UAE APO CEA

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UAE APO CEA Logo

The beginning: Cleaning the beach to plant the mangroves to protect the shoreline of Barangay 11 Lawin, Cavite City on 12/20/14.

The Continued Effort: Planting the mangrove trees to protect the shoreline on February 27, 2015.

mangrove planting: efforts of the UAE APO CEA, Local LGU and Coast guard.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

THE UAE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WHILE PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TO ACHIEVE A PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

To do that , the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda focuses on improving the quality of air, preserving water resources, increasing the contribution of clean energy and implementing green growth plans.

Theme 4: United in Prosperity A nurturing and sustainable environment for quality living

WELL PRESERVED ENVIRONMENT

As a leader of the green revolution, the UAE is conscious of its responsibility to safeguard nature and mitigate the effects of climate change on its habitat and ecosystems in order to ensure that future generations inherit an environmentally sustainable world

Vision Statement

In the face of humanity's shared ecological challenges, we want the UAE to vigorously support international initiatives to protect the environment in full consciousness of its worldwide responsibility.

As a global nation, the UAE is committed to playing its part in developing and implementing innovative solutions to protect and sustain the environment. New, energy-efficient technologies will harness the UAE's pioneering role in the green revolution and reduce its carbon footprint. The government will act decisively to reduce the nation's ecological deficit, promoting environmental awareness and responsible behaviour among Emiratis The UAE will mitigate the effects of climate change in order to safeguard its environment for current and future generations. The nation's rich natural environment will be shielded from human-induced threats – both global and local – by preventive measures such as reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and regulation to defend fragile ecosystems from urban development.

The Federation will safeguard Emiratis and it's residents from harm in the event of large-scale natural or man made environmental emergencies, guarantee the rights of present and future generations to clean air and water, and protect citizens from environmental health hazards.

Anticipating the problems of tomorrow is the only reasonable way to preserve and enhance our way of life, acting with initiative in full awareness of our collective responsibility.

U.A.E. and U.A.E. APO CEA vision means that we are supporting international action.

U.A.E. have committed over half a billion dollars in renewable energy and for developing countries. U.A.E. is a major investor in a number of international commercial renewable energy projects. And are proud host country of the International Renewable Energy Agency ( IRENA)

Increasingly, the U.A.E. has become the center of global cooperation and debate. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week -which includes the IRENA General Assembly, the World Future Energy Summit, the International Water Summit and the Zayed Future Energy Prize awards ceremony - is the world's largest annual gathering on clean energy, water and sustainability. Together with hosting of the World Energy Congress 2019 and the sustainability focused 2020 World Expo in Dubai, the U.A.E. is the place where the world comes together to build practical solutions.

Yes, build practical solutions through rewarding projects that has a high impact on the preservation and conservation of fossil fuels.

http://sculptthefuturefoundation.org/portfolio/my-shelter-foundation-global-lighting-project/

UAE APOCEA

UAE APOCEA stands for UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ALLIANCE OF PROACTIVE ORGANIZATIONS - CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY, a non-profit, non-stock organization, NON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION which envisions to sincerely provide global environmental,health, safety and sustainability services to humanity and the Mother Earth, in many forms and in many ways. That vision became a way of life for most of us, and eventually, we view and feel it as the Spirit of Service.

About UAE APOCEA

APO-Center for Environmental Advocacy is a non-profit association sustained by the voluntary contributions of its members, and is moving forward influencing organizations and companies to help and support through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program/s.Our SERVICE works to increase environmental, health, safety & sustainability public knowledge of coastal, mangrove , beach and marine resources and to engage the public in coastal protection and restoration activities. We offer a variety of conservation, education and community involvement programs. There is bound to be a program just right for you, so get involved!

The FOUNDERS

Founding Chairman: Pedro H. Holanda currently in Jeddah, Western Region , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who is also a country coordinator for http://www.oceanconservancy.org/ and has successfully led the Jeddah Coastal Cleanup in 2014; https://www.facebook.com/APOCEA and http://apocea.org/

Co-Founder: Ashray Tamano currently in Jeddah, Western Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has been very actively lead the communication and information campaign through https://www.facebook.com/APOCEA and http://apocea.org/

United Arab Emirate Country Director : Ramon T. Franco based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates who is also one of the country coordinator for Ocean Conservancy and promoting environment, health, safety , and sustainability through alliances with organizations and businesses in the U.A.E. and promoting and maintaining the raising of awareness and establishing an interest through social media sites and website APO CEA UAE Volunteer Group; http://apocea.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/APOCEA

Being a non-profit association, U.A.E APO CEA association is sustained by the voluntary contributions of its members and has made efforts to reach out to companies and organizations in the U.A.E. for our Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability SERVICE information campaign and events management that works to increase public knowledge of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability coastal and marine resources and to engage the public in coastal protection and restoration activities. We offer a variety of conservation, education and community involvement programs. There is bound to be a program just right for you, so get involved! SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, & ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.

What is CSR?

