Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA organises Earth Hour on 25th March for 10th consecutive year

Dubai to become dark along with over 7,000 cities across the earth

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is celebrating Earth Hour 2017 on Saturday 25 March, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. Earth Hour 2017 is one of the largest environmental initiatives in the world aimed at tackling climate change. Earth Hour 2017 is being organised under the theme ‘Highlight Climate Action,’ in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) with support from Dubai Real Estate Group, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), and Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS). Earth Hour promotes switching off all unnecessary lights and appliances between 8:30pm and 9:30 pm, to raise awareness about climate change and the phenomenon of global warming.

“DEWA is organising this event for the tenth consecutive year, in adherence with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to find sustainable solutions to climate change, while supporting international efforts to reduce the effects of global warming. We are working closely with all stakeholders in the public and private sectors, to ensure this event is a success, through switching off all unnecessary lights and electrical appliances to support Earth Hour. The event will witness participation from Dubai’s main landmarks and government buildings, who will switch off their lights for one hour at the designated time,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“DEWA’s organising of Earth Hour supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to transform Dubai into an international hub for clean energy and green economy, as the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer commended the efforts and contribution by individuals and government and private organisations, to support the Dubai Plan 2021, and the Carbon Abatement Strategy, to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021, to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Al Tayer noted that DEWA is committed to supporting Dubai’s efforts to raise environmental awareness, while driving sustainability by launching promising projects and initiatives, to promote a culture of rationalisation and conserving natural resources, as an integral part of daily life. DEWA also works to promote opportunities aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.

“We are pleased to stand alongside over 7,000 cities from all over the world who are participating in this event, as the largest environmental event on the international calendar. We ask the people of Dubai to join forces and participate in Earth Hour 2017, and strengthen the position of the UAE through its efforts to adopt and launch initiatives to raise environmental awareness among the community, while supporting sustainable development on both national and international levels,” requested Al Tayer.

DEWA will continue its efforts to achieve the Carbon Abatement Strategy, in cooperation with the Dubai Carbon Centre for Excellence (Dubai Carbon), in adherence with its vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility. The strategy reducing carbon emissions through trading carbon credits approved by DEWA’s already existing projects, is based on the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). DEWA has launched a number of awareness campaigns to promote Earth Hour, in cooperation with a number of ministries and government organisations in Dubai. Senior officials took part in these campaigns by either highlighting the most important sustainable development projects of their organisations, or by pledging to take part in Earth Hour 2017, in a joint effort between government organisations to support and achieve the objectives of the international occasion.

Earth Hour will commence at 8:30pm on Saturday 25 March, at Bay Avenue Park in Business Bay, and will witness the participation of a number of government organisations, companies, universities, schools, and individuals from all segments of society. Events prior to Earth Hour will begin at 4:00pm, featuring a number of family and recreational activities aimed at raising environmental awareness and promoting a culture of rational consumption.

A free shuttle service will be available from Business Bay metro station, to and from the event every 15 minutes. DEWA encourages the whole community to participate in this international event, by registering via the website: www.dewaearthhour.com, to receive the Earth Hour pack. Please visit the DEWA website for further information: www.dewa.gov.ae