Dubai: The Dubai Municipality has announced that it will be launching the Dubai Green Malls programme to provide a more eco-friendly environment in shopping mall complexes.
The Dubai Green Malls programme will be based on the voluntary participation of any individual retail outlet. The programme has been developed along the same lines as the international voluntary scheme known as Green Key Programme which was initially launched by the Foundation for Environmental Education for accommodation and leisure.
The Dubai Municipality’s first aim is to support retail outlets existing in Dubai to achieve environmental sustainability. By doing so, they will support these outlets in many areas of their operating areas such as waste, energy and water management.
The second aim the municipality aspires to accomplish through the programme is raising awareness among residents and expats in Dubai. In addition to supporting retail outlets in achieving long-term environmental sustainability, the green malls will act as centres to promote environmental awareness and sustainable living in the emirate of Dubai.
Additionally, the green malls will encourage the public to pursue greener choices while shopping. Through the programme, not only will malls publically demonstrate their practices in achieving long-term sustainability, they will assist the government of Dubai in reaching the wider public with the intended message.
Green malls will play a role in environmental education to inform the public about protecting natural resources, reducing energy and water consumption, reducing greenhouse gases, reusing, recycling and reducing waste generation while engaging in shopping activities.
The Dubai Municipality wishes to establish strong partnerships between both private and government entities and mall owners and management in an effort to make malls more eco-friendly and public centres for promoting environmental awareness.
