DUBAI 12 April 2021: For the 14th consecutive year, Dubai has achieved significant results in reducing electricity consumption during Earth Hour 2021, with a 291 megawatts reduction, and avoided 118 tonnes of carbon emissions during this global environmental event.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, thanked and praised all customers and society members for taking part in the global Earth Hour initiative. Every year, DEWA organizes the Earth Hour under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
The event was held in cooperation with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Emirates Nature, in association with World Wide Fund for Nature. HE Al Tayer noted that this positive response reflects the high level of awareness about the severity of carbon emissions, and the need for a unified action to reduce consumption rates, end the waste of resources, and adopt a conscious and sustainable lifestyle as a daily practice.
“The UAE plays a key role in supporting international efforts to address climate change, which as per His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is ‘the most prominent battle for mankind over the coming decades, to preserve a healthy planet for generations to come.’ The UAE is one of the first countries in the region to give substantial attention to protecting the environment and addressing climate change. DEWA spares no effort to support sustainable development in the UAE and Dubai, spearheading the fields of renewable energy, sustainability, and the environment and improving their efficiency,” Al Tayer added.
DEWA launched an integrated campaign with government entities, educational institutions, hotels and factories to support Earth Hour. DEWA also organized a series of virtual lectures and competitions that targeted more than 12,000 students, several public and private organizations, sport and tourist facilities, and major malls. DEWA coordinated with developers at more than 400 sites across Dubai to encourage community residents to switch off their lights for 60 minutes during Earth Hour.
“Earth Hour goes beyond just turning off the lights for 60 minutes. The extensive participation from multiple community sectors, including Dubai government entities, highlights the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle climate change. I appreciate the efforts of educational and tourist facilities, factories, malls, developers, and community members. I would like to thank them for their active participation to ensure this event was a success. This reflects a high community awareness on the importance of saving the environment and its precious natural resources and their contribution to achieving these important savings,” said Khawla Al Muhairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Government Communication DEWA.
Dubai participates yearly in Earth Hour. Dubai’s prominent landmarks and several public and private buildings turned off non-essential lights and electrical appliances for an hour on the last Saturday in March of the year. Earth Hour – Dubai has achieved cumulative savings up to 3.12 gigawatt-hours (GWh) since its launch in 2008 and until 2021. This contributed to avoiding about 1,607 tonnes of carbon emissions. DEWA’s efforts have resulted in significant savings over the past years. The conservation programs and initiatives launched by DEWA have achieved cumulative savings of 2.44 terrawat-hours (TWh) of electricity and 6.7 billion gallons of water between 2011 and 2020. This is equivalent to saving AED 1.35 billion and reducing 1.22 million tonnes of carbon emissions.