This is in continuation to my previous report on Green Brigade's participation at the Al Futaim Carillion Construction Company?s Abu Dhabi site. Under this report, I would like to share what we have seen and what we have learnt from them during the day on various sustainability issues.

They have recorded data from 2007. From this data, they showed us that they have saved more than 400 litres of petrol per tonnage of buying.

Being a large construction company, many waste is normally generated on a day to day basis. They have a admirable target of achieving '0% waste to landfills by 2015'. At present, they have been able to recycle 84% of their waste. They have taken the initiative to convert construction waste into simple usable materials like doors, tables and chairs for their own offices. They have adopted various water saving methodologies at their site and office. They are using chemical compounds instead of using water for concrete curing, using the compartment concept, they are saving lots of water on a daily basis. In their temporary office also, they are using technologically advanced ?zero water urinals? which is saving water to a large extent. They also have a corporate programme where they encourage their workers/staffs to get involved with social/sustainability causes, even on workdays.

For saving energy, they have installed energy monitors in and around the office so that they control in real-time how much energy is being consumed in the office. They have installed LED controllable lights which can monitor the brightness needed with a simple knob. They also have solar tubes which help project sunlight into the office thus helping to reduce energy on lighting in the day. Their initiative of 'Monitors off please' has worked amazingly. They put red balloons on the tables of those people who don't turn off their monitors. They put fines also. As we were informed, surprisingly, even the Carillion group Project Manager got a 2-day name and shame plus monetary fine for not switching off his monitor.

The amount of work that one company is putting to help make a difference really inspires me a lot. Most of the people talk a lot on various issues on environment and sustainability these days, but this kind of real works at ground level is rare. This makes me request that every organization to start their own sustainability department like the human resource department to help do their bit for the environment.  

"Sky-light" introduced into the office building to have natural light

The office toilet is designed for use "without any water"....