Dubai: The first international Green Festival will be introduced to the UAE next year, to unveil the UAE’s sustainable identity as a leading green destination worldwide. The UAE Green Festival will take place for one month starting on March 16 and ending on April 16.

This festival aims to develop sustainable green practices not only through bettering people’s lifestyles, but also through encouraging corporate businesses to adopt greater green strategies.

“Our leader is deliberately building upon the sustainable foundations originally laid by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace, by diversifying sources of income, conserving natural resources, and building a knowledge-based economy,” said Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar.

Under the theme of ‘Live, learn and have fun in a low carbon world,’ this green initiative will work alongside numerous government bodies from economic, tourism, commercial, educational and social sectors.

Particular corporations involved include Masdar, Emaar, Lexus and Porsche.

“Since Lexus is a global leader in hybrid technology, we are always responsive to initiatives that promote sustainability,” said Saud Abassi, General Manager at Al-Futtaim Motors, Lexus. “We believe that events such as the UAE Green Festival are crucial as they educate consumers about their ability to contribute towards a cleaner and healthier environment for the future generations, through the purchasing choices they make today.”

Different events and offers will be available to visitors and residents ranging from environmentally friendly hotels; green tours in parks and reserves; green shopping; and green fitness — even eco-friendly fashion shows are on the agenda.

On top of this, green restaurants accompanied by green menus will be on offer, encouraging the public to adopt healthy lifestyles.

The UAE has already displayed striving ambition in sustainable development and in providing its visitors and residents a better quality experience.

Campaigns such as the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Expo 2020 both excel in their sustainable goals — especially with Dubai Expo 2020, as one of its three sub-themes is in fact sustainability.

International events such as the Green Auto Show, the International Sustainable Transportation Conference and the GCC Eco Tourism Conference will also be major attractions during this month-long awareness campaign.

“UAE Green Festival is a name that deserves attention, and RTA, as one of the major government parties concerned in implementing the concept of a sustainable green environment in Dubai, finds this event a considerable national platform,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The UAE Green Festival will help to maintain the UAE’s global trend of outshining other nations in as many areas as possible, through its thriving ambition and determination to be the best.

Elisar Sasso is an intern at Gulf News