Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company and host of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), has launched an eco-bus initiative that will tour the United Arab Emirates to raise awareness about the world’s largest sustainability gathering in January.
In partnership with Abu Dhabi Power Corporation and Hafilat Industry LLC, the Sustainability Bus will travel to key locations across all seven emirates to educate local communities about sustainability and climate change.
“This campaign is a great opportunity to engage local communities across all the seven emirates of the UAE to raise awareness about ADSW’s commitment to sustainable development,” said Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director for Brand & Strategic Initiatives at Masdar. “Furthermore, it will highlight the UAE’s pledge to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Masdar’s mission to advance renewable energy and clean technologies around the world over the past 13 years.”
“Through the Sustainability Bus, our aim is to get everyone in the UAE on board our sustainability journey with a range of activities and educational workshops to enable them to play their part in addressing climate change, whether that is through recycling, reducing their consumption of power and water, or using public transport more often,” Dr Fawwaz added.
Visitors to the Sustainability Bus will be introduced to Masdar and its strategic platforms Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and Youth 4 Sustainability. They will also learn how they can make a difference in helping to mitigate climate change at home, such as by recycling and using more energy-efficient appliances. Interactive workshops will also be offered to children.
The all-electric Sustainability Bus will visit every emirate in the UAE for a full weekend (Thursday to Saturday) from November 28. The tour starts at Al Rumailah, in Fujairah (November 28-30), before visiting Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah (December 5-7), Kite Beach in Um Al Quwain (December 12-14), Ajman (December 19-21), Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah (December 26-28), Dubai City Walk (January 2-4), and Abu Dhabi Corniche, East Plaza (January 9-11). The bus will end its journey at The Festival at Masdar City from January 16-18.
When launched at ADSW 2018, the Sustainability Bus was the first fully electric passenger bus in the region and served passengers on a number of routes in Abu Dhabi.
Launched in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport (DoT), Abu Dhabi-based manufacturer Hafilat Industry LLC, and electric motors maker Siemens Middle East, the bus has been designed to withstand the heat and humidity of the UAE climate. It has a lightweight aluminium body and a unique water-cooling system to optimise battery life and efficiency, even when the outdoor temperature is at its highest. The vehicle also has a highly energy-efficient on-board air-conditioning system.