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Al-Futtaim IKEA Concludes Earth Weeks Campaign with Bold Sustainability Commitments

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Al-Futtaim IKEA announced its new sustainability initiatives and targets for 2025 during an event at its Yas Mall store in Abu Dhabi, where it also celebrated the success of its recent “Earth Weeks” campaign.

The event, attended by Francois Brice, Fuel & Commercial Executive Director at EWEC, and members of the Department of Community Development, Department of Energy and EWEC. The event featured presentations by Pooja Dhingra, Regional Sustainability Manager of Al-Futtaim IKEA, and Ouateil Sgheir, Market Manager of Abu Dhabi, who discussed both the brand’s global ambitions and local impact.

From Awareness to Action: Earth Weeks Campaign

The event also spotlighted Al-Futtaim IKEA’s successful initiatives and campaigns during “Earth Weeks”—the brand’s six-week, sustainability-focused period from mid-March to the end of April. Engaging customers and colleagues in climate-conscious practices under the theme of “Start at Home,” the campaign promoted practical, everyday actions, like energy saving, reducing food waste, recycling, and reusing, as the building blocks of sustainable living. Reflecting the positive impact of these efforts, sales of sustainable products doubled during this period—demonstrating that sustainability is not only achievable but also accessible and affordable.

One of the campaign’s most creative activations, the “Switch-Off Trade Off”, reimagined Earth Hour by having Al-Futtaim IKEA employees turn off lights in the offices and showrooms on behalf of community members who were tied up with essential tasks. Another highlight, “Wait for the Drop,” introduced a unique online playlist with tracks mimicking the sound of running water, promoting mindful water use in bathrooms.

Additional moments included celebrating Mother’s Day by honouring mothers as the original sustainability heroes, recognising their everyday efforts in nurturing both family and the planet.

Clean Energy Milestones

Al-Futtaim IKEA also announced three stores, located in Fujairah, Al Ain, and Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi, have achieved LEED Gold certification. This recognition highlights the implementation of eco-friendly practices across the locations, including 10% lower energy consumption, 55% water savings, improved indoor air quality, and significant progress in waste reduction and recycling.

 On May 2, 2025, Al-Futtaim IKEA reiterated its long-term sustainability commitment by announcing a strategic partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company. Through the agreement, EWEC will provide IKEA UAE with Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) to cover 100 per cent of the electricity consumed across its four stores in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), CECs are the only accredited instruments in Abu Dhabi that certify electricity consumption is sourced from renewable and clean energy generation. This milestone marks a significant step forward in IKEA UAE’s efforts to reduce scope 2 emissions and operate in a more environmentally responsible manner.

Vinod Jayan, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim IKEA UAE, Egypt, Oman and Qatar, commented: “At Al-Futtaim IKEA, sustainability is central to how we operate, innovate, and serve our communities. We believe that sustainable living should be simple, affordable, and accessible to all. Our Earth Weeks campaign reflects our responsibility to lead by example in the region, protect the planet’s most vital resources, and empower the many people to be part of this journey. Change starts at home—but its impact extends far beyond.”

He continued: “This commitment to long-term change is demonstrated by the actions we’re taking across our operations to reduce environmental impact. Over the past year, our fleet of electric trucks has helped us avoid 29 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of seven passenger cars driven for a year. We’re also making significant progress in food waste reduction. By using anaerobic digesters in two of our stores, we divert 160 tonnes of food waste from landfills each year, saving CO₂ emissions equivalent to the energy required to power 98 homes for an entire year. As a business proudly rooted in the UAE’s success, we’re fully aligned with the country’s Environment Vision 2030.”

Empowering Future Sustainability Leaders

On Earth Day, Al-Futtaim IKEA welcomed members of Masdar’s Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) community for the first in a series of collaborative sessions focused on practical sustainability. Hosted in partnership with the Al-Futtaim Youth Council and Sustainability Team, the first session at IKEA Yas Island, Abu Dhabi explored circular economy and sustainable living, featuring an interactive store tour, a waste-sorting workshop, and a blind tasting experience.

These sessions form part of a broader knowledge exchange initiative between Al-Futtaim IKEA and Y4S, designed to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders through real-world insights and collaborative dialogue.

Strengthening Biodiversity and Water Commitments

Al-Futtaim IKEA’s sustainability targets are aligned with Inter IKEA’s global ambitions, focusing on reducing environmental impact across the value chain, strengthening ecosystems, and driving positive societal change in collaboration with customers, partners, and policymakers.

Inter IKEA is also advancing its sustainability agenda with a strong focus on water stewardship, working to reduce freshwater use, improving water quality, and ensuring access to clean water in high-risk areas across its value chain, efforts that will enhance water resilience for both ecosystems and communities.

Looking Ahead

Building on the Earth Weeks campaign, Al-Futtaim IKEA is entering a new chapter of sustainability, rooted in action, accountability, and collaboration. The company remains committed to creating a positive impact not only within its stores and supply chain, but also across the wider community, making sustainable living a reality for the many.

