Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a number of activities to mark Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on 22 April, with this year’s theme being ‘Protect Our Species’. DEWA’s activities included planting ghaf trees at its Head Office and distributing 500 trees to staff and 150 trees to all government schools and some private schools in Dubai, in cooperation with Dubai Municipality and Dubai Education Zone. DEWA also participated in commemorating this global event at both the Mohammed bin Rashid Primary School and the kindergarten of Hemaya schools.
While planting the trees at DEWA’s Head Office, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, noted that the ghaf tree has been approved as the logo for the Year of Tolerance 2019 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The ghaf can survive in harsh environmental conditions and has several environmental benefits, including absorbing carbon emissions, thereby reducing the effects of climate change.
“DEWA celebrates Earth Day annually to underline issues facing the environment and to enhance awareness of customers and society members on the importance of rationalising electricity and water use to protect the environment and preserve our planet. This will support the national efforts to reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources,” said Al Tayer.
“At DEWA, we support Dubai’s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and carbon emissions, in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to produce 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy and make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050. We also support the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to make Dubai a smart and sustainable city whose environmental elements are clean, healthy and sustainable; as well as our efforts to make sustainability a lifestyle to ensure a brighter future for generations to come,” concluded Al Tayer