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WASTE MANAGEMENT-
Dubai launches new waste management project: Dubai has converted its Hatta landfill into a facility for transferring waste to treatment sites across the emirate, the Khaleej Times reports. The site will transfer around 20 tons of waste from Hatta daily and an additional 27 tons of agricultural waste from the surrounding region to the Warsan waste-to-energy plant. To support the project, Dubai has deployed around 2.5k waste bins to separate recyclable from non-recyclable items.
GREEN TECH-
Mega Green Accelerator chooses eight startups to support: The Mega Green Accelerator — a collaboration between PepsiCo, Sabic, and AstroLabs — has selected eight MENA startups to assist with funding, mentorship, and market access over the next six months, according to a statement. The accelerator initially received 363 submissions for projects with a focus on the energy transition, food security through water and agricultural technology, and growing the circular economy. After the program ends, one of the shortlisted startups will receive USD 30k in funding to continue growing.
Who made the cut? Two UAE startups made the list — Mrüna, an urban resilience solutions startup, and The Surpluss, a climate technology startup that helps SMEs redistribute excess resources. From Saudi Arabia, Mirai Solar specializes in solar tech for various industries, and Ahya Technologies works on climate software and AI to boost climate action in MENA and Pakistan. Lebanon’s YY Regen made the list for renewables, sustainable water management, and regenerative agriculture. Egypt’s Viridia Tech compiles crop analytics at scale for industrial agriculture companies to increase efficiency and P-Vita produces raw materials for cosmetics and food and beverage industries using plant bases and upcycled waste. Tunisia’s Kumulus made the shortlist for using AWG machines to convert air into drinking water to increase water security in MENA and Southern Europe.
DECARBONIZATION-
Bank Nizwa + MSA Green to finance mangrove plantation: Oman’s Bank Nizwa has approved financing for MSA Green Projects’ initiative to plant 100 mn mangroves on 20k hectares of land in Oman the next 27 years, according to a statement. The project will be used to sell carbon credits to offset emissions and is expected to positively impact local fisheries.
Mangroves act as a carbon sink: Mangroves can sequester carbon, protect coastlines, and support marine life and food security. Each tree is capable of absorbing 12.3 kg of CO2 annually. Read all about why mangroves matter in our handy explainer.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES-
GM Egypt asked to assess EV production potential: Egypt is looking into launching an electric vehicle production project in partnership with General Motors Egypt (GME), the Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a statement. GME executives emphasized their goal to strengthen their activities within the Egyptian market while looking into several expansion projects to meet local needs and exports to foreign markets.
ALSO- Egyptian e-mobility company BluEV is gearing up to launch its services by the end of the year, starting with areas of Greater Cairo, VP of Corporate Affairs at Orascom Investment Holding (OIH) Manal Abdel Hamid told Al Mal. The company operates a network of lithium-ion battery swapping stations for two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles, allowing users to replace drained batteries with fully-charged ones. Through the company, users can purchase new light electric vehicles or swap out their petrol engines for batteries.
Remember: OIH became a strategic investor in BluEV a year ago, after making an undisclosed investment in the startup.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
- NBK + DHL partner on sustainable shipping: The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has agreed to use the DHL GoGreen Plus service to ship all of its international cargo using sustainable aviation fuel. NBK will be the first Kuwaiti bank to use the service. (Statement)
- Jordan partners with FAO to launch afforestation initiative: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Jordan’s Ministry of Environment have launched a project to plant native, economically beneficial tree species over 100 hectares across three communities. (Statement)
