Dubai, UAE, 12 July 2018: Belimo Automation FZE, a subsidiary of Swiss-based Belimo AG, has signed a contract with Goumbook, a Dubai-based social enterprise dedicated to raising awareness on sustainability and Green Living, the former company said in a Press communiqué.

Goumbook’s mission is to create a new global community focused on environmental responsibility, uniting environmental experts, organisations, businesses and consumers from the GCC and wider region, the communiqué said.

In 2011, Goumbook launched the Give a Ghaf Tree Planting Programme, an initiative aimed at boosting awareness about the local ecosystem, protecting fauna and flora from the dangers of desertification, mass construction, water depletion and extinction, the  communiqué said. The Give a Ghaf Tree initiative is a tree and seed planting programme that raises awareness about the importance of the desert and the local environment, its beautiful indigenous plants and trees, as well as important topics such as water scarcity, the  communiqué further said. Goumbook encourages people to plant the Ghaf tree as it is the national tree of the UAE and the best example of the harsh desert climate interwoven with the history and culture of this country, the communiqué added.

According to Belimo FZE, it is their intention to purchase one young Ghaf tree seedling that has matured for approximately 1 year and/or till they have reached about 50cm, as per the following conditions:

• One Ghaf tree seedling for every large Belimo Energy Valve sold in UAE – DN65 to DN150 mm
• One Ghaf tree seedling for every two small Belimo Energy Valves sold in UAE – DN15 to DN50 mm

Speaking about the Ghaf tree, Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder and Managing Director,  Goumbook, said: ”The Ghaf tree has a very deep taproot system that stabilises shifting sand dunes and improves the physical soil conditions. Because it is the only tree species in arid regions, it provides much needed shade and shelter to the farmers working in the fields as well as to the cattle and wildlife during the summer months. In urban areas the Ghaf tree is essential for cooling and to protect from wind and sand. The tree absorbs CO₂ and produces Oxygen and is also useful in the afforestation of dry areas.”

Describing the Belimo Energy Valve, David Stevenson, Managing Director, Belimo Automation FZE said: ”The Belimo Energy Valve is an Internet of Things device – a smart connected pressure-independent valve that measures and manages coil energy consumption by utilising an embedded flow meter, along with supply and return water temperature sensors.”

According to Belimo, at the end of the year (winter time), the company will host a tree planting event of all the seedlings purchased, together with their customers who installed the Belimo Energy Valve, in conjunction with Goumbook.

The communiqué said this promotion commenced on July 1, 2018.