Dubai Earth Hour 2011 Celebrations Save Record 204,000 kW/h and 122,000 kg Carbon Emission

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Supreme Council of Energy Marking the biggest climate-related action ever seen in the Emirate Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, (DEWA) announced that the Earth Hour – 2011 celebrations across the Emirate witnessed overwhelming support and participation across the board; had become the biggest voluntary show of commitment by residents and businesses for the betterment of planet earth ever seen in Dubai saving a record 204,000 kW/h of electricity and 122,000 kg carbon emission. On Saturday 26th March activities were held in the Emirate in support of the global sustainability movement, Earth Hour which sees people and iconic landmarks across the world turn off their lights and unnecessary electrical appliances between 8.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. in a mark of solidarity against the largest threat to planet earth, global warming. To celebrate the worthy cause and encourage participation by residents and businesses in Earth Hour, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, (DEWA), under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Supreme Council of Energy and in partnership with Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Emaar and fellow Government departments and local schools and universities, marked the event with a traditional Arabic heritage village at Emaar’s Burj Plaza in the Downtown district adjacent to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Over 20 Arabian tents filled with arts and crafts, tasty traditional cooking stations, El Arish hospitality, educational exhibitions, music and many local gifts and souvenirs were enjoyed by over 6,000 people who took part in the fun festivities and Earth Hour celebrations. A family occasion, children were also well catered to with their own arts and crafts tents, face-painting, delightful entertainment and a conservation exhibition to educate and inspire their young minds. Some of the tents were specifically for children’s activities and families with lots of entertainment. The event was followed by the spectacular Earth Hour walk between 8.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. when residents and businesses came together across the globe to turn off the lights and unnecessary electrical appliances to reduce carbon emission and combat climate change. A march of solidarity, people walked from the Burj Plaza across to the island and alongside the magnificent Burj Khalifa which stood in darkness. When reaching the roundabout at the entrance to the Burj Khalifa the walkers retraced their footsteps back towards the fountains to continue celebrations at Burj Plaza. Commenting on the success of Earth Hour, HE Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA stated; ; “Earth Hour 2011 held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council was organised in line with DEWA’s judicious leadership in participating and sharing with the whole world its relentless pursuit to conserve the environment and reduce the carbon emissions in order to curb the climate change. The interest of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority in the environment constitutes a pivotal aspect of Dubai’s environment strategy and through the many initiatives undertaken by the Authority to create educational and environmental programmes for the community we seek to encourage the responsible use and conservation of resources.” Mr Al Tayer added: “For residents to participate in the Earth Hour initiative, shows the elite awareness in the community about the importance of conservation and the good work that DEWA has undertaken over the years to raise the importance of conservation in the Emirate.” He also expressed his happiness concerning the solidarity of all residents to shut down lights and unnecessary electric goods during the earth hour, stating that the attraction of all these people beside burj khalifa for this noble goal cause symbolises the human development in the environmental behaviour and culture of civilization and social awareness. He added; “For the fourth consecutive year Dubai is insisting on raising the awareness and showing its interest in preserving resources and the environment. At this point all parties are competing to achieve the aim of the Earth Hour. Not just by saving during the Earth Hour event, but by continuing saving hours through the whole year. Earth Hour is the world’s largest climate-related community action on the planet. Started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned off their lights to take a stand against climate change, Earth Hour has grown to become a global sustainability movement where hundreds of millions of people from every continent join together to acknowledge the importance of protecting our planet. Talking about the festivities, Amal Koshak, Senior Manager, Demand & Tariff Management, DEWA said; “DEWA was keen to bring to the Earth Hour event the traditional Arabic heritage village spirit and present to the whole world the unique spiritual mix between Burj Khalifa one of the most luxurious and elegant towers in the whole world and our traditional Arabic Heritage. This unique mix strengthens the relationship between the people and the past. By doing so we hope that people do not forget the past challenges and find the sprit and solutions of future challenges concerning energy conservation and life, and to save the future of our planet for the coming generations”. She added: “I am sure that many people will continue the passion and spirit of conservation which they showed during the event by going beyond the Earth Hour and make a pledge, large or small, to preserve natural resources in their daily lives.” Dubai was the first Arab Country to join Earth Hour celebrations. DEWA has supported Earth Hour since 2008 and is one of over 20 initiatives the Authority implements to educate its customers and the community on the responsible use of electricity and water, conservation of the environment and the protection of our planet. In 2008 Dubai’s participation in Earth Hour saved 100,000 kW/h and reduced 60,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. In 2009 the percentages increased, to save 146,000 kW/h and 88,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions and savings increased further following the 2010 Earth Hour celebrations saving 170,000 kW/h and reducing carbon emissions by 102,000 kg. Under the foresight of Dubai leadership, is already going beyond the hour in its commitment to preserving natural resources. Environmental policy strategically directing the future of the Emirate and the UAE is being implemented, sophisticated future-oriented research programs aimed at reducing our ecological footprint are underway and massive funding efforts to develop a new generation of technology has been committed. Protecting the environment will be one of the important tracks which will be addressed at the Dubai Global Energy Forum 2011 (DGEF 2011) which will be held from 17 to 19 April. The DGEF is an international forum tackling all energy and environment issues.