AIR Unveils First Sustainability Report Outlining Innovation-led ESG commitments
Advanced Inhalation Rituals (AIR), the world's leading social inhalation business, has published its first sustainability report, outlining its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy.
AIR's first sustainability report outlines its commitment to revolutionizing the shisha and wider inhalation category through innovation and harm reduction, while embedding responsible business practices across all levels of the organization.
The report highlights shisha's rich heritage and history, alongside key milestones which have shaped AIR's business journey and commitment to sustainability as appetite for shisha has grown globally in recent years. The report reinforces AIR as a trailblazer in science-led, tobacco- and nicotine-free inhalation products.
Key milestones detailed in the report include the launch of Zodiac, a tea-based, tobacco- and nicotine-free shisha alternative – and OOKA - the world's first charcoal-free, pod-based shisha device. A key driver of AIR's success, half a million OOKA pods and 14,500 OOKA devices have now been sold since launch. Moreover, both innovations demonstrate AIR's determination to lead the category in reducing the health risks associated with traditional shisha use and reshaping the experience for the modern, conscious adult consumer.
As part of the reporting process, AIR conducted a full sustainability materiality assessment to ensure its strategy reflects the priorities of both internal and external stakeholders. The result is a long-term vision grounded in five strategic ESG pillars:
Through this assessment AIR has now set out a 2030 Roadmap which is aligned to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and will offer clear direction to stakeholders, consumers and employees through which to make an impact on global sustainability. Metrics included in this roadmap include improving gender diversity across leadership roles, strengthening supply chain standards, and increasing public awareness through science-based education around shisha consumption and harm reduction.
Stuart Brazier, Chief Executive Officer at AIR, comments: 'As the global leader in our industry, our purpose is to transform the sector by creating a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable inhalation experience whilst also preserving the rich social and cultural value of shisha. By publishing our first sustainability report we are proud to be solidifying our commitment to driving this forward and shaping the future of the industry.
'This report celebrates the huge progress we have already made in optimizing all aspects of our operations, but we are also aware that we have a responsibility to accelerate our ESG efforts over the coming years to protect the world around us. With the publication of our 2030 Roadmap, we have laid out a clear path through which to enact meaningful change within our own operations and on the world around us. From reducing CO2 emissions to improving diversity and supporting fair working conditions across our supply chain, we are committed to driving long-term, meaningful progress for our consumers, our people, and the planet.'
Ronan Barry, Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer at AIR, added: 'Publishing our first sustainability report marks a critical milestone in AIR's growth as a responsible, innovation-led inhalation company. We are proud to lead the way in harm-reduction technologies for shisha whilst also ensuring our operations and supply chains reflect our ethical standards. Sustainability is not an add-on for us - it's embedded into every level of our business, from how we develop products to how we treat people and protect the environment.'
The report, which covers AIR's progress throughout 2024, is available at www.air.global.
About AIR
AIR is the market leader in the $19 billion global shisha market, with an aim to provide superior physical, emotional, and mental benefits through inhalation.
Launched in 1999 and headquartered in Dubai, the business has a multinational presence in over 100 countries across the UAE, Europe, North America, India, and Africa. AIR holds 47% of the shisha category market share in the markets it is present in and is the leading business in a market set to grow to $22 billion in 2026. Its portfolio of companies includes Al Fakher, the world's leading shisha brand; Hookah-Shisha.com, the world's number one e-commerce platform for hookahs and shisha; OOKA, the world's first charcoal-free shisha device, among others. AIR's science program, conducted in partnership with independent accredited laboratories, enables the development of innovative products that combine centuries of tradition with cutting edge innovation to minimize harm and maximize enjoyment for millions around the world.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250630746076/en/
CONTACT: Media contact
Matylda Kesicka / Harleen Kaur
[email protected]
KEYWORD: MIDDLE EAST UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RETAIL ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) ENVIRONMENT TOBACCO SUSTAINABILITY
SOURCE: AIR Global
Copyright Business Wire 2025.