Corporate Social Responsibility is a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders. CSR is generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of ECONOMIC, environmental and social imperatives (“Triple-Bottom-Line- Approach”), while at the same time addressing the expectations of SHAREHOLDERSand stakeholders. In this sense it is important to draw a distinction between CSR, which can be a strategic business management concept, and charity, sponsorships or philanthropy. Even though the latter can also make a valuable contribution to poverty reduction, will directly enhance the reputation of a company and strengthen its brand, the concept of CSR clearly goes beyond that. --Monchf (talk) 02:07, 23 February 2015 (CST)

http://www.unido.org/en/what-we-do/trade/csr/what-is-csr.html

Key CSR issues: environmental management, eco-efficiency, responsible sourcing, STAKEHOLDER engagement, labour standards and working conditions, employee and community relations, social equity, gender balance, human rights, good governance, and anti-corruption measures. A properly implemented CSR concept can bring along a variety of competitive advantages, such as enhanced access to CAPITAL and markets, increased sales and profits, operational cost savings, improved productivity and quality, efficient human resource base, improved brand image and reputation, enhanced customer loyalty, better decision making and risk management processes.

Quote "Friends, together, we can achieve a new phase of globalization - one that creates inclusive and sustainable MARKETS, builds development and enhances international cooperation. We each have a responsibility in moving our agenda forward." Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations Closing Remarks at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, Geneva, 6 July, 2007

http://emiratesfoundation.ae/Content/resources/CSR%20project%20EXSUMMARY.pdf - This reference was used as terms of references for UAE APO CEA programs and projects.

The results of the study indicates that the three foremost barriers that limit organizations’ efforts in implementing CSR are as follows, lack of knowledge of CSR (37%), lack of awareness of CSR (34%) and the inability to accommodate the CSR function (33%). The three main barriers are followed by lack of resources (22%), and perceived high cost of CSR projects (19%). Other less prominent barriers to CSR include lack of government support (18%), top management commitment (17%), invisibility of CSR results (16%), and lack of time to implement CSR (15%). Resistance from employees is the least barrier to CSR implementation.

CSR is driven by a combination of factors. By far the most important driver for implementing CSR is the desire to preserve the environment (31%). This is followed by the desire to have better image and reputation (26%), developing and sustaining better relationship with the government (25%), the belief that CSR increases productivity (25%) and developing employees’ loyalty (24%). A fifth of responding organizations reported that they implement CSR in order to comply with Islamic values and practices (Zakat)

Initiatives to protect the natural environment focus on reduction of paper consumption (50%), safe disposal of waste (47%), reduction in water consumption (45%), and reduction of energy consumption (38%). Initiatives that may lead to cost for the organization but protect the environment such as reduction of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission are very low (11%). Only a small proportion of responding organizations (less than 5%) have systems in place to measure CEO2 emissions and other green house gases. In contrast, over a quarter of organizations have systems in place to measure energy and water consumption and waste production. Only 2% of responding organizations implemented Social accountability 8000 and 6% implemented ISO 14001. However, nearly a third (31%) of responding organizations implemented ISO 9000.

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/corporate-social-responsibility-should-be-uae-goal ( April 2, 2014 update )

ABU DHABI // Adopting a strategic corporate social responsibility initiative that looks beyond philanthropy will help companies in the GCC achieve a place in the GLOBAL MARKET, experts said.

“Awareness of the importance of corporate social responsibility has been growing in the GCC over the last 10 years,” said Nasser Al Issa, chief sustainable officer at Saudi Generations.

“But there is a clear gap between what is happening in the GCC compared to advanced countries, particularly in Europe and in North America. These gaps are in knowledge, innovation, research, training and education, and web applications, among others.”

He was speaking on the sidelines of the second Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conference in Abu Dhabi yesterday. The theme of the conference is “The New Role of Sharing Values”, to promote the need to SHARE best practices, opportunities, knowledge and technology.

It was held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, supreme chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

“Government and semi-government authorities in the region can work on a strategy to develop on a local CSR guide and a reporting system,” Mr Al Issa said. “Once you develop a CSR programme, it has to grow, be sustainable and adapt to the local needs and culture.”

The GCC has the potential to be a global leader in CSR and sustainability, he said. “The MONEY is there and we have the expertise. The UAE is the best in the GCC in terms of CSR. I’m particularly impressed with the initiatives of the Emirates Foundation.”

