Environmental conservation and sustainability UAE’s top priority
- 09 Jan 2023
Environment and sustainability had witnessed considerable initiatives in the UAE in recent years.
Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor
“Nothing like institutional push when it comes to achieving ambitious goals. At a time when sustainability and climate actions continue to draw scepticism and haphazard measures globally, the UAE’s resounding message is encouraging, to say the least. Though environment and sustainability had witnessed considerable initiatives in the Emirates in recent years, they could truly come of age in 2023,” opined Chandra Dake, CEO of Dake Rechsand.
The Government’s renewed emphasis on the environment and sustainability can be linked to the nation’s systemic challenges, such as desert lands, limited groundwater resources, agricultural distress, arid/semi-arid climate, and import-heavy food systems. Policymakers have adopted a broad-based approach of mitigation and adaptation measures to address the challenges and concurrently expand on emerging opportunities. Dake Rechsand’s solutions, especially Breathable Sand and IDer harvesting systems, have found takers among both public entities and corporates pursuing sustainability.
The UN-applauded Breathable Sand — a water-retentive and air-permeable medium that leads to optimal yield with 80% less water input — has found application in desert greening, soil restoration, afforestation, and ecology-preservation initiatives. Likewise, IDer systems are being used to build ‘Sponge Cities’, expansive areas where permeable pavers absorb rainwater and either drain it to proper sewers or store it in underground reservoirs. The harvested rainwater — the purest form of natural water — can reduce unsustainable dependence on desalination plants while alleviating water scarcity.
“The UAE’s road to sustainability and net-zero emissions is riddled with multiple, intertwined complexities. Under such a scenario, any plausible solution must reconcile with multiple objectives. The need for such ‘interdisciplinary’ sustainability solutions underpinned our product development. In 2023, building on our existing carbon sequestration and desert greening projects, we will closely collaborate with key stakeholders and work toward achieving Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of a green and sustainable UAE,” asserted Chandra Dake.
Marwan Al Sarkal, Strategic Advisor at Dake Rechsand, echoed the need for multistakeholder participation, adding that because of interlinked challenges, knowledge flows and collaborations between different departments are pivotal. “Dake Rechsand has positioned itself firmly at the intersection of food, water, and climate, ensuring that its solutions are in agreement — not in contradiction — with different priorities,” Marwan opined.
As a validation of its solutions, Dake Rechsand was featured in the ‘Green Technology Book 2022: Solutions for Climate Change Adaptations’, a report released on the back of COP27. The sustainability champion is ramping up its efforts in light of the upcoming, UAE-hosted COP28, whose outcomes could potentially chart a new course for global climate actions. While staying committed to the regional cause, Dake Rechsand has expanded its global presence, recently making a foray into the US by partnering with Donald V. Watkins, an impact-led entrepreneur. As part of the partnership, Dake Rechsand will support the greening of four desert regions in the US, keeping the empowerment of Native American Tribes paramount.
In recent years, Dake Rechsand has emerged at the forefront of regional sustainability efforts through demonstrated impact in terms of desert farming, water conservation, and stormwater management. Its proprietary, the UN-applauded solution Breathable Sand — a water-retentive and air-permeable medium that leads to optimal crop yield with 80% less water input — has found application in turning deserts into arable lands. So, in the UAE, where deserts constitute nearly 80% of the total land and water scarcity is a pressing issue, Breathable Sand makes a compelling case within the food-security framework. Additionally, the environmentally responsible production process, the affordability and the “ease of use” of Breathable Sand make it appealing in the “holistic” sustainability context — the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability.
Dake Rechsand is a leading company in sustainable technologies and nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration. Having a Verra-listed program, Dake Rechsand sets a high standard for climate action and sustainable development. The company has developed innovative solutions for water conservation and sustainable farming, and has been recognized with a Gulf Sustainability Gold Award for Innovations. In 2022, Dake Rechsand has launched a carbon sequestration program of 11 million trees in the GCC region, which is listed on VERRA. With a global presence, the company is making a positive impact on food and water security in water-stressed regions.