Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, annually celebrates the National Environment Day on 4th February, along with the public and private sectors and civil society organisations, to express their continuous interest and obligation to protect the environment and achieve the sustainable development.

He said this adheres to the UAE Vision 2021, to create a sustainable environment in terms of air quality, conserving water resources, more reliance on clean energy, and implementing green development in Dubai, as well as Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as a smart and sustainable city, whose environmental elements are clean, healthy and sustainable.

Al Tayer indicated that the UAE’s wise leadership, namely, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, takes interest in The National Environment Day.

"This reflects the high priority that the UAE’s wise leadership gives to the development of a sustainable future, and raising awareness among society members, while encouraging environmentally-friendly practices including cleaning up natural sanctuaries and protecting wildlife according to the best practices and highest standards. DEWA takes the responsibility to achieve this by launching green initiatives and programmes, which protect environment and reduce the irrational use of natural resources," he added.

Al Tayer noted that DEWA develops its strategic plan according to the wise vision of the wise leadership and adopts the state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly technologies and innovative ideas, to reduce the Emirate’s carbon footprint. DEWA also works to enhance the efficiency of electricity grids and water networks, according to the highest international environmental standards.

"On the occasion of the 20th National Environment Day, which is being held this year under the theme ‘Sustainable Production and Consumption,’ we renew our commitment to supporting national efforts to establish a green economy and support environmental stability in the UAE, by finding a balance between sustainable development and environmental preservation. This will ensure sustainable development goals are achieved, as sustainable consumption is currently a major point of discussion at a number of international forums, and also one of the main objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. This ambitious strategy aims to transform Dubai into an international hub for clean energy and green economy by providing 7 per cent of Dubai's total power output from clean resources by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030, and 75 per cent by 2050.'' Al Tayer concluded.