Responsible business practices are essential for sustainable growth and long-term success. At ADCB, we aim to manage our business whilst actively promoting sustainable development goals and minimising our negative impact on social and environmental issues.
ADCB supports a range of activities that celebrate the culture, heritage and values of the UAE, and we promote positive social and economic outcomes for the people in our communities. ADCB was among the first private-sector organisations to provide employment opportunities for UAE national talent in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council. With our Tamooha initiative, we pioneered a unique career structure with technology-enabled flexibility that gives Emirati women the opportunity to join the workforce whilst meeting their everyday life responsibilities in harmony with their cultural traditions and values. Our Emirati Graduate Development Programme continues to develop the career potential of UAE nationals with extensive training, job rotations, reviews and constructive feedback. Tamooha was recognised in the 2016 Gulf Customer Experience Awards for “Innovative approach to Emiratisation to deliver exceptional customer experience.” Tamooha’s innovative contribution to the UAE’s economic development whilst advancing employment and diversity was also recognized in 2015 by the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group.
ADCB has also sponsored the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival for the past four years. The festival pays homage to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, and honours the rulers of the seven Emirates. Located at the Al Wathba Desert Camp, the festival celebrates UAE culture through folklore dances, traditional shopping, horse and camel riding, regional cuisine and many other activities.
12 million sheets of paper saved from e-statements (AED 8.1 million)*
7% increase year on year in paper recycling
At ADCB, we actively seek to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment, and continue to encourage environmental and social responsibility throughout our supply chain. Conservation steps undertaken in recent years within the Bank include the transition to paperless statements, more efficient use of electricity, and a waste recycling programme for paper, cans, plastic and electronic waste. Our efforts demonstrate our support for the UAE government’s vision in regards to sustainability and the environment, and its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals. We also partner with like-minded organisations on environmental stewardship initiatives. In 2016, several of our strategic partnerships focused on energy efficiency and raising awareness about the environment.
ADCP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, signed an agreement with GE’s energy start-up Current, powered by GE, to drive energy efficiency and intelligent enterprises solutions across the projects ADCP manages in the UAE. The agreement marks a milestone in ADCP’s focus on promoting sustainable development and introducing the highest standards in energy efficiency to the community management services it provides, to help reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. The partnership aligns with the UAE Government’s vision to promote sustainable development and reduce the carbon footprint of built environments.
This initiative was held in May 2016 as part of the Dubai Efficient Lighting Week, formulated by the Dubai Supreme Energy Council to support the government’s energy reduction objective. The initiative brought retailers and lighting manufacturers together to promote energy-efficient lighting and encourage people and businesses to switch to energy-efficient lights by offering discounted prices on LED lights.
We have continued to raise awareness of important environmental issues in collaboration with our partner EWS-WWF and have facilitated raising significant donations for related causes through our ATM and Internet banking platforms. In 2016 we helped raise approximately AED 400,000 for EWS-WWF.
The WGES is a world-leading platform, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and initiated by the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority. The summit facilitates the shift to a green economy for government, business, finance and civil society through sessions, panel discussions and business relationship networking opportunities. ADCB participated in the 2016 WGES as a sponsor in the Business Partner category and deepened our understanding of renewables, green energy-related projects and future financing opportunities.
*These numbers are estimations only, calculated from the average number of e-statement subscribers per month, annualised