Implemented by the Department of Economy and Tourism

Hamdan bin Mohammed launches the "Dubai Initiative" for sustainability

  • The initiative will allow Dubai residents to obtain clean drinking water for free through 30 drinking water dispensers.

    From the source

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His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, launched yesterday the "Dubai Initiative" for sustainability initiative, aimed at educating various segments of society about the importance of preserving our natural resources, as well as inspiring them to bring about the required change for some wrong practices, which lead to severe damage to the surrounding environment.

The initiative, which is implemented by the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, aims to encourage all components of Dubai society, citizens and residents, as well as visitors, to change their consumption behavior of plastic water bottles, as well as inspire people to effectively and positively reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles. .

The new initiative stimulates the adoption of simple changes to people's daily lifestyle, such as the use of refillable water bottles, in order to create a significant environmental impact, as devices will be installed to distribute clean drinking water free of charge in public places, in parallel with encouraging the installation of water filters in homes. institutions and schools, given that tap water in Dubai is completely safe for drinking, due to it fulfilling all health requirements, and conforming to all international standards for the purity of potable water, while filters help to get rid of only impurities that may be suspended in water from tanks in homes or various facilities .

successful model

Commenting on the initiative, Hilal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, said: “The next stage requires more effort and new ideas to establish a successful global model of sustainable economy, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and President of the UAE. Ministers and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, to make Dubai a leading destination for sustainability, and the best city in the world to live, work and visit.

Our goal is to inspire current and future generations to play an influential role in protecting the environment and preserving our natural resources.”

He added: "The goal is to motivate citizens, residents and visitors to be active partners in creating a more sustainable future, and to contribute positively to preserving wildlife and marine life."

The role of the media

The Dubai Government Media Office organized a remote media meeting, via visual communication technology, called by the leaders of local, regional and international media organizations operating in Dubai, to introduce the initiative and its objectives, and the positive change desired behind it, in the presence of the Director General of the Dubai Government Media Office, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, The Executive Director of Development and Investment in the Department of Economy and Tourism, Yousef Lootah, and the Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Issam Kazim.

Important numbers

During the meeting, Youssef Lootah praised the role of the media in supporting vital initiatives, through which the Dubai government seeks to bring about positive change in society, in line with the general trends of the Emirate and the UAE, especially those related to the environment, and enhancing its levels of sustainability, as it is one of the most important topics that It receives great attention in the UAE, which is always keen to provide a role model in the field of preserving the environment and natural resources.

Lootah gave an explanation that included important information and figures about the volume of consumption of plastic bottles used for drinking water in the world and in the UAE, where he indicated that the volume of consumption of these bottles in the country amounts to about 450 bottles per person, which means about 4 billion bottles at the level of The state annually, while one bottle needs about 400 years to decompose, which constitutes one of the biggest environmental challenges, as it is estimated that plastic waste kills about 1.1 million creatures and marine creatures around the world annually.

Most sustainable cities

The "Dubai Initiative" initiative will seek, through the ambitious goal of significantly reducing the consumption of single-use plastic bottles, to enable society to take measures that would enhance the vision and direction of Dubai, to become one of the most sustainable cities in the world, in line with Dubai Urban Plan 2040. The initiative also supports Dubai’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the UAE’s Strategic Initiative for Climate Neutrality 2050. According to data from the Emirates Nature Society, in cooperation with the World Wide Fund for Nature, the average person in the UAE consumes 94 kg of plastic annually. Single-use plastic containers make up the largest share of them, in addition to the disastrous impact of plastic waste on sea creatures, animals and birds, as well as the natural habitats of marine creatures, such as dolphins, turtles and birds.

The Dubai Urban Plan 2040 includes a 400% increase in the areas of public beaches for lifestyle and recreational activities, in addition to allocating 60% of the city's land area to natural areas.

This achievement will represent a doubling of open green spaces, public parks and recreational areas, to create a healthier environment for all.

The Dubai Initiative will help lay the foundations for positive change, as well as support sustainable societies for future generations.

Drinking water devices

The initiative will provide Dubai residents and visitors with access to clean drinking water for free, through more than 30 drinking water dispensers, which will be distributed in several main areas in the city, including beaches, parks, shopping centers, landmarks and major destinations.

Cold water will be available at a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, to be a refreshing, clean and safe alternative, contributing to the establishment of a culture of refilling water bottles.

As for the quality of the water provided through the aforementioned devices, it has been confirmed that it observes the highest standards of purity and cleanliness, with full compliance with the instructions and regulations of the competent authorities, including Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Health Authority, in addition to examining and testing the drinking water provided through these devices. According to the standards and specifications of drinking water approved by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the World Health Organization.

It is noteworthy that the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai recently adopted the "policy to limit single-use bags", which includes imposing a tariff of 25 fils on single-use plastic goods transport bags, and according to this policy the tariff will be imposed on the use of those bags as of July 1, 2022. In all stores in Dubai, as a first stage, in order to maintain environmental sustainability, and change the behavior of excessive use of plastic materials.

• The initiative encourages citizens, residents and visitors to change their consumption behavior of plastic water bottles.

Hilal Al Marri:

• "Our goal is to inspire current and future generations to take a step that contributes to protecting the environment and preserving our natural resources."

Youssef Lootah:

• "The initiative reflects the civilized face of Dubai, and confirms its position as a sustainable destination and the best city in the world for life."


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