200 entities to go ‘car free’ in Dubai on February 4

Dubai: A record number of about 200 government and private entities in Dubai will join the Dubai Municipality to observe the 6th Car Free Day on February 4.

Ahmad Thani Al Matrooshi, Abdulla Al Shaibani and Hussain Nasser Lootah during the Car Free Day Press meet in Dubai on Wednesday. — Supplied photo 

Under the slogan “Let’s Walk ... Stop Driving”, this year’s Car Free Day will see senior officials and employees of the participating departments and companies walking, cycling or using any of the public transport modes to their work places.

Addressing a Press conference on Wednesday, Director-General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah said the number of participating entities has more than tripled compared to last year.

“Car Free Day is one of the biggest environmental initiatives of the Dubai Municipality. This year, we are observing it on February 4, coinciding with the National Environment Day,” he said, urging residents to make the initiative a big success.

Free Nol cards Dubai: Nol cards worth Dh100, 000 will be given away for free to thousands of Dubai Metro users on February 4 to support the 6th Car-Free Day being celebrated by the Dubai Municipality. Commuters heading to work on the Metro will be given Gold and Silver Nol cards charged with different amounts, a senior official told Khaleej Times on Wednesday. Salem bin Mesmar, assistant director-general of Dubai Municipality for health, safety and environment monitoring sector, said teams of Dubai Municipality employees will be placed in Metro stations to distribute the cards that are sponsored by Emirates Islamic Bank. Speaking after a press conference held to announce the details of this year’s Car Free Day, he said commuters will have to show their work ID to prove that they are using the public transport on the day of the event. The Dubai Municipality has been giving free Nol cards to its employees who regularly use the Metro to work. However, this is the first time the civic body is giving away the same to general commuters to mark Car Free Day. sajila@khaleejtimes.com

A reduction of 70 to 90 tonnes of carbon emission is expected on the day of the drive that has earned global reputation for Dubai.

Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary-General at Dubai Executive Council, said all government departments in Dubai have been invited to join the civic body to participate in the campaign and lead by example.

The government will come up with a host of rules and regulations to achieve the target of becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the world by 2021, he added.

Managing Director of Emaar Properties, Ahmad Thani Al Matrooshi, said the major developer is encouraging, apart from its employees, the occupants of its residential towers and communities to take part in the green drive.

In 2010, Dubai joined the global Car-Free Day campaigns, devoting a day to ditch cars and opt for public transport in an attempt to reduce carbon emission and environmental pollution.

Vehicles are the main sources of air pollutants, accounting for 15 to 20 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, said Alia Al Harmoudi, director of the Environment Department at the municipality. More than 2,000,000 vehicles use Dubai roads every day, exceeding the road capacity network, she added.

While the first edition of the initiative in Dubai saw the reduction of about three tonnes of carbon emission with nearly 1,500 employees and officials of the civic body switching to the Metro and buses.

Other governmental departments and ministries joined the drive over the years. In 2014, almost 7,000 employees from over 65 government and private organisations participated in the internationally appreciated green campaign of Dubai, contributing to the reduction of 20 tonnes of carbon emission during the day of the event, according to the municipality.

The parking area of the municipality remains closed for the day on Car Free Day and senior officials including the Director General board the Metro together from Etihad Station to Union Station on their way to the municipality’s headquarters in Deira. An exhibition of green products and environmental friendly vehicles will also be held as part of the event.

sajila@khaleejtimes.com