Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | Earth Hour achieves outstanding energy consumption and carbon dioxide reduction levels for Dubai for the 9th consecutive year

Earth Hour 2016 has achieved outstanding results for Dubai. The event was organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority for the ninth consecutive year in a row, in line 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 Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

Earth Hour 2016 activities saw a 222MWh reduction in the consumption of electricity, and a reduction of 96 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions. This reflects Dubai’s commitment to protecting natural resources and reducing the country’s carbon footprint.

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.

Earth Hour 2016 activities started at 4pm on Saturday, 19 March 2016 at Bay Avenue Park in Business Bay, Dubai. All participants switched off their unnecessary lights at 8:30pm and lit environmentally-friendly candles made of honey, wax, and soya.  This is a noble gesture by the people of Dubai, reflecting their support for international efforts to protect the Earth. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and MD & CEO of DEWA participated in the activities. Government organisations, private companies, universities, schools and individuals also took part.

HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, HE Khaled Al Kamda, Director General of the Community Development Authority, HE Saif Humaid Al Falasi, CEO of ENOC, HE Khalifa bin Dray, Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation of Ambulance Services, HE Saeed Mohammad Harib, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, HH Sheikha Shamsa bint Hasher Al Maktoum, Member of the Arab Volleyball Association, Saeed Ahmed Thani Al Tayer, Executive Director of the Legislation and Policies Division at Dubai Customs, represented HE Ahmed Mahboob Musabah, Director General of Dubai Customs, all attended, along with officials from Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai and DEWA, and other public and private sector staff from Dubai.

Earth Hour 2016 included a host of family and entertainment activities to spread environmental awareness. In cooperation with the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) DEWA launched the Carbon Neutral Initiative, to neutralise all carbon emissions during Earth Hour. This was achieved by projects based on the Kyoto Protocol, which is directly linked to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change. DEWA also launched its ‘Shine a light on Climate Action’ campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of the increasing effects of climate change, and emphasise the importance of the rational use of electricity and water.

“We are pleased to organise this event 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 (DPG). This supports the directives of His Highness 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 has helped Dubai to become a world model for clean and renewable energy, sustainability, and other environmental issues that are of interest to governments and individuals alike,” said Al Tayer.

“Dubai was the first Arab city to participate in Earth Hour in 2008, to support and incubate initiatives and events that promote public awareness on environmental issues and the sustainable development of the UAE, the region. We are proud of the community’s participation in this annual event, and how much energy consumption levels have been reduced by over the years. This 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, and green economy, creating a sustainable future for the Emirate. 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 footprint in the world by 2050,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted that 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.

“As part of the UAE Government’s solid commitment to enhancing cooperation with the international community to address climate change and showcase our active role in adopting best sustainable practices based on renewable energy projects and support for their related research and development, DEWA was part of the UAE’s delegation to the 21st annual session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21). In cooperation with some of the world’s most important leaders, we forged an international Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop an international framework of standards and guidelines directed towards managing the effects of climate change,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer urged government 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, and make it a part of our daily lives. This supports our efforts to promote sustainable development.”

“Today we unite to achieve our noble goal of ensuring prosperity for the citizens and residents of the UAE, as well as for all humanity. Earth Hour is an opportunity for us to gather and express our support for the planet we live in, and our commitment to making changes to limit climate change. Previous years witnessed an amazing response to Earth Hour activities, by uniting official and public efforts. The level of participation seen by this event emphasises the UAE community’s commitment to supporting efforts to preserve the environment and combat climate change, and set the standards for sustainability by promoting the rational use of environmental, and energy resources,” said Amal Koshak, Senior Manager of Marketing Communications at DEWA.

There were a range of family-friendly entertainment and activities at the event to promote environmental awareness. There was a Heritage Village with workshops for children, arts and crafts activities, a marine conservation area and traditions foods, henna painting, and an Emirati wedding exhibit, with free dates and Arabic coffee on hand as well.

Many organisations had stands to promote the rational use of energy and water at Earth Hour. They included the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Community Development Authority, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Emirates Environmental Group, and Dubai Airport Free Zone.