A new irrigation system installed in Abu Dhabi farms has started to save about 46 per cent water. The initiative is relevant because agriculture and related sectors consume about 72 per cent of the total water consumption in the emirate. Groundwater accounts for 94 per cent water consumption in the agriculture sector in the emirate. But the current usage of groundwater reservoirs is about 15 times more than the natural recharge rates, according to the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi.

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New research has found evidence of poor indoor air quality in UAE classrooms that may be detrimental to children’s health. Data gathered by researchers at the British University in Dubai revealed above-normal levels of air pollutants in a majority of schools participating in the study. The researchers also found evidence of exposed wiring on the floor, worn-out building materials, patched flooring and walls, fire hazards and cracked walls. Of the 16 schools examined, only two had levels of carbon dioxide below the recommended value, which is 1,000 parts per million.

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The Zayed International Foundation for the Environment in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Water has launched the second edition of the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment, which is aimed at ensuring solutions for environmental issues. This came during an event which was sponsored and attended by Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, who extended thanks and appreciation to Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his constant support to the efforts of the ministry and the role of Zayed International Foundation for the Environment in this regard.

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In recognition of its ongoing efforts in preserving the environment and adopting environmental best practices, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA ) has received a five star accreditation from the British Safety Council for 2014. This is the 3rd consecutive year DEWA receives this prestigious accolade. In 2012 and 2013, DEWA received the Globe of Honour in environment, also from British Safety Council, which is granted to distinguished organizations around the world that implement the highest environmental standards and adopt the latest policies and systems to preserve the environment.

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The results of ‘Abu Dhabi Innovation Index’ show that, when compared to other economies dependent on natural resources, the emirate of Abu Dhabi emerged as highly adept and very efficient in the adoption and positioning of knowledge, new technologies, products and services across its entire economy.

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The Hiwar session brought together high profile speakers and provided a platform for subject matter experts to share their insights and experience. During the session, specific discussions covered Abu Dhabi’s water regulations and monitoring, the importance of behaviour change and awareness to support the delivery of the Emirate’s water strategy and the essential role of effective stakeholder engagement and the role of the provision of essential data in the decision making process with regard to the sustainable management of water resources in the region.

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Al Sila’a and Al Raha national housing were awarded Two Pearl Construction Rating by The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ( UPC ) :Aldar Properties PJSC (‘ Aldar ‘), Abu Dhabi’s leading listed property development, investment and management company, is pleased to announce that two of its national housing projects, Al Sila’a and Al Raha national housing, have been awarded a Two Pearl Construction Rating from Estidama Pearl Villa Rating System (PVRS).

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To mark World Environment Day, each year the Sharjah Environment Awareness Award honors schools within Sharjah, in special accomplishments, academic excellence, school spirit, and service in promoting the environment. This year saw the highest level of participation with 24 different schools submitted their projects for evaluation by a panel of judges from the BSOE and SEZ.

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Qatar has unveiled a first-of-its-kind solar-panel factory, saying it was now the largest solar-power producer in the region with the ability to generate 300mw of energy a year. The Qatar Solar Energy company also announced a three-phase plan to eventually produce 2.5gw of solar energy annually.

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Lebanese officials announced an ambitious seven-year plan that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up what they described as the “catastrophe” of pollution at the Litani River and Qaraoun Lake. The $730 million proposal will expand sewage treatment networks, manage solid waste and pesticide pollution into the river, and help factories reduce the dumping of chemicals into the water.

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Two landmark deals sealed in March have paved the way for Jordan’s power authority to begin buying solar electricity from the private sector, supporting the kingdom’s long-running efforts to boost renewable energy production. With a reliance on imports for 96% of its energy requirements, identifying new generation sources is a critical issue. Further agreements are in the pipeline, which should strengthen Jordan’s bid to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

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This May, the World Travel Awards, known as the “The Oscars” of the travel industry, for the second time in two years named the center the Middle East’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Centre 2014. Built according to U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold standards, the QNCC design by YAMASAKI was based on the initial concept of architect Arata Isozaki of Japan. With 880,000 square feet, the Qatar National Convention Centre is the largest convention center in the Middle East.

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Generators from nuclear reactors to coal-fired power plants will feel the brunt of the weather changes Energy companies are more often cited as part of the problem of climate change, generating the lion’s share of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to around 40% of the total.

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With visitor numbers surging – Antarctic has over 40,000 a year – and more and more research facilities being built, scientists fret over the well-being of the region’s wildlife and plants that live on ice-free land. Human activity is the latest issue threatening Antarctica; only this time it’s the continent’s ice-free land that’s in trouble.

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As California enters summer with a below-normal mountain snowpack to feed its streams and reservoirs, the portion of the parched state experiencing exceptionally severe drought conditions is growing, experts said. The most populous U.S. state is in the third year of a crippling drought that has forced ranchers to sell cattle for lack of grazing land, and farmers to let an estimated 400,000 acres normally devoted to crops go fallow.

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The World Heritage Committee of U.N. agency UNESCO, meeting in Doha this week, deferred until 2015 a decision on whether to place the 300,000-sq-km reef on its list of sites in danger.

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