IDB reveals implementation of new project aimed at helping develop and apply requirements needed in achieving the industrial sector's sustainability

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), through its Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), has revealed the implementation of a new project that has been specifically designed to help foster the development and application of requirements needed to maintain the industrial sector's sustainability. 

The move, which will cover the study and research of industrial operations, including its baselines and benchmarks, is expected to help drive in a better understanding of the performance of the emirate’s thriving industrial sector.

H.E. Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Executive Director, IDB, explained that the project is the first of its kind in terms of focusing on key elements of sustainability, such as material processing efficiency, water and energy density, environmental footprint, waste management and occupational exposure to pollutants and noise in the workplace.         

He further pointed out that the project forms part of ADDED’s continuing efforts to achieve sustainability in the economic sectors supporting the emirate’s local economy, which in turn, promote sustainable economic development and increasing such sectors’ contribution to Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product (GDP).  

“In its first phase, the project will focus on highly productive factories that consume large amounts of energy, understanding the environmental impact they make in terms of carbon and other gas emissions. This will help in IDB’s implementation of the strategy it has developed to support factories in the emirate in their move to achieve sustainability,” Al Mansouri added.    

Meanwhile, Eng. Nabil Saleh Al-Awlaki, Director of Environment, Health and Safety, IDB, said that the project aims at lowering energy density in production through a reduction in consumption by approximately 8-12 per cent. This will also include the move to decrease water consumption in industrial operations by 20-50 percent through the adoption of best practices and implementation of solutions available in the market.   

Al-Awlaki added that the project demonstrates IDB’s continuing commitment towards supporting the industrial sector in reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by applying clean production techniques and adopting best practices. Eng. Al-Awlaki also noted that sustainable manufacturing practices promote a circular economy and reduce the generation of wastes that encumber landfilling facilities by 15-20 per cent.   

Based on the project’s technical criteria that aim to the industrial sustainable development in Abu Dhabi, a team of technical inspectors from the IDB will be conducting visits to highly productive factories in the emirate to review energy and water consumption and waste management processes. The inspection teams will also help educate staff on the needed requirements in achieving and maintaining sustainability in production.