Bahraini.TV

BIC stepping up green drive

by mahmood on 04/04/08 at 9:11 am · email  · print  

An agreement was signed yesterday to make the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) more environment-friendly. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) to develop various initiatives, including sustaining indigenous plants, shrubs and trees.

The deal was signed by BIC chief-executive Martin Whitaker and Unep Regional Office for West Asia director Dr Habib El Habr during the International Automobile Federation Institute Centre of Excellence Summit.

“We are very keen on moving forward and establishing a greater opportunity for sustaining indigenous plants, shrubs and trees,” said Mr Whitaker.

“We must make sure we take initiatives that will be beneficial not only for the circuit, but also for the kingdom.

“We can then hopefully spread some awareness and profile globally since this is an issue we have to look at very carefully.”

The deal, Mr Whitaker added, will have a Unep intern working side by side with the BIC staff over the next year.

Dr El Habr told the GDN that they hope to build on the programmes they have already begun implementing with events under the International Olympic Committee and International Football Federation.

“This is part of raising awareness in the community, especially among the youth, and linking sports events to environment awareness,” he said.

“We are going to sit down with BIC over the next couple of months and look at various events planned for the coming years, and see how we can help them in those aspects.

“It is an ongoing process. They are currently doing very well, still, we are planning to help them make it better.

“We have been hosted by Bahrain for more than 20 years, and we are proud to work with Bahrain for its sustainable development.”