Sabban Property Investments (SPI) has commenced the second phase of its carbon offset initiative, which includes a waste heat recovery plant and wind farm project in China.

The two projects will offset 50 per cent of the carbon emissions from the construction of the Dh1 billion Sabban Towers. The Quzhai Waste Heat Recovery plant and Saihanba Wind Farm project in China form the second phase of the carbon offset programme initiated by SPI in 2006, said an official spokesman.

The Quzhai Project captures and uses waste heat to generate electricity at a cement production facility in the northern province of Hebei. Considering the fact that cement production is highly polluting, contributes to climate change and generates heat and air pollution, SPI has identified this project as a key part of its carbon-offset strategy.

Through this project, SPI will offset a further 18,925 tonnes of CO2 and also help improve the air quality for local residents as well as producing cement in a way that burns less fossil fuel and is a lot less damaging to the environment.

“As well as reducing their global carbon footprint, all projects positively contribute to the local environment and the sustainability of local communities. In addition all of our offset projects, as a minimum, are verified by organisations accredited by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“In July 2007, SPI’s first phase of offset projects was launched and 19,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions were offset in projects in Uganda, New Zealand and Jamaica,” said managing director, SPI, John Browne MBE. “It is vital to find ways to improve sustainability and reduce waste in the construction sector and we believe that this project is very appropriate in achieving those aims.”

A further 19,000 tonnes have been offset through The Saihanba Wind Farm project, located in the Mongolian Autonomous Region of China, and consisting of 36 wind turbines, which have a capacity to generate electricity up to 30.6 mega watts.

The overwhelming reliance of coal-generated electricity, which comprises 80 per cent of the country’s power supply, was one of the motivating factors prompting SPI to support technology that provides cleaner energy by taking advantage of the abundant wind resource present at the site.

Aside from decreasing atmospheric pollution, the wind farm is also expected to accelerate the commercialization of grid connected renewable energy technologies, and has created local employment opportunities during the assembly and installation phase and for the continuing operation of the turbines.

SPI had recently signed a corporate membership agreement with Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wildlife Fund (EWS-WWF), the UAE project office of the worldwide conservation group.

Through this strategic partnership, the developer will employ the worldwide environmental group’s extensive local and global knowledge and expertise to develop, and continually improve their CSR initiatives.

Further, SPI is also a member of Emirates Environmental Group who spearheaded the ‘Plant a Million Tree Campaign’; and SPI was an active participant in WWF’s project, the ‘Save the Ghaf Tree Campaign’ with aims to save the endangered native tree. – TradeArabia News Service