Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said the Earth Hour 2012 celebrations drew overwhelming support from all sectors of the community in the emirate and helped achieved a record saving of 216,000 KW/h and 130,000 kg carbon emission.

Announcing the achievement, Dewa said thanks to the support of people in Dubai, the global event, held to mark the single largest act of conservation for the betterment of Earth, had resulted in a 6 per cent increase in saving compared to 2011.

The Earth Hour was held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Chairman of Dubai Executive Council in partnership with The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (SCE) and Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS). The event was also supported by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Emaar.

Dewa said the Earth Hour celebrations held at Burj Plaza witnessed the largest gathering of people coming together in support of the preservation of natural resources.

The emirate's Earth Hour celebrations were led by Dewa with an entertaining family event held at Emaar’s Burj Plaza starting at 5pm yesterday.

During the festivities visitors enjoyed the many eco-attractions and games for children, neon artistes, magicians and music.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman of SCE and MD and CEO of Dewa inaugurated the Earth Hour 2012 walk in the presence of Khalid Al Malik, CEO, Dubai Properties Group and Lt Col General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, Dubai and Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of Emirates Environment Group and Nazim Faisal Ali Saeed, director, Roads & Structures Maintenance Dept., Traffic and Roads Agency, RTA.

Commenting on the achievements, Al Tayer said, “Dubai has celebrated its commitment to the betterment of our planet Earth and shown the world our leadership in the preservation of our natural resources by achieving the highest saving rates in the emirate to date.'

'In return, Dewa will now present its challenges to the community and its employees in accordance with our announcements in support of the Global Earth Hour campaign ‘I will, if you will – dare the world, save the planet’ by furthering renewable energy education and marine wildlife with the objective of initiating a lasting change in behaviour,' he added.

Al Tayer said Dewa will also honour its commitment to organize a fund-raising ‘Victory Walk’ on World Earth Day with proceeds raised donated to an environmental cause such as the sponsorship of a UAE national high school graduate to study a specialized bachelor degree in renewable energy.-TradeArabia News Service