Ideal Standard has unveiled its roadmap to carbon neutrality and reiterated its commitment to ‘building a better planet’, in its newly-released sustainability report (Together for a Better Future). The report sets out Ideal Standard’s nine key commitments in areas such as decarbonisation, the circular economy, product innovation, safety and equality, which together will drive impactful change.

According to a statement, the nine goals are closely aligned with the sustainability principles defined by the UN Global Compact, which the company joined in 2022, as a mark of its commitment to responsible business actions.

‘Together for a Better Future’ defines clear and accountable goals to monitor and measure progress along the manufacturer’s journey, including its aim to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 30% in 2030, with a view to reaching complete carbon neutrality by 2050, the firm added.

“As one of the leading bathroom manufacturers, we recognise that we have an important role to play when it comes to shaping a responsible future for the industry, and we’re committed to stepping up to that challenge. There’s no one single change we will make as a company that will make us completely sustainable. It’s about looking across the business and making sure that in every area we are committing to progressive, constant change to ensure we make a genuine impact,” said Ideal Standard MENA CEO Ahmed Hafez.

The firm says it has already made significant steps on its sustainability journey, transitioning its UK ceramic plant to fully renewable electricity in 2021, saving 2,200t of CO2 each year. It has also installed over 3,000 photovoltaic panels at its German fittings plant, which will generate 1.2m kWh of energy a year and switched to 100% FFS/PEFC sustainable certified timber in all its products.

In addition, the company has embarked on a journey to achieve zero-waste to landfill by 2030. It notes it is already reusing 100% of its brass and acrylic waste in its own manufacturing processes and is currently working with environmental authorities to unlock new technical solutions to improve its recycling of ceramic waste from 70% to 100% by 2025.

Furthermore, it is committed to eliminating all single use plastic packaging by 2025 and has so far removed 80t of virgin plastic from its packaging through optimisation and transitioning to sustainable alternatives.

Building on Its commitment to sustainability efforts, Ideal Standard recently launched Aesth|ethics, a temporary pop-up showroom in Venice. This event highlighted Ideal Standard’s design prowess, ethical achievements, and sustainability commitments. The carbon-neutral pop-up, held at Arsenale di Venezia, showcased bathroom solutions across product categories and featured a special installation by Chief Design Officer Roberto Palomba. Ideal Standard also partnered with Up2You to offset the event’s carbon emissions, reinforcing their dedication to a sustainable future, the statement highlighted.

Ideal Standard pointed out that transparency has been at the heart of its sustainability programme and, as such, the company is in the process of publishing ‘cradle to grave’ Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for over 5,000 of its products within its largely European supply chain. These EPDs will help architects and specifiers understand the environmental impact of Ideal Standard’s products, how they affect the ecological footprint of their projects and help them to meet environmental targets, it stated.

These full life-cycle assessments will cover products across all product categories including taps, basins, toilets, cisterns, bathtubs, shower trays and more, providing detailed and independently verified information for all bathroom fixtures. The report also launches the company’s new EcoLogic concept. EcoLogic focuses on four key values to enable customers to easily understand the sustainable benefits of Ideal Standard’s product portfolio and make informed purchasing decisions, the statement concluded.

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A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been inked by Dubai Municipality and the International Code Council (ICC). According to a statement, the MoU will expand bilateral collaboration to develop codes and standards used to assess and organise modern and innovative building systems, as well as to encourage the safe use of 3D printing technology in construction, in order to promote Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for 3D printing technology and modern and innovative building methods.

Eng. Maryam Obaid Al Muhairi, CEO of Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency, Dubai Municipality, and Dominic Sims, CEO of the International Code Council signed the MoU.

The MoU will strengthen areas of collaboration between the two parties. Dubai Municipality will contribute its knowledge in innovative construction materials, form an action team to cooperate with the council, support educational sessions and seminars and improve overall cooperation through public safety forums. It also aims to educate those interested in measuring the safety of construction products and raise awareness of the necessity of product and building safety evaluation, the statement noted.

“International cooperation between Dubai Municipality and private sector institutions with global expertise in the construction sector promotes sustainable growth and prioritises building safety and innovation. The significance of this collaboration lies in sharing of knowledge and expertise, as well as the development of new and pioneering ideas. Through the MoU, we aim to support the use of 3D printing technology in construction work in Dubai, given Dubai Municipality’s position as the relevant authority responsible for implementing the objectives of Decree No. 24 of 2021 on the use of this modern technology across the construction sector. This step is in line with the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy 2030, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The strategy aims at harnessing 3D printing technology to serve people and establish the UAE and Dubai as a leading hub for 3D printing regionally and globally by 2030,” stated Al Muhairi.

