Canon kicks off partnership with Emirates Green Building Council to promote sustainable living across the UAE

Technology

Canon kicks off partnership with Emirates Green Building Council to promote sustainable living across the UAE

Dubai, UAE September 22, 2014: In line with Canon Middle Easts efforts to promote sustainable living, the world leader in imaging solutions has partnered with the Emirates Green Building Council to support initiatives in the UAE regarding renewable resources and conservation. As part of the campaign to increase community awareness while nurturing young talent, an environmental themed student photography competition was launched to mark World Green Building Week.

The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), founded in June 2006, is an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices. World Green Building Week, which was first organised by the World Green Building Council in 2009, is the largest annual opportunity to shine the spotlight on the mission of Green Building Councils to create sustainable built environments. In the UAE, EmiratesGBC, with support from partners such as Canon, is marking World Green Building Week under the theme of Get Up Green Up.

As the inaugural activity, the Get Up Green Up themed photography competition was open to students enrolled at any university in the UAE to submit their images for review. The competition was intended to encourage the community to become ambassadors of green lifestyles and highlight the positive contributions individuals can make. The winning image, taken by Nadia Saleh from the American University of Sharjah, was announced during World Green Building Week and she was awarded the latest Canon DSLR camera for her efforts.
Anurag Agrawal, Canon Middle East Managing Director, said: Canons partnership with Emirates Green Building Council is aligned to our Kyosei philosophy of encouraging sustainable growth while protecting the communities we live and work in. We are proud to be working with an organisation that is focussed on the environment and the importance of sustainability in the community.

Visuals can make a powerful impact on individuals and this competition encouraged students to use photography to capture their thoughts on the environments they current live in. Nadia Saleh was able to emphasize how one person can make a difference while encouraging others to consider long-term sustainability initiatives that will protect our communities for future generations.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: With World Green Building Week we hope to motivate both corporations and the local community to consider their ecological impact on our natural resources. The student photography competition, in partnership with Canon, provided a hands-on opportunity for the younger generation to share their concerns, hopes and ideas for sustainable living. We are proud of all of the participants and their efforts to increase environmental awareness.

Nadia Saleh, winner of the student photography competition, said: I am honoured to receive this award and the support of the Emirates Green Building Council and Canon. I believe that sustainability is about making an everyday effort to improve our communities. I hope my photo, as well as this initiative, will inspire others to join me in promoting a green lifestyle.

A dedication to responsible business has led to Canon Middle East receiving the prestigious CSR Label in 2013 from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the second consecutive year and recertification to ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard. Additionally, Canon was recognised in
2014 for the Best Environmental Practices in the Arab World by the Arab Organization for Social Responsibility. Currently, Canon holds the 26th position on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands list.

Photo Caption: Nadia Saleh from the American University of Sharjah submitted the winning entry for the student photography competition held by Canon and the Emirates Green Building Council. Nadia Saleh received a Canon DSLR camera and a complimentary pass to attend the 3rd Annual EmiratesGBC Congress in October. In the photo (left to right): Riya Biju a runner-up winner, Nadia Saleh, Habiba Marashi the co-founder of Emirates Green Building Council and Mohamed Noorudeen a runner-up winner.