Latest news with #Aletihad
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
From solar rooftops to carbon capture: UAE powers Net Zero future through innovation and a clear strategy, say experts
30 July 2025 00:49 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI) With the UAE sprinting towards Net Zero, innovation, policy and public engagement are driving the nation closer to a low-carbon future, experts across industries have told Aletihad . A detailed, nationwide action plan has been set for the UAE to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 – and power has been identified as one of the six sectors at the heart of the provider Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), which serves the Northern Emirates, empowers its communities to actively participate in the energy Distributed Solar System (DSS) initiative – in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure – enables residents, businesses, and agricultural entities to become 'prosumers'. Through the EtihadWE's rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, its prosumers are able to generate clean solar energy and contribute some surplus back to the grid. 'This approach delivers tangible environmental benefits. While the full impact on carbon emissions is subject to ongoing measurement, the early adoption rates, positive feedback, and growing number of certified installations are highly encouraging,' Eng. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, told Aletihad . 'This initiative directly contributes to the UAE's ambitious clean energy targets and underscores our commitment to a sustainable future, one rooftop at a time.'Leveraging advanced technologies, the utility provider has also deployed nearly 500,000 smart meters, covering more than half of its network. Full coverage is expected by 2026. These meters provide real-time data that supports leak detection, accurate demand forecasting, and AI-driven predictive maintenance.'Ultimately, this technological leap translates directly into reduced waste, improved service reliability, and a more responsive utility for our customers,' Al Ali terms of water management, EtihadWE has taken a unique path by relying entirely on reverse osmosis (RO) desalination.'Our NAQA'A plant, one of the world's largest RO facilities, stands as a testament to this commitment – delivering large-scale water production with a significantly lower carbon footprint, and reinforcing EtihadWE's role in advancing both water and energy security,' said Al integration of clean energy into existing infrastructure is central to EtihadWE's low-carbon strategy, the CEO added. Beyond Clean EnergyThe country, led by Abu Dhabi, has built a solid reputation as a key player in industrial decarbonisation 'because it pairs state-level ambition with tangible delivery', said Timothy Hurst, Group Managing Director and Energy and Industrials Lead for EMEA at Burson. 'The UAE is not waiting for future breakthroughs, but using every lever today to build a credible clean energy platform,' said Hurst, who has supported clients for communications at COP28 and other global investments in clean energy and AI, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is another technology that bolsters efforts to 'reduce emissions from energy-intensive and hard-to-abate industries without slowing growth', he Dhabi is home to one of MENA region's largest CCUS projects. Sustainable energy solutions provider Everllance supplies critical technologies to this CCUS initiative, while providing support across ADNOC's oil, gas, and maritime operations. 'We expect to see a rapid expansion of CCUS projects. For example, ADNOC is targeting to capture 10 million tonnes CO₂ per year by 2030,' Gaby Hanna, Senior Vice President and Head of Region MEA at Everllence, told Aletihad . 'If this vision is realised, the UAE will take regional leadership of CCUS.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
9 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Al Ain Zoo celebrates International Tiger Day to promote biodiversity
29 July 2025 18:51 AL AIN (ALETIHAD)Al Ain Zoo is celebrating International Tiger Day, observed annually on July 29, to highlight its ongoing role in protecting endangered species, and to promote greater public awareness about the importance of conserving part of its educational and engaging programming, the zoo invites visitors to its latest Amur tiger experience, held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at sessions offer a rare opportunity to observe enrichment presentation, and to listen to the animal care team sharing insights into the unique traits and behaviours of the Amur tiger, as well as the urgent global efforts being made to protect this majestic subspecies from can also explore the newly opened Amur Tiger Habitat, which provides a dynamic and immersive environment modelled after the tigers' native to meet the highest standards of animal welfare, the exhibit features a spacious outdoor zone complete with shaded resting areas, cooling platforms, water ponds, and a cave-like shelter to ensure the tigers' comfort and wellbeing. Behind the scenes, advanced enrichment features including a chilled ponds and misting systems, enhance the animals' environment while offering guests a deeper understanding of modern zoological habitat also includes an interactive training area that fosters educational engagement for visitors of all ages. Al Ain Zoo is home to several endangered big cats, including the Amur tiger, Bengal tiger, Arabian leopard, and specialised care, immersive exhibits, and community-driven awareness campaigns, the zoo remains a leading advocate for wildlife protection and environmental line with its commitment to guest comfort during the summer months, Al Ain Zoo continues to roll out seasonal initiatives that enhance the visitor them is a complimentary vehicle service operating throughout the zoo until the end of August 2025, allowing guests to explore the park with can also enjoy year-round experiences such as giraffe feeding, ring-tailed lemur interactions, bird and reptile encounters, and engaging storytelling sessions featuring African and Arabian wildlife, including the sand cat and Amur experience is further enriched with access to the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and the Al Ain Safari, offering a journey through nature that blends education with adventure. Through its dedication to animal welfare, education, and public engagement, Al Ain Zoo continues to position itself as a cornerstone of conservation efforts in the region, and as a destination where families can learn, connect, and be inspired to care for the natural world. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Meet Theban Al Mheiri, a champion for UAE's athletes of determination
