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UAE, India join hands to reduce plastic footprint

Dubai - This year, India has been designated the global host for the World Environment Day, themed 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.

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The Embassy of India in UAE and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), have joined hands to 'beat plastic pollution' on the occasion of World Environment Day. 
The day falls on June 5 every year. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Navdeep Singh Suri, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, and heads of leading private sector companies got together to sign a pledge to support the initiative at MOCCAE headquarters in Dubai on Tuesday. 
This year, India has been designated the global host for the World Environment Day, themed 'Beat Plastic Pollution' The UAE consumed 13 billion bags of plastic and approximately 450 billion plastic bottles last year, according to MOCCAE. India, on the other hand, consumes 13 million tonnes of plastic every year. 

For the future generations

"Eight million tonnes of plastic make their way into the oceans each year, and by 2050 the world's oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight," Dr Thani said. "With gloomy facts such as these, the world needs to step up and join hands in raising awareness and inspiring a more decisive action to generate solutions."
Dr Thani added: "While plastic may be an essential component in many modern industries in the world and has proven economic value in securing our livelihoods, we now realise the dire need to strike a balance between its economic value and protecting the environment against its adverse effects through opting for greener choices when using and disposing of plastic."
Meanwhile, Suri announced that embassy officials have been provided with reusable water bottles. The private companies which took the pledge included Aster DM Healthcare, the Apparel Group and Lulu Group. The companies also laid down their future plans on reducing plastic consumption.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com