SDG12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
SDG 12 in the UAE: Responsible Consumption and Production
UAE Government’s Approach to SDG 12: Promoting Sustainable Practices
The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) leads efforts toward SDG 12, "Responsible Consumption and Production," by promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste across sectors. Initiatives include the UAE Circular Economy Policy, which targets reduced waste generation, increased recycling, and resource-efficient industries. The ministry also supports initiatives to minimize single-use plastics and encourage recycling through campaigns like the UAE Plastic Pledge, which enlists public and private sector commitment to waste reduction. Programs like the Green Procurement Program promote eco-friendly practices in government and businesses.
To support sustainable food systems, the UAE implements sustainable agriculture practices and promotes organic farming, which reduces environmental impact and conserves resources. These efforts align with national goals for resource conservation and encourage responsible consumption in line with SDG 12.
Al Ain University (AAU) and SDG 12: Fostering a Culture of Sustainability
Al Ain University (AAU) actively contributes to SDG 12 by embedding sustainable practices within campus operations and promoting environmental awareness. AAU has implemented waste management systems that encourage recycling and reduce single-use plastics on campus. The university educates students on sustainable consumption through academic programs and sustainability-focused events, emphasizing the importance of resource conservation.
AAU’s partnerships with environmental organizations also facilitate workshops on reducing carbon footprints and conserving resources, extending sustainable practices into the local community. Through its educational programs and campus initiatives, AAU supports the UAE's national commitment to SDG 12 by cultivating an environmentally responsible campus culture.
In summary, both the UAE government and Al Ain University play crucial roles in advancing SDG 12 through policy, education, and sustainable practices, fostering a collective commitment to responsible consumption and resource efficiency.
Workshop entitled “Sustainability is a Way of Life”
The Deanship of Student Affairs at Al Ain University (Abu Dhabi Campus) organized an interactive workshop entitled “Sustainability is a Way of Life” as part of the university’s keenness to participate in the COP 28 activities, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi innovation company “Tadweer”, presented by Ms. Najla Al Balushi - awareness mentor.
Mrs. Najla Al-Balushi spoke about the main companies for recycling the various types of waste in a sound and safe manner and treating it in sound and safe ways. Al-Balushi also provided general guidelines for dealing with waste, sorting it in correct ways, and only reconsuming it, including national ambitions for sustainability.
The goal of this event is to introduce an innovative company to the challenges of recycling, and then it remains one about waste management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which has leadership in extracting value from waste. We also seek to provide the opportunity for participants to use their creative ideas in reproducing a set of materials and tools used in creative paintings.
She was able to interact with wealthy people in the field of environmental promotion with attendees and waste management and dealing with it naturally, as many fine art posters were produced from products that can be recycled.
The Deanship of Student Affairs participates in a Cleaning Campaign in Al Ain
The Deanship of Student Affairs at Al Ain University/ Al Ain Campus participated in a cleaning campaign in Al Ain organized by the Friends of the Environment Association in Al Nabagh City, titled "Sustainability - Environmentally Friendly Energy."
A number of students and faculty members volunteered for this campaign with the aim of educating university students about the importance of the environment and preserving it. Each volunteer was provided with complete cleaning tools, including bags for collecting waste, gloves, sticks, and sunglasses. They were also given comprehensive guidance and instructions regarding the campaign and waste collection.
The goal of the campaign was to promote social responsibility and volunteer work, increase environmental awareness, encourage positive behavior towards preserving the environment, and foster cooperation between partners to maintain a clean and civilized appearance of the emirate.
AAU Ranked 2nd in (UAE) and 168 (worldwide) in the “2022 UI Greenmetric Ranking”
Al Ain University (AAU) is ranked, 2nd in UAE, 11th in the Arab region, and 168th worldwide among the 1050 listed institutions, by the “2022 UI Greenmetric World University Ranking”.
The criteria and indicators used by this ranking to rate the universities include a collection of basic information on the size of the university and its zoning (urban, suburban, or rural) profile, degree of green space, electricity consumption to link with carbon footprint, transportation, water usage, waste management, setting & infrastructure, energy & climate change, education & Research and how the university is responding to or dealing with the issues of sustainability through policies, actions, and communication.
Prof. Ghaleb El Refae (AAU President), thanked the “UI Greenmetric World University Ranking” for honoring AAU with the recognition. He emphasized that, achieving better in ranking platforms are one of the strategic priorities of AAU and securing a university rank exclusively for the concept of green is noteworthy.
