E-commerce company Amazon, which pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, issued its sustainability roadmap for the Mena region – a series of measures aimed at helping the company to meet its global Climate Pledge.
The roadmap includes commitments to increasing renewable energy use and energy efficiency in its buildings, improving the sustainability of its packaging and using greener transport to ship goods.
"We take the first step of the journey by announcing our first solar rooftop energy ... in DXB3, which is our largest FC [fulfilment centre] in the UAE," Prashant Saran, director of operations at Amazon Mena, told The National.
"This is just the first leg of the journey."
Amazon first announced its Climate Pledge in 2019, which envisions the company meeting Paris Agreement targets a decade earlier than the 2050 deadline. It also vows to ensure it produces regular reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, implements carbon reduction strategies and uses 'credible' carbon offsets. More than 100 companies have aligned themselves to Amazon's pledge, Mr Saran said.
The company has installed 5,565 solar panels on top of DXB3's roof, which will generate 2.8 megawatts of energy, or about 4.6 million kilowatt-hours a year. This is enough to meet 60 per cent of the facility's energy demands, Mr Saran said. He declined to say how much the installation had cost.
Amazon plans to add more rooftop installations to newer fulfilment centres being developed in Saudi Arabia and Egypt by next year, but may not be able to retrofit some existing sites due to structural and other limitations.
"It's not always possible in every building ... but we are examining every aspect of our operation and seeing opportunities where we can try this. Wherever it's not possible to install the solar rooftop, we are in addition also focusing on driving energy efficiencies in the building."
In terms of packaging, the company is aiming to limit the weight and size of its packaging and use more sustainable material, as well as clubbing more items together to reduce the number of parcels sent.
"We have been able to reduce the weight of our outbound packaging in the UAE by around 20 per cent since 2019," Mr Saran added.
It will also expand its Ship in Own Box Container service, allowing companies' products to be delivered in their original packaging without the need for an extra Amazon box.
Amazon has faced criticism on the amount of waste generated at its fulfilment centres.
An investigation by UK broadcaster ITV last week found the company was destroying thousands of unsold products including electrical goods and personal protection equipment. The amount the ecommerce company charges third-party sellers for warehouse space increases rapidly if goods are stored for more than six months, making it uneconomical for them to continue taking the space.
The investigation found a single fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, Scotland destroyed more than 130,000 items in a single week. The UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs responded in a blog post calling for "an end to the throwaway culture", adding that it was reviewing regulations to ensure all retailers and online marketplaces take a greater responsibility for the disposal of electrical goods.
"In this space, I acknowledge we have a lot of work to do. However, in this region we have already started a donations programme where we are working with local NGOs [non-governmental organisations] and partners to be able to put to good use such items, which we continue to work with our vendors and sellers on," Mr Saran said.
"The donations programme is something we started last year and we do intend to double down and scale it up as we continue to grow in this region," he said. The company is working with Emirates Red Crescent and other organisations on this initiative, a spokeswoman said.
Transportation is one of the biggest components of Amazon's carbon footprint and the company's goal "is to reduce carbon emissions through the use of technology, new equipment, electric vehicles, as well as alternative sources of energy", Mr Saran said. This includes using more electric and compressed natural gas-powered vehicles in its last mile deliveries, he added.
"As we embark on the path to a low carbon economy a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement, I call on businesses in Mena to join us as signatories to The Climate Pledge," Amazon Mena's vice president Ronaldo Mouchawar said in an accompanying statement.
"We add our voice to Amazon’s call for businesses to step up to the challenge and take the Climate Pledge," the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Abdullah Al Nuaimi said.
Andor
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F1 2020 calendar
March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The%20specs
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More on Quran memorisation:
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