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BEYOND DEVELOPMENTS REVEALS A NEW VISION FOR PURPOSEFUL LIVING ON DUBAI ISLANDS WITH SIORA

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An aerial architectural rendering of SIORA by BEYOND Developments on Dubai Islands, highlighting the curved residential buildings, extensive green landscaping, and the continuous 6km coastline and beach

BEYOND Developments, the bold and design-led real estate developer shaping next-generation waterfront destinations in the UAE, today unveiled SIORA, its first beachfront masterplan on Dubai Islands and the company’s second large-scale community within a year. The launch underscores BEYOND’s accelerated growth and strong alignment with Dubai’s future urban vision.

Spanning over 2M square feet, SIORA is conceived as a coastal sanctuary inspired by Japanese garden philosophies, including the pursuit of Ikigai, the Japanese concept of finding purpose and fulfilment in everyday life. In this context, it reflects a philosophy of creating spaces that bring clarity, balance, and a sense of meaning, where architecture nurtures wellbeing and restores harmony between people, nature, and place.

Commenting on the launch, Adil Taqi, CEO of BEYOND Developments, said: “Since its inception in 2024, BEYOND had an exceptional journey with nine launches in 2025 that delivered opportunities for a wider audience to experience a richer and more meaningful life. Today, I am thrilled to announce the launch of SIORA, the company’s second cluster masterplan and bold new expansion into beachfront destinations, spanning over 2 million sq ft with 2.7 million sq ft of GFA on the beautiful Dubai Islands.”

“This masterplan aims to define the next generation of urban coastal living, in line with Dubai’s inspirational 2040 Urban Master Plan that puts wellbeing, walkability, and nature at the heart of community life. It embodies our vision for future waterfront living environments where where design excellence, natural beauty, and emotional connection come together to empower people to live balanced experiences and connect purposefully with nature and the community. This coastal sanctuary is inspired by Japanese garden philosophy of finding purpose and fulfilment in everyday life, and reflects closely our long-term goal to elevate human life through every space we create and in every segment we operate in,” added Taqi.

Over the past year, BEYOND has delivered nine launches, welcomed residents and investors from over 40 countries, and exceeded AED 10 billion in sales, a trajectory that reflects the company’s momentum and the market’s trust in its design-led approach.

Taqi emphasised:SIORA represents the next phase of BEYOND’s expansion across Dubai’s coastline. It reflects our commitment to creating thoughtfully designed communities that carry lasting value and deeper meaning for a global audience. SIORA will introduce a new benchmark for waterfront living on Dubai Islands, a complete coastal ecosystem of homes, hospitality, and lifestyle experiences.”

SIORA is planned as a pedestrian coastal district where nature shapes the rhythm of daily life. More than 70 percent of the masterplan is dedicated to open green spaces, creating over 1.5M sqft of landscapes that enhance comfort and bring people closer to the coastline. Along 6 km of continuous beachfront, the sea becomes an integral part of community living and outdoor wellbeing.

Shaded routes and landscaped terraces encourage effortless movement and social connection throughout the day. These pathways introduce cooler microclimates and frame calming outlooks toward the water and the horizon, enabling a lifestyle that feels active, grounded, and innately human. And as a defining layer of placemaking, curated cultural and artistic expressions will enrich SIORA’s public realm, introducing sculptural installations influenced by Japanese aesthetics. These creative interventions will enhance the community’s identity and transform every journey through the destination into a continuously inspiring cultural experience.

Sustainability is embedded into the core of the design through three guiding natural forces inspired by Japanese garden philosophy. Kaze shapes how the community captures coastal winds to enhance natural ventilation and outdoor comfort. Mizu integrates water as a cooling and reflective element that moderates the microclimate while restoring stillness and balance. Kage governs the interplay of light and shadow, informing building orientation, shading, and materiality to reduce heat gain and create comfort naturally. Together, these principles define a coastal environment where design, nature, and sustainability operate as one.

SIORA marks the beginning of a multi-phase presence for BEYOND on Dubai Islands, reinforcing BEYOND’s role in shaping the future of Dubai’s coastline and elevating the standard for purposeful, design-led waterfront living.

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OBJECT 1 EXPANDS INTO UAE CAPITAL, LAUNCHING FLAGSHIP SALES GALLERY IN ABU DHABI

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A professional photograph of Tatiana Tonu, CEO of Object 1 Real Estate Development, addressing an audience at the 'Meet & Greet' networking event at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

Object 1 Real Estate Development, an award-winning and rapidly growing developer, has officially expanded into Abu Dhabi with the launch of its first Sales Gallery in the capital, marking a significant milestone in strengthening its presence across the UAE.