Dr. Nazih Khaddaj Mallat (Vice President for Accreditation and Quality Assurance), stated that these results have benchmarked AAU from fellow competitors, and he thanked the “UI Greenmetric World University Ranking” for their acknowledgment”. He stressed that this achievement reminds the direction of the focused vision of the nation towards sustainability.
AAU is participating and performing consistently in the Greenmetric Ranking and securing better ranks from the past years reminds of the commitment AAU has towards a sustainable society.
Engineering students qualified for the "Youth for Sustainability" finals
Students of the College of Engineering reached the final phase among the final five teams in the “Youth for Sustainability competition” at Expo2020 organized by Injaz UAE and Shell Global Company. The competition started in October 2021 and lasted for six months, where mentors from the organizing companies guided the students throughout their journey.
Al Ain University team consisted of three students, Hana Ihab, Hadeel Hisham, and Amna Al Zaabi, who were from the university’s side supported by Eng. Esraa Hijah. Their idea was about developing a mechanism to transform wasted food into fuel used in airplanes and cars, hence their name “Transfooders”. The team presented their ideas to other universities and representatives from Injaz UAE and Shell global company. They had a booth set-up in the Netherlands pavilion at EXPO2020 where they shared and represented the concept of their idea and answered related questions.
The College of Engineering encourages its students to always be part of such events and competitions as they are extremely beneficial for them, the students got the chance to extend their research and communication skills, meet and learn from Engineers from Shell global company and represent in behalf of the university in the best way they can.
Cleaning Up day in Al Ain University
A Group of students from different colleges participated in the cleanliness campaign through the university during the Clean Up Day organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs at Al Ain University –Al ain Campus.
The students were prepared for the clean-up campaign by carrying necessary equipment such as, plastic gloves and garbage bags, then, they divided into different groups across the university.
This event aims to achieve the objective of maintaining a clean environment, spreading environmental awareness and to develop a spirit of cooperation and interdependence within the community.
Borouge Innovation Center hosts AAU students
A delegation of MBA students from the Abu Dhabi Campus of Al Ain University visited Borouge Innovation Center as part of their Strategies for Managing Innovation and Change course. Students were introduced to the latest innovative technologies and applications in the plastics manufacturing process.
The aim of the visit was to introduce students to ways of shaping innovation and creating change and harnessing the power of analytical and creative thinking to find and apply scientific solutions to problems via research and experiments. The visit also helped students to see linkages between the course’s theoretical content and real-life examples of the impact of innovation on the final manufactured product.
Dr. Ahmed Ghandour, Associate Professor at Al Ain University and course lecturer, said that the main objective of the visit was to increase understanding of the course’s theoretical components, linking them to the concept of innovation and so contributing to the further development of the course’s Masters students’ research projects. He added, “We at Al-Ain University for Science and Technology are proud to collaborate with Borouge Innovation Centre”.
Borouge Innovation Center is a global center for research and development. With a focus on developing polymer materials, the Centre works to ensure that the specifications, performance and efficiency of plastic polymer conversion processes are carried out to the highest standards.
Amongst Borouge Innovation Centre’s major achievements to date; the successful registration of more than 250 patents, representing up to 30% of the total patents registered in the UAE by the World Intellectual Property Organization.
“Sustainable Universities Initiative” at Al Ain University
The College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences at Al Ain University, Al Ain campus, hosted Ms. Amani Bin Humaid, Ms. Aisha Al Mazroui, Coordinators of the Sustainable Universities Initiative at Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, and Mr. Ahmad Al Rmaithi, Representative of Borouge, to present an awareness lecture on sustainable universities initiative implemented by the EAD in cooperation with Borouge, in the presence of the faculty members and students.
This initiative aims to increase sustainable practices in Abu Dhabi's universities through a range of elements, first; Green audit, includes five species land, climate change, biodiversity, water and waste. The agency provides intensive training for university students by forming teams of interdisciplinary students. Second: Sustainability Measures Project (SAP): the agency establishes a student club at each university to undertake an environmental project that benefits the community. Third: The Green Youth Council: Students from different universities and scientific disciplines meet periodically to discuss ideas for building sustainable communities. The Council is recognized by various international organizations, including the World Summit in Japan, a forum where youth can discuss innovative ideas and projects that can promote sustainable societies for our future generations.
