Influencing the debate
The GSSI's key objective is to start a serious environmental debating forum and to create a capacity building initiative to introduce current best international practices in the area of environmental legislations. The purpose of this is to assist all interested parties with the development of environmental policies, tools, techniques and a carbon credit system. This will engage them pro actively in embracing and developing a local based environmental system.
To deliver this project, GSSI is working closely with UK/EU based strategic partners building on their expertise in the area of Carbon Credits, sustainable development, environmental legislation and assessment methods.
Our Activities
Our Research and Policy unit runs the strategic think-tank initiative in collaboration with several major policy partners focusing on raising the profile of environmental-debate and practice globally and regionally.
Our Education Programme teaches key skills in the area of environmental leadership through seminars and workshops focusing on existing live projects.
Our Development Unit engages in live developments with strategic partners to create and test practical solutions, through developing tools, guidance and structured processes.
Our consulting unit undertakes transactions in emission reductions, and works with project developers to secure financing for carbon derivative market projects. The GSSI and its international partners also engage in outright purchase of carbon emission credits from developers.
Our Progress
The GSSI works closely with First Energy Bank, the world's first bank dedicated to alternative energy. Recently First Energy Bank sponsored a GSSI lead initiative at the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Sailing to Barcelona Campaign. The successful partnership further strengthened GSSI and its strategic partners in the region as leaders in alternative energy and environmental projects.
GSSI believes strongly in the power of media to change the public's mindset to be environmentally aware. Therefore in this framework we have established a strong relationship with World Environment TV, the worlds leading environmental broadcaster. The linkup will enable GSSI and World Environment TV to highlight the numerous alternative projects and initiatives currently being undertaken around the globe and in particular the Middle East through joint ventures and events that have been planned for the coming year.
GSSI has recently signed a contract with the Presidency of Meteorology and the Environment (PME) to provide consultancy services to carryout review work for environmental impact assessment studies for all new developments in Saudi Arabia. It is hoped that this project will help promote the wider global agenda in tackling climate change and direct our work towards influencing the emerging Saudi environmental legislation frameworks to meet the objectives and aspirations of the new global agenda.
Moving from strength to strength a joint venture with F&F Public Relations, of which Faisal bin Turki is Chairman, and Stakeholder Group, the leading Irish Public Relations agency was announced. With offices in Dublin, London, Belfast, Manchester, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah the new entity called Stakeholder Group International will service the ever growing demands of businesses in the Middle East for PR consultancy.
Our Publication - The OPEC Story
The seventh article titled 'OPEC Policies and the Economic Development of Member States: The Saudi Arabian Experience and what is Needed in the 21st Century' is written by Farhan Al-Farhan. The author says that since OPEC has control of vast petroleum deposits it has been perceived more as a potential political organization than as an economic one. OPEC has proved to be a good example of an alternative international political economy with an undisputed amount of bargaining power and one of the few powerful organizations not controlled by the West. The article highlights OPEC's policies on prices and production control and how these policies are affecting the development of the member states. The article also discusses OPEC aid and development. OPEC must be considered as a continuously strengthening force in the oil industry, resisting political and inter-state differences, reconciling the member states interests with worldwide stability and progress.