While we are all mostly aware of the need to act on climate change and reduce our carbon emissions to try and reverse the damage already inflicted on our planet by global warming, the bigger picture sees governments on the world stage coming together to sign international accords and pledge funding for this most urgent fight.
But for many of us, the practicalities of joining the effort to save our planet can be mystifying if not a little perplexing. But now, by following the lead of Abu Dhabi and a programme managed by Emirates Transport, there’s a very real, positive and practical way to go green and save money doing so.
Abu Dhabi is converting its entire fleet of taxis, public transport buses and government vehicles to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG), a fuel source that burns clean and uses a proven technology that has immediate effects. CNG involves retrofitting an engine to burn the gas rather than petrol or diesel, and fitting a tank in the vehicle’s boot. In financial terms, running a vehicle on CNG means savings of about 40 per cent per annum at current prices.
Petrol runs at Dh2.12 a litre, CNG at Dh1.40 per cubic metre, and it emits 25 per cent less carbon dioxide, 80 per cent less carbon monoxide and cuts nitrogen oxide by 60 per cent. Soon, filling stations across Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates will all have CNG refuelling facilities.
Abu Dhabi has long been a pioneer in renewable energy sources and projects, with Masdar City and its hosting Irena as but two of many notable commitments. This CNG programme is a practical and beneficial way of bringing real and sustainable environmental change.