The aim of this lecture is to contribute positively in developing a sustainable environment and climate change issues which attract the attention of all countries, including the United Arab Emirates.
In addition, Al Ain University is keen to strengthen partnership with government, private and environmental institutions to raise environmental awareness and sustainable development.
AAU the 2nd Best University in UAE by “UI GreenMetric World University Ranking”
Al Ain University (AAU) participated in the, “UI GreenMetric World University Ranking 2020” for the very first time and the results captivated AAU with a delight, securing as the, 2nd best sustainable university within the United Arab Emirates, 18th among the Arab Region, and 250th rank among the total 912 universities ranked worldwide.
The “UI GreenMetric World University Rankings” is an initiative of the University of Indonesia, which was set up in 2010. The ideology of the ranking is to rate the Universities based on their contribution towards environmental conservation for a Green and Sustainable Campus causing low environmental impact.
The criteria and indicators used to rate the universities includes: collection of basic information of the size of the university and its zoning (urban, suburban, or rural) profile, degree of green space, electricity consumption to link with carbon footprint, transportation, water usage, waste management, setting & infrastructure, energy & climate change, education & Research and how the university is responding to or dealing with the issues of sustainability through policies, actions, and communication.
Dr. Noor El Deen Atatreh, AAU Chancellor, said that AAU is very interested by the sustainable development and clean environment standards comes, to be in-line with the directives of the UAE's wise leadership, which support the sustainability projects and address the environmental problems. He added that this achievement proves the progress of AAU to improve its position among the arab and international universities.
Prof. Ghaleb El Refae, AAU President, expressed his pride in this excellent achievement, which was set as target in the university's strategic plan. He stated that AAU has also considered the environmental issues and their applications among its priorities for promoting quality culture and sustainability environment.
Dr. Nazih Khaddaj Mallat, Vice President for Accreditation and Quality Assurance, stated that AAU is always keen to progress in terms of all qualitative aspects and is also equally committed towards a sustainable future. He added that these results have benchmarked AAU with a great stand among all healthy competitors and he is thankful for the “UI GreenMetric World University Ranking” for their recognition”. He also stressed that this achievement results from as a collective effort and remarkable contributions of all AAU stakeholders”.
AAU Organizes Environmental Awareness Seminar
In cooperation with the Friends of the Environment Society, Al Ain University, held an awareness seminar in the AAU’s campus in Abu Dhabi. The seminar is on the occasion of the UAE’s celebration of the 17th Environment Day under the slogan “Green Economy: Innovation and Sustainability”.
Dr. Emad Saad, environmental consultant for the Friends of the Environment Society, discussed three basic areas; power saving, water and waste as which are a priority in environmental work in Abu Dhabi and the UAE as they are directly connected with the individual practices contributing to the protection of the environment.
He warned against what is referred to as “Environmental Credit Crunch” where we are using up natural resources faster than they are generated.
He also added that in the UAE we may not be only facing an environmental credit crunch, but also contributing to climate change due to the amount of fuel burnt which may greatly affect marine and coastal life.
Further, Saeed called on people to take a stand in order to cease the movement towards the depletion of natural resources. It is every child’s right to live in an environmentally safe country. Buildings and homes are responsible for over 57 percent of the carbon print generated by the UAE; therefore, Individuals need to adopt more responsible practices and behavior as well as promote the idea of sustainability in the community. Schools, universities and all relevant parties in the community need to become aware of green practices that would lead to sustainability.
Al Ain University Students Visit the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
The Student Affairs Deanship at Al-Ain University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi organized a student visit to Masdar Institute of Science and Technology where they were greeted by Ms Shaima Al-Habsi from the Supplement Energy and Climate Change Sect. She explained about the insitution, which was created in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also mentioned that the institutes offers postgraduate and research programmes in the field of advanced energy and sustainable technologies, where it aims to support research and development activities in the field of alternative energy and clean technologies in the city.
She extended her explanation about the solar energy used byPV panels, and also about the transportation systems operated by clean energy public transport system and personal transport system which is used on the institue’s campus as a pilot project. She also talked about how waste management through the use of biological waste to obtain rich fertilizers and soils by converting some of these wastes for additional source of energy. The visit was attended by a number of students of the College of Business Administration and the College of Law.