Dominic Sims, CEO of the International Code Council added, “We are delighted to be in Dubai today to meet with our counterparts from the Dubai Municipality and begin the next phase of our collaboration, especially as Dubai is home to some of the most innovative architectural marvels in the world and is a world leader in innovation. We are glad to assist this ongoing endeavour in accordance with the goals of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai 3D Printing Strategy 2030.”

Under the MoU, the ICC will enlist Dubai Municipality as a government member to enhance its participation in establishing building codes, and further include the municipality in the ICC MENA Building Science Advisory Council.

In addition, the council will enable the municipality to conduct a secondary review or approval or local registration system for innovative products approved by the council, and further evaluate innovative new products and systems in accordance with the Dubai Building Code. Various webinars and workshops on cutting-edge building materials and systems will be held by the council to train municipality representatives on the use of admission criteria, the statement concluded.

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A project management consultancy (PMC) services contract to support the development of the Historic Jeddah project has been awarded to Faithful+Gould by the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement from Faithfu+Gould, Historic Jeddah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Historic Jeddah Development Program aims to revitalise the living space in the city by attracting new businesses and cultural projects, based on a modern vision of urban planning and natural conservation harmonized with people’s needs.

As part of the two-year contract, the firm will provide PMC services across the Historic Jeddah Development Program including project and cost consultancy services for site-wide utilities, design management, program set up and governance processes and procedures. In addition, Faithful+Gould will oversee the coordination with program stakeholders, from real estate development to infrastructure, public realm and landscape to ensure the historic and non-historic building protection measures are met. These services will be executed throughout the masterplanning, design, tender and construction stages.

“As a leading professional services and project management solutions company, our purpose is to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. The rehabilitation of Historic Jeddah is a significant project that will showcase the depth of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and redefine mixed-use destinations experience, providing great opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. We are proud to work with the Ministry of Culture on this world heritage landmark, in what is one of the most truly remarkable cultural sites worldwide,” said Campbell Gray, Chief Executive Office, Middle East & Africa at Atkins and Faithful+Gould.

The Historic Jeddah area, known locally as Al-Balad (the town), is situated on the eastern shore of the Red Sea and was established in the 7th century AD as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, funnelling goods from Jeddah to the holy city of Mecca. The project is set to create an integrated environment in Historic Jeddah that has multiple natural components including 5km of developed waterfronts, green spaces and open gardens covering 15% of the total project area of 2.5sqkm.

Historic Jeddah is expected to become an incubator for Saudi entrepreneurs and artists where they can meet within a creative community that combines national heritage with nature and contemporary architectural designs. The area has more than 600 historic buildings, 36 historical mosques and five major historical markets. It also holds ancient corridors, squares and sites of important historical significance. The project work will extend for the next 15 years, during which the Historic Jeddah area will be developed according to multiple tracks, including infrastructure and services, developing the natural and environmental field, improving the quality of life, and enhancing urban aspects, the statement explained.

“In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Historic Jeddah Development Program will play a key role in conserving historical sites in the Kingdom and driving cultural tourism and investments. By adopting a fully integrated program and project management approach, underpinned by digital solutions and net zero best practices, we’ll work closely with all key stakeholders to drive efficiency and value throughout the project,” concluded Andrew Rotteveel, Managing Director, Program Advisory, Middle East & Africa at Atkins and Faithful+Gould.

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According to a senior official from the Works Ministry in Bahrain, construction on a drainage project is on track for complete. The project is located in bloc 733 within the Capital Governorate in Bahrain.

According to a report from BNA, the Tender Board had awarded the urban infrastructure project to Al Naseef Construction Company under a contract worth US $685,032.

The move is part of the ministry’s strategy to expand drainage networks across the Kingdom of Bahrain, said the Works Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for sewage projects Fathi Abdulla Al Farea.

“The Ministry has taken important steps to benefit from wastewater treatment. We are stepping up efforts to benefit from triple-treated sewage water to irrigate crops in streets and parks, in addition to supplying farms with treated water,” stated Al Farea.

