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29 March 2024

Honour for Dubai’s young eco-crusaders

Published
By Sneha May Francis

“Cut your consumption and be a winner,” reads the advert put out by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).

They, along with the Knowledge and Human Resource Development (KHDA), have announced the decision to reward young citizens who step out to help conserve natural resources.

The ‘Conservation Award – for a better tomorrow’ will honour eco-crusaders who fight to protect our planet. It honours the efforts of institutions and individuals in the educational sector to reduce electricity and water consumption. It also recognises best practices used by students, faculty members, teachers and administrators. This is the ninth year that Dewa will be honouring young citizens.

“As a student, parent or teacher, do your part today, towards a greener tomorrow. Cut your consumption and win in the awards different categories,” the advert read.

“Register today at www.dewa.gov.ae.”

There are three award categories. In the first titled ‘facility management’, top three educational institutions (whether private or public) will be awarded Dh10,000 for the 1st position, Dh8,000 for the second position and Dh6,000 for the third position. The institutions offering special education will also be judged separately for Dh10,000.

There are also three sub-categories – “a distinguished coordinator, a distinguished facility staff member (gardener, cleaner, guard) and best nominated parent”.

The second major category is titled – best conservation team. “The best conservation team will be awarded with one distinguished coordinator from each winning educational institution.”

And, the third and final category is – residential consumer. “Best three participants will be honoured (students, faculty members and administrators). First position is Dh3,000, second is Dh2,000 and third is Dh1,000.”

The initiative, which is in its eighth year, has been lauded by numerous experts in the region.

“Education +awareness is the first step forward to positive changes -great campaign well done!” tweeted World Leaders Forum on Dewa’s official twitter handle.

Earlier this year, in May, Dewa and KHDA had honoured the winners of the eighth conservation award for the educational sector.

According to Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa, the 2012-13 campaign helped save “21 million KW of electricity, 144 million gallons of water and 10,000 tons of carbon emissions, together equivalent to Dh16million”. The conservation award was first launched in Dubai in 2005.