Ensuring a sustainable future

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2 This brochure is printed on 100% post-consumer waste paper made with process chlorine-free 100% PCW fibre. The paper is certified by Green Seal and the Forest Stewardships Council, which promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world s forests. The paper was also manufactured using non-polluting, wind-generated energy.

3 Table of Contents 5 Introduction 6 Sustainability as part of the process 8 Habitat and wildlife protection 12 Preservation of cultural heritage 13 Effective use of materials 14 Pollution prevention 16 Sustainable transport 17 Waste management 18 Water use 19 Energy use, conservation and generation 20 Environmental education and community awareness 22 TDIC environment department

4 Green Turtle on Sir Bani Yas Island

5 Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is a master developer of major tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, and a key contributor to its economic and cultural progress. TDIC is behind some of Abu Dhabi s most prestigious projects including Saadiyat Island and Desert Islands which will be one of the world s largest nature based tourism destinations. Ensuring a sustainable future Our objective at TDIC has always been to maintain and protect existing environmental and social assets, and to enhance these for Abu Dhabi s future generations. To achieve this aspiration, we are committed to promoting practices that are consistent with environmental protection and sustainable development. We also actively encourage our stakeholders and partners to do the same. We explore opportunities that demonstrate a positive environmental impact when it comes to the company s activities and developments by identifying and incorporating environmental assets within the planning and decision making processes. Complying with environmental legislations and regulations is simply the tip of the iceberg; we further seek to attain improvements beyond the set policies. We also pride ourselves on ensuring continual improvement of environmental and sustainability performance via monitoring and training programmes. Furthermore, we implement best practice principles for sustainable communities and built environment designs. In doing so, we utilise examples of both international green building standards and comply with Abu Dhabi s Estidama guidelines. 5

6 Sustainability as part of the process A key component of our environmental and sustainability vision is to achieve more than just compliance by adopting best practices. To this end, we implement a number of strict sustainability and environmental guidelines to ensure that our practices are sustainable, minimise environmental impacts and meet both local and international best practices. Hence sustainability is woven into the development process from design through to construction and operations. The design phase Sustainability practices during the design phase include the development of tailored Sustainable Design Regulations for building structures such as hotels, villas and apartments. These regulations draw on international best practices from highly accredited international green building rating systems such as the US Green Building Council s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) and UK-based Building Research Establishment s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). Saadiyat Island mangrove nursery Predating Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council s Estidama programme, this practice has helped establish sustainability standards within our developments from an early stage. With the recent release of the Estidama Pearl Rating system, we can now ensure all developments comply with the relevant standards. 6

7 In addition, service providers are also requested to demonstrate best practices in environment and sustainability within their proposals for design based contracts. The master planning of our developments are subject to intense sustainability governance, including landscape, water and energy management, coastal management, cultural heritage enhancement and terrestrial and marine ecology preservation to name a few. Once a potential development location has been assessed by our team of environmentalists and deemed suitable for development, it is required to incorporate energy, water and waste reduction techniques into its daily operations. The location s natural geology is capitalised upon together with strategic landscaping to ensure efficient use of natural resources. Developments are thoughtfully studied with consideration and respect to nature and the environment, using design principles that combine best practices with maximum efficiencies and minimal environmental impact. All design criteria and specifications, in turn, are reviewed to minimise environmental impacts and sustainable use of materials. The construction phase We also focus on minimising impacts during the construction phase. All contractors are required to produce and implement a site specific Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), which reflects the overall CEMP and findings from the Environment Impact Assessment. Contractors are provided an environmental induction upon mobilisation and are continuously monitored by both TDIC and third-party auditors for environmental compliance and improvement opportunities. We have also designed and implemented a Contractor Rating Scheme, which identifies contractors environmental performance and reports findings to procurement teams and contract managers. Opportunities for individual and company awards against the scheme are also provided to encourage good performance. In keeping with our commitment to waste minimisation, we have introduced a Recycling Management Facility on Saadiyat Island. This facility provides a centralised collection area for recyclable segregated wastes from contractors prior to transfer to appropriate recycling centres. In addition, a concrete crushing and screening unit at this site provides valuable recycling of material for reuse as sub-base, diverting large volumes of waste from landfills. A similar recycling management facility will also be maintained for the operational component of Saadiyat Island. The operations phase As some of our projects near completion, we are in the process of developing guidelines to ensure that environmentally sustainable practices are continued in the future. This applies not only to TDIC operated projects, but also where external operators are involved on our behalf. We have developed a number of measures to help address environmental and sustainability issues within our organisation and across our projects. These measures have been chosen to reflect aspects which could impact or be impacted by our key stakeholders, as identified hereafter. To help meet our vision, several key environmental sustainability policies for Saadiyat Island and Desert Islands developments have been identified. These policies are communicated to our key project partners in order to ensure understanding and adherence with its approach and are detailed on the following pages. 7