Al Farea stressed the importance of optimising the use of treated water by expanding pumping, transporting and distributing services.

“Creating a balance between available water and future demand in line with the goals of the 2023 Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 is vital,” he concluded.

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Mace has been appointed by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) as the building operations management entity for its soon-to-be-launched Uptown Tower. The 340m-tall skyscraper will boast a 188-key five-star luxury hotel – ‘SO/ Uptown Dubai’, SO/ branded residences and commercial office spaces, as well as exclusive F&B offerings in The Atrium.

Scheduled for launch later in 2023, the project was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, and is said to be the first tower to be built within the Uptown Dubai district.

“Uptown Tower represents the first key milestone in the development of the wider Uptown Dubai district. Matching the tower’s premium status with a leading operations management company was essential to ensure the highest level of service to our office tenants, residents and all who visit Uptown Dubai. The appointment of Mace is the latest step in solidifying the tower’s position as one of the most sought-after destinations in Dubai and the region,” said DMCC Executive Chairman and CEO Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

DMCC pointed out that the 22 floors of premium Grade A commercial office space within Uptown Tower were fully pre-leased ahead of its launch.

Bringing its international expertise to bear at Uptown Tower, Mace will ensure the delivery of industry-leading building services across the board, providing an offering that reflects the premium nature of the 81-storey tower, Bin Sulayem stated.

The dedicated Mace operational team will bring additional value to Uptown Tower through facilities management services, with a central focus on residents, commercial office tenants and visitors, he added.

Ross Abbate, Chief Executive of Mace Operate remarked, “We are delighted to have been appointed by DMCC to manage the building operations and facilities of Uptown Tower, playing a driving role in maintaining the tower’s premium status in the years to come. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of DMCC’s journey in redefining the premium mixed-use communities of Dubai, whilst also having a core focus on robust ESG delivery.”

Kicking off before the official launch of Uptown Tower, Mace will implement essential operational governance, policies, procedures and standards to enable the effective delivery of their services.

The services include building maintenance, contract management, building strategy and more, all aimed at enhancing the functionality and longevity of buildings while creating safe and comfortable environments for occupants, Abbate concluded.

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Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) has announced the signing of a US $3.64bn finance agreement, to help 21,000 citizens get housing benefits. In addition, the REDF deposited more than $719mn in the account of beneficiaries of Sakani, a real estate initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Housing, during the first quarter of 2023.

The real estate advisory service of REDF recorded about 53,000 new beneficiaries during the last quarter and issued more than 36,000 financing and housing recommendations, according to the kingdom’s National Development Fund (NDF) in its quarterly report.

NDF and its supervised development funds and banks concluded the first quarter with various agreements and new development initiatives, all focusing on achieving the economic, social, and cultural objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and maximising the developmental impact on the Saudi economy. These achievements included signing cooperation agreements and financing beneficiaries from various economic sectors and segments of society, with over $7.99bn approved financing and support in the last quarter.

According to the report, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) had approved over $233mn in financing for 24 businesses. Also, the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) approved over $69.3mn in financing for 11 businesses in the tourism sector and served 57 beneficiaries through its pre-financing counselling and logistical support programmes.

During the first three months of 2023, TDF had signed MoUs with various local and international companies, including one with Ezdihar Real Estate Development Company – to establish the Jeddah Cove project – and the other with Ashraq Development Company to develop a tourist resort on the Half Moon Bay in the eastern region, operated by leading hotel and hospitality company Accor.

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The Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has unveiled an expanded agenda and a new date for its inaugural Future of Water Summit. The event will now take place on 6 September 2023 at the Habtoor Grand Resort in JBR, Dubai.

The event will discuss crucial topics relating to water via panel discussions and presentations including: regional water security threats and opportunities; COP28’s focus on water and its potential impact on legislation; managing water consumption in the building and operational phases of structures; desalination; wastewater treatment; the importance of greywater reuse; smart water management systems and technology; the challenges associated with water distribution networks and how they can be improved with technology, and more. The event’s agenda can be seen by clicking here.

Speakers will comprise regional experts from several groups including government, operators, construction consultants and contractors, water and wastewater specialists, technology firms and other suppliers.

“The BPME editorial team has been hard at work engaging with industry stakeholders, which is why we now have an expanded agenda for our Future of Water event. When it takes place on 6 September, we’ll be looking to shine a light on a number of key issues including the use of water in the pre- and post-construction phases of assets in the region. I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made thus far and look forward to hearing from regional thought leaders on the day,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at BPME.