PUB: 06/30/2025 05:08 AM/DISC: 06/30/2025 05:08 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250630746076/en
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
40 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Henson Group and myCloudDoor Merge to Form ALIANDO, a Leading, Global Microsoft Partner
'The combination of these two great companies represents a huge win for Microsoft and customers everywhere as we embark on our mission to empower every person and every organization to achieve more,' said Chris Danelz, General Manager, Global Channel Partner Solutions at Microsoft. DALLAS, July 17, 2025 /CNW/ -- Henson Group and myCloudDoor today announced their strategic merger to expand their Microsoft solution capabilities globally. Together, the two companies will strengthen their service portfolio across the Microsoft technology stack while doubling professional and managed services capabilities around the world. The new combined organization will be known as ALIANDO. As the #1 Azure Cloud Solution Provider and a top 1% Microsoft partner globally, ALIANDO is well-positioned to drive innovation as a force multiplier in the industry. 'This merger represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower each of our clients to achieve more. By combining our strengths with myCloudDoor, we are better positioned to deliver on our promise to meet the needs of our clients globally,' said David Fuess, CEO of Henson Group. 'We are excited to introduce our new name, ALIANDO, which reflects our unified vision and commitment to excellence.' ALIANDO will deliver differentiated solutions across the Microsoft stack - Azure, Modern Work, Data & AI, Business Applications, and Cybersecurity, with specialized expertise in SAP on Azure, Azure VMware Solutions (AVS), Copilot, and Azure AI Services (Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Fabric + AI). Marcos De Pedro, CEO of myCloudDoor, added: 'The strategic benefits of this merger are immense. The combined expertise in Azure, Data & AI, and Cybersecurity coupled with our enhanced capabilities will enable us to provide unparalleled value to our clients.' Integration of the two firms will expand service coverage for clients across The Americas, EMEA, and APAC by enabling new Cloud Centers of Excellence and solution offerings across all major geographies. Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor on the merger, providing strategic guidance and sector expertise throughout the transaction. For the latest news, upcoming offerings, and insights, visit and follow us on our social media channels. About Henson Group Henson Group is an award-winning Microsoft partner dedicated to providing technology solutions to enterprises worldwide. With a robust network of Microsoft experts and a commitment to innovation, Henson Group leads the way in implementing and managing Microsoft cloud environments. About myCloudDoor myCloudDoor is a leading Microsoft partner specializing in cloud journeys and digital transformation. Recognized as a top global Azure partner, we deliver end-to-end consulting, managed services, and cloud solutions to help enterprises accelerate adoption and fully leverage Microsoft cloud technologies. Our deep expertise and customer-centric approach ensure successful, scalable, and secure cloud transformations. For more information, visit Media Contact: Bobby Lynch Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] Photo: Logo: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ALIANDO
Associated Press
42 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Meet Devin, Frank and Katie: The Trio Making a Positive Impact for Generations
Tapping into different voices, perspectives, and experiences helps businesses solve problems, reveals new opportunities to grow, and encourages contributions that better support people and communities. At Henkel North America, diversity is a path to progress, innovation, and impact. Our employees and partners are united by our purpose: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. They collaborate to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives – allowing us to deliver products, services, and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life. We invite you to 'meet' our pioneers in our series, 'Pioneers for Good.' Introducing Devin, Frank, and Katie Devin Cathcart, Creative Manager; Frank Ziegler, Brand Marketing Director; and Katie Schulze, Brand Manager, are each deeply committed to their professional roles and to making a positive impact in their community. They first connected as many colleagues do – collaborating on projects both within and beyond Henkel—while working at the Westlake, Ohio office, supporting Henkel's Adhesive Technologies Consumer & Craftsman Division. What they didn't anticipate was the powerful synergy of their partnership and shared drive to create lasting change. As residents of the Greater Cleveland area, Devin, Frank, and Katie share a desire to build up their local community. They identified an opportunity to combine their passion, individual strengths, and Henkel resources to serve the greater good. Devin, Frank, and Katie share what it means to be a pioneer for good - watch the video above. Building Initiatives through Purpose Together, they ideated and brought to life the Loctite® 2nd Chance House Project, a corporate sponsorship that enabled Loctite to support the work of the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity in revitalizing a condemned house in Cleveland and transforming it into a welcoming home for a deserving family. This project came about through the ultimate goal of understanding how we can leverage our market-leading brands [Loctite] to support Henkel's sustainability initiatives. In this case, we were especially driven by community impact. Frank Ziegler Inspired by that impact – rooted in a shared mission to uplift and support thriving communities – Devin, Frank and Katie saw a natural alignment with Habitat for Humanity and its commitment to empowering families through long-term housing stability. The team also aimed to minimize landfill waste and looked for creative ways to repurpose items like furniture and building materials. They rallied a team of 60 motivated Henkel employees to volunteer their time and energy along with industry professionals and DIY experts. For everyone involved, it became a meaningful, multi-dimensional opportunity to bring a shared vision to life. Utilizing Partnerships to Create Impact Devin, Frank, and Katie's roles at Henkel bring unique perspectives to the Loctite 2nd Chance House Project, both from the Loctite brand and their collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Devin, the creative lead, is responsible for visualizing and executing the project's storytelling elements. Frank, the strategist, is focused on team coordination and direction. Katie, the logistical expert, ensures seamless execution throughout the project. Together, they form a dynamic team, amplifying Loctite's purpose and addressing a gap in the community through the power of multimedia storytelling. It is a feat made possible by the meaningful partnerships they fostered along the way. Habitat for Humanity's dedicated team