Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a training workshop on green buildings standards and enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability. The event was attended by 80 members of the third batch of the Carbon Ambassadors Programme, launched by DEWA as per the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) criteria, with the support of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (Dubai Carbon), to engage the youth on national and global issues, and increase their awareness and knowledge on sustainable energy and climate change, and our increasing consumption of natural resources.
The workshop took place at DEWA’s Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, and aimed to introduce the members to the concept of enhancing energy efficiency, contracts of energy efficiency performance, the nature of energy service companies, the development and execution of energy services projects, the related risks, and Dubai’s strategy of supporting energy services companies. The workshop rounded off with a collection of inspiring success stories and future schemes to support this important sector, in addition to highlighting the assessment of sustainability of buildings, and the LEED classification system.
After the training workshop, the list of strategic partners for the third batch of the Carbon Ambassadors Programme was announced, including: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, DEWA, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Economy, Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, UAE Water Aid (Suqia), Mai Dubai company, and Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC).
“The Carbon Ambassador Programme is considered one of the leading programmes at the field of enhancing the role of youth regarding environmental awareness, and the importance of eliminating carbon emissions to preserve planet earth. We in DEWA give top priority to youth, as we rely on them to carry out our ambitious plans which aim to contribute to achieving sustainable development in Dubai and the UAE, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Through the programme we seek to present a role model of the aware Emirati youth, capable of pushing further the wheel of sustainability and green economy in line with the objectives of UAE Vision 2021, and Dubai Plan 2021 for Dubai to be a sustainable city,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
Al Tayer added, “We in DEWA are keen to support efforts to promote energy efficiency, in line with the long-term initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to build a green economy in UAE, under the theme of “A Green Economy for Sustainable Development”, achieving Dubai’s Integrated Energy Strategy 2021, which is aimed at reducing consumption by 30% in the energy field by 2030. We are constantly working on applying energy efficiency practices through signing energy efficiency performance contracts and other procedures.”
From his side, Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA said, “Being a governmental institution responsible for the local and international community, we seek to create a generation of leaders who are qualified to achieve the vision of the wise leadership to have a sustainable future, which is the objective behind launching the Carbon Ambassadors Programme. This seeks to provide the youth with an integrated and multi-purpose knowledge framework, and promotes their awareness of environmental issues and the challenges regarding climate change to ensure effective implementation of the strategic plans aimed at promoting sustainability with its social, environmental, and economic dimensions. The training courses are included in the third stage of the programme to refine these skills and contribute to the involvement of the programme members in supporting the sustainable development process in Dubai and the UAE.”