• Total savings of around AED 1 billion over 8 years
• Homes reduces electricity use by 19% and water by 28%
• Educational institutions reduce electricity use by 9% and water by 24%
For over five decades, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has played a significant role in supporting the social, economic, and environmental development of Dubai, using a set of pioneering programmes and initiatives. This has contributed to the leading position DEWA enjoys today, and has reinforced the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to be more inclusive and effective. DEWA has launched several environmental programmes and initiatives and key awareness and rationalisation campaigns that have achieved significant savings over the past years. The incurred savings have proven that all members of society can contribute to supporting national and international efforts to limit climate change and global warming by adopting positive practices at home and in the workplace, to rationalise the consumption of natural resources, and reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.
“DEWA adopts a clear strategy to establish and promote CSR, environmental protection, and the conservation of natural resources to achieve sustainable development. This supports the aspirations of our wise leadership and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. DEWA spares no effort in launching awareness campaigns and supporting activities and events that promote interaction with all customers to be active elements in building a better future, for generations to come. Despite the big savings achieved in electricity and water, the ultimate goal is to consolidate a culture of energy conservation amongst all members of society, and promote resource conservation to become a social culture and daily practice by involving customers in reducing energy and water use and contributing to protecting our precious natural resources, to support the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
Savings of around AED 1 billion
DEWA encourages all its customers to rationalise their electricity and water use by launching various programmes, awareness campaigns, awards and innovative initiatives throughout the year. The aim is to raise awareness about the rational use of resources, and provide information and tips on how to rationalise consumption, to preserve natural resources and protect the environment. Between 2009 and 2016, DEWA’s customers saved over 1.5 TW/h of electricity and 6.2 billion gallons of water, worth over AED 967 million. The generated savings resulted in offsetting around 831,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which equates to planting 944,000 trees.
DEWA’s programmes and initiatives managed to reduce electricity use by 19% and water by 28% in the residential sector. The commercial sector reduced electricity use by 10% and water by 30%. The industrial sector reduced electricity use by 15% and water by 21%. Educational institutions succeeded in reducing electricity use by 9% and water by 24%. Government and semi-governmental organisations reduced electricity use by 12% and water by 21%.
Earth Hour
DEWA organises Earth Hour annually under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS), in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and with the support of Dubai Properties Group. Between 2008 and 2016, Earth Hour resulted in savings of 1.82 GW/h, reducing over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Dubai was the first Arab city to take part in Earth Hour, one of the world’s largest environmental initiatives to raise awareness on the risks of global warming and climate change. This is done by switching off unnecessary lights and appliances for one hour on the last Saturday of March every year.
The Best Consumer Award
The Best Consumer Award encourages and urges customers to use energy sensibly, and raises awareness about adopting environmentally-friendly practices. By launching this initiative, DEWA aims to make a positive and effective change that will be reflected in people’s lifestyles and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Between 2009 and 2016, the Best Consumer Award resulted in saving of 58 GW/h of electricity and over 365 million gallons of water, offsetting 33,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The savings amount to over AED 34 million. About 36,000 customers took part in the award, with 94 winners over the last 8 years.
The Conservation Award
DEWA launched the Conservation Award under the theme, ‘Together for a Sustainable Future,’ to recognise best practices implemented by educational institutions in Dubai to reduce the use of electricity and water, and limit waste. The award also recognises efforts of individuals in educational institutions, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators. To raise awareness about the importance of rational consumption and preserving natural resources, the Conservation Team at DEWA organises field visits to educational institutions and facilities across Dubai, to encourage administrative bodies, teachers, staff, and students to adopt best practices in rationalising their use of electricity and water, conserve natural resources, and encourage them to participate in the annual award. The Conservation Award achieved savings of over 133 GW/h of electricity, 1 billion gallons of water, and a reduction of over 84,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, generating savings of over AED 97 million.
The Neighbourhood Campaign
The idea of the Neighbourhood Campaign came as a quality-focused approach by DEWA to educate society about environmental awareness, highlighting key reasons for waste and the role of individuals in conserving natural resources. DEWA directly interacts with people to spread awareness by visiting residential areas in Dubai. By the end of 2016, the Conservation Team visited nearly 7,000 houses in Dubai. The efforts from 2010 to 2016 has resulted in saving over 6 GW/h of electricity and about 75 million gallons of water, a reduction of 2,885 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to savings of over AED 5.5 million.
The Ideal Home initiative
In 2016, DEWA launched the Ideal Home initiative in cooperation with 7 government organisations. Ideal Home provides an ideal environment at home by adopting the best practices and standards required by the government departments involved in the initiative. It is meant to create an ideal and happy home by ensuring all these standards are met. It recognises home owners who implement the highest standards of environmental conservation, sustainability, health, safety, public safety, social responsibility and smart transformation. It unifies relevant efforts and initiatives offered by Dubai government departments and organisations. A total of 50 houses took part in the Ideal Home and contributed to saving over 100 GW/h of electricity, and 1.4 million gallons of water, resulting in reducing 76 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which equates to AED 97,000 in one year.
“DEWA effectively contributes to environmental protection and sustainable development by adopting an integrated management system across all its operations. We regularly organise conservation campaigns and awareness programmes throughout the year as part of our efforts to promote a culture of conservation among all members of society and to further encourage them to rationalise the use of electricity and water to conserve natural resources and ensure their sustainability, for generations to come. Each one of us can make a difference by rationally using electricity and water, and making this behaviour a daily practice,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications at DEWA.
Al Mehairi expressed DEWA’s thanks and appreciation for all customers who have contributed to the success of DEWA’s awareness and conservation campaigns. They effectively responded and implemented the tips and advice presented by DEWA. She commended the saving and results achieved, which have a significant role in supporting the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE.