earth-hour-2013-in-dubai-saves-200000-kilowatts-per-hour-and-120-tons-of-carbon-emissions

24 March 2013

Earth Hour 2013 in Dubai saves 200,000 kilowatts per hour and 120 tons of carbon emissions

• Hundreds of participants took a stand for protecting planet Earth • Dubai leads international efforts to raise environmental awareness • Over 7,000 cities across the globe participate in Earth Hour 2013 Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) today announced that Earth Hour 2013 has achieved savings results with a rate of 200,000 kW/h, and 120 tons of carbon emissions. Hundreds of individuals participated in the event held at Burj Plaza in Downtown Dubai, to support international efforts to protect planet Earth and preserve its natural resources. DEWA organised Earth Hour 2013 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and in partnership with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS), which works in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and in cooperation with Emaar Properties. Driven by their belief in Earth Hour, participants extended solidarity to all participating cities across the globe. They also emphasised the importance of protecting the planet, conserving consumption, and minimising carbon emissions. Dubai joined over 7,000 cities around the world in Earth Hour where residents turned off the lights and unnecessary home appliances from 8:30 to 9:30pm. Earth Hour – the most significant environmental initiative worldwide - attracted overwhelming support from ministries, government departments, and private and non-governmental organisations, universities, schools, as well as community members. The event featured several activities to raise environmental awareness including a kid’s workshop, games, face painting, a magic show, photo-booth, competitions, and other attractions. Earth Hour T-Shirts, glow sticks, gifts and giveaways were distributed to promote environmental awareness. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council and MD and CEO of DEWA, accompanied by Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the Dubai General Department for Residency and Foreign Affairs (DNRD), Khalid Al Malik, Group CEO of Dubai Properties Group (DPG), and Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group, inaugurated the Earth Hour Walk in the presence of VIPs, representatives from government departments and private organisations, and community members. Participants walked from Burj Plaza, passing Burj Khalifa - the world’s tallest building - to Burj Plaza, expressing their support to cities participating in Earth Hour. “DEWA has organised Earth Hour in Dubai since 2008 in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve sustainable development in the Emirate of Dubai and promote Dubai as an example to follow in the field of sustainability and clean energy. Dubai leads international efforts protect the environment and preserve natural resources through a series of awareness initiatives and international conferences to promote conservation, minimising carbon emissions, and providing sustainable solutions for global warming and climate change,” said Al Tayer. Al Tayer praised the role of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in supporting the national and international initiatives to protect Earth. “Earth Hour 2013 has achieved significant savings and we would not have accomplished such results without the visionary directives of our leadership, support of our partners from government departments and private organisations, as well as the overwhelming participation of community members.” “Earth Hour goes beyond turning off the lights for one hour. It is an international call to strengthen collaboration that promotes a culture of conservation, making it a part of daily life. This supports our efforts to promote sustainable development in Dubai, and all over the world,” added Al Tayer. Al Tayer thanked sponsors and participants and stressed the importance of joint collaboration to protect the environment from pollution, preserve natural resources, and provide solutions for climate change. The UAE is one of the few countries around the world that announces the achieved results of observing Earth Hour during the high peak period. “The great results of Earth Hour 2013 in Dubai reflect the success of our campaigns to raise environmental awareness amongst community members, enabling them to rationalise their usage of electricity and water. Such initiatives help us in preserving our natural resources, and promoting sustainable development in Dubai,” said Amal Koshak, Senior Manager of Marketing Communications at DEWA. At the end of the event, Al Tayer rewarded the supporters, representatives of government departments and private organisations who contributed to the success of Earth Hour. Al Tayer urged participants to conserve their consumption and make it a part of daily life. Earth Hour – jointly founded by WWF - is the most significant environmental initiative worldwide, during which millions of people across the globe gather to spread awareness on the environmental challenges. Participants turn off the lights and unnecessary home appliances for one hour to assure the importance of preserving natural resources, protecting the environment, and conserving consumption. Earth Hour in Dubai is one of several initiatives launched by DEWA throughout the year to spread awareness on conservation, environment protection, and building a sustainable future for the Emirate of Dubai.