SOLAR-

Tunisia to construct new power line to connect Gafsa PV plant to grid: Tunisia will construct a 150 kV high-voltage double circuit overhead power line to connect the 130 MW Gafsa PV power plant to the existing Metlaoui-Tozeur power line, Tap reported last week. Italian renewables company Voltalia was recently tapped to build the solar project that will sell the green energy produced to the Tunisian public grid operator Société Tunisienne de l'Electricité et du Gaz for 30 years with construction set to begin in 2025 and commissioning expected in 2026.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE-

DP World + Zhejiang Seaport will work on green ports: The UAE’s DP World has partnered with China’s Zhejiang Seaport Group have inked an agreement to develop green and low-carbon ports, Wam reported on Thursday. The pair will form frameworks to establish knowledge sharing on building green terminals, the use of shore power, and green fuel for ships.

CLIMATE POLICY-

APCO + CSO partner on sustainability solutions: Global advisory and advocacy firm APCO and the UAE’s Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO) Network signed an agreement to collaborate on enhancing communication strategies for climate issues, according to a press release published last week. The partnership was announced during the Second Annual Global Sustainability Forum and aims to encourage members of the CSO Network — a hub that brings together chief sustainability officers from global companies across sectors — to participate in climate action in the UAE.

Network members: The CSO Network brings together big regional and international industry players across sectors such as Adnoc, Masdar, Endie, IBM, FAB, ADQ, Engie, and more. The hub originally launched with only 24 members but has now grown to 68 members.

GREEN FINANCE-

Bahrain’s Bank ABC allocated USD 2.3 bn — 12% of its lending portfolio — to sustainable finance in 2023, according to the bank’s inaugural Group Sustainability Disclosures Report (pdf). The report highlights the lender’s three-year sustainability strategy, focusing on governance, operations, risk management, transition financing, and community engagement. Significant achievements include 100% renewable energy usage in its Jordan offices and 40% waste recycling across the group. Bank ABC has also launched green retail finance products in Jordan and Egypt and is developing ESG-focused products in Brazil, reinforcing its dedication to environmental and social responsibility.

RECYCLING-

Saudi Water Authority turns waste into sustainable calcium carbonate: The Saudi Water Authority’s (SWA) research arm launched a project to convert by-products left over from cement production and desalination into calcium carbonate, Spa reported last week. The research arm Water Technologies Innovation Institute and Research Advancement aims to produce vaterite calcium carbonate at a 97% purity level — a mineral that can be used in various industries including personal care products, advanced biomaterials industries, coating agents, biomedicine, and material applications in the building and construction industry. The project — the first of its kind globally — is a collaboration with the South Korean Taekyung Group, and Korea National University, and aims to reduce waste while reducing minerals extraction.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • EAD issued 8.5k e-Green learning certificates: The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued over 8.5k certificates to its 3.9k active users since its inception in 2022. The platform — a free e-learning tool in the environmental sector — offers 68 modules across 13 courses, including a new climate change course aligned with the goals set out by the UAE during its hosting of COP28. (Statement)
  • Impex partners with ZEEKR to introduce EVs to Lebanon: Geely-owned EV brand ZEEKR and Lebanese automotive dealer Impex have inked an agreement to bring two ZEEKR EV models to the Lebanese market this summer. The ZEEKR 001 and ZEEKR X models hit the streets in Saudi Arabia back in March, and are expected to launch in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain this year. (Statement)
  • UAE-led operation seizes 2.4 tons of illegal wildlife items: A regional law enforcement operation Green Justice coordinated by the USE co-led International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), has successfully seized over USD 32 mn worth of illicit goods in the Amazon Basin. The operation, supported by Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, led to the arrest of 25 suspects involved in wildlife poaching, illegal fishing, deforestation, and mining. (Wam)
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