NEWS | Wednesday, 05 March 2008

TECOM Investments and IBM Middle East join hands to conserve environment and reduce carbon emissions

TECOM Investments’ Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED), and IBM Middle East at Dubai Internet City have announced the implementation of an energy conservation programme to significantly reduce IBM’s carbon emissions. The programme is expected to reduce approximately 76 tonnes of carbon emissions annually in the IBM Middle East offices alone.
Ali Bin Towaih, Director of SEED, said: “We are at a time today where we live a heightened awareness of finite natural resources, there is a continuing need for energy conservation to reduce costs, decrease dependency on traditional energy sources, minimize the environmental effects of consumption, and conserve resources for future generations.
“Alternative sustainable methods have proven to provide a host of benefits including a huge reduction in business costs, while exerting a significantly lighter strain on the region’s natural resources. As the first-ever organization in the Middle East to launch a sustainable development initiative, we are committed to carry our endeavour forward for the benefit of the community.”
The implemented program covers a number of energy use reduction initiatives, many of which are simple and straightforward steps that can be taken in any office to reduce the amount of energy that a business consumes. Heightened awareness of the issue among employees is critically important, according to IBM, which is an active participant in a number of key global conservation and environmental initiatives – including product development that reduces energy use and environmental impact of the manufacturing and use of technology resources.
“It is gratifying to see a region that is currently growing so rapidly giving considerable attention to environmental impact, reflecting smart strategic thinking. Sustainable energy solutions through optimal use of the region’s richest natural resource like solar energy could even help reformulate the operational structure at IBM Middle East for the long-haul,” said Takreem El-Tohamy, General Manager, IBM Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan.
The move comes after SEED initiated its comprehensive Energy Conservation Programme in April 2007, by optimizing the operations of all electro-mechanical equipment at facilities managed by TECOM Investments as well as common areas.
The initiative, as of January 1 has been able to generate a monthly average savings of 9% kWh consumption and therefore a direct reduction of 6,566 Tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
Jamal Abdulsalam, Executive Director of Dubai Internet City, said: “The fast growing trend among business partners such as IBM Middle East to be actively involved in similar initiatives confirms a mutual understanding that climate change is a prime concern not only among citizens but for corporations as well. Effective use of compact fluorescent bulbs in the office premises and optimal utilisation of natural daylight are some of the simple ways to save energy costs.
“As the first entity under TECOM Investments to engage business partners in the sustainability drive, we aim to work closely with SEED’s project and play an active role to make a sizeable contribution towards this initiative.”
TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding has successfully implemented several energy management and water conservation projects with significant results. As the region’s foremost green building developer, it also houses the largest number of projects undergoing Leadership in Energy and Energy Design (LEED) certification. The cluster currently hosts 12 registered green buildings that are classified with LEED standards silver certification.