Dubai Electricity and Water Authority establishes first Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence across Middle East

The MoU was signed in the presence of HH Sheikh Saeed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, HE Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment & Water, members of the Supreme Council of Energy together with a number high official of the Government and Senior employees of DEWA.

Mr. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director & CEO, DEWA, has signed on behalf of DEWA, and Mr. Qais Al Numan, the Resident Representative of the Program, has signed for the UNDP.

Al Tayer stated that DEWA has been working restlessly with international experts to establish a formal framework to address carbon emissions in the Emirate.

He added that this initiative is in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in protecting and preserving the environment, based on the corporate strategic objective of DEWA, to play a vital role in providing a clear environment for Dubai Society, DEWA has undertaken a feasibility study for the establishment of a Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE), in cooperation with the Consultant "ISTIDAMA".

Al Tayer stated, "We have the vision of a knowledge economy, and our actions are in line with the development of our society." He mentioned that the DCCE will work as a knowledge repository for the Emirate and provide both the public and private sector with the highest level of expertise to quantify and operationalize environmental upgrades.

Al Tayer emphasized that the DCCE has been conceptualized on the premise of knowledge economies, and leverages international incentives to drive the Dubai business culture to address the change required in tackling climate change.

Al Tayer pointed out that the DCCE will be established as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in conjunction with International Organizations such as the United Nations, and leverage the experience of industry experts. Istidama, a Dubai based sustainability consultancy, has been working alongside DEWA to complement the know-how and establish the PPP framework required.

Mr Ivano Iannelli, former United Nations Chief of Projects in Dubai and Managing Director at Istidama, commented, "We are honored to contribute to the DCCE establishment and simultaneously promote the development and competitiveness of the carbon credit strategies in Dubai."

All members of the centre will play an active role in defining the potential aims, objectives and priorities, as well a3 advising on a suitable structure with the aim of showcasing expertise and encouraging inward inVEstment. Istidama's principle docus is to allow knowledge transfer whth the international organizations to occur, stimuhating innovation in this strategically important sector for UAE.

Al Tayer made it clear that the Centre is meant to act as a one-stop-shop for carbon abatement strategies, and will provide its services to both public and private entities. The large scale of DEWA carbon abatement potential is sufficient enough to consolidate the expertise in a cost effective manner.

Al Tayer concluded his speech stating that it brings him great joy to see DEWA's efforts in reducing Dubai's Carbon footprint has attracted the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

From his side, the UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in UAE, Dr. Noaman, stated that the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) had contributed in setting up an international role model for government entities across the globe, that the Programme has been actively participating in the development of carbon reduction schemes and has the ultimate goal of facilitating government entities in consolidating the competencies required.

In his statement, the UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in UAE, Dr. Noaman, highlighted the remarkable business acumen that the Emirate of Dubai has demonstrated in public sector economic development activities, and expressed his assurances that the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) had set an international example for government entities across the globe.

Mr. Noman mentioned that the DCCE provides strategic advisory services to the Emirate's companies and projects in aligning to socio-environmental development policies from an economic standpoint. The access to carbon credits, an economic incentive, will facilitate the implementation of environmentally friendly activities thus will strengthen the business value and generate additional wealth for its society.

The DCCE will open its doors to the public on 1st Quarter 2010, as part of DEWA, and provide assistance to its stakeholders in generating efficiency from a carbon reduction standpoint.