The Business Benefits of CSR

CSR should not be viewed as a drain on resources, because carefully implemented CSR policies can help your oragnisation: • Win new business • Increase customer retention • Develop and enhance relationships with customers, suppliers and networks • Attract, retain and maintain a happy workforce and be an EMPLOYER of Choice • SAVE money on energy and operating costs and MANAGE risk • Differentiate yourself from your competitors • Generate innovation and learning and enhance your influence • Improve your business reputation and standing • Provide access to INVESTMENT and funding opportunities • Generate positive publicity and media opportunities due to media interest in ethical business activities

Contact us at http://apocea.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/APOCEA to discuss CSR and sustainable business

Who benefits from the Coastal /Cleanup?

a. Everyone who depends and use the United Arab Emirates coastline for recreation or commercial purposes will benefit from this program’s improvements in waters’ cleanliness battling marine trash on the beaches and mangroves where promoting safety on the beaches and mangroves is of utmost importance for the air we breath and the ecosystem.

b. Wildlife and plants benefit as trash-free water results in improved habitats. Entanglement of animals in fishing line, and ingestion of plastic by wild animals will both be decreased.

c. Volunteers involved with the cleanup will learn firsthand the impact litter has on our beaches and mangroves. There is no better education about the harm that litter can cause than by bagging it for several hours.

d. Students benefit by gaining practical skills in management, organizing, program development, and public relations while helping U.A.E's Environment, Health, Safety , and Sustainability activities and events . Teachers benefit by learning their important role in teaching their students about recycling and waste management issues and priorities.

e United Arab Emirates as a country whose is 5th among the worlds biggest energy consumer and desalinated water user will benefit as litter is collected through volunteer efforts, rather than spending Dirhams on waste management tenders and contracts with paid workers.

f. Everyone who read newspapers and browse websites will learn about litter issues in the many articles and press releases that we will be released through our environment, health, safety and sustainability information campaigns in http://gulfnews.com/ ; http://www.khaleejtimes.com/index00.asp ; http://www.thenational.ae/ ; http://filipinotimes.ae/ ; and http://www.kabayanweekly.com/ .

MISSION of APOCEA

http://apocea.org/

Educate people on how they can help the Earth and lessen their environmental impact by accomplishing one task each week for 52 weeks. This will be developed by deploying and operating an environmental concerns website and social media sites to address the Top line message below:

We face many complex challenges when it comes to a clean and healthy ocean, but one problem is simple to understand: Trash. Ocean trash compromises the health of humans, wildlife and the people and communities that depend on a healthy ocean. In addition to leading cleanups , APO CEA http://apocea.org/ and http://www.oceanconservancy.org/ is working to stop the flow of trash at the source, before it has a chance to reach the water to choke and entangle dolphins or endager sea turtles, or ruin our beaches and depress local economies. We need your help to keep millions of pounds of trash from our oceans - your everyday choices can help keep it clean.

Why is ocean trash a problem we need to address?

It's a threat to our economies : Coastal municipalities spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year on daily beach cleanups and to prevent trash from reaching the water, while recreational boaters and the commercial shipping and fishing industries face significantly higher costs from debris in the ocean.

It's a threat to wildlife and habitat: Ocean trash can entrap and strangle ocean wildlife, many of which are listed as threatened or endangered. Scientists have found evidence of plastics ingestion across all marine taxa. When animals eat plastics, they can also take in high concentrations of toxins that adsorbed to the plastics surface. Ocean trash is also a threat to ecologically critical yet sensitive marine habitat

It's a threat to our health and food safety: Toxic chemicals are transferred up the food chain as large ocean predators - many of which we eat - accumulate toxins eaten or concentrated by smaller fish and plants. The concentration of toxins in these predators, such as tuna and mahi-mahi, increase considerably as they move up the food chain.

Implement environmental projects and services at least twice a year.

Educate people on how they can make small changes in their life to make a difference in their world. '

ON GOING PROJECTS

'ENJOY TOGETHER BENEFIT TOGETHER DO GO TOGETHER

HAPPY TOGETHER WITH U.A.E. APO CEA .....ACHIEVE MORE ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, SAFETY , AND SUSTAINABILITY (EHS & S) INITIATIVES, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS.

YOU COULD BENEFIT PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY IMMEDIATELY FROM THE GROWING WHOLESOME EHS & S DOMAINS INTO A SINGLE COMMUNITY PLATFORM PROGRAM WHERE YOU, YOUR ORGANIZATION, YOUR COMPANY'S SOCIAL NEED IS ADDRESSED WITHOUT HARMING PEOPLE, PLANET , AND PROFIT.

WHY SPONSOR ?

Now is the time to plan your strategy in order to reach your TARGET audience in the region. We offer a range of opportunities to suit your objectives & budget.

Whether it be print ADVERTISING, onsite branding, or online exposure, we offer flexible, tailored packages to suit your needs & make sure you achieve the publicity you are looking for to achieved your Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability programs target and goals lead towards unity in prosperity as envisioned in the U.A.E. Vision 2021.

Sponsoring UAE APO CEA provides you with an unrivalled opportunity to increase your company’s profile, and ensures visibility before, during, & after the each environmental, health, safety , and sustainability events.

Together let us breathe clean air coming from our trash free seas. Oceans which connects and binds all of us together.

Photo Gallery of APOCEA projects

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES APO-CEA and PHILIPPINES APO CEA sponsored the International Coastal Clean Up in three (3) parts in 2014 ( Part 1- September 20; Part 2- October 18; December 20, 2014) and part 4 ,last 14th February 2015 Valentines Day http://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Barangay_11_Lawin,_Cavite_City,_Cavite,_Philippines