Palm Utilities marks World Environment Day through tree planting initiative that offsets company’s monthly paper use

Palm Utilities marks World Environment Day through tree planting initiative that offsets company’s monthly paper use

June 7, 2010

Palm Utilities, a leading private company that provides integrated sustainable utility solutions, recently undertook a tree planting initiative in Dubai wherein the company planted several two meter-tall trees to make up for its monthly paper consumption. The activity was undertaken to mark the UN’s 2010 World Environment Day .

Palm Utilities calculated the number of trees it would take to offset the company’s estimated paper usage per month, and planted replacements accordingly. The initiative was intended to show Palm Utilities’ full support for global environmental protection efforts and generate greater public awareness on the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, internal policies have been established to reduce paper usage in the office and improve automation, such as using electronic forms and systems as much as possible.

“Palm Utilities uses the latest technologies not only to efficiently provide critical power and water services but to ensure sustainable and waste-preventive operations as well. Our tree planting programme is a simple affirmation of our commitment to environmental stewardship and our recognition of the significant impact of our activities on the well-being of the community,” said Yousuf Kazim, CEO, Palm Utilities.

Palm Utilities adheres to the ‘3 Rs’ of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle to minimize its carbon footprint. It uses Treated Sewage Effluent or Polished Water for its District Cooling Towers rather than potable water. The company pioneered the use of non-chemical Membrane Bioreactors in the region to reduce CO2 emissions at its sewage treatment plants. Palm Utilities plans to adopt Thermal Energy Storage in the near future to reduce energy use and further advance its sustainability goals.

Palm Utilities has been delivering district cooling, desalination, water purification, polished water, irrigation water production and wastewater reuse services and has been responsible for some of the UAE's most prestigious utility projects, including The Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jumeirah Village, Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Islands and The Gardens, to name a few. In addition, Palm Utilities has also been focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of its operations, which has made the company a recipient of several local, regional and international awards for excellence.

World Environment Day is held on the 5th of June every year and is hosted by a different city with a different theme. This year’s celebrations focused on biodiversity and was hosted by Rwanda.