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29 March 2024

Lights out in UAE today for Earth Hour

Published
By Bindu Rai

The UAE will once again switch off for ‘Earth Hour’ on Saturday, in a bid to shine a light on climate action on this planet.

Key landmarks from across the UAE, including Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi will also dim their lights to focus on climate change.

Celebrating Earth Hour every year since 2008, the UAE is also asking residents to switch off on 19 March, 8.30pm and switch on your social power with the hashtags, #EarthHourUAE and #ChangeClimateChange, to raise awareness on the environment.

Residents are further being asked to donate their social feed and continue receiving monthly tips on how to go beyond the hour to help fight climate change.

Organisations step up

In cooperation with the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, DCCE, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dewa, has launched the Carbon Neutral initiative to neutralise all carbon emissions during Earth Hour.

Dewa aims to reduce carbon emissions by scheduling the event to take place during the time period in which people would usually be travelling in carbon-emitting vehicles, such as planes or cars, resulting in a zero-carbon emissions.

In a statement, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and MD and CEO of Dewa said: “Through the Carbon Neutral initiative, Dewa strives to achieve its vision of becoming a sustainable innovative world-class utility.”

He added: “One of the most important projects in this field, is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park, which is the largest single-site solar energy project in the world, based on the independent power producer model."

Al Tayer said the solar park will produce 5,000MW by 2030 and will help achieve a reduction of approximately 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The event is organised by Dewa in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the Emirates Wildlife Society, EWS, in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF, and in cooperation with Dubai Properties Group.

Earth Hour celebrations will also run from 4pm-10pm in Bay Avenue Park and include a special walk to encourage environmental awareness that kicks off at 8.30pm to coincide with the beginning of the actual hour itself.

Landmarks switch off

Landmarks from Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab in Dubai to Emirates Palace Hotel and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi will dim their lights to mark Earth Hour on Saturday.

Emaar Properties has stated its developments and lifestyle communities taking part in the global initiative to raise awareness on energy conservation and climate change.

Aside from Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain, Dubai Marina Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Gold & Diamond Park and The Address Hotels + Resorts, as well as new construction projects such as Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Hills Estate and residents in various lifestyle communities will observe Earth Hour by switching off all non-essential external and internal lighting and appliances.

Only lighting that is essential for security and safety will be maintained.

Additionally, Emaar has urged its employees to support the initiative on an individual level in their homes and to take part in the social media campaign launched by WWF in this regard.

Dubal Municipality’s Zabeel Park and Dubai Garden Glow will switch off as well on Saturday.

At Majid Al Futtaim, it will be lights out – on and offline – with the group’s websites and malls switching off in honour of Earth Hour 2016

By diming and switching off lights for one hour, along with setting the malls temperature at a standard 24 degrees, MAF shopping malls aim to avoid the emission of 35 tonnes of CO2, demonstrating the major impact of slight modifications in energy usage.

The company’s sustainability experts estimate that up to $10,000 in energy consumption could be saved in Earth Hour 2016.

MAF malls including Mall of the Emirates, City Centres Al Shindagha, Deira, Me’aisem and Mirdif in Dubai; City Centres Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, My City Centre Nasseriya and the Matajer Malls in the Northern Emirates and across the region, will all switch their combined 52 websites to power-saving mode in addition to dimming the malls exterior and interior lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

The initiative aims to reduce energy consumption up to 30 per cent, while underscoring the company’s focus on sustainability and efficient use of resources.

On Saturday, March 19, 2016, aluminum producer Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) will join forces with the global community to tackle climate change by switching off non-essential lights and equipment at its business premises for one hour to mark Earth Hour.

Employees have also been encouraged to mark the event in their personal capacity, at home.

Direct participation in Earth Hour at EGA’s Jebel Ali Operations from 2008 to 2015 has saved 25.04 MW (equivalent to 12,520 kg CO2).

Other initiatives

The Sheraton Dubai, Mall of The Emirates Hotel will join millions around the world in turning off lights for Earth Hour 2016 to with Vantage Bar situated on the fifth floor of the hotel, offering guests complimentary canapes under the stars, on the sprawling candle-lit terrace of the venue.

The hotel will also create a sustainability inspired menu that includes delectable savories paired with alluring beverages.

The Fairmont Hotel will celebrate Earth Hour by stepping into the dark for a specially prepared organic menu.

Its Noire dining in the dark experience will take patrons into a pitch-black dining room with waiters with night vision goggles at Dh325 per person from 7.30pm.

The Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach has announced it will donate proceeds from candles retailed at its property to support the SENSES Care Home for Children with Special Needs.

Towers Rotana is organising a few a glow-in-the-dark party at Longs Bar, which includes a 50 per cent discount on selected beverages.

Teatro will serve a candlelit dinner, while Bodylines Rooftop Pool area will host a complimentary yoga under the stars conducted by Guruji Sanjeev Krishnan from Rhythm Yoga.