In line with the directives of the visionary leadership regarding achieving sustainable use of natural resources for future generations, the "Istidamat Khair" (Sustainable Giving), initiative, with the slogan, ‘Together, we build the future’, was launched today on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit, WFES 2019.
The initiative is about providing cash and in-kind incentives to public and private institutions and individuals to encourage them to use water and electricity efficiently. It also seeks to encourage using the funds saved to pay utility bills of underprivileged families, as well as funding future renewable energy projects.
Commenting on the launch, Amer Abdulla Al Ali, Sr. Water Engineer at Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company, Transco, said, "The initiative is aimed at promoting the culture of water and electricity conservation and making it a part of our daily practices through a new and unique approach."
Twenty-five percent of the conservation savings will be allocated for paying the utility bills of the poor families and the remaining 75 percent for funding future green and environment-friendly energy projects, thus contributing to reducing the UAE environmental footprint in line with country’s overall strategy, he explained.
Al Ali, who launched the initiative, said that when comparing other campaigns to Sustainable Giving, the later is "unique" in that it provides rewards in return for reducing water and electricity consumption.
"The endeavour also places no financial obligation on the participating public and private consumers and also works as a good platform for the sponsors to promote their products and services. In light of the available data and figures, if all targeted consumer segments reduce their annual consumption by one per cent it will save a huge amount of money that would give a great push for attaining the initiative objectives," he continued.
Al Ali sought support for the initiative from all categories of consumers, government, residential, agricultural and industrial, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. "In the initial six-month pilot phase, which will be announced soon, we will start with all the subsidiaries of Abu Dhabi Power Company, ADPC, in the second stage, which will span three years, the door will be open for all sectors to participate," he concluded.