DRIVEN

SUSTAINABILITY
in Dubai
In preparation for Expo 2020, of which one of the main themes is sustainability, Dubai is beginning to
integrate ecoconcious elements into new developments and launch initiatives to shift the behavior of
residents in order to reduce the nation’s environmental footprint.
ENERGY
In an effort to become a smart and sustainable city, the government developed programs to encourage residents and businesses to
develop eco-friendly habits and begin using renewable energy.
One of the most prominent initiatives is the Shams Dubai project, which aims to connect solar panels on homes and buildings to
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s grid. This will not only slash utility bills, but the surplus energy generated can be sent back
to the DEWA grid, allowing residents to also contribute to the generation of renewable energy.
DEWA is also planning to set up more electric vehicle charging stations around Dubai to increase the convenience of charging cars
running on electricity. The growing number of stations can potentially encourage more residents to invest in electric and hybrid cars
in Dubai.
GREEN HABITS
SUPERFLUOUS FLUSHING
Surprisingly, the toilet accounts for nearly half the
water used in a home. Depending on the age of the
toilet, the common model will use around 13 to 18
liters per flush, making it extremely excessive and
uneconomical.
In order to reduce water use, homeowners can replace
their toilets with a modern low-flush model, which
uses less than half the amount of water older versions
use, or opt for a dual-flush system which regulates the
amount water used. A toilet’s water usage can also be
reduced for free by simply creating water displacement
by placing a plastic container full of water or pebbles
in the tank.
CONSERVE WHILE CLEANING
Showers account for the second highest water use in a
home, hitting around 20%. However, there’s a simple
solution to cutting down the amount of water used
without sacrificing precious shower time: low-flow
showerheads. These add-ons cut water usage in half,
and are not only cost-effective for the water bill but
also cut electricity bills by reducing the amount
of hot water needed per shower. A faucet aerators
also work similar to showerheads, and work on most
regular taps in a home. Being very affordable, these
devices also cut a faucet’s water flow by almost 75%.
THIRSTY GARDENS
A garden can require copious amounts of water, which
can make a major dent in your wallet and the environment—especially
during the UAE’s hot summers.
Avid gardeners can invest in drought-resistant plants
that thrive in hot and dry climates such as desert
flowers, succulents, herbs, and cacti. But if it’s difficult
to part with plants that require frequent watering, it
is best to plant those thirsty ones in a separate area to
avoid overwatering the low-maintenance plants.
GREENER GLOW
While they cost more, switching to
compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
substantially reduces electricity use.
In comparison to incandescent bulbs,
CFLs last almost 10 times longer, use
around 75% less energy, emit 90% less
heat, and provide more light per watt in
comparison to incandescent bulbs.
16
November 2016 Issue