Green Oman

MUSCAT – A landmark initiative by Oman-India Fertilizer Company SAOC (OMIFCO) to supply high-quality, locally manufactured urea-fertilizer for Oman’s vital agro sector is now in its second year.

The scheme, first rolled out in November 2011, has attracted a strong uptake from the Omani farming community, which has already begun to reap the dramatic benefits in higher agro yields resulting from the use of urea-fertilizer in their farms.

The importance of the high quality produced urea from OMIFCO and its availability in the local market at a competitive price, was highlighted at a press conference jointly hosted by OMIFCO and Takamul Investment Company at Grand Hyatt Muscat on March 10, 2013.  Takamul, the downstream investment subsidiary of the wholly government owned energy investment vehicle, Oman Oil Company SAOC, has joined hands with OMIFCO in overseeing the distribution of fertilizer to Omani farmers.

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman –14 January 2013 –The Middle East Artificial Lift Forum 2013 (MEALF) the highly recognized energy forum and exhibition has announced that it will be embracing environmentally friendly practices and solutions for the first time during the upcoming gathering of the world’s leading oil companies between February 5th and 7th 2013 at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In efforts to ‘go green’ and demonstrate the Forum’s staunch commitment to eco-friendly solutions, each participating delegate will receive a complimentary Apple iPad mini in order for them to use the device throughout all sessions, presentations, workshops and subsequent meetings instead of the traditional usage of papers, pens and other stationary. In addition, one of the events highlights-- the interactive event catalogue--will also be uploaded onto iPads with around-the-clock live streaming of the Forum.

To mark the occasion, Saeed Al Shaheen, MEALF’s chairman said, “Since our establishment, sustainability has always been a key component for MEALF as responsible corporate citizens who play an integral role in the international energy industry, and it has continually served as a driver that guides all our activities and endeavors. The exclusive use of iPads during our upcoming Forum in February is considered an ideal opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment toward similar initiatives.”

    Announces recent agreement signing with College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University

Muscat | December 10, 2012:  Haya Water is providing a double boost for the agricultural sector and farmers in Oman through its ability to supply the highest standards of treated waste for irrigation solutions and by providing farmers with its eco-friendly Kala Compost product.

Farmers in some areas of Oman have already begun to benefit from Kala Compost, one of Haya Water’s premier products.  Kala Compost is an environmentally friendly product which is now becoming increasingly popular and used for agriculture, landscaping and for individual gardens. This eco-friendly recycled compost is a by-product of the water reuse treatment process and is now being actively marketed and used by an increasing number of farmers looking for a cost effective and environmentally friendly compost product.

To further enhance their commitment towards the farming segment, Haya Water recently signed an agreement with the College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences at Oman’s leading educational hub – the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). This accord was authorized by Haya Water’s CEO Eng. Hussain AbdulHussain and Prof. Kacimov A.R - Dean, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, SQU.

Muscat: The common man of today is full of questions when it comes to the environment on a global scale. Will there be enough water for his children tomorrow? Will limited resources and increasing population affect his economic situation? Will genetic engineering impose health problems on his family? Will pollution and ineffective management of wastes and toxins send him to an early grave? Will the environment be strong enough to sustain life with bio-diversity being on the brink of extinction? Will impeding nuclear problems force his country to go to war? In order to quell these questions and save what's left of the environment for the present and future generation; countries are fast adopting sustainable practices.

Although environmental issues differ from country to country, the overall effect of any environmental issue is felt by the world at large, which is why if we hope to reverse the inevitable destruction we are bringing upon ourselves, change must come at a collective rate where every country aims to tackle their environmental issues at country level. In an attempt to help Oman pinpoint and combat its environmental challenges, Gulf Eco 2013 will be held from 20th-22nd January, 2013 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre as announced by OITE Trade Fairs, under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs. The three day expo will  focus on Clean Energy for Oman, Recycling and Waste management, Water Technology and Environment protection.

Through ONE-LIKE-ONE-TREE Facebook Campaign

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 September2012 – V-KOOL fans worldwide will be helping to plant 20,000 trees to join the fight against climate change.

Through the launch of “One-Like-One-Tree” Facebook campaign, V-KOOL has pledged to plant one tree for every LIKE received.  Just a simple click of the “LIKE” button, Facebook users can plant a tree, not a virtual tree, but a real one. “This is part of our effort to encourage our fans to actively play a part towards conserving the environment”, said Mr Wilson Lim, Commercial Director of V-KOOL International, global manufacturer of V-KOOL window films.  

Connecting fans and the act of tree planting is V-KOOL’s collaboration with Grow Trees, an official partner of WWF and UNEP, responsible to help plant the trees. Users will receive an e-certificate of authentication from Grow Trees, which includes the planting location of their tree. Subsequently, users are able to view the photos of the planted trees on Grow Trees’ official sites.

Rezidor, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has launched a group-wide energy-saving initiative: The ambitious and pro-active programme Think Planet targets an energy consumption reduction of 25% by the year 2016 in all Rezidor hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group is currently present in 70 countries where 330+ hotels of the brands Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson and Hotel Missoni are operated, and 100 further properties are under development.

“Think Planet reinforces Rezidor’s position as one of the industry leaders in terms of sustainability. Many of our hotels have already introduced progressive, environmentally friendly measures – now we are spreading these initiatives into all our properties and focus on key energy-saving investments that will have the biggest impact”, said Inge Huijbrechts, Director Responsible Business at Rezidor. “At the same time, we are currently faced with significantly rising energy costs in many countries, along with government carbon taxation. Moving forward, reducing our energy consumption will also contribute to maximizing our profits”, added Wolfgang M. Neumann, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Rezidor.

Muscat, 11 June 2012:  The Environment Society of Oman (ESO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climatic Affairs, last week installed new signage to increase public awareness of the biodiversity and environmental stewardship within the Damaniyat Islands Nature Reserve (DINR).

A team of 17 people from Carillion-Alawi installed a total of five signs on four different islands within Oman’s only marine protected area.  Two signs were installed on Jabal Kabeer and one each on Qismah, Kharaba, and Joon Islands. 

The bilingual Arabic-English signage has taken several months of planning and development and has involved three other partners.  Oman Sail funded the project and under ESO’s supervision Saif Design designed and printed the artwork and Carillion-Alawi installed the signs. ESO made sure to use local material for the installation of signs, with bags filled with local sand rather than utilising concrete and other potentially polluting material.

Muscat, June 3^rd2012 –Omran, the leading tourism-related investment, development and management company in Oman recently concluded the second phase of its anti-littering campaign ‘Working Together for a Better Environment & Beautiful Nation’ in Jabal Al Akhdar. In collaboration with Nizwa Municipality-Jabal Al Akhdar branch, Department of Agricultural Development for the Governorate of Dhakhiliya as well as community groups and members, the campaign aims to foster an environmentally-conscious behavior amongst society and tourists.