Dubai and UAE neighboring countries are not just bracing for a hike in terms of economic growth but are also playing a significant role in helping the world preserve the environment by taking in plans to stop the use of plastic in the area.
This year, UAE maintained its top spot for a fourth year as the most competitive economy in the Middle East and North Africa, according to The Global Competitiveness Report 2019 published by the World Economic Forum. With this development going on, the UAE is challenged not only to maintain economically stable but also to ensure that their environmental goals are moving forward.
In fact, in his speech on UAE’s National Day earlier this month, Vice President and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum noted that UAE has planned to launch various initiatives that will implement their clean energy efforts.
Al Maktoum took pride in the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which he said will target a mix of energy initiatives such as combining clean and renewable energy sources.
Dubai Airports Pledge Against Plastic
Among the evident efforts of UAE’s fight against plastic in Dubai Airport’s pledge to ban single-use plastics in its vicinity starting January 1, 2020. Dubai International Airports and Al Maktoum International Airport are globally recognized to be among the busiest airports in the world, catering to more than 89 million visitors last year.
In a statement to the media mid this year, Habiba Al Marashi, Emirates Environmental Group Chairperson, emphasized the importance of this pledge in impacting the mindset of the travelers. He said that by banning single-use plastic in the vicinity, the UAE is sending a strong message the travelers who pass through the airport.
In their press release available on their website Dubai Airports reported that they recycle more than 43,000 tonnes of paper, glass, and other wastes. Of this number, 16 tonnes are single-use plastic bottles and caps.
Executive Vice President Commercial of Dubai Airports Eugene Barry said they believe they can make a tangible difference by eliminating single-use plastics in consumer spaces, given that they are hosting some 90 million people every year.
He said the airports are committing to work with their concession and hospitality partners to achieve that goal effective January 1, 2020.
Mid this year, Dubai Airports also worked with various businesses operating at DXB. During the event, Dubai Airport prevented the distribution of over 150,000 straws. Read more of the Press Release Here: Dubai Airport pledge against single-use plastic
Neighbors in the fight against plastic
Joining their efforts to fight plastic are their neighboring countries Bahrain and Kuwait.
Mid this year, Bahrain has passed a law that bans plastic. The country’s Supreme Council for the Environment has implemented licensing for a business that will be using plastic materials such as shopping and laundry bags.
Meanwhile, Kuwait, for their part, shared the same goal as Dubai- to be zero plastic by 2020. Kuwait’s Environment Public Authority announced last September that the country is bracing to use paper or biodegradable shopping bags instead of single-use plastic.
