Doha, August 31 (QNA) - United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, has been honored with eight prestigious international awards in environment and sustainability from The Green Organization - Green World Awards 2024.
Additionally, UDC has been recognized as the Qatar National Gold Winner in the property and real estate management category at the International CSR Excellence Awards 2024, reflecting its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.
UDC has been awarded gold, silver, and bronze accolades in categories such as innovation, pollution & emission control, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, waste management, water management, and conservation and wildlife projects. These awards highlight UDC's commitment to environmental improvement and sustainable development.
One of UDC's notable achievements includes being honored as a Green World Champion in the Energy Management category, underscoring its exceptional contribution to energy efficiency and conservation.
The awards were presented to UDC during a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, London, UK, in recognition of UDCs Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2026. This strategy demonstrates UDCs leadership, innovation, and dedication to sustainable business practices at The Pearl Island.
UDC's receipt of these awards also secures its feature in the World Green Book, acknowledging its commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030.
UDC's commitment to energy efficiency and conservation has earned it the prestigious title of Green World Champion in Energy Management. The Company has undertaken initiatives aligned with Qatar's National Climate Change Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions associated with buildings and facilities on The Pearl Island. These efforts include transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient practices, and reducing embodied carbon emissions.
By 2026, UDC aims to reduce carbon emissions through transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing highly efficient energy practices, leading to substantial reductions in embodied carbon emissions. As a result of these efforts, UDC has achieved significant savings, equivalent to 142 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, 124 kWh homes' electricity use, and 1,474 barrels of oil consumed in a year. In terms of waste and pollution, these savings translate to 221 tons of waste recycled instead being send to landfill, 27,594 trash bags recycled, and 714,086 pounds of coal saved from being burned.
UDC's innovative practices extend beyond economic value generation to actively contribute to environmental preservation and social progress. The Company prioritizes responsible business practices and sustainable development in alignment with ESG (environment, sustainability, governance) principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, supporting local and regional businesses and promoting sustainable consumption and production.
UDC's efforts to control pollution and emissions encompass waste recycling and management, plastic reduction, e-waste and battery management, and other environmentally conscious initiatives. The introduction of the Seabin project, aimed at promoting a cleaner marina and preventing pollution, has been a significant milestone. This project has filtered approximately 2.5 billion liters of seawater, removed over 2.4 tons of waste, and recycled 8.46 kg of plastic. UDC's marine and coastal environmental strategy emphasizes energy conservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a cleaner environment. Additionally, UDC expanded its presence of Seabins in Porto Arabia Marina, capturing over 2.3 tons of marine litter, preventing plastics and debris from harming marine life to date.
UDC's achievements in Corporate Social Responsibility are reflected in its international accreditations and prestigious awards. Notable accolades include The Gold Certification from CSR Accreditation and the "Best in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)" award for Real Estate at the Qatar CSR Summit, highlighting UDC's dedication to sustainable practices and community engagement.
UDC's Sustainability Strategy and island-wide sustainable development policy prioritize climate change mitigation and strategic planning aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. UDC has released its second Environmental, Social, and Governance Report (ESG) to Qatar Stock Exchange, leading as the first listed real estate company in Qatar to officially disclose its sustainability and environmental strategies.
UDC's waste management practices focus on recycling, waste reduction, and environmentally friendly processes. Initiatives such as the ENVAC smart waste disposal system and the Collec'Thor Sea Cleaners demonstrate the Company's dedication to sustainable waste management.
UDC's natural resources management focuses on conserving and diversifying water resources, including saltwater reverse osmosis, groundwater, and recycled water. Through sustainable water management practices, UDC has conserved billions of liters of freshwater and utilized treated sewage effluent water for landscape irrigation, contributing to Qatar's water sustainability goals.
UDC is dedicated to preserving Qatar's natural environment through conservation and wildlife projects. Efforts include planting mature trees, conserving water resources, and promoting biodiversity, aligning with Qatar's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
UDC has equally achieved remarkable milestones in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), establishing itself as a leader in the field. UDC's CSR approach is anchored in four fundamental pillars: responsibility towards employees, the community, the environment, and a steadfast commitment to corporate governance. This holistic approach ensures that the company's operations not only drive economic profitability but also positively impact society and the environment.
UDCs business model is a blueprint for integrating social and environmental concerns into every facet of its operations and interactions with stakeholders. By aligning its economic, social, and environmental goals with strategic operational initiatives, UDC has earned recognition for its dedication to CSR in Qatar. The companys self-regulating framework tackles critical global challenges such as climate change, equality, diversity, and inclusion, all while maintaining ethical and fair business practices that benefit the communities in which it operates.
Certified for its Integrated Management System Policy and Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015), UDC consistently evaluates and minimizes its CO2 emissions and environmental impact. Its partnership with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has led to the treatment and supply of over 19 million cubic meters of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) for irrigation, enhancing Qatars green spaces. Additionally, UDC's tree-planting initiatives, which include 160 trees planted by employees and 9,500 trees on The Pearl Island, are further bolstered by the Green Organizations contribution of 629 trees as part of the United Nations Trillion Tree Campaign.
UDCs dedication to sustainability is evident in its recycling efforts, which have seen a 15% increase from the previous year, with over 37% of community and retail waste recycled. This includes plastics, paper/cardboard, aluminum cans, e-waste, and batteries, with 2.3 tons of plastic waste transformed into useful products for the community. UDC also conducts comprehensive studies on marine biodiversity around its developments, ensuring the preservation of seagrass beds, macroalgal turf, and hard substrate reefs.
The companys commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards is further highlighted by its impressive 94% overall score in the disclosed ESG report to the Qatar Stock Exchange, including perfect marks for Environmental criteria, and high scores in Social and Corporate Governance. (QNA)