International power experts meet in Dubai to discuss environment

Dubai's future investment in green technology and the environment will be discussed at a newly-established forum for international experts. Top officials from Dubai government will join with green economy practitioners, educators and researchers from around the globe at a series of summits organised by the Centre of Excellence for Green Development. The International Conclave on Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Action Research and Cases in Power and Energy takes place from 24th? and 26th February at the Canadian University of Dubai. This inaugural conference will be attended on the first day by Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum. Members of the Ministry of Environment and Water will be among those meeting with delegates from global power companies, such as NTPC Ltd - a public sector company owned by the Government of India and one of the biggest power producers in the world - to discuss a broad range of environmental projects ranging from Dubai's initiatives to phase out inefficient light bulbs to how businesses can improve their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating. Dubai has announced grand projects to reduce its carbon footprint, most recently with the announcement last October of the launch of the AED120million solar power plant at the AED12billion Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Still, the UAE has the largest ecological footprint in the world, more than ten times that of India, based on global hectare (gha). Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency in India and lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said: "For corporates everywhere, sustainability is no longer a ?feel good' issue, but a necessity to make them future-ready. "This conference will provide a forum for the sharing of lessons and experiences in adopting green practices, and stimulate the accelerated adoption of these practices". Wassim Adlouni, Partner and Board member at The Sustainable City in the UAE, believes that sharing knowledge between countries will encourage best practice here in Dubai. "This is a very important conference for us and for Dubai," he said. "Partnering with the government, we have implemented many environment-saving solutions such as the use of solar panels, recycling of waste water, the reduction of emissions in construction, but we have much to learn. We hope to pass on some of our experiences and get ideas from other countries for the benefit of Dubai and the rest of the world." Other confirmed speakers include Neeraj Bansal, Head of Real Estate and Construction, KPMG India, who will shed new light on the debate between balancing the environment with construction. All delegates will be given a chance to experience first hand some of the success stories here in the UAE, including a tour of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, recognised internationally as one of the ?greenest' buildings in the region. The purpose of the Centre of Excellence for Green Development is to help Dubai achieve the aims set out last June in its Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 at the Dubai Global Energy Forum - to make the emirate a role model to the world in energy security and efficiency Chairman of Dubai Education, Mr Buti Al Ghandi, said: "The Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy launched with the visionary guidance of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai sets out a roadmap towards energy and water security by 2030. "Dubai Education L.L.C. is pleased to support this vision through the creation of the Centre of Excellence for Green Development. As we move forward, the Centre of Excellence will fulfil its objectives through constructive collaborations with academic and industry partners. The Centre will provide a forum for discussion and dissemination of ideas and best practices by supporting the communities in which we operate."