8 Habitat and wildlife protection The Saadiyat Beach dune system provides turtles with a nesting habitat. In order to protect these nesting grounds, we have planned developments in such a way that it prevents people from walking across the dune system to access the beach. Night time activities, noise and light in particular, may cause the mother turtles to return to the ocean without laying their eggs, and hatchlings can be drawn towards light sources preventing them from heading to the water. To avoid this, we have developed Turtle Nesting Guidelines which provide requirements for lighting and noise control during construction and operation, ensuring that all developments adjacent to the beach follow these regulations. Sir Bani Yas Island is a sanctuary for over 10,000 indigenous and non-indigenous terrestrial mammals. Many of these animals are deemed endangered or extinct in the wild. The Arabian Wildlife Park, located on the island, is home to over 500 Arabian Oryx, one of the largest herds in the world. The Arabian Oryx is Extinct in the Wild ; therefore, they are bred on the island as part of a programme headed by the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi to reintroduce these animals back into their natural range. Saadiyat Beach dune system on Saadiyat Island 8

9 Arabian Oryx on Sir Bani Yas Island 9

10 Some of the most picturesque islands that make up the Desert Islands destination are home to vibrant marine life and untouched coastal habitats that serve as breeding grounds for migratory birds and turtles. A number of ecological surveys have been carried out that document nesting of animals on the islands; therefore, we have no plans for development of these islands in order to ensure the preservation of the marine and bird life. At TDIC, we always take the surrounding natural environment into consideration before embarking on developments. The effect on the local flora and fauna is determined and where possible enhanced over and above its original status by utilising native plant species, within landscaping designs. We also aim to ensure that ecological assets are made accessible to the public for their enjoyment and education. A number of conservation efforts are underway at Desert Islands. To offset the environmental impact of visitors, one mangrove seedling is planted for each guest to the islands with over 30,000 mangroves having been planted since An eight-kilometre no-fishing zone around the island protects marine life creating an important habitat and breeding zone for turtles, dugongs and dolphins. Environmentally friendly geo-textile sandbags have been used on the beach to prevent erosion rather than building invasive structures. These zones have become populated with many fish who favour these sheltered waters. The Desert Islands Conservation Team, together with other facilities and organisations in the UAE, has started breeding programmes for the Striped Hyena and the Northern Cheetah, both of which are listed as Locally Extinct. Mangrove regeneration on Sir Bani Yas Island 10

11 Northern Cheetah and her cub on Sir Bani Yas Island 11

12 Preservation of cultural heritage Preserving the indigenous culture of the UAE and sharing it with a wider international audience is the cornerstone of our mission. We aim to identify and preserve any existing cultural heritage sites within our developments, and where possible, ensure their accessibility in order to further awareness and education. In addition, we actively seek and promote cultural enhancement opportunities and develop facilities and programmes to further this. We have undertaken great measures to protect existing archaeological or cultural heritage features on Sir Bani Yas Island. These provide showcasing facilities dedicated to the preservation and public display of local and regional cultural heritage. The monastery site on Sir Bani Yas Island is not only an important link to the island s history; it s also a national treasure. The Desert Islands team has taken preventive measures to protect against extreme heat in summer and rain in winter season. Barasti fencing has also been installed to protect the site against wind, people and animal traffic. And finally a walkway has been installed so that guests can view the site in comfort without causing any damage. Monastery archeological site on Sir Bani Yas Island 12

13 Effective use of materials Materials used in our developments are taken into consideration using a series of basic tenets. We ensure materials are locally sourced, where possible, and that the amount required is reduced through innovative and considerate design. All materials used must be non-toxic to humans and the natural environment. They must originate from renewable sources and have a minimal ecological footprint. They must also be considered economically viable. These tenets also apply to all materials sourced and used for the development of the infrastructure. Sir Bani Yas Island team have erected new signage around the island and inside the Arabian Wildlife Park to identify points of interest and aid tourists with directions. The signage has been specifically designed to blend in with the surroundings. It is rustic, natural, sustainable and robust enough to survive the extreme desert conditions. The signage is made from a number of recycled materials which are found on the island and in the UAE. The main materials used to make the signs are rough-hewn teak timber salvaged from irreparable dhows and tumbled stones taken from mines found on the island. Signage made of recycled materials on Sir Bani Yas Island 13

14 Pollution prevention The proactive minimisation of noise, water and air pollution through considerate design and construction are fundamental elements of environmental protection and we strive to develop infrastructure in such a way as to avoid or minimise any adverse impact on the environment. Air pollution is prevented through dust control measures such as wetting down unsealed roadways, covering stockpiles and stabilising surfaces with vegetation or sealants. Water pollution is prevented through control of erosion adjacent to the marine environment, use of silt curtains and screens in marine fill activities, water treatment in baffle boxes and detention basins to remove sediments, water quality monitoring and discharge permitting. Soil and groundwater contamination is prevented through the use of secondary containment on fuel and chemical storage areas, controlled fuelling points, containment of waste, maintenance of storage containers and equipment, and monitoring. Water quality monitoring on Sir Bani Yas Island 14

