Cities across the globe have long harnessed the power of nature by integrating more green spaces in urban development plans to boost the environment, as well as improve well-being.
But research in the UAE has underlined how creating additional green spaces should not be merely confined to streets and parks, but can be crucial to cultivating healthier, happier and more productive workplaces, too.
A study by Atina Ghunaim, a postgraduate researcher at UAE University (UAEU) in Al Ain, has highlighted how living or green walls - structures covered with greenery and vegetation - can cut down on pollution and create cleaner air in premises where employees can typically spend 2,000 hours a year.
Ms Ghunaim analysed pollution in the UAEU’s offices during the autumn and winter, and found that concentrations of particulate matter fell when there was a living wall installed. Levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which have been linked to increased cancer rates, were also lower.
Cleaning the air inside homes, workplaces and other locations could offer significant health benefits, as the World Health Organisation has estimated that globally each year 4.3 million people die prematurely because of polluted indoor air.
Going green
Green walls may provide monetary and environmental upsides, because the UAEU research found that when such a wall was installed, the internal temperature was reduced by between 0.3 °C and 1.0 °C, which could cut energy demand for cooling.
According to analysis by Indian-based company, Straits Research, the global market for green walls is set to double in size in the decade up to 2031, when it is projected to be worth $5.3 billion (Dh19.5 billion).
Hisham Elkadi, a professor of architecture at the University of Salford in the UK who has researched living walls, said that the way that they brought nature into the urban environment “absolutely” offered benefits.
“The more we’re integrated with nature the better for us, for our environment, for health. There’s no question this is the way forward,” he said.
Internal and external benefits
As well as internal green walls improving internal air quality, external green walls clean the air outside, Prof Elkadi said, by removing particulate matter, harmful gases and VOCs.
There are also thermal benefits to external green walls: they reduce the heating effect on buildings in hot climates and limit the loss of heat from buildings in cooler parts of the world. Research in the UK published in 2021 found that heat loss was cut by 31 per cent when a pre-1970s building was retrofitted with a living wall.
“It’s mitigating the transmissions of energy from the atmosphere, and towards the atmosphere … The plants have very good control over the energy efficiency of buildings,” Prof Elkadi said.
Living walls and other plant life in towns and cities, including trees, also mitigate the urban heat island effect, which causes built-up areas to become hotter than surrounding areas. People who can see green walls while they are working have also been shown to have increased productivity, Prof Elkadi said.
By helping to increase the number of insects and birds, green walls can improve biodiversity, which Prof Elkadi said could contribute to urban areas becoming “green corridors” for nature instead of barriers to them.
However, green walls in hotter climates are at a greater risk of drying out, which can turn them into a fire hazard, so correct installation and regular maintenance are important.
How are companies tackling air pollution?
Many companies now provide green wall installations, both internally and externally, while green roofs are similarly becoming more popular and can, Prof Elkadi said, also reduce the urban heat island effect.
Employers around the world are making efforts to reduce internal air pollution. In India, for example, Acer has reportedly installed air purifiers in its offices, as have PepsiCo, Deloitte and KPMG, all of which have additionally brought in extra greenery to filter the air.
Simple pot plants have also been shown to reduce internal air pollution, according to research by the Royal Horticultural Society and the University of Birmingham, both in the UK.
Meanwhile, Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai opened in 2021 with a sustainable vision supported by living walls and palm trees in the central atrium to encourage air circulation.
Another approach to clean the air, by deploying a spray-on coating for walls and other surfaces, is being offered by UAE company, Best Pick Energy.
The firm and its UK partner, Clean Air, which promotes the technology developed in Hungary by Resysten, said the method had been demonstrated to remove nitrogen oxides (NOX) from the air.
“Around the world you have zones and areas where you have naturally high concentrations of NOX sitting in the atmosphere. That tends to be in cities, it tends to be around transport hubs, it tends to be around construction sites,” said Steve Lewis, chief executive of Clean Air.
He said that the coating, which contains titanium dioxide, had been sprayed on to, for example, glass facades, vehicles, lorries and perimeter fencing around construction sites.
Construction sites are known as pollution hotspots and, with air pollution from traffic having fallen in some countries because of tighter emissions regulations, the share of air pollution accounted for by construction has increased.
Mr Lewis said a major global operator of drive-through fast-food outlets had contacted the firm about the possible use of the technology, which could reduce the extent to which employees are exposed to pollution.
The company states that the spray can remove 222mg of nitrogen dioxide per square metre per day, which can lead to a significant total across a large project.
Trials are taking place in the UAE to further test the technology with a view to rolling it out in the country, with the potential for it to be used both internally and externally.
So, from employing the age-old cleaning power of plants to using high-tech sprays, efforts to purify polluted air indoors and outdoors look set to grow.
The impact of climate change in the Middle East – in pictures
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
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
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Read more about the coronavirus
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Coming 2 America
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones
3/5 stars
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
