The United Nations Environment (UNE) works with REI Honorary Director, Government Bodies and Local Representatives to introduce Green Training across the Gulf

In an ongoing global training project, Honorary Director of the Renewable Energy Institute (REI) Doctor Marco Buoni is working alongside the United Nations Environment (UNE), local and state Governments and environmental agencies to develop and expand a programme for Green Training in the Gulf Region. This month, Dr Buoni met with colleagues from UNE and representatives from Tunisia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar with the aim of creating the first blueprints for official National Certification Schemes for each of these countries. The adoption of such a scheme is intended to promote the uptake of training for the Energy Efficiency sector in the Gulf Region, in line with the commitments of these nations to improve their environmental standards. Across the Gulf Region, states are pledging greater commitments to environmental protection. In Bahrain, there is currently a strategic plan in place which has been developed in order to phase-out substances which deplete the Ozone Layer. A crucial aspect of this plan is the requirement that personnel currently working in the sector be re-trained so that their work practices are in line with the specifications of the Montreal Protocol and the climate change convention (with regard to both substances that deplete the Ozone Layer and that harm the climate causing global warming and higher energy consumption) . As well as authorities from Bahrain, Dr Buoni also met with collaborators in Kuwait and Qatar, where he discussed plans and recommendations on moving forward with the National Certification Schemes. Dr Buoni visited possible training venues (including the University of Qatar) and spoke to representatives there about the equipment, space and expertise that would be needed. One such representative was Professor Saud Abdul Aziz Abdu Ghani from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, who has designed the air conditioning systems for the football stadiums for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This is hugely important in a country with temperatures of up to 50 degrees and will make football teams and fans more comfortable. Energy Efficiency training and certification will start with Professor Saud before the end of 2018. The first phase will train the trainers and include sessions and activities to develop and implement the local regulation for handling the systems.

These activities in the Gulf Region are just one example of the work that the REI is doing worldwide in line with its mission to promote knowledge sharing and best practice in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency sectors. In March, the REI also organised the XVII European Conference in Milan, which followed the example of previous annual conferences by inviting Experts from across the sector to speak to more than 250 attendees. The REI is also pleased to expand the successful transatlantic collaboration with The George Washington University in Washington D.C., where a new Electric Vehicles course will be launched in the summer. The REI’s global presence is also supported by an innovative distance learning platform, which allows individuals from all over the world to access leading online training from their location, using laptop, tablet or mobile. Environmental protection is a global issue and the REI is now delighted to provide training and the internationally recognised Galileo Master Certificate (GMC) to individuals from 149 countries. If you would like more information about any of the REI’s activities or training, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing training@renewableinstitute.org or calling +44 (0)131 446 9479.