More than 14 organisations in Abu Dhabi joined Earth Hour 2009 by switching off their lights off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, March 28, 2009 saving more than 3,000 KWH in one hour.
The participating organizations in Abu Dhabi were Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Ambulatory Healthcare Services of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha-AHS), Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology - Abu Dhabi, ADNOC Group of Companies, GASCO, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – MASDAR, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, INSEAD, Standard Chartered Bank, Abu Dhabi Municipality and Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy,
Majid Al Mansouri, EAD’s Secretary General said Earth Hour is “This simple symbolic exercise is not just for Abu Dhabi or the UAE, but it just to express our interest in the issue of climate change and our commitment to support global efforts to address this phenomenon”.
“It may not be a solution to Global Warming but it shows businesses and the community that action to reduce energy is possible. We are also raising public awareness and passing a message that something can be done and must be done,” he added.
He thanked all organizations participated in Earth Hour 2009, hoping that next year will see participation from more organizations as well as more individuals. “This is the time that people need to come together and support conservation efforts,” he added.
Different activities to increase employee energy awareness were organised by the participants’ organisations. EAD organised on Thursday an internal awareness seminar for its employees, where Tanzeed Alam, Climate Change & Sustainability Manager at the Emirates Wildlife Society, spoke about energy in UAE and highlighted simple ways to conserve energy.
Special activities was also organized by ADNOC in Ruwais, where residents of Ruwais Housing Complex and other ADNOC group of companies in Ruwais were encourage to switch off their lights. Housing Complex’s streetlights were also switch off for one hour.
Other government and private organizations in Ruwais also participated in the 60- minute event bring up the saved energy up to 2,715 kWh. This includes Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi National Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Civil Defense, ETISALAT, Ruwais Residential Police, Omeir Travel Agency and Government Schools.
Shayne Nelson, Standard Chartered Bank Regional CEO, Middle East and North Africa said, “With the backdrop of global economic challenges, it is easy to put climate change on the back burner. Standard Chartered MENA turned off its lights for Earth Hour, saving about 17,538 KWH. Moreover, we encouraged over 4,000 of our staff members to lead by example and reduce their energy consumption by incorporating simple actions in their every day life.
In one hour, Zayed University also switched almost all lighting (external and internal) for both campuses except for critical areas. Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy saved 215 KWH and organised special activities for children and adults on energy consumption including painting and quizzes.
The energy saved from turning off the lights of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Tower during 1 hour was 30 Kilowatts. Ambulatory Healthcare Services of SEHA extended their support to this global initiative by requesting form their 1700 employees to switch their lights and unnecessary electrical appliances. Also GASCO organized awareness campaign for its employees and visitors on this occasion by emails, posters and banners.
Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority enhance the environment awareness among its staff on "Earth Hour" and encourage them to participate.
INSEAD also joined earth hour 2009, which is according to Zeina Sleiman, Associate Director Operations and Institutional Relationships came as part of INSEAD approach to save and create energy and lower emissions of greenhouse gases.
