Sustainable development best practices are important to enhance efficiency and help generate stronger demand for the sector

Dubai, UAE; May 31, 2011: Members of Green Aviation Logistics Group Middle East (GALG ME), an international collaborative network of supply chain/ aviation specialists and consultants represented by companies or local and national governments, recently met in Dubai to share best eco-friendly practices in the logistics and aviation sector.

The aviation and logistics sector is a key driver of both the UAE and the Middle East's economy as a whole, which is reaffirmed by the fact that regional governments today are steadily increasing their focus on this industry. While the growth of the logistics sector in the region looks set to continue unabated, the group members stressed that it is imperative that sustainable development best practices are integrated into the sector to enhance efficiency and help generate stronger demand for the industry.

The members of the group exchanged views on green logistics, highlighting that the environmental objectives can be achieved in synergy with other strategic and financial goals. A green logistics or aviation policy often reduces logistics costs as it focuses on cutting down energy use and improves the total supply chain. Whatever the effect on costs, it is obvious that environmental performance indicators, the adoption of a green logistics policy and effective green supply chain measures, will become key aspects of total supply chain management in the near future. Shippers, retailers, transport companies, logistics service providers, airlines, airport and ports operators will have to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes.
Dr Khaled Al Mazrouei, Founding President of GALG ME, General Manager of Fujairah International Airport and Chairman of Gulf Airports Services Association, comments: "The increased globalisation of today's business operations calls for a special emphasis on the overall performance of distribution and supply networks, where green logistics concepts in combination with intelligent systems can lead to optimised resource utilisation and reduced burden on the environment.""According to a new study, the UAE's position as the region's main logistics hub will see revenues in the sector rise to over USD 9.4 billion by 2014. Having said that, and as one of the fastest growing sectors, it is imperative that green technologies are initiated and pursued for an environmentally sustainable logistics sector, and we hope the group helps achieve these goals," he added.

A very simple example of green airport practices include using energy-efficient LCD screens on all computers and monitors, landscaping with native plants, installing low-flow toilets and replacing paper towel dispensers with electric hand dryers. With the amount of waste and emissions airports produce as a result of their sheer size, they definitely have a long way to go to truly be called 'green'. However the group points out that increasingly companies in the Middle East are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact in whatever small ways they can.

Among group members companies who attended the meeting were David Harris, Director FDI, Dubai Economic Development Board; George Hannouchce, CEO of Bayanat Airports Engineering & Supplies; Ahmed Ibrahim, Marketing Manager, Fujairah International Airport; Raj Menon, General Manager, Arabian Reach; and Hassan El Houbi and Omar Khatib from Al Yousuf Motors.

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