Recent research commissioned by Epson[2], highlights the growing importance of sustainability to both organizations and their employees across the UAE, following the positive environmental recovery seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Green credentials are a growing priority for the region. Sustainability is a pillar of the UAE Vision 2021,as well as playing a key part of Expo 2020 Dubai. In the survey results, the UAE leads EMEA, with 95% of respondents believing that environmental and social impact will become more important post-COVID-19. Youth are driving change; in the Middle East, 94% of Millennials now place a higher value on environmental and social issues.

As the region deals with the effects of COVID-19, the majority of employees in the UAE (90%) believe that the use of green technology will be important in improving the environmental and social impact of businesses. It is now up to organisations themselves to take sustainability into consideration when planning for the future to address the importance people are placing on protecting the environment.

“The temptation is to think about environmental ‘mega trends’ like solar panels and wind turbines, but it’s vital to also account for the contribution made by straightforward, easily-adopted green technology solutions,” said Jason McMillan, sales director, Epson Middle East.“COVID-19 has accelerated many trends, including the heightening of ecological consciousness and values. Businesses in the UAE and beyond must adapt to ensure they’re ready for the next wave of the sustainability revolution; this is the biggest opportunity for forward-thinking organizations, looking to make simple but high-impact changes.”

As businesses in the UAE begin to look at how they can reduce their own impact on the environment, it’s useful to remember that small steps can make a big impact. A simple technology switch, such as switching printing technology, can be a quick and straightforward step to saving energy, reducing waste and CO2 emissions, whilst also saving money.

If every business laser printer in the UAE was switched to an Epson business inkjet printer, there could be a saving of USD 2.1 million in electricity costs every year – money that companies could invest in their own additional sustainability initiatives.

Habiba Al Mar’ashi, chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group, says, “Sustainability is a business approach to creating long term value. You have to take into consideration how a given organisation operates within an ecological, social, and economical environment. Sustainability is built on the assumption that developing such strategies will force company longevity and continuity. We need to look and understand the true value created.”

She added, “Small or medium-sized entities are not looking at big disruptive changes. They are implementing incremental changes that are pushing the agenda of sustainability in the region. If you look at the hospitality sector, for example, they are doing an excellent job to make their operations more efficient, cost-effective and less impactful on the environment, because it makes more sense financially for them.”

As a global technology leader, Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050 is setting new standards for corporate sustainability. Epson’s business inkjet printers, with their innovative and low-power Heat-free technology can deliver enhanced reliability, productivity, and sustainability. Organizations switching from laser printers to Epson’s business inkjet printers could save up to 95% on energy and CO2 emissions[3].