By ; Adel Mohmaed
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has participated in a campaign to clean the shores of Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary, in cooperation with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG). Nearly 500 people participated in the clean-up, including 60 DEWA employees with their families, and 10 students from DEWA Academy. The campaign removed 1,000 kilograms of rubbish from the shores of the reserve, which is one of the major natural reserves in Dubai. The Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary in Dubai was added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. DEWA participated in the campaign to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day, and as part of its efforts to promote environmental sustainability in Dubai and spread a culture of sustainability.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, welcomed all the participants at the campaign. This reflects the UAE Government’s commitment to anticipate a sustainable future, promote environmental awareness among society and organisations, encourage sustainable practices to protect the environment and wildlife by keeping nature reserves clean, and ensure environmental sustainability.
Al Tayer stressed that the UAE is actively contributing to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The UAE is one of the leading countries in implementing strategies that support sustainability, in line with the vision of our wise leadership. The UAE also strives to achieve the 14 UN SDGs related to marine life and to manage this vital resource, which is one of the key pillars of the survival of mankind and balancing the effects of climate change.
“We are committed to following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to spread sustainability. We are keen to strengthen the ongoing collaboration with all public and private organisations to ensure the right of future generations to live in a clean, healthy and safe environment. We also support local and global initiatives to reduce energy and water consumption, limit carbon emissions and solid waste, and protect Dubai's marine, land and air ecosystems. we support joint efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We support the UAE Vision 2021 to achieve a sustainable environment for air quality, conservation of water resources, increased use of clean energy, and green development. We also support the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a sustainable city whose environmental elements are clean, healthy, and sustainable. This stems from our knowledge of the seriousness of waste threats to fragile marine ecosystems. We strive to make a positive impact and spread a culture of sustainability among its employees and community members. This will help balance between development and the environment, and establish a sustainable heritage that includes not only infrastructure and sustainable services, but also establishes sustainable practices and actions, and corrects irresponsible practices that harm the environment,” added Al Tayer.
DEWA achieved world record results in the Sustainability Culture Indicator, achieving 90.17% in 2018 compared to 88.83% in 2017, exceeding the global average of 61% achieved by multinational organisations that completed the survey during the same year. The Sustainability Culture Indicator is based on the principles of achieving sustainability, innovation in sustainability; personal commitment; the ability to make a difference; training, and raising awareness about sustainability.
