United Development Company receives ‘Best CSR in Qatar’ Award

UNITED Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, has been honored with the prestigious “Best in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)” award at Qatar CSR Summit 2023. The announcement was made during the official gala dinner and awards ceremony held at the Sheraton Resort & Convention Center, organized by Qatar University.

This recognition highlights UDC’s dedication to implementing the best sustainability initiatives and practices. It reflects the Company’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and its alignment with its CSR obligations and business model.

UDC’s efforts in areas such as community development across The Pearl Island, energy efficiency strategies, resource optimization, and greenhouse gas mitigation demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of the community and the environment, as well as raising awareness about climate change.

As the first real estate company to receive this prestigious award, UDC’s initiatives and sustainability practices have been recognized for their positive impact on The Pearl Island community.

These practices are in line with the company’s CSR strategy, which focuses on its responsibility towards employees, the community, and the environment. UDC’s Environmental and Sustainability Strategy 2026 further emphasizes its commitment to integrating environmental and sustainability practices across its social, governance, and cooperative initiatives.

UDC was selected out of a pool of 100 nominees this year and got selected as the winner of the award amongst 20 winners from different sectors. The selection process involved a meticulous evaluation and recommendation by a panel of experts and faculty members from Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics.

Engineer Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, UDC’s Executive Director of Public Services, accepted

the award on behalf of the Company during the award ceremony, which was attended by more than 200 individuals, further highlighting the significance of this recognition.

UDC’s victory can be attributed to several key initiatives, including:

Seabin Project

UDC introduced the Seabin

Project on World Environment Day in 2021 with the objective of preserving clean waters and safeguarding marine life at The Pearl Island. This pioneering initiative, which plans to install an additional ten seabins in various locations, has no equivalent in the region.

Since its launch, a substantial amount of 1,304.98 cbm of waste has been collected, signifying

a significant environmental impact. Furthermore, UDC’s waste management and recycling initiative has played a role in reducing air pollution by an estimated 86,966 lbs. annually.

In line with its commitment to environmental stewardship, UDC aims to expand the deployment of seabins and cleaners in Porto Arabia Marina.

This proactive approach ensures effective pollution control measures and the continuous maintenance of the highest water quality, while effectively eliminating potential contaminants.

Sustainability Leader Award

UDC’s success in employee engagement played a significant role in winning the award, showcasing the astute leadership, commitment, and guidance of UDC’s management.

Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman, UDC President, CEO, and Member of The Board, was personally selected as one of the nine distinguished executives to receive the esteemed Sustainability Leader Award.

This prestigious recognition was based on his exceptional ability to achieve ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, demonstrate exemplary leadership skills, and effectively attract and retain top talent.

The SEAL Award acknowledges organizations across four award categories: environmental initiatives, sustainable innovation, sustainable products, and sustainable services.

UDC’s remarkable achievements aligning with these core principles and their recognition in the Sustainability Leader Award category reflect the Company’s commitment to sustainability and its continuous efforts to make a positive impact in these areas.

Employee Tree Planting Initiative

UDC introduced a unique initiative last year to actively contribute to carbon emissions reduction. As part of this initiative, a tree planting is held for every new employee joining the Company, with each tree symbolizing their commitment to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, for every five years spent at UDC, additional trees are planted to commemorate their ongoing dedication.

Trees play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, effectively reducing the impact of greenhouse gases and preserving natural resources.

The presence of green spaces and the planting of trees also create a natural barrier against noise pollution, promoting the health and well-being of residents on The Pearl Island.

Currently, The Pearl Island boasts approximately 7,700 trees, collectively offsetting around 197 tons of carbon dioxide. UDC’s overarching objective is to further decrease its carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 65%.