Over the years, the UAE has striven to put into place initiatives that would help lower emissions, reduce pollution and lower reliance of carbon fuels. For instance in the past free parking slots for green cars have helped increase awareness and have incentivized the use of low emission vehicles, CNG or electric vehicles. Here are other measures that will continue to help people and businesses make more environment friendly choices.
Though the Middle East is known as the oil producing area of the world, the UAE has always concerned itself with encouraging individuals, companies and government authorities to reduce reliance on carbon based fuels. It is the ambition of the Dubai city authorities to make it the cleanest city in the world by 2050.
The plans to transform the UAE into a green nation were discussed at the World Green Economy Summit. Experts are confident that the UAE will be able to reduce the country's carbon footprint very significantly in the years to come. By the year 2050, it is expected that 75% of fuel requirements will be met with renewable or green energy.
Speaking at the summit, the MD of Retail at Enoc shared information about the company’s green initiatives. The company has harnessed the power of the sun by fitting solar panels on to the roofs of the lubricant blending plants to conserve energy and to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The company has also shown the way by setting up a fully solar powered gas station. Conserving energy makes sense not only for ecological reasons but also for economic ones the company representative said.
Sustainability is not just a buzzword. According to Ducab marketing manager sustainability is now a priority for most companies in the UAE and many now take a cradle to grave approach for green energy solutions such as wind, solar and nuclear. Being one of the first to set up a solar power plant at their factory, the company is keen to send out the right message to other companies as well.
It is the aim of the rulers of the emirate to bring down the cost of solar tariffs from 3 to just 1 cent per watt. Dubai is uniquely placed to achieve 75% green energy compliance because the ratio of implementation and executing projects is very high in Dubai. The capacity of the under construction Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is to be 1,500 MW, which will increase to 5,000MV by 2030.
The city energy council has put into place a mobility project that will require government entities to buy 10% green vehicles. Charging stations, free registration, free charging and other incentives are in place to encourage people to go green. The city is also on track to reduce water and electricity demand by 30% by the year 2030.
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