UAE school-bus pollution represents 160,000 tonnes of CO2 per year – a figure that could quickly, simply and cheaply be cut by at least 20% if schools switched to biofuels, said experts at The Alliance for Sustainable Schools (TASS) conference in Dubai this week.
A lack of awareness and misapprehensions about the challenges of switching to biofuels means that school leaders are inadvertently responsible for tonnes of unnecessary fossil fuel pollution from school buses being pumped into the air that children breathe – a “ridiculous” situation that must stop now, said Brett Girven, Principal of Arbor School and convenor of the Dubai chapter of TASS
UAE school-bus pollution represents 160,000 tonnes of CO2 per year – a figure that could quickly, simply and cheaply be cut by at least 20% if schools switched to biofuels, said experts at The Alliance for Sustainable Schools (TASS) conference in Dubai this week.
A lack of awareness and misapprehensions about the challenges of switching to biofuels means that school leaders are inadvertently responsible for tonnes of unnecessary fossil fuel pollution from school buses being pumped into the air that children breathe – a “ridiculous” situation that must stop now, said Brett Girven, Principal of Arbor School and convenor of the Dubai chapter of TASS
UBAI, 21st March, 2024 (WAM) -- The UAE has revealed the details of the National Policy on Biofuels, recently approved by the UAE Cabinet. The policy supports the country’s shift to clean and sustainable energy sources.
The policy has been developed by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) in coordination with its strategic partners from the public and private sectors, aiming to provide sustainable fuel alternatives and further diversify the energy mix.
The prestigious award recognises manufacturing companies that demonstrate significant success in converting recyclables into usable products. It celebrates the most innovative recycled product that has remarkably reduced waste in the environment and has contributed to the circular economy.
Using innovative technology and advanced processes, Neutral Fuels transforms used cooking oil (waste) collected from local companies into biodiesel, a cleaner and more sustainable fuel alternative. To date Neutral Fuels have locally refined over 20 million litres of used cooking oil and saved more than 60 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.
Neutral Fuels is proud to recognise a significant milestone for McDonald’s UAE. They have now reached 25 million kilometres driving on Neutral Fuels pure biodiesel. No fossil fuel, just 100% biodiesel. And not just any biodiesel either, this is biodiesel locally refined from their own used cooking oil collected from their own local restaurants, making a truly sustainable example of the circular economy in action. The impact is also truly outstanding. With this pioneering initiative, Walid Fakih and the team at McDonald’s UAE, have reduced their carbon emissions by over 23 million kilograms of CO2e. To put that into perspective that is the same as the carbon sequestered by growing 385,698 tree seedlings into fully grown trees for 10 years! Congratulations McDonald’s UAE for setting an incredible example on our journey to a sustainable future.
We are absolutely delighted, thanks to Steve and the STS team, Matthew and the GEMS Founders School team, to adding GFS to our pioneering group of schools, running their buses on cleaner, greener biofuel.
The International Maritime Organisation has removed one of the few hurdles for marine clients wanting to use biofuels. Up to now, there was some concern that insufficient research had been done into the NOx levels which would result from using biofuels and blends at sea. As such using biofuels at sea could only be classified as a"pilot project".Now, with the finalisation of several independent verification tests that show no change in NOx levels when using biofuels, the "pilot project" requirement has been removed, and all ships are now being encouraged to use biofuels as a way of significantly reducing their carbon footprint.With the introduction last year of our two certified Marine Fuel Oil Biodiesel blends in partnership with Uniper, Neutral Fuels is ready as the only biofuel bunkering in the Middle East to service an even wider range of clients.
It is official - using biofuels in marine engines has no negative affect on NOx emissions - but don’t take our word for it …. here’s the report from Lloyd’s Register.
“ In terms of magnitude, NOx emissions were not significantly increased across the load range, in any instances by the use of any of the biofuels trialled.”
Neutral Fuels has been supplying our biofuels to a variety of marine customers since 2020 - and this report is a welcome confirmation of what we already know - meeting IMO 2020 using low sulphur fuels combined with Neutral Fuels biofuel is an excellent method of reducing carbon footprint.
Another first for a leading Abu Dhabi based company. AD Ports Group feeder service, Safeen Feeders, is the first in the UAE to use biodiesel on vessels at Khalifa Port.
