Dubai has achieved a remarkable reduction of carbon emissions and energy use during Earth Hour 2017, which was organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in cooperation with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS). DEWA organises Earth Hour 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, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Price of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. DEWA recorded a reduction of 244MW in energy use, compared to 22MW last year. This resulted in offsetting 107 tonnes of carbon emissions compared to 11 tonnes last year. The significant results, which Dubai has achieved indicate the importance of the rational use of energy and reducing Dubai’s carbon footprint to protect the environment and natural resources to achieve sustainable development.
DEWA has been organising Earth Hour annually since 2008, to raise awareness on the importance of the sensible consumption of electricity, promote rational consumption, and highlight practices that contribute positively to environmental work. It also supports national efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and environmental pollution, and find sustainable solutions to global warming, climate change, environmental protection, while conserving natural resources for generations to come.
Earth Hour was organised by DEWA for the 10th consecutive year on Saturday, 25 March 2017 at Bay Avenue Park in Business Bay. Lights went off at 8:30pm, joining millions around the world in this environmental event.
At the beginning of the events, HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment toured the Earth Hour activities with HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and MD & CEO of DEWA. The stands included Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, RTA, the Green Charger, Climate Change Champions, ENOC, Heritage Village, and Noor & Hayat stand.
Thousands of Dubai residents and visitors participated in the Earth Hour Walk carrying environmentally-friendly candles and lanterns. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer participated in the walk alongside HE Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, HE Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai, HE Saif Al Falasi, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Habiba al Marashi, Founder and Chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), officials from government organisations, private companies, universities, schools, and the media, and a large number of people from all age groups and nationalities.
“At DEWA, we are committed to supporting the sustainable and comprehensive development of Dubai, 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, who has set the cornerstones for a sustainable future. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by His Highness, is one of the key strategies that contribute to achieving the sustainable development.
It aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. These efforts have made Dubai a role model for clean and renewable energy, sustainability, the reduction of carbon emissions, and finding sustainable solutions to combat climate change and global warming,” said Al Tayer.
“Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DEWA is organising the Earth Hour event in Dubai for the 10th year in a row under the umbrella of the Supreme Council of Energy, and in partnership with the Emirates Wildlife Society, and in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund, and with support from Dubai Real Estate Group. Earth Hour has achieved significant results. From 2008 to 2016, it achieved cumulative savings of over 1800 megawatts (MW) of electricity, offsetting over 1000 tonnes of carbon emissions. In addition to the results that are achieved, DEWA’s initiatives and activities contribute to promoting a culture of rational consumption in society so that it becomes a daily practice that contributes to conserving natural resources, and driving the sustainable development of the UAE,” added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer noted that reducing carbon emissions is part of DEWA’s environmental strategy. This supports the Demand Side Management Strategy to reduce energy and water use by 30% by 2030, and the Carbon Abatement Strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021. These efforts support the UAE Vision 2021 to achieve a sustainable development that ensures air quality, protect water resources, increase the share of clean energy, and implement green development. The efforts also support the Dubai Plan 2021, to transform the Emirate into a smart, integrated, and connected city with sustainable resources, and DEWA’s vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility.
Al Tayer also noted that DEWA encourages all its customers to rationalise their electricity and water use by launching various programmes, awareness campaigns, awards and innovative initiatives throughout the year. The aim is to raise awareness, and provide information and tips on how to rationalise consumption, to preserve natural resources and protect the environment. Between 2009 and 2016, DEWA’s customers saved over 1.5 TW/h of electricity and 6.2 billion gallons of water, worth over AED 957 million. The generated savings resulted in offsetting around 831,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which equates to planting 944,000 trees.
"Earth Hour is a global event that aims to address and minimise the effects and impact of global warming on the Earth's climate and on future generations. Today, with the participation of various government organisations, we seek to draw the attention of the whole society and increase their awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and support the Dubai Plan 2021 to be a sustainable city where people are healthy and happy,” said HE Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai.
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