DEWA launches new environmental awareness campaign
Dubai, UAE 16 March 2015: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a new environmental campaign whose theme is Lets be the change. Lets change climate change. The campaign raises awareness among residents of Dubai on the need to rationalise electricity and water use, underline the positive impact of collective efforts on the environment, and the important role individuals play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and limiting global warming.
DEWA is inviting all organisations and society members to participate in the campaign through its social networks using the hashtag #YourPower
The campaign supports DEWA's work to mobilise and combine national efforts in preparation for Earth Hour, which it organises on 28 March 2015. The campaign highlights simple practices that individuals can adopt in their daily lives to reduce electricity and water use, and save precious resources. These include switching off non-essential lighting and electrical appliances when not in use, setting air conditioning at 24C, and conserving water in every way possible.
DEWA works to achieving the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve the sustainable development of the UAE. The campaign is part of our efforts to achieve our strategic objectives and effectively contribute to supporting the social, environmental, and economic development of Dubai. This is done through sound management of resources, conservation, and awareness initiatives to consolidate sustainability and environmental protection, said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
In addition to these initiatives, we are implementing a number of clean and renewable energy projects. The most notable of which are the 200MW phase two of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and the Hassyan Clean Coal Power Plant to produce 1,200MW. These help achieve the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to reduce energy consumption by 30%, added Al Tayer.
DEWA maintains its responsibility to society to ensure a balance between energy supply and demand. This needs the cooperation of all stakeholders including organisations and individuals to establish a culture to rationally use natural resources to ensure their sustainability for generations to come on one hand, and to achieve environmental balance on the other, he added.
All members of society can contribute to supporting national and global efforts to reduce climate change and global warming by adopting positive behaviour at work and home, based on the sensible of energy and water, and reducing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions. The responsibility for environmental protection not only rests with governments, but also extends to all institutions and individuals, added Al Tayer.
DEWA achieved very good results for its conservation campaigns and initiatives. These saved 1,163 GWh of electricity and 5.4 billion imperial gallons of water from 2009 to 2014. This is equivalent to AED 752 million, and over 536,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions savings.
DEWA will visit a number of schools and government departments, where it will have different environmental activities and events directed at all categories. During school visits, DEWA will distribute educational worksheets for students to raise awareness on climate change and help them understand the issues related to global warming. Worksheets will also be available for teachers to download from DEWAs website.
During the visits to government departments, DEWAs team will have an interactive lighting panel on display. The panel will have LED bulbs outlining the map of the UAE. Employees and customers will each be invited to turn off one of these lights as a symbolic pledge to protect and save the environment.