The SAFEEN PEARL (pictured) took on board a B20 biodiesel blend for use in their on-board generators supplied by Aggreko, one of the world’s leading temporary power generation providers. The biodiesel was refined from Used Cooking Oil, collected locally, refined locally and delivered locally by the GCC’s leading biodiesel company,
“Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO Safeen Feeders, commented that ‘As a preeminent company in the GCC maritime sector, meeting and exceeding our responsibilities to reduce our carbon emissions in line with the UAE’s Vision and Strategy is core to AD Ports Group, and we are pleased to be able to utilise the skills and services of likeminded, environmentally sensitive companies in helping us to achieve our ambitions’.‘
All Neutral Fuels biodiesel is refined to the EN14214 specification and approved by the UAE’s Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) which ensures it is suitable to run on any diesel-powered engine as part of a client’s carbon reduction programme’, stated Gary Hubbard FCILT, Chief Commercial Officer.
It is very exciting to see the growth of biofuels being used in the maritime sector to reduce carbon footprint. The recent partnership between Neutral Fuels, Uniper and Monjasa demonstrates that this is a very viable option for shipping, requiring no modification to the vessels. Commercial Director at Monjasa Middle East & Africa, Moustapha El Maghlouk, added: ‘By promoting new partnerships with Uniper and Neutral Fuels, Monjasa is present at the production site and throughout the supply chain to understand the full spectrum of logistics needed to make this project a success. With our combined synergies across fuel sourcing, production and logistics, we are confident of building a scalable biofuel option and we are already receiving interest for biofuel-blends from several shipping companies operating in the Middle East.’
We are so proud to announce that we have achieved 20 million km running on ONLY 100% pure biodiesel with McDonald's. Thank you to our team, and our partners.
Everyone said it couldn't be done. But we have proved with continuous dedication, superb engineering, great software, and a solid partnership, the seemingly impossible can be achieved.
Walid Fakih, General Manager at McDonald's UAE, said, "Focusing on the environment is key for us at McDonald's UAE. We are glad to work on this program with Neutral Fuels which helped us reduce the amount of carbon emissions, and we will continue to promote sustainable and regenerative practices - for communities today and in the future.”
Don't hesitate to ask us how we can help your business go green🌏
An electrifying Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is set to kick off in Diriyah with a double-header from Jan. 28-29, 2022, and a pair of spectacular night races around the historic desert surroundings — lauded as one of the sport’s most unique and challenging circuits.
Last year’s championship proved to be the most thrilling yet, as the all-electric series continued to lead the way towards a sustainable future in racing. We are delighted to share that once again the electricity generators at this event will be powered with Neutral Fuels biofuel.
As the drivers whizz around the track we will be cheering because this is another great example of the net zero goal we have been advancing for over a decade. We will ask this question again… is this the end of The Petrol Head?
DP World Tour Rolex Series: Dubai Desert Classic goes for the green through use of biofuel.
Golf has always tried to be at the forefront of environmental improvements, something that can be difficult for a sport that comes with a tag of luxury, a jet-set lifestyle and globe-trotting from one glamorous location to another.
Simon Corkill, Dubai Desert Classic Tournament Director, is on hand at EGC to oversee the final touches ahead of the tournament that will see the likes of Collin Morikawa, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland compete for the $8 million purse on the famous Majlis Course, and Corkill is ensuring this free-to-attend event is bigger, better and greener than ever.
“One of the big changes is on the power side of things,” Corkill explained. “One of our partners is Aggreko and we are going to be rolling out a 100-metre solar panel on the 11th hole which will power the whole area around 11-15 — the Topgolf Deck — and it will give us the opportunity to showcase what solar power can do. “In addition, our generators are moving over to biofuel, so we are slowly moving in the right direction.”
Neutral Fuels is proud to announce that we will be providing the biofuel for this tremendous event. It is encouraging to see not only more businesses going green but also sporting events!
When BOCA dubs itself a modern restaurant it is not referring only to its high-end cuisine. At the top of a list of awards for its food, wine and people, BOCA places the Sustainable Business Model of the Year award it won at the Gulf Sustainability Awards 2021. BOCA is one of the top restaurants in Dubai’s chic International Financial Centre (DIFC) and has pioneered the numerical concepts of sustainability in its restaurant, with all carbon footprints being assessed, measured, and replaced where possible.
BOCA’s comprehensive sustainability strategy includes running on solar energy, local sourcing and diligent waste reduction. Now the restaurant has upped the ante and is having its used cooking oil collected by Neutral Fuels, the company that has made a commercial success of recycling waste oil into biodiesel.
