The Emirates Group wants to play its part in supporting and preserving biodiversity.
The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia are examples of the group’s focus on protecting fragile ecosystems and supporting for sustainable tourism in very different parts of the world. Both conservation reserves protect valuable ecosystems and provide unique experiences for visitors from around the world.
The Emirates Group funds the operations of the 225 square kilometer Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, an inland desert habitat that has been protected by government mandate since 2003. This is the largest piece of land that Dubai has dedicated to a single project, with the aim of preserving Dubai’s unique desert environment for future generations to enjoy. The reserve plays an important role in ecological research, actively collaborating with local and international universities. The findings and results of the research studies help to enhance knowledge of the desert ecosystem, gather scientific data about rare and endangered desert species, monitor the balance and preserve the natural environment.
The reserve is also a focal point for conservation programs aimed at restoring the populations of some of the UAE’s wildlife, such as the Arabian gazelle, sand gazelle and Arabian oryx. Since their reintroduction at the reserve, the antelope species have thrived and their populations significantly increased, prompting studies to explore the possibility of relocating some oryx and gazelle species to other protected areas in the region.
In 2018, more than 285,000 people visited the reserve, through Arabian Adventures, various Emirates partner tour operators and the Al-Maha Desert Resort.
Emirates has also been supporting the protection of Australia’s wildlife and plant life for more than 10 years, through the conservation-based Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in New South Wales. It was the first luxury resort in the world to receive an internationally-recognized carbon-neutral certification from New Zealand- based CarboNZero, after undergoing a comprehensive greenhouse-gas emissions assessment. The resort also conducts regular research to identify opportunities and challenges for conservation of endangered species. Efforts have also been underway to help restore vital vegetation and promote treeplanting, which have helped to re-establish vital habitats for bird populations, which are essential for their long term survival.
Using its brand power to raise awareness of the illegal trafficking of endangered wildlife, Emirates decorated four of its A380s with special wildlife decals. Since then the aircraft have flown millions of kilometers to 48 cities in 29 countries during close to 6,000 flights taking this important message around the world and promoting conversation and wildlife preservation.
Emirates helps safeguard wildlife & biodiversity
Emirates helps safeguard wildlife & biodiversity
Schneider Electric to advance energy technology to power intelligence at Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa
Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has announced that the second edition of the Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa will be held in Abu Dhabi on April 28–29.
The summit will bring together global energy and technology leaders as well as government officials to advance the regional shift toward energy intelligence, as data center growth, AI adoption, and national visions place unprecedented demands on energy systems.
Schneider Electric is advancing its energy technology ambitions with the integration of electrification, automation and digital intelligence, deployed across buildings, data centers, industrial applications and power grids to unlock the full value of energy, and ensure efficiency and sustainability for all.
This year’s summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the Middle East and Africa, as the region experiences exponential growth driven by national visions, giga-projects, and rapid expansion in AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia stands out within this landscape as one of the most dynamic markets in terms of investment in digital infrastructure and sustainable energy.
With global electricity demand projected to grow at a strong compound annual growth rate of 3.6% over the 2026–2030 period and global AI workloads projected to lead a 160% increase in data center power demand, the imperative for intelligent, sustainable energy solutions has never been more critical.
“Energy today is the foundation of national resilience and competitiveness. With electricity consumption in the Middle East and North Africa having tripled since 2000 and on course to grow at an incremental 3-4% every year to register a whopping 50% by 2035 – driven by surging cooling, desalination, and urbanization demands, the region is at an inflection point,” said Walid Sheta, Zone president, Middle East and Africa, Schneider Electric.
“Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa underscores our dedication to accelerating energy technology innovation and powering energy intelligence throughout the region. This edition will emphasize our emergence as the trusted energy technology partner guiding the region’s next phase of transformation. "
This year’s summit will highlight regional benchmarks from 80+ countries, from the 100% elimination of SF6 and Carbon footprint reduction for fruit producers in South Africa to the savings that EcoStruxure Power & Grid is enabling for the National Electricity Company, Senegal – ensuring recovery times of 3 minutes versus 3 hours earlier.
Blending high-impact programming and latest product launches that position Schneider Electric at the center of MEA's energy transition story, key agenda items include:
CEO Forum in partnership with Forbes Middle East: An exclusive C-suite initiative bringing together 100 business leaders to address strategic imperatives in energy intelligence.
Keynote and Thought Leadership sessions: Featuring executive speakers from industry-leading companies and insights from strategic partners, including Bain & Company.
Innovation Hub experience: Guided tours and live demonstrations, as well as tailored customer experiences of Schneider Electric’s most innovative and integrated energy technology solutions addressing critical challenges in energy efficiency, grid modernization, and digital infrastructure across a 3,000 square feet immersive space.
Stakeholder recognition: Schneider Electric’s dedicated partners will be honored with 20 Cluster awards and five Middle East and Africa awards across four categories – Growth Award, Efficiency Award, Innovation Award, and Sustainability Award, on Day 2 of the Summit.
"Across the Gulf, energy intelligence is becoming the operational reality as public and private sector enterprises race to align with national visions for a decarbonized and sustainable future,” said Amel Chadli, president, Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric.
“As one of the most local of global companies, Schneider Electric is empowering customers to move beyond electrification and implement AI‑driven, software‑defined energy systems that deliver efficiency, resilience, and sustainability at a national scale. This summit offers a roadmap of what’s next as we continue to redefine the relationship between energy and digital capability.”
With AI, cloud, and high-performance computing becoming foundational to national competitiveness, energy technologies today must evolve and become resilient, sustainable and scalable to meet modern intelligence demands.
Schneider Electric's refreshed positioning as an energy technology partner reflects the company's approach to supporting the region's transformation.
Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa highlights real-world applications across key sectors, including utilities, data centers, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure — demonstrating how intelligent energy management enables operational excellence, resilience, and sustainability across the region's most vital projects.
