Dubai: Authorities in the UAE aim to cut back on about 260,000 megawatts of electricity consumption and 195 tonnes of carbon emissions during this year’s Earth Hour.
The annual event, set to be observed from 8.30-9.30pm on March 23 at Burj Plaza in Downtown Dubai, seeks to promote the concept of sustainability and raise environmental awareness by urging individuals to adopt eco-friendly practices on a daily basis. Participants around the world show solidarity with the campaign by switching off lights and electrical appliances for one hour.
“Earth Hour goes beyond turning off the lights for one hour; it is an international call for strengthening collaboration to promote the culture of conservation, and making it a part of a daily lifestyle. This supports our efforts at promoting sustainable development in Dubai and all over the world,” said Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
The event is being held in partnership with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS), which works in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature.
During last year’s event, Dewa recorded a reduction of 216,000 megawatts in terms of electricity consumption and 130 tonnes going by carbon emissions, Al Tayer said. Dewa plans to reduce electricity consumption by a further 20 per cent and carbon emissions by 50 per cent during Earth Hour commemorations this year.
Ahmad Al Matroushi, managing director, Emaar Properties, pledged full support for the campaign. “As the pioneer in developing integrated communities in Dubai, Emaar has consistently adhered to the highest standards of sustainability that complement the efforts of the government to enhance energy use efficiency. From our flagship Downtown Dubai development to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Emaar will observe Earth Hour across all these iconic development,” he said.
Dubai Municipality is also keen to make a difference and all municipality centres have been preparing to observe Earth Hour.
The municipality’s headquarters in Deira, in addition to other centres, will turn off their electronic equipment for one hour on Saturday.
“This year, nearly 5,000 cities in 135 countries of the world are going to join the environment event, and we are happy that Dubai is one among them,” said Hamdan Al Shair, director of the environment department at Dubai Municipality.
Earth Hour celebrations started off in Sydney in 2007, when more than two million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned off lights and unnecessary appliances for one hour, pledging to protect Earth. The initiative quickly evolved to become a global environmental movement of solidarity in which millions of people across the world recognised the importance of immediate action to save the planet.
Individuals and organisations can obtain more information about participating in Earth Hour in Dubai by logging on to www.ewswwf.ae/earthhour.
