Earth Hour achieves outstanding energy consumption and carbon dioxide reduction levels for Dubai for the 9th consecutive year

Earth Hour 2016 activities witnessed a xxMW reduction in the consumption of electricity, and a reduction of xx tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions, a total reduction of xx% as compared to last year’s event. Earth Hour 2016 saw a xxMW reduction in energy consumption, and a xx reduction 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.

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 adopting the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) across all DEWA’s 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.

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