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28 March 2024

Dubai achieves remarkable results during Earth Hour 2017

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By Staff

Dubai has achieved a remarkable reduction of carbon emissions and energy use during Earth Hour 2017, which was organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in cooperation with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS).

DEWA organises Earth Hour in adherence with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Price of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.

DEWA recorded a reduction of 244MW in energy use, compared to 22MW last year. This resulted in offsetting 107 tonnes of carbon emissions compared to 11 tonnes last year.

The significant results, which Dubai has achieved indicate the importance of the rational use of energy and reducing Dubai’s carbon footprint to protect the environment and natural resources to achieve sustainable development.

DEWA has been organising Earth Hour annually since 2008, to raise awareness on the importance of the sensible consumption of electricity, promote rational consumption, and highlight practices that contribute positively to environmental work.

t also supports national efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and environmental pollution, and find sustainable solutions to global warming, climate change, environmental protection, while conserving natural resources for generations to come.

Earth Hour was organised by DEWA for the 10th consecutive year on Saturday, 25 March 2017 at Bay Avenue Park in Business Bay. Lights went off at 8:30pm, joining millions around the world in this environmental event.

At the beginning of the events, HE Dr. Thani  bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment toured the Earth Hour activities with HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and MD & CEO of DEWA.

The stands included Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, RTA, the Green Charger, Climate Change Champions, ENOC, Heritage Village, and Noor & Hayat stand.

Thousands of Dubai residents and visitors participated in the Earth Hour Walk carrying environmentally-friendly candles and lanterns. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer participated in the walk alongside HE Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, HE Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai,  HE Saif Al Falasi, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Habiba al Marashi, Founder and Chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), officials from government organisations, private companies, universities, schools, and the media, and a large number of people from all age groups and nationalities.

 “At DEWA, we are committed to supporting the sustainable and comprehensive development of Dubai, in adherence with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has set the cornerstones for a sustainable future.

The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by His Highness, is one of the key strategies that contribute to achieving the sustainable development.

It aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. These efforts have made Dubai a role model for clean and renewable energy, sustainability, the reduction of carbon emissions, and finding sustainable solutions to combat climate change and global warming,” said Al Tayer.

“Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DEWA is organising the Earth Hour event in Dubai for the 10th year in a row under the umbrella of the Supreme Council of Energy, and in partnership with the Emirates Wildlife Society, and in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund, and with support from Dubai Real Estate Group.

Earth Hour has achieved significant results. From 2008 to 2016, it achieved cumulative savings of over 1800 megawatts (MW) of electricity, offsetting over 1000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

In addition to the results that are achieved, DEWA’s initiatives and activities contribute to promoting a culture of rational consumption in society so that it becomes a daily practice that contributes to conserving natural resources, and driving the sustainable development of the UAE,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted that reducing carbon emissions is part of DEWA’s environmental strategy.

This supports the Demand Side Management Strategy to reduce energy and water use by 30% by 2030, and the Carbon Abatement Strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021.

These efforts support the UAE Vision 2021 to achieve a sustainable development that ensures air quality, protect water resources, increase the share of clean energy, and implement green development.

The efforts also support the Dubai Plan 2021, to transform the Emirate into a smart, integrated, and connected city with sustainable resources, and DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility.

Al Tayer also noted that DEWA encourages all its customers to rationalise their electricity and water use by launching various programmes, awareness campaigns, awards and innovative initiatives throughout the year.

The aim is to raise awareness, and provide information and tips on how to rationalise consumption, to preserve natural resources and protect the environment.

Between 2009 and 2016, DEWA’s customers saved over 1.5 TW/h of electricity and 6.2 billion gallons of water, worth over AED 957 million.

The generated savings resulted in offsetting around 831,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which equates to planting 944,000 trees.

"Earth Hour is a global event that aims to address and minimise the effects and impact of global warming on the Earth's climate and on future generations.

Today, with the participation of various government organisations, we seek to draw the attention of the whole society and increase their awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and support the Dubai Plan 2021 to be a sustainable city where people are healthy and happy,” said HE Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai.

"Sustainability in the UAE is our approach to achieve the vision of our leadership by setting plans and strategies to be part of the global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In Dubai, we believe in the importance of protecting Planet Earth for future generations, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.

We work continuously to keep pace with the developments by taking care of various issues related to society including protecting the environment, which is one of the most important issues.

Following the directives of the wise leadership, we pay more attention to environmental issues with the participation of all government organisations,” added Al Shaibani.

HE Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai, commended DEWA’s efforts, noting that its awareness campaigns achieved significant saving results that contribute to achieving Dubai’s objectives to rationalise the use of natural resources.

He emphasised that climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but it affects the development process as a whole, and has economic and social consequences. Everyone needs to know the size of the economic, social, and environmental challenges that stand in the way of sustainable development.

Al Marri emphasised the importance of participating in Earth Hour, its impact on climate change and its role in making a change.

This is achieved by making Dubai and cities around the world adapt to climate change, restore environmental balance, rationalise the use of water and electricity, and reduce the use of plastic and paper.

He also stressed on the importance of highlighting the negative impact of climate change, and the significant positive impact of collective efforts on the environment, as well as the important role of individuals in reducing carbon dioxide emissions to limit global warming.

"The UAE has always been involved in activities that support a clean environment and protecting its elements.

Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services supports the efforts of Dubai to raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainability, consolidate a culture of rationalisation, protecting natural resources, and making it an integral part of the daily lifestyle, while promoting opportunities to reduce the effects of climate change,” said HE Khalifa bin Drai, Executive Director of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

“Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services participates with DEWA in ‘Earth Hour’ to emphasise the importance of finding sustainable solutions to climate change and support global efforts to reduce global warming.

We have coordinated at the highest level to ensure the success of the Earth Hour by turning off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances during Earth Hour.

This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, making it the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050,” added Bin Drai.

“Dubai Properties Group supports the vision of the government to make Dubai the preferred place to live, work, and visit. We do this by inspiring the residents living in our communities.

We are proud to cooperate with DEWA and participating in the Earth Hour.

This year, we are honoured to host the Earth Hour event at Bay Avenue Park in Business Bay.

This global initiative contributes to environmental sustainability and raises awareness about the importance of protecting planet earth,” said Abdullah Lahej, CEO of Dubai Properties Group.

The event included many family and fun activities to raise environmental awareness.

This included the participation of DEWA’s conservation mascots Noor and Hayat, and characters from Dubai Parks.

It also featured a heritage village, and a bazaar to support young Emiratis’ projects. Many government organisations took part in the event where they highlighted their efforts to promote environmental sustainability.