15 Saadiyat Beach 15

16 Sustainable transport We are continuously developing and enhancing the infrastructure to support a sustainable transport system focusing on safe transport through the application of best practices in design and introducing public education. On Saadiyat Island some of our efforts include reducing the demand and dependency on private, motorised transport by integrating community access and amenity needs within the design of the infrastructure. We encourage the use of alternative types of vehicles and fuels to help reduce vehicle emissions and noise, and also aim to reduce the visual and aesthetic impact of transport infrastructure on the community. The first zero-emission electric buses are now available for guests on Sir Bani Yas Island. Designed specifically to suit the Middle East s climatic conditions, the technologically advanced, environmentally friendly vehicles offer the perfect transport solution for the island, namely for their low noise, vibration and maintenance cost and their zero carbon emission. They are also equipped with advanced technology that allows them to store the energy used when braking, a process known as regenerative braking. Zero-emission electric bus on Sir Bani Yas Island 16

17 Waste management We design and develop our projects by taking into consideration the need to efficiently manage waste and provide the necessary facilities to support our waste hierarchy principles. Our objectives include diverting over 70% of our construction waste from landfills, reusing materials in all possible instances and recycling them where reuse is not possible. Our key principles involve separating waste at the source, while on-site waste management facilities take care of the storage and further separation of waste and recyclables. Finally, we manage hazardous waste in accordance with EAD requirements and dispose of it at licensed waste disposal facilities. Saadiyat Island s Overall Construction Environmental Management Plan (OCEMP) lists the waste management requirements for construction. These must be implemented by all construction contractors working on Saadiyat Island. At our corporate headquarters TDIC have implemented a recycling program where paper, plastic and other wastes are disposed of by employees in separate bins. 17

18 Water use We understand the importance of protecting and preserving water as it is a vital and scarce resource in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, our developments are designed to ensure efficient water management. The design of both the infrastructure and buildings implement a series of basic principles. All TDIC developments comply as a minimum with Estidama requirements and TDIC s internal green design guidelines, which both require buildings and community areas to implement water conservation measures. We design all aspects of our developments with water scarcity in mind. Examples are the incorporation of drought and/or salt tolerant species in landscape designs, selection of water features that exhibit minimal water losses and water efficient fixtures and fittings. Treated sewage effluent (TSE) will be used for irrigation of golf courses, parks and public areas. At the Saadiyat Construction Village, we have made water usage reduction an integral part of its design and operation. All site wastewater is recycled for irrigation, alongside the use of flow regulators, push-button taps, and drip irrigation, water metering and leak detection systems. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club 18

19 Energy use, conservation and generation We recognise that a significant contribution can be made towards tackling global climate change by adopting a strategy for reducing energy consumption of the construction and operational side of our developments. Several key strategies have been adopted to ensure that we minimise projects carbon footprint; and reduce our consumption of non-renewable resources and production of greenhouse gas emissions. Saadiyat Construction village has been designed to maximise energy efficiency through the use of solar hot water system, natural light via windows and tubular daylighting devices, energy efficient appliances and insulated roof and wall panels to reduce heat gain. The design of all our developments takes energy efficiency into consideration which will ultimately lead to reduced energy consumption and wastage throughout operations of these assets. This was originally addressed through TDIC s green building guidelines prior to the release. Wind turbine on Sir Bani Yas Island We ensure that contractors and operators also agree to adhere to pertinent legislation, international best practices and our sustainable development strategy. 19

20 Environmental education and community awareness In order to ensure long-term sustainability of our projects and initiatives we work to identify and implement environmental education and induction programmes for our staff and contractors as well as Abu Dhabi communities and tourists. On Desert Islands, guides have been thoroughly trained to educate guests on the environmental initiatives being undertaken such as the history of the archeological sites and habitat protection. Guests to Sir Bani Yas Island can therefore appreciate the stories of the past as well as the present. The Desert Islands Education Centre (DIEC) was built on Dalma Island to encourage local residents to take part in the tourism industry and help enhance their skills for the workforce, thus minimising population migration to main cities. DIEC offers 90 courses with 50 expected to be added this year. 800 students, 70% of which were women, have completed courses so far with all of them receiving professional qualifications. We also regularly attend various exhibitions regarding sustainability and environmental solutions in order to further raise awareness amongst the public. Observing wildlife on Sir Bani Yas Island 20

21 Sir Bani Yas Island 21

22 TDIC environment department At TDIC, we have a dedicated in-house environment and sustainability team, who oversees development, implementation and monitoring of environmental sustainability practices. Heaving a full time team of experts within the organisation ensures that sustainability practices are considered throughout all aspects of the companies operations. Saadiyat Island mangrove nursery 22