Attendance to the event is complementary but mandatory via registration here.

To discuss participating at the event as a speaker, contact conference producer Jason Saundalkar on Jason.s@cpitrademedia.com. Sponsorship inquires can be addressed to Raed Kaedbey (raed.kaedbey@cpitrademedia.com) and Madeleine Martin (madeleine.martin@cpitrademedia.com).

Read more about the Future of Water Summit by clicking here.

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The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has collaborated with ADNOC Distribution to launch its Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) initiative, which will see the rollout of recycling facilities across ADNOC’s retail service stations.

Developed in partnership, the RVM launch coincides with World Environment Day and supports the UAE’s broader sustainability objectives. The collaboration also supports the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s Single Use Plastic Policy which was launched by EAD in 2020.

“Recently, we announced the remarkable success of the first year of our single-use plastic bag ban. To complement this success, we are always introducing similar initiatives to reduce single-use plastic in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This bottle recovery initiative aims to dramatically recover single-use plastic bottles that harm our environment. This is because it takes 450 years for a single-use plastic bottle to degrade, which means that our terrestrial and marine environments will be filled with microplastic, affecting biodiversity, our ecosystems, and most importantly, human health,” said EAD Secretary General Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri.

In addition to collaboration with ADNOC Distribution, other major retailers support the initiative including Carrefour, Lulu, Abu Dhabi Coops, Choithrams, Spinneys, Waitrose and Spar. Through this partnership with the private sector, a substantial reduction of up to 95% in the number of plastic bags consumed has been achieved, a statement noted.

In addition to eliminating single-use plastic bags, the policy targets the recovery of 50% of single-use plastic water bottles consumed in Abu Dhabi, which amounts to 7,500t. This will be achieved by an incentive-based plastic bottles recovery scheme and the installation of smart recovery infrastructure, including Return Vending Machines (RVMs), smart bins and other door-to-door collection applications across Abu Dhabi.

To support the success of the bottle recovery initiative, EAD said that it has engaged key stakeholders such as large retailers, major attraction sites, and real estate developers, among others. The agency has also invited private sector packaging firms to participate in the project.

In addition, the EAD said it has been working with Veolia through its RECAPP initiative to deploy RVMs in prime locations with high footfall, including malls, academic institutions, the Abu Dhabi Corniche and other visitor attraction sites.

The initiative also comes under the umbrella of EAD’s ‘Mission to Zero’ outreach campaign that aspires to zero plastic, zero waste, zero emissions and zero harm to biodiversity.

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A $272.2mn contract has been awarded to Ginco General contracting by Dubai South Properties. The contract is for the development of the initial phases of the South Bay master development.

The project is taking shape in the heart of The Residential District within Dubai South alongside the Expo Road. Once complete, it will boast over 800 villas and townhouses, as well as more than 200 luxurious waterfront mansions, a 1km-long crystal lagoon, and more than 3km of a waterfront promenades, in addition to multiple beaches, clubhouse, fitness centres and lush parks, the developer said in a statement.

“We are delighted by the remarkable response we have received since announcing the project last year, with the first two phases fully sold-out. The real estate industry in Dubai is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by various factors that Dubai has to offer, thanks to the visionary initiatives of our wise leadership, which we wholeheartedly align with,” stated Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South.

He added, “At Dubai South, our mandate is to deliver premium developments that exceed the expectations of our customers. We strive to provide residents with modern amenities and enriched lifestyles, creating an environment that promotes comfort, convenience, and a sense of luxury.”

The townhouses and semi-detached villas span built-up areas ranging from 2,900 to 5,500sqft, in a mix of three, four, and five en-suite bedrooms. The waterfront mansions will comprise five- six- and seven- bedroom units, with built-up areas ranging from approximately 9,000 to 14,000sqft.

Dubai South Properties said the project is scheduled for completion by Q1 2026.

“We are confident that the expertise of the appointed contractor’s will help us realise this project, which will be an ideal option for those seeking quality living with world-class amenities,” added Al Zaffin.

Located at The Residential District, South Bay will provide residents access to a variety of amenities including a shopping mall, fitness centres, spas, kids’ clubs and waterparks, as well as waterfront cafés, a lake park and private beaches, the statement concluded.

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