Emirates Environmental Group Celebrates Sustainability Achievements Of 64 Entities At Annual Gala Dinner

The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) recently held its 28th Annual Corporate Gala Dinner, focusing on sustainability and community engagement. The event, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, gathered dignitaries, corporate leaders, and sustainability advocates to celebrate EEG’s achievements and renew commitments to a sustainable future.

Ambassadors and consuls general from Europe, Africa, and Asia attended, highlighting the global importance of EEG's work. The theme "Fostering Unity, Cultivating Sustainability" underscored collaboration in environmental conservation. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG, emphasised the UAE's dedication to sustainability and urged collective action towards an inclusive society.

H.E. Bérangère Boëll, United Nations Resident Coordinator for the UAE, delivered a keynote speech stressing the need for collaborative efforts in addressing global environmental challenges. She commended EEG for fostering partnerships that align with national priorities like the Net Zero by 2050 initiative and the UAE 2071 Centennial Plan.

Boëll stated: "EEG has been at the forefront of fostering partnerships that align with the UAE’s national priorities... Through its efforts, EEG plays a vital role in translating national sustainability goals into actionable, community-driven initiatives." This highlights EEG's pivotal role in uniting various sectors for sustainability.

The gala celebrated EEG’s accomplishments over the past year. Educational outreach programmes empowered nearly 456,000 students as environmental advocates. In waste management, EEG diverted over 1.6 million kg of waste from landfills, reducing CO₂ emissions by 6,527 metric tonnes and saving significant landfill space.

The Clean UAE Campaign mobilised 83,123 volunteers from 966 entities under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s patronage. Additionally, EEG planted 15,881 native trees across the UAE in its tree-planting initiative, bringing its total to over 2 million trees since 2007.

Sustainability Initiatives Launched

In 2024, EEG launched two new initiatives to further its environmental stewardship. The Purging Pestering Plastic Initiative aims to combat plastic pollution through responsible consumption and recycling. Meanwhile, the E-Waste Day Initiative seeks to raise awareness about proper electronic waste disposal.

EEG’s commitment extends beyond national borders with active participation in global platforms such as UNEP and WGBC. These efforts reinforce the UAE's leadership in environmental sustainability on an international scale.

Sponsorship Support

The success of the gala was supported by various sponsors. Platinum Sponsors included Apparel Group and McDonald’s UAE; wasl served as Special Sponsor. Farnek was recognised as Carbon-Neutral Partner while Arabia CSR Network was acknowledged as Sustainability Partner.

This event not only celebrated past achievements but also set a course for future actions in sustainability. It highlighted how collaboration among different sectors can drive meaningful change towards a greener future for all involved.

With inputs from WAM