To celebrate this achievement, Object 1 hosted an exclusive networking event, “Meet & Greet: Exploring Abu Dhabi’s Real Estate Market,” at the prestigious Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. The event brought together over 1,000 attendees, including government officials, VIPs, leading agencies, and top brokers. Renowned media personality Kris Fade compered the evening, ensuring a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for all guests.

Tatiana Tonu, CEO of Object 1, commented, “Abu Dhabi’s market is evolving quickly, and we see tremendous potential for lifestyle-focused developments. Opening our Sales Gallery in Abu Dhabi and hosting this ‘Meet & Greet’ reflects our commitment to building deeper relationships with local partners and clients. This event provides a platform for real estate professionals to share insights, explore collaboration opportunities, and engage directly with buyers and investors.”

Looking ahead, Object 1 is committed to further growth in Abu Dhabi. The company sees the capital as one of the most promising directions for expansion. In addition to the new Sales Gallery, there are already several upcoming projects on Reem Island, supported by a dedicated team focused on delivering design-led, high-quality developments tailored to the evolving Abu Dhabi market.

Object 1 continues to build on its remarkable performance in Dubai, where it has rapidly become one of the top fifteen developers in just three years. In the first half of 2025 alone, the company recorded significant growth in both sales value and volume compared to the same period last year. Since launch, Object 1 has sold over 2,680 units and manages a development pipeline exceeding 4.5 million square feet across high-demand communities, including JVC, JVT, Al Furjan, Sports City, Jumeirah Garden City and Dubai Land Residence Complex. The company currently has 17 active, design-led projects focused on wellness, sustainability, and family- and community-centric living, creating long-term value for buyers and investors alike.

Abu Dhabi’s market fundamentals are strong, with growing buyer demand and increasing interest from high-net-worth individuals and international investors from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The emirate’s diversification strategy and attractive investment yields make it a prime market for sustainable, long-term growth. Object 1’s entry into Abu Dhabi marks the beginning of a new phase of expansion, leveraging its proven track record and design-led approach to meet the expectations of buyers and investors in the capital.

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PROPERTY FINDER, MENA’S LEADING REAL ESTATE PLATFORM, ROLLS OUT THE REGION’S FIRST HOME VALUATION FEATURE WITH FORWARD-LOOKING VALUE INDICATORS

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A close-up view of the new Property Finder with the dubai skyline image

Property Finder, MENA’s leading real estate search platform, launches the first-of-its-kind Home Valuation feature with a six-month forecast. Designed to bring greater confidence and transparency to property decisions, the tool equips buyers, investors, homeowners, and renters with data-backed home valuation estimates to help them better understand a property’s market value today and in six months’ time.

Exclusively available through the Property Finder app, the feature delivers AI-powered home value estimates that go beyond traditional valuation tools. It combines proprietary data, market sentiment and insights to predict the value of a property, leveraging what the company calls, “human powered AI” – a hybrid of machine learning and human expertise that reflects real-world dynamics. Decades of Property Finder data has been used to build the intelligence, leveraging millions of data points.

Users can also track up to 10 properties through the tool. Whether it’s a primary home, an investment property, or a mix of both, users can view all of them in one place through the Portfolio section, making it easy to monitor performance and stay updated on valuations.

In a market known for rapid shifts and speculative trends, this feature introduces a long-overdue layer of trust, transparency and clarity in the home valuation process for the region. By integrating forward-looking indicators rather than relying solely on past sales data, the tool responds in real time to market momentum and localised shifts in demand.

This launch comes as the real estate industry enters a new era of AI transformation – an era that is redefining the very role of a property platform. The interface is evolving from static search to intelligent conversations. The experience is expanding from listings to end-to-end journeys and the monetisation model is shifting from ads to insights, transactions, and services.

“At Property Finder, our mission has always been to empower consumers with technology that simplifies and informs their home-buying journey,” said Fernando Fanton, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Property Finder. “Time and again, our research shows that valuation is the number one concern for both buyers and sellers. With our new Home Valuation feature, we’re giving people a clear, data-driven view of what a property is worth today – and, importantly, what it could be worth in the future. It helps answer the questions that matter most: Is this property fairly valued? Is it a good investment? How might its value evolve over time?”

“This is about more than numbers,” he added. “It’s about restoring confidence and removing the uncertainty that so often clouds the buying process. The Home Valuation feature gives people clarity at the moment they need it most, helping them make informed decisions about what is often the biggest financial commitment of their lives — their home.”

Consumer studies by Property Finder confirm that home values remain the top factor driving purchase and rental decisions, yet it’s also the greatest source of hesitation. By delivering instant, intelligent valuation insights, this latest feature acts as a trusted guide in what is often a complex and emotionally charged process.

Whether buying, selling, or simply curious about a property’s value, users can now access  credible, real-time value predictions with just a few taps on the Property Finder mobile app.

The launch of the Property Finder Home Valuation feature reinforces Property Finder’s commitment to innovation and its role as the category-defining platform in the MENA real estate landscape.

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