Dubai Can, the citywide sustainability movement launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has welcomed the far-reaching support of the city’s major stakeholders and industry partners, who have joined hands to drive forward the initiative to further enhance Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable destination.
The Dubai Can initiative witnessed a successful launch on 16th February 2022 with overwhelming support from DET’s industry stakeholders and partners as well as communities in Dubai, with more than 500 destinations, hotels, attractions and malls across the city collaborating towards accelerating momentum for the sustainability movement.
In addition, a network of key stakeholders drawn from the business and tourism sectors have pledged to install a fountain, meaning that more than 50 fountains will be in place across the city by December 2022 which will further highlight Dubai’s position as a global liveability hub, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
Encouraging UAE residents as well the city to actively reduce the usage of single-use plastic bottles, ‘Dubai Can’ motivates communities, businesses, residents and visitors to undertake simple changes such as using refillable water bottles and public water stations and installing water filters in their homes, offices and schools.
Yousuf Lootah, Executive Director – Tourism Development & Investments Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said,
"We are truly grateful for the support of our stakeholders and partners for their role in ensuring that the Dubai Can initiative becomes a reality. We would also like to thank communities across Dubai for their overwhelming response and enthusiastic support to this novel project. Important movements such as Dubai Can will help lay the groundwork for positive change and further enhance the action plan that is in place to achieve Dubai’s sustainability goals."
Tatiana Rahal, Managing Director at Talabat UAE, said,
"We started by eliminating single-use plastic in our offices in 2020, saving over 50,000 bottles every year. The actions we take today impact our environment now and in the future."
Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, said,
"It is an honour to be part of the Dubai Can initiative, we are proud to announce the sponsoring of one of the fountains, which will be placed in the World Trade Centre area of Dubai."
Abdallah Hageali, Group Director of Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate said,
"We are proud to be a part of the #DubaiCan movement and honored to be one of the chosen destinations to provide free and safe drinking water to the community. The new water station is located at Festival Tower in Dubai Festival City."
Ibrahim Al Zu'bi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Majid Al Futtaim, said,
"At Majid Al Futtaim, we are extremely proud to continue to play a vital role in the UAE’s journey to Net Zero 2050, leading by example in reducing our footprint as well as influencing the behaviour of our customers and communities to reach Net Positive by 2040."
Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice President – MERAT, Dell Technologies, said,
"We are excited to join forces with the Dubai government in its efforts to reduce the consumption of single use plastic through the Dubai Can initiative."
Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), said,
"Given our longstanding focus on ESG, DMCC is proud to be supporting the UAE’s sustainability agenda through the Dubai Can initiative. Sustainability will undoubtedly play a key role in advancing the future of trade, so ESG has been embedded throughout all our operations."
Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President, Venue Services Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, said,
"Using water fountains is a positive, environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bottled water and supports Dubai and the UAE’s commitment to a more sustainable future."
Ahmad Al Matrooshi of Emaar Properties PJSC, said,
Emaar is incredibly proud to be a strategic partner of the Dubai Can initiative which aims to spread the message of conscious living and highlight the importance of refill culture across the city. Community awareness is a big part of campaigns that call for change and Emaar is committed to work with the UAE Government to play an active role in driving significant progress through innovative solutions."
Moadh Bukhash, Chief Marketing Officer at Emirates NBD, said,
"In order to demonstrate our deep commitment to the initiative and to pioneering a culture of sustainability among employees, partners and peers, we have implemented several internal programmes to reduce single-use plastic water bottle usage across our offices as well."
Nadia Verjee, Chief of Staff, Programme for People and Planet, Expo 2020 Dubai, said,
"Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet is central to our efforts, having provided a platform for 10,000 thought leaders and stakeholders from every corner of the globe to share ideas and best practices to help solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. Our message to the 2.5 million people who have watched our programme online is that we all have a responsibility towards our planet and reducing reliance on single-use plastics, including refilling and reusing water bottles, is one step that can create a big impact as we to work together to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."
Shahram Shamsaee, CEO, Merex Investment, said,
"We are delighted to support Dubai Can – a sustainability initiative by installing free drinking water stations across our destinations – The Beach, City Walk and La Mer – to spread awareness, instill a sense of responsibility and encourage our visitors to reduce the use of plastic water bottles. As the owners and operators of the world-class outdoor destinations, we are committed to rethink the way urban spaces are designed to create clean sustainable happy spaces and the way people experience the city."
Omar Khoory, Chief Assets Officer at Nakheel, said,
"At Nakheel, we recognise the importance of implementing small acts that pave the way for bigger outcomes, and we will continue to dedicate our efforts to instill a culture of conscious and sustainable living across our assets."
Aamer Sheikh, Chief Executive Officer PepsiCo Middle East Business Unit, said,
"The launch of the Aquafina Water Stations is an important milestone in this journey. The stations have already offered millions of visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai a refreshing and personalised hydration experience."
Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer, Shamal, commented,
"At Shamal Holding, we are committed to the nation’s vision to embrace a sustainable future and accelerate action to preserve a healthy planet for generations to come."
With the ambitious goal of significantly reducing single-use plastic bottles, the Dubai Can platform empowers communities to take action to help drive sustainable growth. The initiative also supports Dubai’s commitment to meeting the UAE’s UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative.
Residents and visitors to Dubai now have access to more than 30 water stations across the city as part of this initiative, with prime public locations including beaches, parks, malls and major attractions. All water stations across the city will provide the highest standards of hygiene and maintain strict adherence to municipal, healthcare and federal regulations.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
