AVIATION-

Emirates has signed an initiative with The Solent Cluster to supply kerosine alternatives to UK airports, according to a statement. The cluster has the potential to build a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant with a capacity of 200k tonnes annually in 2032 which should result in annual emission cutbacks of around 563 kilotonnes. Emirates plans to leverage existing pipelines at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

About Solent Cluster: The UK-based initiative founded by Solent Partners, natural gas company ExxonMobil, and the University of Southampton aims to attract low carbon investments and slash emissions in industry, transport, and households across the South Coast of England, the statement notes. Emirates is the first international airline to join the initiative.

AGRICULTURE-

Oman launches IoT-driven greenhouse crop production system: Sultan Qaboos University has launched a remote, Internet of Things-driven monitoring and controlling system for sustainable greenhouse crop production in Oman, Times of Oman reports. Named the Jinan Tech Project, the initiative aims to optimize the design and construction of Controlled Environment Agriculture structures used for indoor agriculture and vertical farming to enhance tracking of microclimate effects on crop yields. The initiative was launched in cooperation with Oman’s Energy and Minerals Ministry and partners including OQ, BP Oman, and CC Energy Development Oman.

Not the first regional player to leverage big tech to boost sustainable farming: KSA’s Neom — which awarded a USD 120 mn contract for the design and construction of 110k square meter horticulture hub to Holland’s Van Der Hoeven — is similarly capitalizing on tech and AI to optimize crop growing and water filtration in a bid to sustainably produce some 300k tons of fruits and vegetables within the next decade.

BIODIVERSITY-

The UAE has completed genome sequencing on its national tree as part of efforts to boost biodiversity protection and climate resilience, The National reports. The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), in partnership with Emirati healthtech company M42, completed a comprehensive DNA sequencing study on the ghaftree — prosopis cineraria — to understand how it survives in arid conditions and establish a conservation framework to protect it from global warming.

EAD is ramping up biodiversity protection: EAD signed a partnership agreement with the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) and green tech company Dendra earlier this month to assess and restore terrestrial and coastal ecosystems across the emirate using advanced seeding drones and AI technology. The initiative aims to protect local species’ habitats and restore ecological balance.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Schneider Electric and e& partner on EV infrastructure: France’s Schneider Electric has inked an agreement with Charge&Go by tech group e& — formerly known as Etisalat — to expand deployment of EV charging points across the UAE. Earlier this month, e& signed an agreement with Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company to rollout 100 BYD EVs in the Emirates. (Wam)
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