Committed to the environment: the ASAB FFD project, Abu Dhabi

Our fifth annual Group-wide Environment Month took place in November. Employees from across the Group showed their support and participated in a variety of internal and community-based events.

In Abu Dhabi, colleagues on the ASAB FFD (Full Field Development) project ran an education programme for major subcontractors. In total, 50 project personnel participated in a simulated contaminant spill in order to improve and enhance their response capabilities to cope in the event of an environmental incident. Teams of four people worked together on the exercise to improve their ability to manage environmental emergency situations during the project execution.

Robert Innes, ASAB FFD project HSSE Manager commented “This Environment Month event has truly demonstrated the commitment of a large number of project personnel in helping to improve our impact on the environment. Such events and initiatives empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development and helps people to make sound environmental decisions throughout their lives.”

The ASAB site management’s commitment to the environment has been a fundamental part of the project. The team took a long term approach to minimising the site’s carbon footprint. At the beginning of the project, 150 solar powered lamp posts were installed along the 11km road which connects the temporary camp facilities and new plant area. This enables the site to conserve energy and fossil fuel consumption.

Contractors at the ASAB site also proved during Environment Month that they have green fingers! They worked with subcontractor TEKFEN Construction & Installation Company to develop the site’s Greenbelt Development Programme which has seen more than 7,800 trees planted during the past three years. The team hoped to have added a further 1,150 trees by the end of 2012.

In the region’s hot and dry environment, tree plantation helps minimise soil erosion and sand-screening. The greener environment also offers pleasant surroundings for those working and living in the camp.