Environment

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) undertakes year-round activities, programmes, and initiatives to increase awareness on the importance of saving energy and water, and preserving natural resources for future generations. These activities underline DEWAs commitment to society, its vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, and uphold its position as a socially-responsible organisation that places environmental conservation and sustainability as one of its top priorities.

Recently, DEWA achieved concrete results thanks to these conservation campaigns and initiatives. Between 2009 and 2014, it managed to save 1,163 GWh of electricity and 5.4 billion imperial gallons of water. This is equivalent to AED752 million, and over 536,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Most recently, DEWA achieved a reduction in electricity use of 305 MWh and a reduction of 183 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions when Dubai joined thousands of other cities around the world in observing Earth Hour on 28 March 2015.

DEWAs environmental efforts have led to its winning many prestigious national and international awards. Recently, DEWA won the Globe of Honour for Environment from the British Safety Council for the third consecutive year. DEWA was one of five organisations worldwide that was awarded the Globe of Honour. DEWA also received the Five Star Certificate in environmental management from the British Safety Council for the third consecutive year. DEWA was the first government organisation in the Middle East and North Africa to win the Globe of Honour for Environment and the Five Star Certificate.
During March 2015, DEWA launched a number of events and awareness campaigns. It started with the Lets be the change. Lets change climate change campaign to raise awareness on the need to rationalise electricity and water use. The campaign continued through the celebration of World Water Day on 22 March, whose theme this year was Water and Sustainable Development. It continued up to Earth Hour, when DEWA displayed the worlds largest infinity mirror, measuring 7 square metres, achieving a new world record for Dubai that was registered in the Guinness World of Records. It is a set of mirrors that reflect an image back in a recursive manner, creating a series of smaller reflections that recede into an infinite distance. This infinity mirror communicates DEWAs message that its environmental efforts are infinite.

Our wise leadership attaches great importance to the environmental and sustainability issues that affect the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE. This is done by developing short and long-term strategies, launching promising initiatives and programmes, and organising and supporting national and international events that improve living standards and make people happier. To support Dubai Governments vision, DEWA participates in international events to inform all society about the environment to support our ongoing efforts to enhance the environmental sustainability of the Emirate, said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.

To support our vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, DEWA organises various awareness initiatives and conservation programmes, and observes international environmental events to highlight the importance of saving the environment and the sensible use of resources. This month, DEWA will organise Green Week, which includes different environmental activities that target all society, as part of our efforts to encourage all society to use natural resources responsibly and sensibly. This helps us to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as a smart and sustainable city whose environmental elements are clean, healthy, and sustainable. DEWA is committed to becoming a global role model in promoting the effective and efficient use of water and energy for a sustainable future for us and for generations to come, added Al Tayer.

DEWA plays an important role in supporting global efforts to develop sustainable solutions to protect the environment and use natural resources efficiently. DEWA sent five of its staff to Antarctica as part of the 2041 International Antarctic Expedition, which is organised by 2041. The expedition highlights the effects of global warming and raises awareness on the need to protect Antarctica from drilling, mining and other activities. It also underlines environmental phenomena that result from climate change, said Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DEWA.
To mark World Water Day, DEWA organised a number of awareness activities and competitions at Kite Surfers Beach in Dubai. It also launched an awareness campaign on its social media pages. Activities included entertainment and competitions to encourage society to adopt the sensible use of natural resources and practices that help reduce water and electricity use. DEWA distributed awareness brochures to participants on the importance of the event. It also highlighted its social activities in this area and encouraged participants to be part of its conservation initiatives. At the end of the day, awards and souvenirs were distributed to participants. A large number of adults and children turned up for the event and took part in its different activities. Earth Hour activities included various entertaining family activities. At 8:30pm, participants joined millions of people around the world in switching off lights to mark Earth Hour and remind everyone of the importance of sensible use to save our natural resources and protect Planet Earth.

DEWA is organising the second Green Week from 21-27 April 2015. It is the biggest community initiative in the region that promotes environmental sustainability. Green Week comprises a number of conferences, discussion sessions, and activities that have become global events that attract participants from around the world. These include the 17th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2015), which is held from 21-23 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the second World Green Economy Summit, the Arab Oil and Gas exhibition, and other environmental activities for society as a whole and underline Dubais efforts to ensure a sustainable future, for generations to come.

DEWA supports the vision and strategy of Dubai Government to protect the environment by implementing international best practices and standards in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and water. DEWA continuously launches awareness campaigns and initiatives to urge residents to adopt a committed and responsible lifestyle to protect the environment and contribute to spreading this culture to everyone. DEWAs environmental awareness efforts continue all year round. They highlight 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 the sensible use of water. Other conservation tips can be found on DEWAs website www.dewa.gov.ae

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