GPIC wins top green award

Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) has won the prestigious Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Environment Award for 2015 for its new environmental achievements and the best industrial establishment that complies with environmental regulations and standards.

The award follows a series of regional and international recognitions the company has received for its strong performance in areas related to environment and sustainability.

The GCC Environment and Wildlife Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the region aimed at encouraging individual and collective initiatives undertaken to preserve the environment and wildlife, inspiring innovation and creativity to contribute towards sustainable development while raising awareness on key environmental topics in the GCC states.

GPIC President Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery accepted the award during a ceremony to honour the winners in Qatari capital Doha.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of Qatar’s Environment Minister Ahmed bin Amer Mohamed Hamidi. GCC Secretary General Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani and senior officials of the ministries concerned in the GCC countries were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Hamidi praised the joint and successful co-operation among the GCC countries and said it was their joint work and efforts that have resulted in the implementation of private-public partnership, which has led to top class environmental standards being put in place in these countries.

He said efforts made by the authorities concerned in the GCC governments, companies and ministries deserve all appreciation and honour, all of which contribute towards international efforts to protect the environment.

He congratulated the award winners and valued their efforts towards the protection of the environment in the Gulf countries.

He said more efforts, initiatives, legislation and follow-up are needed to preserve the environment for future generations.

Dr Al Zayani, speaking on the occasion, said he was happy at being present during the eighth session of the GCC Cooperation for the Environment and Wildlife Council, which draws attention to the environment and advocates its conservation and protection and raises awareness among the GCC citizens on issues related to the environment.

He said the award has had a positive impact on the promotion of competition and excellence in the field of environmental awareness, research and adherence to strict environmental standards, which confirm the GCC governments’ interest in environmental issues and motivates individuals and institutions on creativity and innovation in this area.

Dr Al Zayani congratulated GPIC and said the achievement reflected the success that could be achieved by GCC joint projects. Dr Jawahery said the award reflected the interest of the Gulf States in the preservation of the environment, and in raising awareness on the issue.

He said the award was also recognition for the company in the field of environmental care and protection; and implementation of initiatives that enhance environmental education, in addition to setting up several environmental projects within the industrial complex.

He thanked Dr Al Zayani for the honour and said the award would motivate everyone in the company to work for more achievements and double their efforts for the company achieve excellence in environmental care.

GPIC, since its inception, has given the utmost priority to the protection of the environment and made efforts to maintain ecological balance. It has initiated studies on the impact its projects have on the environment and has taken all necessary measures to maintain this balance. The company has installed specialised equipment at the urea granulation plant, which has led to the reduction of urea dust emissions in the air. A 450-tonne per day carbon dioxide extraction plant was also set up in 2008, in the process becoming one of the first petrochemical companies in the Middle East to do so.