Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a workshop on sustainability and climate change for participants of the 4th Carbon Ambassadors Programme. DEWA launched the programme with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and in cooperation with the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (Dubai Carbon); with the aim of involving the youth in national and global issues, to harness their interest and knowledge about sustainable energy, climate change, and protecting natural resources.
The workshop, which was organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, discussed a number of climatic and environmental issues, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Climate Agreement 2015, the Conference of the Parties (COP), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, and the agreements that the UAE has signed. These agreements support international cooperation to tackle environmental challenges and reduce carbon emissions, which is the main cause of global warming. The workshop also featured a detailed presentation of national strategic plans and efforts of the UAE, which places environmental protection among its top priorities to contribute to sustainability, that plays an important role in the overall development process.
“The Carbon Ambassadors are the next generation of experts and leaders who will implement the national strategies and ambitious plans in environmental protection and conservation of natural resources, as well as contribute to developing pioneering initiatives and programmes for the sustainability of energy and water, as well as other environmental challenges. These support the vision of the wise leadership on climate change and the environment, to achieve the goals of UAE Centennial 2071; the UAE Vision 2021; and the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to make Dubai a smart and sustainable city whose environmental elements are clean, healthy, and sustainable; and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, noted that the workshops of the Carbon Ambassadors Programme aim to empower future generations, and involve them in achieving the SDGs. The workshops also develop the capabilities of the Carbon Ambassadors to effectively contribute to supporting and implementing Dubai’s strategies in this field, and increase awareness about the need to reduce carbon emissions and develop the right mechanisms to achieve this goal.