proved to be the perfect complement to this remarkable program. Henkel and Habitat have a long-standing global partnership, and this alliance not only strengthened their relationship but also delivered tangible change, hope and stability to families across Greater Cleveland. Henkel and Habitat for Humanity Since 2012, Henkel has supported Habitat for Humanity through donations of funds and building materials and employee volunteers around the world. In North America, employees have volunteered at over a dozen build sites from California to Connecticut to Toronto, Canada and more. It's really impactful and exciting to be able to see something that you've not only been able to help work on physically, but also something you've helped promote and raise awareness around. Katie Schulze Leaving a Mark that Lasts From the beginning, creating a lasting impact was always the goal for these three pioneers. This project is not just dollars spent on building a set and tearing it down; it's a legacy. At the end of the day, there's a house that someone gets to live in because of a project we took on at work. We found a way to make it work for our brand, for our goals, and directly impact our community. Devin Cathcart The Loctite 2nd Chance House Project is just getting started! The team has already launched a second project—once again led by Devin, Frank, and Katie. Learn about the venture and stay tuned for what's next in this exciting partnership at Loctite 2nd Chance House. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Henkel
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump unveils $70bn AI and energy plan at summit with oil and tech bigwigs
Donald Trump joined big oil and technology bosses on Tuesday at a major artificial intelligence and energy summit in Pittsburgh, outraging environmentalists and community organizations. The event came weeks after the passage of a mega-bill that experts say could stymy AI growth with its attacks on renewable energy. 'We're here today because we believe that America's destiny is to dominate every industry and be the first in every technology, and that includes being the world's number one superpower in artificial intelligence,' said Trump. The inaugural Pennsylvania energy and innovation summit, held at Carnegie Mellon University, is an attempt to position the state as an AI leader, showcasing the technological innovation being developed in the city and the widespread availability of fossil fuel reserves to power them. At the gathering, Trump announced $70bn in AI and energy investments for the state, Axios first reported, in a move the event's host, the Republican Pennsylvania senator, Dave McCormick, says will be a boon to local economies. It was evidence that Trump is making good on his promise to serve the people 'of Pittsburgh, not Paris' as he planned withdrawal from the UN Paris climate accord, McCormick said. At the summit, 20 leading technology and energy companies also announced more than $92bn of investments for AI development in Pennsylvania. 'Today's commitments are ensuring that the future is going to be designed, built and made right here in Pennsylvania and right here in Pittsburgh, I have to say right here in the United States of America,' said Trump. The new AI 'won't be powered by wind, because it doesn't work', Trump went on to say. 'I hate to say, it just doesn't work. It's rather intermittent,' he said. 'You don't want, it causes a lot of problems.' (Though wind is indeed intermittent, it can be more reliable than gas. Wind provided over 10% of US electricity in 2023 – a share experts say must increase to achieve climate goals.) Activists say the new investments, which will boost planet-heating energy production, will have disastrous consequences for the climate and for nearby communities. 'Pennsylvanians are paying the price for decisions made behind closed doors: higher utility bills, contaminated water, poor air quality, and worsening health,' said Hilary Flint, Pennsylvania field organizing manager at the non-profit Center for Oil and Gas Organizing. Flint signed a Tuesday letter to Pennsylvania's governor, Josh Shapiro, opposing his plans to work with Trump to expand AI, along with dozens of organizations and individuals. The event also came less than two weeks after Republicans on Capitol Hill passed a Trump-backed budget bill which could dramatically increase the spending and effort needed to power AI data centers, thanks to its rollback of green energy tax credits. Renewable energy is almost always cheaper to build and easier to bring online than fossil fuels. Many tech executives invited to the event have said the availability of wind and solar are essential to the success of AI. Microsoft's Satya Nadella said last May that powering data centers with renewable energy would 'drive down the cost of AI', while the OpenAI head, Sam Altman, said months earlier that 'there's no way' to grow his industry without a 'breakthrough' in affordable clean energy technology. Tech giants Google and its parent company Alphabet, as well as Meta have also both invested in wind and solar to power data centers. But the oil industry, whose top brass are also at the Pittsburgh summit, lobbied in favor of the mega-bill's green energy incentive rollbacks. 'It includes almost all of our priorities,' Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute, the fossil fuel industry's largest lobbying group, told CNBC about the legislation. Sommers is on the guest list for the event. The gathering, to which no public interest consumer or environmental groups were invited, severely downplayed the climate and health consequences of this technological expansion fueled by oil and gas. Data centers used for AI are highly resource intensive, sometimes consuming as much power as entire cities. By the end of the decade, data processing, mainly for AI, is expected to consume more electricity in the US alone than manufacturing steel, cement, chemicals and all other energy-intensive goods combined, according to the International Energy Agency. 'Political leaders should be investing their time meeting with frontline communities, environmental scientists and renewable energy leaders and using their political muscle to create a just transition to renewable energy – not attending summits that double down on old, dirty energy,' said Jess Conard, Appalachia director at the environmental group Beyond Plastics, who lives in the nearby town of East Palestine, Ohio. 'Fossil fuels aren't progress, no matter how you try to rebrand them.' Critics have also raised concerns about security and privacy in the wake of AI's growth. The New York Times and other plaintiffs, including the prominent authors Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michael Chabon and Junot Díaz and the comedian Sarah Silverman, are suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement; OpenAI has also received scrutiny for reported labor misconduct. Both OpenAI and Microsoft have defended their positions around copyright infringement allegations. 'Trump's radical AI plan is yet another example of the president siding with powerful corporations ahead of the American people,' said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.