29 July 2025 01:07 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Theban Al Mheiri was on his way to the airport that day in 1994. With dreams tucked in his pocket, the then 23-year-old Emirati was supposed to travel to the US to study an English course — but fate had other plans. Al Mheiri went through a devastating car accident that left him partially paralysed with a spinal injury. His personal journey of recovery eventually turned into a lifelong commitment to empowering people of determination. Today, Al Mheiri uses his voice, experience, and influence to help others overcome challenges he once faced alone. 'After the car accident, I faced some of the biggest challenges of my life, mainly learning how to live with and overcome my disability,' he told Aletihad in a recent interview. 'It was incredibly difficult at first. But someone r eached out and helped me, and it changed everything. From that moment, I realised I needed to do the same for others in similar situations.'In the wake of his accident, Al Mheiri turned to sports not only as a path to physical recovery but as a source of purpose and empowerment. He was one of the first Emiratis to actively participate in sports for people of athletic achievements were paralleled by a rise in leadership, culminating in his role as Secretary General of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, a position he has held for the past eight taking on that title, he served in various capacities, including an administrative role at the Abu Dhabi Police and as a driving force in the Al Ain Club for the Disabled from 1999 to 2010. Through every role, his mission remained the same: to create opportunities and recognition for athletes of determination and to help society see their true potential.'I overcame my disability by embracing challenges with determination. Along the way, I've been able to help many others in the community,' he said. 'Often, they were simply waiting for someone to believe in them and extend a hand.'Al Mheiri believes it is his shared experience with people of determination that makes his support more meaningful. He understands that trust - when it comes from someone who has walked the same path - opens hearts.'People of determination are often more open to advice and support when it comes from someone who truly understands, someone who's lived a similar experience,' he explained.'There are physical and emotional challenges to adapting to life with a disability that you can't fully understand unless you've experienced them firsthand.'Supporting the Champions of TomorrowEarly on, Al Mheiri met others like himself in hospital waiting rooms and gymnasiums. He struck up conversations, built trust, and slowly began guiding others toward recovery and reinvention. His work has had a ripple effect throughout the UAE. He was instrumental in launching national programmes that enabled athletes of determination to represent the UAE on the global stage. He is determined to ensure that young athletes of determination have the needed resources, support, and belief to thrive.'We invest in our youth because they're the champions of tomorrow. It's our job to give them the opportunities they deserve,' he said. Al Mheiri believes that inclusion is a shared community responsibility.'People of determination are just like anyone else. When you give them trust and confidence, they'll show you they have so much to offer and can be a real asset to any community,' he said. 'To me, this is the true meaning of life – making someone else's life a little easier, a little brighter. That's what brings me peace.'In 2017, Al Mheiri received the prestigious Abu Dhabi Award in recognition of his contributions. He draws inspiration from the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who turned desert landscapes into lush greens through extensive environmental initiatives. Al Mheiri's daughter, Thabia, looks up to him with the same admiration. 'My father is my biggest hero,' she told Aletihad . 'I feel inspired by everything he does every day.'
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival 2025: Innovator turns date pits into high-performance charcoal
25 July 2025 00:39 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (LIWA CITY)An innovator in the UAE has found a novel way to recycle date pits: She is turning them into charcoal. At the ongoing Liwa Date Festival, Huda Saif Kenish Alhameli has caught the attention of experts and visitors with her high-quality, all-natural charcoal. 'The idea came up in response to a competition announced by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority for the Liwa Date Festival 2025,' Alhameli told Aletihad . 'The public response has been incredibly encouraging and I'm excited to continue developing it further,' she charcoal stands out for its eco-friendly composition and high performance. Since it's made exclusively from natural date pits, it contains no chemicals or allergens. It ignites quickly, burns for an extended period and offers a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional product has been tested and certified by METS Laboratories, ensuring that it's safe and ready for commercial use, she sees a bright future for this project, 'especially with the support of our wise leadership and institutions dedicated to sustainability'.The initiative, she added, is not only about innovation but preserving the palm tree as a cultural symbol. 'The palm tree is part of our identity and recycling its byproducts rather than discarding them contributes to sustainability and environmental stewardship,' Alhameli the nation observes the Year of Community, she emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in preserving the date palm and supporting initiatives that uphold the UAE's environmental and cultural values. Running until July 27 in Al Dhafra Region, the Liwa Date Festival continues to grow as a hub for culture, innovation and community engagement, showcasing how tradition and creativity can work hand in hand for a sustainable future.
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE growth to remain strong at over 4%, says IMF
24 July 2025 22:35 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)The UAE's economic growth is expected to remain healthy at over 4% in 2025, despite geopolitical tensions in the region, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 'We're seeing robust growth in non-hydrocarbon activity, driven by tourism, construction, public spending, and financial services,' IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack told Aletihad during an online press briefing. She added that oil production in the UAE is increasing faster than anticipated, following the reversal of earlier output cuts. 'The UAE economy has shown resilience in the face of lower oil prices and increased price volatility this year,' Kozack to the broader region, she said GCC growth is estimated to have rebounded to 1.4% in 2024, despite reduced oil output. 'Our projection in the April World Economic Outlook was that GCC growth would rise further to 3.3% in 2025.'She added that non-hydrocarbon growth across the GCC is also expected to remain strong, supported by rapid investment, construction, and ongoing reforms aimed at diversifying regional economies. She affirmed that inflation in the GCC region remained under control. Kozack advised the GCC governments to maintain fiscal prudence while continuing with structural reforms to support long-term economic diversification.