Omar Shihab, BOCA General Manager who has put sustainability at the top of the company by also taking on the role of Sustainability Lead, says the restaurant is serious about playing its part in meeting the UAE's 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
In what is sure to be the first of many sporting events, we are delighted to announce that the Dubai Sevens, kicking off this weekend, will be powered using Neutral Fuels biodiesel. If you haven't got tickets, click the link below, and get yourself along to one of the best experiences of the year! https://dubairugby7s.com
McDonald's’s has started a huge (see the picture) marketing campaign to encourage everyone to recycle their cooking oil into biodiesel.
But how do we do it for McDonald's UAE? Well let’s give you a glimpse!
Step 1: The used cooking oil is transferred into a Recyclable Oil Container, also known as a ROC.
Step 2: The ROC is then loaded into the McDonald's supply truck
Step 3: The containers are transported to one of our bio-refineries
Step 4: We recycle the used cooking oil into 100% biofuel
Step 5: Finally the 100% biofuel (yes ZERO fossil fuel) is used to fuel the McDonald's delivery truck.
And just like that we have created a Closed Loop Recycling process, how cool is that?
GAC Group Bunker Fuels Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Neutral Fuels to market its marine gas oil biodiesel blend specifically developed for shipping clients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and India. We will also work together to expand the number of supply points throughout the Middle East and Africa.
Gary Hubbard FCILT, Chief Commercial Officer of Neutral Fuels Holdings LtdFuels said the partnership is a long-term joint commitment that will accelerate the decarbonisation of a sector essential to global trade. “Deploying our Net Zero biofuel in the maritime sector will play a key role in helping to achieve the new carbon emission reduction targets set by the International Maritime Organisation,” he added.
GAC cares about sustainability, as evidenced by the Group joining the Global Maritime Forum’s Getting To Zero Coalition in March this year. A division of the GAC Group, GAC Bunker Fuels is making good progress on its drive to switch from oil-based marine fuels to fuels with a much smaller environmental impact, such as biofuels and LNG, and is well on track to achieve its carbon zero target by 2030.
“As a leader in our industry, we have a responsibility to do the right thing,” said Martyn McMahon, GAC Bunker Fuels’ Global Commercial Manager. “We have to play our part in helping to achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goal on climate action. Hence our commitment to adapt, reduce and mitigate our activities’ negative impact on the environment and contribution to climate change.”
We would like to congratulate the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre (Tadweer) and the Government of Abu Dhabi in a pioneering move within the MENA region by issuing Circular No.23/2021 to all restaurants and other producers of used cooking Oil (waste) that ALL of their used cooking oil must ONLY be collected and recycled locally into biodiesel. If they do not, the document warns the establishments that they will be liable to “legal and administrative actions” including suspension of their operations license.
The decision is led and enforced by the state of the art software system known as the “E-Manifest or BOLISATY" which tracks all waste streams in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through Tadweer’s Command Centre.
This ground-breaking policy, will give all the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Companies, Restaurants and Abu Dhabi communities the opportunity to play their part in a real world implementation of the circular economy preserving the In Country Value and reducing emissions in Abu Dhabi.
We are proud to be a part of the vision of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center - Tadweer, being the first operational Bio Refinery in Abu Dhabi, recycling all such used cooking oil in our unique biodiesel facility in ICAD into clean, green net zero biodiesel for use within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
We are very excited to welcome #UAE supermarket giant, Spinneys Dubai LLC to the Neutral Fuels family. They are as overjoyed and had this to say about their move to a greener future: ”Today we took a significant step towards our #LetsDoBetterTogether vision. In an aim to reduce our carbon footprint, we are switching the Spinneys delivery vans to biofuel made from used cooking oil. This will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and help lower our transportation carbon footprint. “
It's great to see the example being set by IKEA. It's not just that they are using Neutral Fuels Net Zero fuel in its purest form without any fossil fuel, but that this is part of their global strategy to achieve zero emissions for home deliveries by 2025 worldwide.
The IKEA corporate web site is certainly enthusiastic : "Biofuels are almost too good to be true. Biofuels are also carbon-neutral – the CO2 released is equal to the CO2 that was absorbed by the plants during their lifetime."
"We need to change the way companies behave so that the only options they leave in front of consumers are low carbon.” CEO Karl W Feilder talks to Middle East Economy.
