Masdar, BP partnership to help mitigate carbon impact of delegate travel and operations at biggest international sustainability event in the Middle East

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 14 January 2015: Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, today announced BP as the "Official Carbon Offset Partner" for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015 - a yearly event that unites the international community in an effort to address the interconnected challenges of energy and water security, climate risk and sustainable development. The event, January 17-24, combines the World Future Energy Summit, International Water Summit and EcoWaste conferences.

BP's not-for-profit carbon management programme, BP Target Neutral, will offset the carbon impact of delegate travel and operations for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). For more than 32,000 delegates travelling to Abu Dhabi, BP Target Neutral will calculate the carbon footprint resulting from their travel. It will then purchase carbon credits and invest in carbon mitigation projects around the world to offset the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from travel and event operations.

 "Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week brings together the international community - from researches to investors - to drive cross-sector, public-private action that promotes sustainable growth, while addressing resource security and climate risk," said Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar. "The partnership with BP helps us to unite global stakeholders, drive forward solutions and reduce our carbon footprint."

Abdulkarim AlMazmi, President and General Manager for BP UAE, said: "BP Target Neutral helps 'reduce, replace and neutralize' carbon emissions and will enable Masdar to achieve a lower-carbon event in Abu Dhabi. It also raises awareness about the impact travel choices have on carbon emissions and offers solutions to reduce and offset them. We are delighted to have this opportunity to be a partner of Masdar again."

"BP has been a supporter of Masdar since its launch in 2006. This partnership demonstrates BP's commitment to Abu Dhabi and its diversification agenda, and our interest to support Abu Dhabi's 2030 environmental vision. We encourage individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, using carbon efficient travel options such as the shuttle buses for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week," AlMazmi added.

With major international events such as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 already to its credit, an independent report by Thomson Reuters Point Carbon said BP Target Neutral 'sets a new bar for the major events industry and BP should be congratulated for its programme design in this regard.'

Independent research by Imperial College London and ICROA, the carbon offsetting industry body, shows that communities where carbon initiative projects are based can receive as much as $664 in co-benefits for every one tonne offset. For the offsetting of ADSW, that represents $2.4 million already directed in benefits such as employment and biodiversity protection.

About BP Target Neutral
BP Target Neutral was set up in 2006 as part of BP's commitment to practical sustainability and operates on a not-for-profit basis. BP Target Neutral promotes collaborative efforts to reduce emissions following a "Reduce - Replace - Neutralise" carbon management framework.  

BP Target Neutral is a founding member of ICROA, the International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Alliance. Its work is governed by an independent advisory panel of prominent environmental and industry experts. The Panel ensures that all policies and activities conform to carbon management best practice, and where possible will set new standards for that best practice.

For more information please visit www.bptargetneutral.com  

About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Backed by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate's long-term vision for the future of energy.

For more information about Masdar, please visit: www.masdar.ae  

Stay connected: facebook.com/masdar.ae and twitter.com/masdar

For more information contact:
Email: press@masdar.ae
Phone: +971 2 653 6032

About Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is an Abu Dhabi government initiative to address the interconnected challenges affecting energy, water and sustainable development. Taking place every January, ADSW comprises the World Future Energy Summit, International Water Summit (IWS) and EcoWaste, as well as the general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). ADSW is the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East, attracting global policy makers, industry thought leaders and clean technology innovators together with 32,000 delegates and visitors from more than 170 countries.

ADSW's unique multi-platform format allows public sector, industry and finance stakeholders to share strategies that support sustainable development. This January, more than 650 exhibiting companies are expected to showcase next generation technologies, from energy-efficiency and renewable power to water-saving methods. ADSW takes place at a time when balancing the global energy mix and addressing the energy-water-food nexus is more critical than ever.

The World Future Energy Summit, now in its eighth year, is the world's foremost event dedicated to the advancement of renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology. This year there will be a particular focus on the growing clean energy investment opportunities of the Middle East and Africa - two of the world's most promising renewable energy markets - with participation from several Africa ministers and regional leaders.

The third edition of IWS will address water scarcity, sustainable growth and economic development in arid regions. Attended by leaders in the global water community, the event will highlight the current and future challenges of water availability and promote international collaboration on water governance to deal effectively with the water-energy nexus.

EcoWaste will take place in association with Tadweer, Abu Dhabi's Centre of Waste Management. The platform will highlight progress and opportunities in sustainable waste management and showcase the adoption of cutting-edge technology such as waste-to-energy.

For more information contact:
Naji El Haddad, Show Director - WFES
Email: naji.haddad@reedexpo.ae
T: (+971) 2 4090 499

© Press Release 2015