Warm weather is nothing new in Bahrain, but even here, the mercury is rising thanks to climate change. But it is not all doom and gloom; big business in Bahrain is leading the charge in saving the world.

Worried by our hotter and longer summers? They are only going to get worse. Climate change has arrived and is no longer a matter of conjecture. The earth is warming up at an unprecedented rate: we have experienced the three warmest years since 1998 and none of this can be attributed to natural phenomena, such as solar cycles or volcano activity.

Mankind has never been so busy. Witness the increase in number of cars on the roads, the growth of new cities and influx of workers to keep our wheels oiled. To keep up with our frenetic pace, we continue to burn up the earth’s vast stores of coal, oil and natural gas, releasing billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment which has the effect of trapping the sun’s radiation in the troposphere. Since 1998 the total emissions of CO2 in Bahrain has increased a staggering 60 per cent. Furthermore, Bahrain has the 7th highest ranking of CO2 emissions per head at 23.9 metric tonnes per annum according to figures released by the US Department of Energy for the period 1990 to 2004. Tellingly, the top three places on that list went to Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE respectively.

By current measures, global temperatures will rise by around 2˚ to 5˚ in the next 50 years causing oceans to rise, loss of coastal land and hotter weather. We need to cut CO2 emissions by 70 to 80 per cent to simply stabilise atmospheric CO2 emissions.

Bahrain is therefore not immune to the global need to quickly improve the efficiency of our energy usage and develop renewable, non-carbon fuels such as wind and solar power. As such, Bahrain Confidential approached five of the leading companies in Bahrain to learn about their environmental management policies. This is what they had to say.

What is Amwaj Gateway doing to help combat global warming

Landscape Design Consultants, John Davies is working with Amwaj Gateway. It will be the first building project in Bahrain to address environmental issues, as defined by the US Green Building Council. The landscape will see the efficient use of irrigation through treated sewage effluent, partially desalinated water and, perhaps, the use of recycled grey water. Moisture retention material will be added to the planting mixture along with mychorriza, a fungus that lives in symbiosis with roots, assisting in the absorption of nutrients and the building up of organic matter in the soil, as well as assisting in moisture retention. Our latest project at the Shaikh Isa Sports City, Bahrain’s national stadium, has a strong environment bias as we intend to introduce plants indigenous to the region. For example, drought resistant trees - such as Prosopis Spicigera and Zizyphus Spina Christi - with a view to minimising irrigation requirements and acknowledge the desert character of the site.

Al Jazira Group explains their green credentials

Our green credentials are well established as we were one of the first supermarkets on the island to introduce the re-usable, environmentally friendly, organic jute bag. We also offer a good range of organic products and try to promote in season local fruits, vegetables and fish to reduce all air freighted fresh foods. Additionally, we are currently replacing all plastic bags with biodegradable, re-usable bags in our fashion stores. Lastly, we are always exploring ways to improve energy efficiency with our refrigeration systems and to maximise the use of day lighting.

Bahrain International Circuit contributions towards combating global warming

The V8 Racing Green programme is aimed at encouraging a greater understanding of the role that young people can play in the development and awareness of environmental issues. During the V8 race in November last year we instigated a planting initiative for indigenous trees, plants and shrubs with school children. The circuit has recently embarked upon a programme of desert planting in and around the circuit with indigenous tress, plants and shrubs. This idea has also been extended to working with local farmers and horticulturalists in the Kingdom. On top of this the circuit is also looking at ways in which it can use alternative power sources for its various activities in the use of water and waste while also exploring how it can work with local schools, colleges and universities in using the circuit as a platform for the development of alternative fuel source challenges.

Bahrain World Trade Centre goes green.

The Bahrain World Trade Centre’s iconic three 29m diameter turbine blades are the world’s first to be integrated into a commercial development and are forecast to provide the equivalent of 11 to 15 per cent of the power for the two towers when fully operational. Mr Ole Sangill, Managing Partner of turbine specialists, Norwin, commented, “It is a testament to Bahrain that private developers are investing in sustainability and pioneering design, which is certainly the future of architecture as it shapes the planet in years to come.” In addition, the elliptical shaped towers act as aero-foils, funnelling and accelerating the wind velocity between them, and exploiting the unobstructed prevailing onshore breeze from the adjacent Gulf coast to provide a renewable source of energy for the building. The turbines are expected to operate approximately 50% of the time. The project has also been the recipient of international acclaim for its commitment to sustainable development, being awarded LEAF Awards 2006 for ‘Best Use of Technology within a Large Scheme’ and recently the Arab Construction World ‘Sustainable Design Award’.

Durrat Al Bahrain & its plans on going green

Durrat Al Bahrain has implemented comprehensive environmental measures to mitigate the negative impact the project poses on the environment so as to ensure it becomes a sanctuary for the wildlife as well as the residential population. We have undertaken environmental impact assessments and ecological surveys to frame an environmental management plan which conform to the highest global standards. The plan envisages the creation of artificial reefs to foster the regeneration and proliferation of reef beds, the protection of a bird island for breeding white-cheeked terns, the creation of mangrove habitats, support for the establishment of a Marine Park for the National Dugong Survey and the National Mari Culture Centre. Full time ecological monitoring will also be undertaken to measure the impact of Durrat Al Bahrain’s implemented environmental measures and its ongoing affect on its environment.

HSBC explains their green policy

HSBC has a long-standing commitment to the environment and a track record of successful environmental initiatives stretching back for several years. This commitment is at the core of the bank’s corporate responsibility value. Being one of the world’s biggest banks means the decisions we make can have a big impact. We aim to lend and invest responsibly avoiding projects where the potential for social and environmental damage outweighs the economic benefits. Companies like ours must share responsibility for the environment with governments and citizens for minimising the damaging effects of human activity - pollution of land, water and air and the depletion of resources.