Dr Salem M Al Dhaheri, director-general of the Federal Environmental Agency, called for the enhanced adoption of sustainable initiatives to keep the UAE in the forefront as a global pioneer of green technologies.

He was delivering a keynote address at the one-day environment master class organised jointly on February 10 by the Dubai School of Government (DSG), the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Jimmy Brannigan and Joss Tantram, members of the 'One Planet Leaders' initiative of the World Wildlife Forum, conducted the master class at the DSG premises, sharing valuable insights with over 40 regional business leaders.

Outlining tools for setting non-financial reporting criteria, the team elaborated on the benefits and importance of corporate social responsibility as an essential component of business strategies.

'We are indeed living in an interesting phase, where environment and social sustainability are becoming key issues, not just on the government level, but in the private sector too,' said Dr. Mohamed Lahouel, associate dean for academic affairs and professor at DSG.

'It is imperative that we create an understanding of how each one of us can contribute to the growth and understanding of sustainable business practices.'

'A sustainable business must take into account the gamut of factors that make an ecosystem sustainable and help the business or community thrive.

'We are also witnessing a great shift in perception and increased public-private partnerships in place.'

'With improved environmental regulation and a reduced ecological footprint, the region has what it takes to become a role model for other nations globally,' he added.

Established in 2005 in conjunction with the Harvard Kennedy School, the Dubai School of Government is committed to the creation of knowledge, dissemination of global best practices and the training of policy makers in the Arab world.-TradeArabia News Service