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Rest of the World
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10/05/13 |
UAE: Sustainable
City Planned in Dubai |
Diamond Developers has announced that it had
put the final touches on plans to develop the first sustainable city in
Dubai. The plan propagates
the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai. The
project also stems from the vision of UAE to
become a world leader in global environmental protection.
Engineer Mr. Faris Saeed, Chairman of Diamond Developers and a member of
the Dubai Real Estate Community which was founded by the Dubai Land
Department comments: "The announcement of the
launch signifies the culmination of over three years of vigorous efforts
to develop the first sustainable city in Dubai. The final concept is the
product of in-depth studies and discussions carried out by Diamond
Developers with international universities, experts and UN specialized
organizations. The development will be instrumental in stamping the
UAE's fingerprint on the world map, for the progressive initiative and
its meticulous attention to every detail."
The city project is expected to meet the highest standards of
sustainability requirements, including optimal use of land. The project
will also respond to the population's needs for electric power by
harnessing solar energy, and to combat growing water shortages in the
region, waste and sewage water will be treated and recycled for
irrigation purposes. The city will also adopt several initiatives to
reduce carbon emissions by more than 75% and the city will be 100% free
of waste due to a fully integrated waste treatment system. Residents of
the community can enjoy a sustainable transport system that constitutes
of solar energy powered vehicles and horse carriages.
"Green areas account for 70% of the total area and include gardens and
farms engineered to produceorganic food products for the nutritional
requirements of the population. There will also be a solar energy farm
and a green belt of 100,000 qaaf and palm trees, stretching along 8
kilometers in and around the city, that will be able to accommodate
2,500 families", added Mr. Saeed.
The city will include various essential facilities, such as a mosque,
hospital, school and multi-use complex. The residential community
reflects the architectural identity and heritage of the UAE integrated
into sustainable design.
The project will also feature a unified complex for various government
departments and a university to teach sustainable environmental sciences
at its three faculties. Housing facilities will be available for
students who are eager to obtain a recognized Bachelor's and Master's
Degree in cooperation with a prominent world university.
Sustainable Foods Summit
Sustainable food cities are to be covered in the upcoming Sustainable
Foods Summit. Taking place in Amsterdam on June
6-7th, the summit will look discuss the role of sustainable foods in
urban cities. More details are on
the
website
Source: News Release
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08/05/13 |
Ghana: Sustainable Cocoa Programme Gives Dividends |
Ghanian farmers are reaping the benefits of a
sustainable cocoa programme implemented by the agricultural and food
company Cargill. In total, 3,900
Ghanaian farmers received the payments for the first three months
production of sustainable cocoa beans following their participation in
Cargill's farmer training programme.
In a release, Cargill stated that the payments were made at a recent
ceremony in Sefwi Bekwai, in the Western region of Ghana, attended by
the Managing Director of Cargill Ghana and partners including the Deputy
CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board; the licensed cocoa buying company Akuafo
Adamfo; and the programme manager of the non-governmental organisation
Solidaridad.
"This payment, is the direct result of a successful public private
partnership working towards sustainable cocoa in Ghana," said Kojo Amoo-Gottfried,
Managing Director of Cargill Ghana. Working with the Ghana Cocoa Board,
Akuafo Adamfo and Solidaridad has produced genuine positive results for
all participants, particularly the cocoa farmers, who will be receiving
further payments as the harvest period progresses."
These payments are a result of Cargill's Cocoa Promise, the company's
commitment to make a difference around sustainability in three key
areas: training cocoa farmers; supporting cocoa farming communities; and
investing in the long-term sustainable production of cocoa.
Launched in 2012, the first phase of Cargill's farmer training in Ghana
has provided tuition in good agricultural practices such as pruning,
plantation renewal and cocoa fermentation methods, and good
environmental and social practices, with the aim of increasing
productivity and yields.
Moving into its second phase, farms will be thoroughly mapped to
determine precise yields. Soil will also be tested for acidity,
alkalinity and nutrients to ensure that optimum growing conditions are
achieved. In addition the training will also address broader social
aspects, such as children's education and HIV awareness.
David Kobina Aidoo, an Akuafo Adamfo district cocoa chief farmer based
in Bekwia, said: "By using what I've learned through the farmer field
school training programme I have a healthier farm with higher yields. By
becoming certified I've received this premium payment for my crop, with
other payments to come as the harvest period progresses, which is good
for me and my family."
Sustainable Foods Summit
Sustainable sourcing projects are a regular feature of the Sustainable
Foods Summit. The summit looks at the evolution of food eco-labels, such
as Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, etc.
The
next edition of this executive summit will take place in Amsterdam on
6-7th June 2013. More details are on the
website
Source: News Release
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08/05/13 |
UN:
Greening Trade Imperative for Sustainable Development |
Greening global trade is a vital step to achieving sustainable
development, and developing countries are well positioned to help
catalyze this transition, according to the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP).
"In today's increasingly interconnected world, where trillions of
dollars worth of goods and services are traded annually, greening global
trade still presents challenges but also holds significant
opportunities," said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP
Executive Director. "If we are to reverse the global decline in
biodiversity, mitigate the release of greenhouse gases (GHG), halt the
degradation of lands and protect our oceans, then it is an imperative
that international trade becomes more sustainable and contributes to
protecting that 'natural capital' of economies in the developing world."
In the last two decades, trade has continued to expand, creating
economic growth and progress towards eradicating poverty in developing
countries. At the same time, however, the increasing volume of trade has
put additional stress on natural resources, led to increases in GHG
emissions, and contributed to social inequalities.
World trade patterns show that developing countries, and particularly
least developed countries, still depend heavily on natural resource
based products and raw materials for their exports. To achieve long-term
and sustainable economic development, however, there are significant and
real opportunities for developing nations to diversify their economies
and position themselves to benefit from the growing global demand for
more green goods and services.
While still representing only a small percentage of the global market,
trade in certified products and in environmental goods and services is
on the rise in absolute terms. For example, the global market in
low-carbon and energy efficient technologies, which include renewable
energy supply products, is projected to nearly triple to US$ 2.2
trillion by 2020.
The UNEP report, Green Economy and Trade - Trends, Challenges and
Opportunities, finds that developing countries with abundant renewable
resources are well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities to
increase their share in international markets for sustainable goods and
services. The report analyzes six economic sectors - agriculture,
fisheries, forests, manufacturing, renewable energy and tourism - where
trade opportunities exist, and identifies measures, such as policy
reforms and certification, that can help developing countries benefit
from these markets.
"Transitioning to a green economy can facilitate new trade
opportunities, which in turn will help to make global trade more
sustainable," said Mr Steiner. "At the same time, trade in environmental
goods and services is clearly an area where many developing countries
have a competitive advantage. With the right policies and price regimes
in place, developing countries are well-positioned to help drive the
global transition to a more sustainable economy."
Related Article:
Environmental Impact of
Cosmetics - Consumers Hold The Key
Source: News Release
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