AGRICULTURE-
Lotus partners with CIAT and Biodiversity International to boost Egypt’s agritech innovation: Lotus Agricultural Development and Alliance Biodiversity International & CIAT signed an MoU to promote agricultural and climate technology in Egypt, according to an EGX disclosure (pdf). The partnership will involve designing and launching open-source innovation projects to enhance the efficiency of agri-tech startups. It will focus on nanotechnology, robotics, genetic innovations, big data, precision agriculture, aerial technology, remote sensing, software, and smart irrigation. The agreement will also support Lotus’ AgriTech4Egypt initiative, through which the company plans to test products in a pilot program, creating development opportunities and a feedback system for product quality.
EVs-
80 EV trucks make their way to Saudi port: KSA’s King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam has received 80 environmentally friendly electric trucks as part of a commercial concession contract between the General Ports Authority and the Saudi Global Ports Company valued at SAR 7 bn (c. USD 1 bn), the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) said in a statement.
We’ve been expecting this: China’s largest construction equipment maker, Sany Heavy Industries, inked a contract with Saudi Global Ports (SPG) back in June to supply the trucks to the King Abdulaziz Port. This makes the port the largest in the Middle East with such a fleet, according to the statement. It also marks Sany’s largest single international contract to manufacture and supply electric trucks.
AVIATION-
SITA + AACO partner on sustainable aviation: Air transport technology company SITA has partnered with the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) to launch the SITA Eco Mission, a data-driven solution that would help airlines in meeting sustainability targets, according to a press release. The platform would provide airline companies with real-time data on emissions and fuel consumption, and support regulatory compliance and reducing operational costs.
REMEMBER- The sector’s emissions are massive: The aviation industry is responsible for around 2% of global carbon emissions, which could go up as air travel demand increases by a projected 4.3% annually.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
- The National Sanitation Utility of Tunisia (Onas) has issued a call for tenders for a wastewater plant in the small town of Jbel Ouest in Zaghouan with a 24 December deadline, ESI Africa reports. Bidders will have the choice to work individually or with a group. The plant will have a daily flow rate of 1.8k cubic mj.
- Mbank becomes first UAE digital bank to commit to science-based climate targets: Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank) has signed a commitment with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making it the UAE’s first digital bank to set science-based targets for greenhouse gas reductions. SBTi will help Mbank “set specific, measurable, and time-bound targets,” enhance its sustainable lending practices, and provide ESG training to its staff, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050. (Wam)