The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) has announced the participation of more than 600 students and dignitaries at Earth Hour, conducted by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). This year, EEG once again conducted the Paper Walk project where EEG members brought in small quantities of paper for recycling before the beginning of the Earth Hour. A total amount of 2,500 kg of paper was brought for recycling. By sending these papers for recycling, EEG and its members have managed to mitigate, 9.7 metric tonnes of CO2E, save, 56 million BTU of energy, 8 m3 of landfill space and 43 trees being felled.
At the event, H. E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, pledged: “In the Year of Tolerance, I pledge to support the environment and conserve and maintain our natural resources for generations to come. DEWA will continue to build clean-energy projects that help save the planet so that Dubai will have the lowest carbon footprint in the world.” H.E Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of ENOC pledged: “This year, I pledge to lead ENOC into the future by incorporating and instilling green, innovative solutions to the betterment of the environment in UAE and the world as whole.” Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of EEG also pledged: “This year I pledge to continue to spread the message of environmental sustainability and actively engage and educate the mass through action oriented programmes and progress to the attain the SDG’s.”
EEG which was established in 1991, is a professional working group devoted to protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. As a prominent and leading environmental NGO in the UAE, EEG is open to and collaborates with people of all ages from various entities including students, individuals, families, corporate members, federal and local government agencies, universities, colleges and schools, as well as reputed regional and international institutions.
EEG invites all of their Student, Academic and Corporate members to participate in the Earth Hour annually. This year, close to 600 individuals of various entities participated in the Earth Hour with EEG. As a platform to spread awareness and negate the effects of climate change and that of light pollution on the flora and fauna of the environment, EEG takes this opportunity to incorporate EEG’s recycling and education programmes as well.
EEG also organised the signing of a Pledge board for its members and for the VIP’s at the event. Young student members of EEG wrote their pledges with colourful fluorescent pens and placed their fingerprint signature. As the hour to initiate the Earth Hour approached, various VIPs including, H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of Environment & Climate Change; H.E. Saeed Al Tayer, the MD and CEO of DEWA; H.E. Saif Humaid Al Falasi Group CEO of ENOC along with the Chairperson of EEG and various official dignitaries visited the EEG stand to write and sign their pledges for the year.
The memorable event concluded with the students of EEG joining the Earth Hour march under the dark, holding the EEG banner, fluorescent paper pinwheels, guided by the delicate lights of glow in the dark paint and lamps; celebrating their contribution to preserving the environment and participate in the global movement to protect the biosphere we call Earth.