Masdar, host of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), has announced BP as the “Official Carbon Offset Partner” for this year’s World Future Energy Summit (WFES 2015), International Water Summit (IWS) and EcoWaste conferences held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability week, 17-24 January.
Following the successful offsetting of WFES 2014, the partnership will see the carbon impact of delegate travel and operations of the three events offset by BP’s not-for-profit carbon management programme, BP Target Neutral. For the more than 30,000 delegates travelling to Abu Dhabi for WFES, IWS and Eco Waste, BP Target Neutral will calculate the carbon footprint resulting from their travel. It will then purchase carbon credits and invest in low carbon development projects around the world to offset the impact of the greenhouse gas emissions from travel and event operations.
Hosted as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the Middle East’s largest gathering on sustainability, the three events will run from 17-24 January 2015. ADSW will present a window of opportunity for private sector companies to compete for a share of growth in the Middle East and Africa across clean energy, water sustainability and waste management.
Dr Ahmad Belhoul, chief executive officer of Masdar, said, “These three events facilitate global, multi-stakeholder dialogue that is critical to identifying the sustainable solutions required to ensure long term economic development and reduced environmental impact. This partnership with BP allows the three events to continue catalysing the adoption of clean technology and sustainable development, whilst reducing its carbon footprint.”
With major international events such as the London 2012 Olympics and World Cup Brazil 2014 already to its credit, an independent report by Thomson Reuters Point Carbon said BP Target Neutral ‘sets a new bar for the major events industry and BP should be congratulated for its programme design in this regard.’
Abdulkarim AlMazmi, president and general manager for BP UAE, said, “BP Target Neutral seeks to raise awareness on the impact of travel choices on carbon emissions and offers solutions to reduce and offset them. Our initiative helps ‘reduce, replace and neutralize’ carbon emissions and support Masdar to achieve a lower carbon event in support of Abu Dhabi Environment vision 2030. We encourage individuals and businesses to reduce their travel carbon footprint, replace travel options with more carbon efficient ones, and neutralise essential carbon emissions through the removal of an equivalent amount of carbon in a range of innovative projects around the world.”
Independent research by Imperial College London and ICROA, the carbon offsetting industry body, shows that communities where the carbon initiative projects are based receive $664 in co-benefits for every one tonne offset. For the offsetting of WFES 2014, that represents $2.4 million already directed in benefits such as employment and biodiversity protection.
WFES’ unique multi-platform format allows public sector, industry and finance stakeholders to harmonise effective strategies that support sustainable growth. To enhance the deployment of renewables, more than 600 exhibiting companies are expected to showcase next generation future energy technology, efficiency and storage methods during the 2015 edition. WFES takes place at a time when balancing the global energy mix and addressing the energy-water-food nexus are more critical than ever.
The third edition of IWS will address water scarcity, sustainable growth and economic development in arid regions. Attended by leaders in the global water community, the event will highlight the current and future challenges of water availability and promote international collaboration on water governance to deal effectively with the water-energy nexus.
EcoWaste will take place in association with Tadweer, Abu Dhabi’s Centre of Waste Management. The platform will highlight progress and opportunities in sustainable waste management and showcase the adoption of cutting-edge technology such as waste-to-energy.
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<http://www.bptargetneutral.com>
About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Backed by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.
For more information about Masdar, please visit: www.masdar.ae<http://www.masdar.ae>
Stay connected: facebook.com/masdar.ae<http://www.facebook.com/masdar.ae> and twitter.com/masdar<http://www.twitter.com/masdar>
For more information contact:
Email: press@masdar.ae<mailto:press@masdar.ae>
Phone: +971 2 653 6032
About Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is an Abu Dhabi government initiative to address the interconnected challenges affecting energy, water and sustainable development. Taking place every January, ADSW comprises the World Future Energy Summit, International Water Summit and EcoWaste, as well as the general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). ADSW is the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East, attracting global policy makers, industry thought leaders and clean technology innovators together with 32,000 delegates and visitors from more than 170 countries.
