Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; December 15, 2013: As the energy world looks forward to the 2014 World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, BP is working with Masdar to deliver the lowest-carbon WFES yet following the announcement of BP Target Neutral as the Summit’s Official Carbon Offset Partner. Target Neutral is BP’s not-for-profit carbon management programme.
BP Target Neutral is using the expertise resulting from its role as the Carbon Offset Partner of the London 2012 Games to reduce and neutralise, or offset, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with all travel to WFES. Independently commended for its approach to carbon offsetting, a report by Thomson Reuters Point Carbon found BP Target Neutral “sets a new bar for the major events industry and BP should be congratulated for its programme design in this regard.”
Using a robust methodology to calculate the emissions resulting from travel to WFES, BP Target Neutral will offset these emissions through its portfolio of rigorously selected best-in-class carbon credits. The combination of Gold Standard, Verified Carbon Standard and Climate Action Reserve credits are issued by local low carbon development projects across the globe. These innovative technologies range from closed-loop energy powered by methane capture from dairy cows to cyclone resistant, collapsible wind turbines in New Caledonia.
Abdulkarim AlMazmi, General Manager and Chief Representative for BP UAE, said: “BP is committed to investing in Abu Dhabi and to supporting its vision for long term sustainable development. We are delighted that BP Target Neutral is the Official Carbon Offset Partner for WFES 2014. It is another example of our deep commitment to working in partnership with the government and communities in Abu Dhabi to help meet energy demand more sustainably.”
“As Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, Masdar is very pleased to work with the Official Carbon Offset Partner for WFES 2014, BP Target Neutral,” said Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Director of Corporate Sustainability at Masdar. “Offsetting is part of our integrated approach to carbon management, which leads to an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As WFES continues to grow alongside the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, we remain committed to reducing the event’s carbon footprint and environmental impact. This is aligned to our goal of meeting the most pressing sustainability challenges of tomorrow.”
“BP Target Neutral uses a ‘Reduce, Replace, Neutralise’ approach to carbon management. First, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the event by choosing low carbon solutions – such as locally-sourced food; replacing carbon intensive activities with carbon efficient options – for example low emissions vehicles for on-site transport; and finally neutralising the residual emissions” said Andrea Abrahams, Global Director, BP Target Neutral, adding, “Our association with WFES shows that offsetting can be a successful part of the approach to event carbon management.”
About BP Target Neutral
BP Target Neutral was set up in 2006 as part of BP’s broader commitment to practical sustainability. It is a not-for-profit initiative and BP covers Target Neutral’s operating costs. That’s important because it means that when individuals use Target Neutral to offset their carbon all the money (except a small card transaction fee and VAT) paid to offset goes directly to projects that benefit both the environment and the communities in which they operate.
BP Target Neutral is a founding member of ICROA, the International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Alliance. Target Neutral’s work is governed by an independent advisory panel of prominent environmental and industry experts. The panel ensures that all policies and activities conform to best practice in carbon management, and where possible will set new standards for that best practice: members of Target Neutral can be confident they are making a real contribution to a sustainable future.
For more information please visit www.bptargetneutral.com
World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2014
Held under the patronage of H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the 7th edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) runs from 20-22 January 2014 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre with the theme of ‘Powering the Future of Energy Innovation and Investment’.
Since its inception in 2008, WFES has grown to become the leading discussion platform for renewable energy, clean technology and sustainability, and it is now considered the preeminent international event for government and industry decision makers to find viable, sustainable solutions to the world’s growing energy challenges.
Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, WFES 2014 is the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the largest ever gathering on sustainability in the Middle East. The event comprises a world-class conference that offers an unparalleled forum for political, business and intellectual debate and a large-scale exhibition which facilitates networking and transactions between manufacturers, suppliers and customers across both the public and private sectors.
WFES 2014 also features a Project and Finance Village, a Sustainable Living Expo, a Young Future Energy Leaders programme, Tech Talk, and various corporate events and social engagements.
For more information, visit www.worldfutureenergysummit.com
For further information on WFES please contact:
Naji El Haddad
Show Director– WFES
Email: naji.haddad@reedexpo.ae
T: (+971) 2 4090 499
Nathan Wilson
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
Email: nathan.wilson@bm.com
T: (+971) 2 6334 133
