Environment
Environmental Mission Statement
To help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations…
We, the bridgestone group, are committed to continually working towards a sustainable society with integrity and in unity with our customers, partners, communities and the world around us.
Therefore, we are focused on three objectives.
In harmony with nature
To contribute to biodiversity through Habitat enhancement, and through Environmental education and research.
Value natural resources
To continually improve natural resource conversation through operational improvements and product design.
Reduce CO2 emissions
To contribute to biodiversity through Habitat enhancement, and through Environmental education and research.
The Bridgestone group’s environmental mission covers all aspects of our business.
Activities
On the 26th of Feb 2016, 29 volunteers consisting of Bridgestone Middle East and Africa employees and their family members participated in the employee volunteer activity– Umm Al Quwain Mangrove, UAE, Exploration & Clean up.
This activity was organized in partnership with Emirates Wildlife Society to give the participants an opportunity to contribute to the sustainability of the environment and create awareness about ecological preservation & sustainability.
The Eco tour began with a lovely houseboat trip to visit the beautiful UAQ Mangrove Islands. The Houseboat’s upper deck provided gorgeous views of the mangrove islands and the flamingos frequenting the shores. Once on the islands, the volunteers had an opportunity to understand the significance of mangroves to the region and the importance of their conservation. The employees learned how mangroves protect shorelines from floods, waves, and damaging winds and the crucial role they play in maintaining water quality and clarity, providing habitat for living creatures under and above water.
The eco trip ended with the cleanup activity of the mangrove area. The enthusiastic efforts of all volunteers resulted in cleaning up the garbage of approximately 130kgs!
The activity achieved its objectives of educating and creating awareness about the environment as well as showcased how teamwork and concern about the environment can make a huge difference!
Bridgestone continues to support Emirates Wildlife Society’s work in marine conservation by purchasing symbolic turtle adoption packs
By purchasing a symbolic adoption pack Bridgestone Middle East and Africa will be aiding EWS-WWF’s Marine Conservation Programme in achieving its mission to understand more about the migratory paths and important feeding grounds the endangered Green turtle uses in the region, which in turn will highlight the interconnectivity of the Arabian Gulf and how we can best conserve and protect our shared marine ecosystem.
The turtle packs have been distributed to Bridgestone employees. Each turtle adoption pack includes a cuddly soft toy turtle called Nadia, a sticker, photo card with turtle facts and an adoption certificate.
For more information about EWS-WWF and the turtle adoption packs, please visit uae.panda.org or email at info@ewswwf.ae
Bridgestone supports the Marine Turtle Conservation Project
In 2011, Bridgestone sponsored two Hawksbill turtles (named “Otohime” and “Journey”) as part of the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) led ‘Marine Turtle Conservation Project’. Listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, researchers from EWS-WWF tagged 75 Hawksbill turtles between 2010 and 2012 to better understand the needs of these creatures and to help identify their foraging and nesting grounds as one of the keys to their future survival. The migratory patterns of these turtles were monitored throughout the waters of the Gulf and the Sea of Oman and the results of the entire project can be seen at uae.panda.org/turtles
In collaboration with Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), Bridgestone is proudly sponsoring Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, United Arab of Emirates. Recognizing the importance of biodiversity and environmental stability, Bridgestone aims to help raise awareness of the mountain-protected area and its importance to UAE’s natural heritage. The Wadi Wurayah is known to shelter a rich diversity of rare and endangered of mountainous and freshwater habitats and species. It provides opportunities for the sustenance and revival of local livelihoods which lies within WWF’s Global 200 Eco-regions of Arabian Highlands and Shrub lands.
Bridgestone’s sponsorship of the Wadi Wurayah Project has allowed the purchase of hi-tech cameras which keep an eye on the Wadi and its rich biodiversity.
From June 2010 to February 2011, a total of 1,905 days of camera activity –over 5,000 photos were taken by the cameras placed around nine locations at the wadi. The camera traps provided success in the on-going research work of the nation’s first mountain-protected area wherein several photos of the Caracal, Red Fox, Blanford’s Fox, Gordon’s Wildcat, Arabian Tahr, Brandt’s Hedgehog, and several species of birds (e.g. Sand Partridge, Shrub Warbler, and Hume’s Wheater) were retrieved, adding incredible value to the findings of this project.
Bridgestone sponsored four schools’ educational field trip to the mountain protected area with full support of EWS-WWF (Emirates Wildlife Society & World Wildlife Fund) and the local government of Fujairah. The educational activities help encouraged the young minds and hearts of the future generations to help save and protect the environment, by teaching them the geographical history and wildlife existence in the area.
Crown Prince of Fujairah’s Appreciation
In May 2011, Bridgestone was awarded for their support given to protect the mountain area of Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The recognition was delivered during the ‘Ramsar Convention in West Asia’, which was attended by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, HE Dr Rashed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and HE Engineer Mohammad Saif Al Afkham, Director of Fujairah Municipality.
