Posted on June 10, 2024
Marking this year’s World Environment Day, centred around the theme ‘Our Land, Our Future’, NMDC Group, a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, and marine dredging, has partnered with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) to launch an innovative beach cleaning initiative that aims to tackle plastic pollution and safeguard marine ecosystems along Abu Dhabi’s coastline.
The project’s first phase will see the deployment of two specialised beach cleaning machines capable of processing various types of waste, especially plastic pollution, which is expected to triple globally by 2040, according to the United Nations.
This collaborative effort reflects NMDC Group’s and EAD’s shared commitment to environmental preservation, natural resource protection, and the fight against plastic pollution in marine ecosystems and along beaches. This effort aligns with the objectives of the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ 2024 and supports the country’s ongoing efforts to uphold sustainable practices and protect its natural environment, ensuring its recovery from environmental challenges and preventing future degradation.
In the initial phase, NMDC Group will deploy its innovative beach cleaning machines along Abu Dhabi’s shores. These specialised machines are designed to operate in shallow waters, are capable of reaching depths up to half a metre and are noted for their exceptional manoeuvrability and agility. Each machine features a 15-metre-long and 4-metre-wide hydraulic arm, enabling efficient collection of waste and debris from the water’s surface. Despite their powerful waste collection capabilities, these machines are relatively lightweight at approximately 9 tonnes, which facilitates easy movement and deployment across various aquatic environments.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD said, “This initiative is in line with our strategic objectives and national directives and is set to play a vital role in preserving natural resources and protecting them from environmental challenges and risks. It is also part of our citizen science education programme, ‘Sahim’. We hope it will contribute to creating a healthy, clean, and safe environment for every community member in Abu Dhabi and advance the UAE’s efforts at local, regional, and global levels to promote sustainability practices and principles essential for the preservation of diverse ecosystems around the world.”
“On World Environment Day, our dedication to protecting marine waters continues, and we will continue to support national and global environmental efforts to protect and restore ecosystems for comprehensive sustainable development. The urgency of incorporating sustainability in all areas of life is now undeniable. Each community member has a responsibility towards their ecosystems and natural resources, to prevent pollution from waste, and to adopt eco-friendly habits that benefit the environment,” she added.
Engineer Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO of NMDC Group, said, “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to delivering green solutions to protect aquatic ecosystems and to implementing sustainable practices that support environmental sustainability and reduce pollutants impacting our natural resources, thus fostering a sustainable environment for the community members in Abu Dhabi. In the second phase of the initiative, we plan to expand the deployment of this equipment to ensure the safety of seawaters and beaches from harmful contaminants, particularly plastic particles that threaten marine life and habitats.”
“Our partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, timed with World Environment Day 2024, signifies our collective commitment to tackling the growing environmental threats worldwide. This cooperation stems from our national and social responsibilities to protect diverse ecosystems. By adopting swift and adaptable sustainability-driven actions, we support the quality of life for people and communities. The UAE, under its wise leadership, continues to lead in pioneering local and global environmental initiatives. Through this collaboration, we strive to contribute meaningfully to these sustainable efforts,” Zaghloul added.
NMDC Group, as part of its sustainability efforts, has implemented several environmental initiatives across the UAE. Their projects like the Eastern Mangroves in Abu Dhabi exemplify their commitment to environmental health, where they dredged channels and created additional irrigation, recycling a million cubic tonnes of water.
