How UAE’s Year of Sustainability drove behaviour change

Abu Dhabi: A survey conducted on the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, which was marked for two years in a row, has revealed that it has strongly driven public engagement, with many inspired to take sustainable actions.

The Year of Sustainability was announced in February 2023 by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan under the slogan “Today for Tomorrow” encouraging sustainability through individual actions to achieve collective action. The initiative was extended into 2024 under the banner of “Plan To Action” with the aim of engaging both individuals and organisations in sustainable actions.

The Year of Sustainability focused on encouraging daily habits in four key areas: Conserving water and energy, using green transportation, planting wisely and consuming responsibly.

According to the Year of Sustainability Committee, the survey results pointed to the highest engagement - 67 per cent - in water and energy reduction, driven by greater awareness and the immediate financial benefits of lower utility costs.

Responsible consumption followed at 39 per cent, indicating progress in eco-friendly purchasing and waste reduction, though challenges like cost and convenience remained.

Green transportation at 31 per cent saw lower adoption, likely due to infrastructural limitations and accessibility challenges.

Finally, planting wisely at 21 per cent had the least engagement, suggesting that activities like urban gardening and tree-planting feel less immediate or accessible to the public.

Project lead Eisa Alsubousi urged the public to continue making sustainable choices in their daily routines, workplaces, and communities.

“We must honour the efforts of those before us, and preserve the land entrusted to us by our ancestors. Sustainability requires the enduring collaboration of individuals, communities and entities, working together to ensure that the seeds we plant today will flourish into a thriving, sustainable tomorrow for all,” said Alsubousi.

Rauda Al Falasi, Deputy Project Lead of the Year of Sustainability, said: “This Year of Sustainability’s success belongs to everyone who contributed their time, effort, and ideas towards this collective journey. While there is still much to do, we are certain that continuing to champion sustainable practices will drive real impact towards climate change.”