Category Archives: Sustainable Development

The Case for Renewables-Powered Desalination in MENA

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Desalination is a water treatment process that separates salts from saline water to produce potable water. The desalination process uses large amount of energy to produce pure water from salt water source. Salt water is fed into the process, and the result is an output stream of pure water and another stream of waster with high salt concentration. Desalination techniques are mainly classified into two types: Processes based on physical change in the state of the water, and Processes using a membrane that employ the concept of filtration. There are more than 20,000 industrial-scale desalination units worldwide, with combined capacity … Continue reading →

How Miniaturized Assays Contribute to Sustainable Scientific Research

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Laboratories play a leading role in solving difficult global challenges. These include health, agriculture, and climate problems. But traditional research practices can create their own issues. Labs often consume large amounts of plastic, energy, and chemicals. These habits produce waste and raise environmental concerns. Many scientists are now looking for cleaner, more sustainable solutions. One promising answer lies in miniaturization. Smaller assays now allow scientists to reduce waste and save costs. They also bring more flexibility into the research process. These tools are changing how labs operate from the ground up. They encourage sustainability without lowering the quality of science. … Continue reading →

A Message on World Environment Day

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The World Environment Day implores us to appreciate the beauty of nature and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. The World Environment Day invites you to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship. People and Nature The World Environment urge us to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to … Continue reading →

How to Conserve Water at Home: An Easy Guide

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There is no doubt that we are spoilt in the developed world: We use far too much water, and we really should be doing something about it. The problem is that we live in houses that are already predisposed to wasting water. Granted, these days, if you buy a new home, it should be environmentally sound with the latest domestic water conservation strategies in place. However, what if you live in an older house or in a more modern one that has been poorly maintained? This article sheds light on where you are using the most water and how you … Continue reading →

Land Degradation in the MENA Region – Causes, Impact and Response

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Globally, around 15% of the total land is degraded. For The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, this number is close to 50%. Land degradation, in general, is the loss of physical, biological and economic productivity of land due to anthropogenic factors; desertification is its subset as it is relevant specifically to the arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. Land degradation is a growing global crisis, undermining food security, biodiversity and the health of ecosystems. Driven by deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, overgrazing and climate change, it affects over 3.2 billion people worldwide. The problem is especially severe in regions with … Continue reading →

5 Reasons Why ESG Goals Are Transforming Corporate Energy Strategy in Southeast Asia

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In the heart of Bangkok’s financial district, solar panels gleam atop skyscrapers. In Vietnam’s industrial zones, factories proudly display energy efficiency certifications. Across Indonesia’s archipelago, corporations announce ambitious carbon reduction targets. Throughout Southeast Asia, a profound transformation is reshaping how businesses approach their energy needs. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have become powerful drivers pushing companies toward cleaner, more sustainable power solutions. The days when energy decisions were made solely on cost and reliability are fading. Today’s corporate energy strategies reflect broader commitments to sustainability, transparency, and responsible business practices. Exploring options like solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) can … Continue reading →

Syria’s Crisis and Jordan’s Water Struggle: Lessons Learned

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Jordan has had to accept being labeled a Refugee Country since its independence, as the country has absorbed several waves of refugees from neighboring countries in a region of uncertainty.  It began with the Arab-Israeli Wars in 1948 and 1967, followed by the Gulf Wars in 1991 and 2004, and ended with the most recent conflict in Syria, which added 1.4 million refugees to the country’s population. This posed extraordinary challenges to Jordan’s water sector, which lacked the necessary resources to meet the increased demand. Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees and current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres summed up Jordan’s … Continue reading →

Ways to Counter Water Scarcity in Jordan

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Water scarcity is a reality in Jordan, as the country is counted among the world’s most arid countries. The situation has been exacerbated by the large-scale influx of refugees due to the Syrian crisis. The current per capita water supply in Jordan is measly 61 m3 per year which is almost one-third of the global average. Thus, it is of paramount importance to augment water supply in addition to sustainable use of available water resources. How to Augment Water Supply in Jordan? There are couple of options to increase alternative water supply sources in Jordan – desalination of seawater and recycling … Continue reading →

Reducing Single-Use Plastics in MENA Through Sustainable Packaging

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Single-use plastic waste has reached crisis levels, forming a 1.6 million-square-kilometer island of trash in the Pacific — a glaring symbol of consumerism. As vital economic contributors, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries must act swiftly to curb reliance on virgin materials and adopt sustainable alternatives. While recycling efforts and eco-friendly expectations are nudging industries toward change, the transition needs to accelerate. Will MENA lead the charge toward a cleaner future, or continue fueling the plastic problem? A Regional Overview of the Plastic Problem in MENA MENA nations are fortunate to have immense access to plastic feedstocks. They make … Continue reading →

Food Security Strategy in Qatar

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Qatar is a water-scarce and arid region which has its own share of demographic and socio-economic problems. The cultivation of food crops is a difficult proposition for Qatar due to scarcity of water supply and limited availability of arable land. The country is vulnerable to fluctuations in international commodity markets because of heavy dependence on imported grains and food items. The increasing dependence on foreign food imports is leading to a growing sense of food insecurity in Qatar. Understanding Food Security Food security is the condition in which all people at all times have a physical and economic access to … Continue reading →

5 Tips For Making Your Business Operations Sustainable

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The Earth’s condition is getting much worse than in previous decades; weather patterns are changing, temperatures are rising, the ozone layer is depleting, and polar ice caps are melting. Thus, the call for sustainable operations has become a high-level priority for many businesses. Implementing sustainability in business operations offers many benefits. Aside from having a good conscience from observing environmentally-friendly practices, many people may also appreciate the goodness you’re spreading by producing long-lasting, eco-friendly, and recyclable goods. They’ll support your business, purchase your products, and help your brand grow. On top of that, going sustainable also helps you minimize your … Continue reading →

القيم الرمضانية – السلوك البيئي محوراً

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القيمة الأخلاقية للقيم الرمضانية في العلاقة مع النظم البيئية المحور الذي جرى تسليط الضوء على بعده في بناء الثقافة الرشيدة في المفاهيم البيئية للمجتمع، في المحاضرة التي قدمناها في مجلس سعيد تقي الرمضاني بتاريخ الثلاثاء 14 مايو 2019 ضمن برنامج المجالس الرمضانية البيئية الذي تنظمه بلدية المنطقة الشمالية. السلوك كقيمة أخلاقية في منظومة القيم الرمضانية، من المحاور المهمة في المحاضرة، ويمثل موضوع حيوي يشير الى ثوابت الاخلاق كقيمة وضرورة في بناء مسؤولية الفرد والمجتمع في الالتزام بالممارسات السديدة والرشيدة مع ما يحيط بهما من معالم طبيعية ومع من يتقاسمون معهم خصوصية ذلك المحيط، ويدخل في هذا السياق الأحياء بمختلف انواعها، … Continue reading →