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Earth Hour 2022: Dubai saves 329mw of electricity
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) recorded savings of 329 megawatts (mw) in electricity consumption in the Emirate during Earth Hour 2022, equivalent to a reduction of 132 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. These savings are 13 per cent higher than the 291mw savings recorded during Earth Hour 2021. This year’s savings are the biggest since 2008 when Earth Hour was first observed in Dubai.
Dubai residents joined millions worldwide in expressing their solidarity with efforts to reduce climate changes by turning off unnecessary lights and electric appliances during Earth Hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, March 26, 2022. This year’s Earth Hour was held under the theme ‘Shape Our Future’. Dubai’s landmarks and government and private buildings also took part in the event by turning off their lights for an hour.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, commended everyone who took part in the Earth Hour, emphasising that the goal goes beyond just turning off unnecessary lights and electric appliances for 60 minutes. Earth Hour aims to make electricity and water conservation a daily practice to cut carbon emissions and combat environmental challenges such as climate change and global warming.
“At Dewa, we work in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy, which aims to provide 100 per cent of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. We also raise awareness among society members on the importance of conservation and highlight sustainability practices that positively impact climate action. The results achieved during Earth Hour in Dubai every year underline the key role of society members in conservation and reduction of carbon footprint. The goal of Earth Hour is to encourage society members to adopt a conscious and responsible lifestyle to support national efforts to limit carbon emissions and protect natural resources to ensure their sustainability for generations to come,” said Al Tayer.
Khawla Al Mehairi, executive vice president of Strategy and Government Communications at Dew, said that Earth Hour is one of the most significant environmental initiatives that millions worldwide observe by turning off unnecessary lights, including key landmarks, from 8.30pm–9.30pm on the last Saturday of March. It highlights the importance of strict measures to combat Earth’s challenges, such as climate change and global warming. Dubai was the first Arab city to host Earth Hour activities in 2008.
#Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recorded savings of 329 megawatts (MW) in electricity consumption in the Emirate during Earth Hour 2022, equivalent to a reduction of 132 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.https://t.co/AgqZutHqst pic.twitter.com/UjpkketaZy
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 27, 2022
Dewa’s buildings participated in Earth Hour by turning off unnecessary lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. This included Dewa’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which also organised various activities, including traditional performances by the Emirati Al Harbiya band. Dewa’s conservation mascots, Noor and Hayat, also participated in the Earth Hour Switch-Off Parade at Expo 2020 Dubai. Additionally, Dewa organised Earth Hour competitions through its social media accounts, with valuable gifts for the participants.
Indian travellers planning a holiday in Abu Dhabi can now have the cost of their UAE entry visa covered under a new tourism initiative.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a limited-time programme for eligible Indian passport holders who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages through participating travel companies and online travel agencies.
The offer is available until October 31, 2026, during an initial pilot that will support up to 20,000 visas.
However, the offer comes with specific booking requirements. Travellers must book a package that includes both a return flight from India and at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.
Who is eligible for the free UAE visa offer?
The programme is aimed at Indian passport holders travelling from India to Abu Dhabi.
To qualify, travellers must book through a participating travel partner or online travel agency. The holiday package must include:
- A minimum three-night stay at an Abu Dhabi hotel
- A return flight from India
- Booking through an eligible participating travel partner or OTA
The visa benefit cannot be claimed through an independent application. It is tied to qualifying holiday bookings made through the programme’s participating partners.
When is the Abu Dhabi free visa offer available?
The initiative runs from:
August 1 to October 31, 2026
DCT Abu Dhabi says the pilot programme will initially support up to 20,000 visas.
For eligible bookings, the tourism authority will cover the full cost of the UAE entry visa, potentially reducing the upfront expense for Indian visitors planning a trip to the emirate.
How does the visa fee waiver work?
Travel partners participating in the scheme have two ways to process the visa arrangements.
One option is to work with a DCT-appointed destination management company (DMC). In this case, DCT Abu Dhabi will pay the visa costs directly.
Travel companies can also use their existing DMC partners. Under this arrangement, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse Dh285 for each visa issued under the programme.
For travellers, the key point is that the benefit is handled through the participating travel partner rather than by applying for reimbursement independently.
Why is Abu Dhabi targeting Indian travellers?
India continues to be an important international source market for Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.
According to DCT Abu Dhabi, the new programme is part of wider efforts to make the destination more accessible to Indian visitors while strengthening relationships with travel companies and improving connectivity between India and Abu Dhabi.
The initiative also aims to encourage visitors to spend more time in the emirate exploring its hotels, cultural attractions, entertainment options and natural landscapes.
Is the UAE visa completely free for all Indian tourists?
No.
The offer does not mean that every Indian passport holder automatically receives a free UAE tourist visa.
The visa fee is covered only when travellers meet the programme’s conditions and book through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.
The booking must include at least three consecutive hotel nights in Abu Dhabi and a return flight from India.
Travellers should therefore check with their chosen travel provider before booking to confirm that the package and visa arrangement qualify for the offer.
Abu Dhabi holiday offer:
Who: Eligible Indian passport holders travelling from India
Destination: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Offer period: August 1–October 31, 2026
Hotel requirement: Minimum three consecutive nights
Flight requirement: Return flight from India
Booking requirement: Participating travel partner or OTA
Visa cost: Covered by DCT Abu Dhabi for eligible bookings
Pilot capacity: Up to 20,000 visas
Independent applications: Not eligible for the programme
For Indian travellers already considering an Abu Dhabi getaway, the initiative could make an eligible holiday package more affordable, but checking the participating travel provider and meeting all the booking conditions will be essential.
Indian tourists can get UAE visa fees waived for Abu Dhabi: Who qualifies
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