology – Women’s College in Ruwais. 

The launch of the SCI is a testament to EAD’s commitment in applying best international practices while encouraging innovation and hard work. It also promotes policies to uplift environmental awareness and sustainable development, making sure these are aligned with the national agenda integral in the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision, said Dr. Al Hassani. The youth’s involvement is crucial in attaining sustainable development across the three aspects – economic, social, and environmental, he also said.

A global leader in providing innovative plastic solutions, Borouge shows its commitment to the environment through its operations and plastic solution innovations designed to enhance people’s lives. CEO Abdulaziz Alhajri said the company remains committed to preserving the environment and the communities where it operates, with its Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility embedded within the company.