Dubai Customs joins millions around the globe for Earth Hour next Saturday

In compliance to the government guidance and as part of the corporate value that aims to provide a better healthy environment around the earth, Dubai Customs, on Saturday 26 March 2011, will take stand in “Earth Hour” Global environmental campaign to reduce CO2 emissions. The department will turn out lights at its building from 8:30 to 9:30pm (for one hour) and will inspire its internal and external customers through the awareness campaign to rationalize power and preserve the environment. 

The Dept will also participate in the mass symbolic procession which will be organized the same evening by Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates Wildlife Society, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and EMAAR under the sponsorship of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and   Chairman of the Executive Council. The procession will start from Plaza Tower in Dubai downtown and march till Khalifa Tower with the attendance of officials and representatives from Dubai Customs, government departments and private corporations. 

HE Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, and Dubai Customs Director General said: “Dubai Customs’ efforts will come as part of Dubai Government collateral efforts in such event to demonstrate its support for action in preserving environment. Dubai Customs will turn off all its lights including the external lamp posts and will send SMS and awareness messages via the Dept intranet, including clear knowledge about the event and possibility of popular support in the workplace, home and communicate the message to the neighboring agencies, relatives and friends. 

HE explained that the Dept in such situations always takes precautionary measures to ensure safety running of business due to this voluntary power outage. On this day, we call upon everybody to turn out lights on this celebrated day, and invite all to use electricity wisely in the future by switching off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances.

“Dubai Customs has put the environment issue on top of the agenda of its Strategic Plan 2007-2011, on this basis, Dubai Customs, for the last few years, has launched a number of environmental initiatives related to the rationalization of power & preservation of energy resources to help in maintaining sustainable development” HE added. Dubai Customs has also set up a number of new green building systems in all its subsidiary buildings. The last year efforts were very effective and resulted in saving AED110.000 due to the use of friendly electric and water environmental systems saving up to 40% of electric energy due to usage of electrical sensors in buildings’ main corridors, and 34% of water thanks to installing water thrifty taps. 

Dubai takes part in this annual campaign for the fourth consecutive year joining other hundreds of cities around in this event which originally began in Australia in 2007. The campaign has reaped successful results since then, and it’s witnessing growing numbers of participants every year. This participation positively contributes in the enhancement of Dubai Strategy of 2015 in which the environment is deemed as a vital integral part of development.