Canon Middle East and United Arab Bank PJSC (UAB) have partnered to launch a tree-planting initiative that compensates for the environmental impact of UAB’s printing operations. Through Canon’s Climate Project Contribution programme, UAB is offsetting emissions from its printer fleet’s ink, paper, and electricity consumption by investing in verified forestation projects. This initiative, which coincided with the 2nd edition of Future Sustainability Forum for which UAB was one of the bronze sponsors, marks Canon’s first implementation of a climate compensation programme in the UAE.
The programme calculates and compensates for GHG emissions through Gold Standard-certified environmental projects. With the current implementation covering a fleet of 90 printing systems that process three million impressions, UAB has already achieved compensation for 20 tonnes of CO2 emissions, demonstrating measurable environmental impact.
Dr. Abdullah AlTaee, Chief Operating Officer at United Arab Bank, says, “At United Arab Bank, we are excited to partner with Canon to launch the UAE’s first comprehensive climate contribution programme in line with our commitment to embedding sustainability across the organisation and in everything we do. This collaboration is a testament to UAB’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and our belief in the power of collective efforts to drive meaningful change.”
The Sharjah-based lender continues to strengthen its commitment to corporate social responsibility through a comprehensive sustainability framework built on five strategic pillars that includes corporate governance, responsible banking, workforce development, social impact, and environmental stewardship. This commitment reflects UAB’s belief that integrating environmental protection, social development, and strong governance practices is essential for long-term economic success. UAB unveiled a suite of Green Sustainable Finance products, aligning with the UAE government’s climate change agenda ahead of the COP28 conference in Dubai. The programme offers preferential financing for sustainable homes or electric and hybrid vehicles, marking a significant step in UAB’s journey toward promoting sustainable development.
Shadi Bakhour, Business Unit Director at Canon Middle East, says, “This milestone partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship in the UAE. By joining forces with United Arab Bank, we’re creating a paradigm shift in sustainable business practices that embodies our philosophy of kyosei – living and working together for the common good.”
Canon’s approach transcends traditional environmental programmes by embedding sustainability into every aspect of business operations. Through comprehensive lifecycle analysis, organisations can identify opportunities for emissions reduction at their source. The integration of advanced Managed Print Services, coupled with cutting-edge digital workflow solutions, enables businesses to optimise their operations while minimising their environmental footprint.
The programme represents a holistic transformation in business sustainability. Participating organisations significantly reduce energy consumption while advancing their digital transformation journey by implementing efficient, low-carbon products and intelligent solutions like uniFLOW. This sophisticated approach to environmental stewardship creates a blueprint for sustainable business practices in the UAE and beyond.
Canon’s climate compensation portfolio spans projects across multiple continents. Each project delivers measurable environmental impact, from innovative wind energy developments in India and Indonesia to transformative cookstove programmes in Uganda that combat deforestation. The initiative extends to ambitious reforestation efforts, with tree plantation programmes flourishing in England, Germany, Switzerland, and South America.
The initiative is certified by Gold Standard, the internationally recognised verification body, while ClimatePartner provides independent authentication of all Canon environmental projects. This dual-tier validation ensures credibility in climate compensation efforts, adhering to ISO16759:2013 standards for carbon footprint quantification.
Canon’s collaboration with UAB demonstrates how strategic partnerships can drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change. The initiative not only addresses immediate ecological concerns but also establishes a foundation for sustainable business practices that will benefit future generations.
