Dubai Supports Earth Hour, Reduces Carbon Emissions

Earth Hour is one of the largest international environmental initiatives with millions of individuals from around the world taking part to raise awareness about the dangers of global warming and climate change. Earth Hour aims to tackle environmental dangers that threaten the earth, by turning off all unnecessary lights for an hour. In 2008, Dubai was the first Arab city to participate in Earth Hour, showing its support and incubating initiatives and events that promote public awareness on environmental issues and the sustainable development of the UAE, and the region. Earth Hour is an annual event organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the Emirates Wildlife Society, in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF), and in cooperation with Dubai Properties Group (DPG). This supports the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, who has laid down the foundations for a sustainable future for present and future generations through a vision, creative initiatives, and quality programmes.

The directions of His Highness have been translated into real initiatives with close follow-up from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which have helped Dubai to become a world model for clean and renewable energy, sustainability, and other environmental issues.

Earth Hour 2016 also adheres to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to transform the Emirate into an international hub for clean energy and green economy, making Dubai the city with the lowest carbon in the world. This also supports the long-term Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to achieve sustainable development in Dubai, and enhance its position as a global hub for trade, finance, tourism, and green economy.

Earth Hour 2016 activities started at 4 on Saturday, 19 March 2016. All participants switched off their unnecessary lights at 8:30pm. Government entities, private companies, universities, schools and individuals all took part in Earth Hour 2016, which included a range of family and entertainment activities to spread awareness about the environment and the dangers of global warming and the need to limit climate change.

Through this annual event, DEWA aims to raise awareness among the community and promote the rational consumption of resources as part of daily life, in addition to highlighting the importance of protecting the environment to make a positive change, and supporting national efforts to enhance sustainable development in Dubai.

The UAE was one of the first countries to support the international society to meet the challenge of climate change and one of the first nations to endorse the extension of the Kyoto protocol in 2005 to limit greenhouse gases in industrial countries. It was the first nation from the region to sign the Copenhagen Accord at COP15 to limit emissions.

DEWA’s Efforts to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

In cooperation with the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE), DEWA has launched the Carbon Neutral initiative to neutralise all carbon emissions during Earth Hour. This will be achieved by adopting the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) based on the Kyoto protocol, across all DEWA projects, which is directly-linked to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change. DEWA aims to reduce carbon emissions by scheduling the event to take place during the time period in which people would usually be traveling in carbon-emitting vehicles, such as cars, resulting in a zero-carbon emission.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said that DEWA strives to achieve its vision of becoming a sustainable innovative world-class utility. DEWA has become a regional pioneer for protecting natural resources and reducing carbon emissions using the CDM, to provide a better future, for generations to come.

“DEWA’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions has been adopted as part of our environmental strategy, which focuses on limiting emissions, and providing a clean environment for the people of Dubai. One of our most important projects 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. The solar park will produce 5,000MW by 2030. It will help achieve a reduction of approximately 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. We continuously launch awareness programmes and other creative initiatives to encourage all society to adopt positive practices as part of their daily lives, such as the rational use of electricity and water, and making an effort to reduce carbon emissions. DCCE supports DEWA’s strategy to improve environmental preservation, and limit carbon emissions. This strategy features a framework to improve local energy projects, in line with the Dubai Sustainable Development Strategy,” said Al Tayer.

‘Shine a light on Climate Action’ campaign

As part of its preparations for Earth Hour 2016, DEWA has launched its ‘Shine a light on Climate Action’ campaign, to raise awareness about the dangers of the increasing-effects of climate change.

The campaign highlights the negative effects of climate change, emphasises the importance of the rational use of electricity and water, draws attention to the positive effects that come as a result of collective environmental efforts, and the importance of our individual efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, limiting the effects of global warming.

DEWA encouraged all organisations and individuals to support the campaign via social media, and donate through Facebook from 16-19 March 2016. The campaign also encourages individuals to contribute to preserving the environment and natural resources, while making the rational use of electricity and water services by following simple steps, as part of their daily lives.

Al Tayer noted that the awareness campaign was launched to comply with development objectives and strategic plans to enhance environmental sustainability in Dubai, in line with the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021.

DEWA lives by its motto ‘For generations to come’

DEWA’s motto reflects how it operates: ‘For Generations To Come.’ DEWA is committed to organising Earth Hour to support international efforts to limit carbon dioxide emissions, reduce environmental pollution, and find sustainable solutions for global warming and climate change, protecting the environment and natural resources for generations to come.

DEWA supports sustainable development in Dubai by promoting the rational use of natural resources to create a better future for generations to come. DEWA continuously organises awareness programmes and innovative initiatives, and presents awards to encourage the community to adopt a positive approach to the rational use of electricity and water in their daily lives.

DEWA cooperates with several government and private organisations locally and internationally to help transform Dubai into a role model for sustainability, energy security, energy efficiency, and energy demand side management, by reducing the demand for energy by 30% by 2030.

DEWA is encouraging public and private organisations and individuals, to combine efforts to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a smart, integrated, and connected city whose resources are sustainable. The collective efforts will conserve energy and will help reduce the carbon footprint, create a sustainable future for coming generations, and enhance the pillars of sustainability. Earth Hour goes beyond turning off the lights for one hour; it is an international call to strengthen collaboration to promote a culture of conservation.

Important Results

Al Tayer noted that by launching initiatives to reduce electricity and water use, DEWA managed to save 1.344 gigawatt hours (GW/h) of electricity, and 5.6 billion imperial gallons of water. Saving AED 841 million, and limiting carbon dioxide emissions by over 714,000 tonnes.

Climate Change

Climate change is one of the largest issues we face today. In order to tackle the increasing effects of climate change, the world needs to combine efforts to ensure a better future for our planet, and the people living on it. Everyone’s participation is essential to achieve objectives in regard to climate change.

The effects of climate change are beginning to change life on Earth. These results have become evident among the changing of seasons, and increasing temperatures. The ocean now threatens to submerge entire cities, in addition to the negative effects climate change is having on wild life.

If we do not act immediately, climate change will begin to affect our water and air supply, elements essential to life. We have been given the huge responsibility of saving our planet and ensuring a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.