The UAE’s green machine

Each week Arabian Business turns the spotlight on a leading company.

Is there anything that airline won't sponsor?!

Don't worry - even though the green issue is getting plenty of coverage across the globe at the moment, Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is nothing to do with the airline carrier. Instead, EEG is a voluntary, non-governmental organisation (NGO) devoted to protecting the environment through means of education, action programmes and community-based initiatives.

Saving the planet, eh?

Quite right. The organisation is open to men and women of all nationalities, and right now the group has more than 1500 names on its mailing list. These include individual and corporate members, federal and local government agencies, universities, colleges and schools, as well as reputed international institutions.

So EEG can count on some pretty heavyweight backup?

It certainly can. EEG is actively encouraged and supported by concerned local and federal government agencies. And it is the first environmental NGO in the world to be ISO 14001 certified, and the only organisation of its kind in the UAE with accredited status from the United Nations Convention to Combating Desertification (UNCCD). The accreditation ranks EEG along with an exclusive set of frontline civil society organisations from various parts of the world that have been supporting global agendas and programmes through their own operations.

Combating desertification? Aren't they a bit late around here?

There's still plenty that can be done, and in recognition of EEG's efforts, it has also earned the distinction of becoming accredited by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The honour was conferred on the group in recognition of its outstanding work for the preservation of the environment and towards promoting sustainable development in the Emirates.

And what does that work actually involve?

EEG has launched many successful, first-of-its-kind community programmes. Of special mention are the group's hugely popular clean-up drives, recycling campaigns, educational projects and corporate programmes. EEG has also collaborated closely with government bodies on a wide range of environmental and associated initiatives, bringing the ideas and aspirations of the community to bear upon public policies and programmes.

Are any of these efforts concentrated outside the UAE?

Well, as the country's pioneering NGO, EEG has represented the UAE and West Asia at a large number of ground-breaking UN events held in the region and across the globe.

So what can I do to help?

Sign up and make a difference. Make sure your comany is involved too. You may even get a nod at EEG's next awards bash, held every year on World Environment day, on June 5.

Earlier in 2007 EEG presented prizes and certificates to hundreds of individuals and institutions as a token of appreciation for their environmental work.

Of course, in today's business environment, any company awarded for its environmental work is bound to appeal to increasingly climate-conscious consumers.