Dubai,
UAE: Consumer
behavior will be pivotal in building a greener economy for Dubai, according to panelists
at the third Green Leadership Series held by the Dubai Green Economy
Partnership earlier this week.
The
Green Leadership Series (GLS) is organised by Dubai Green Economy Partnership
in collaboration with EnPark, TECOM Investments’ Business Park dedicated to
fostering the growth of the alternative energy and environmental industries,
and a founding member of the Dubai Green Economy Partnership.
HE
Ahmed Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of Dubai Surpreme Council of Energy opened
the event to over 120 delegates. Following this, key note speaker and former TED
Talks guest, Alex Laskey, Founder & CEO, Opower UK, presented a speech on
how behavioral science can be used to lower energy costs across a range of
industries. Using findings from an Opower study, he concluded that the most
effective way to lower consumer, is by highlighting comparison graphs for their
electricity bills, therefore promoting competition.
The
discussion centered on agreement that once the infrastructure around
sustainable energy solutions is identified and established, there is
significant work to do to educate UAE residents so that these systems can be
used effectively and efficiently. This is particularly relevant given the
recent announcement of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy endorsement of the
Carbon Abatement strategy developed in collaboration with Dubai Carbon.
The
panelists concluded that an integrated approach with a combination of improved
information, economic incentives and other benefits may drive consumers towards
sustainable decisions. Reinforcing this sentiment, representatives from the RTA
highlighted the importance of the new Dubai Tram, making the point that time
saving can be as an important a reason for passengers to prefer public
transport over vehicles.
Mr. Waleed Salman, Chairman of Dubai
Green Economic Partnership, Chairman of Dubai Carbon and Vice President of
Strategy and Business Development at DEWA said: “The Green Leadership series is a
vital platform for proactive discussion about the UAE’s sustainability efforts.
Dubai has a unique position
among global cities leading the transition to a green and sustainable economy
due to its accomplished business strengths and advantages.
“At DEWA we aim to achieve
organizational excellence in providing services to customers according to the
highest quality standards, supporting Dubai’s position as a global hub for
finance, business, and all other fields.
DEWA encourages its customers to use the various electronic services it
offers and learn about how to use them.”
Salman added; “Using DEWA’s electronic and smart
services helped eliminate 11,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2013 as a
result of DEWA’s customers conducting 3.3 million transactions online and
through the smart app. This amount of carbon dioxide is the equivalent amount
that could have resulted from customers travelling to and from DEWA’s offices.
This equates to planting 56,331 trees in an area equivalent to 106 football
fields.”
Mr.
Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI and Secretary General of Dubai GEP
said: “The Green Leadership Series is unique in bringing together industry
experts from across the sustainability sector to discuss how to further the
UAE’S green economy through identification of opportunities, analysis of trends
and private sector participation in shaping future policies. To grow and
facilitate green consumer choices, financing tools must be developed,
established and communicated. The first step in this process is to encourage
stakeholders including selected suppliers and financial institutions to
collaborate so that we can create an effective model.”
Mr Marwan Abdulaziz, Executive
Director of EnPark and Founding Member of the Green Economic Partnership said: “Consumer confidence has never been
higher, as a recent Nielson survey ranked the UAE as the most optimistic in the
Middle East and Africa region. We must use this confidence to positively impact
our country in promoting a greener future.
“Small
changes to our everyday life can make a significant impact. If we continue to
educate and inform others how not only Government and organizational changes
can affect our carbon footprint, but every individual, then together we will
achieve our goals to become a green and sustainable nation.”
