Dubai steps up drive to develop low carbon economy

Established as a Private Joint Stock Company (PJSC) by DEWA, DUBAL, ENOC and Istidama, under the mandate of the Supreme Council of Energy, DCCE was formed mainly to assist in all carbon matters by providing access to best-practices through consultancy; advising on environmental finance and carbon credits and green investment funds; as well as implementing capacity building initiatives through trainings and workshops. “There is a lot of demand for sustainability driven economic models, and DCCE was purposely established in this niche to facilitate the transition of the public sector to the changing climate-friendly environment," said Waleed Salman, Chairman of Dubai Carbon. According to Mr. Salman, DCCE is at the forefront of reducing carbon emissions locally and regionally. Its core business is low-carbon advisory aimed at creating award-winning carbon management initiatives in private and public sector organizations, renewable energy projects, trainings and carbon credit registration under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Through carbon footprinting and energy audits, DCCE helps organizations map out their emissions and identify opportunities for emission reductions, which result in cost efficiencies and increased revenues. “DCCE is also increasing Dubai’s green GDP by producing ‘green’ products and services and attracting foreign capital,” said Ivano Iannelli, CEO Dubai Carbon. “It is DCCE’s philosophy to approach projects in a manner that considers the financial outcome as much as the environmental impact, as all investment in green technologies must be economically viable.” Officially launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-Moon in 2011, DCCE was established to bring carbon management know-how and international best practices to the region. Since its establishment, it has successfully registered the first Dubai-based carbon credit projects with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in late 2012 for clients like DEWA and Dubal. Currently, DCCE has a client base amongst Dubai’s leading developers, hospitality and transport companies, including Emirates Airlines, Emaar Properties and Imdaad. DCCE will launch a series of initiatives for the Dubai public, starting with a large-scale energy efficient light bulb distribution to households. Here DCCE seeks to engage the public through volunteers that will spare some of their time to take the battle against climate change in their own hands. The DCCE is also mandated by the Dubai Government to develop the Greenhouse Gas Inventory or “carbon footprint” for the emirate of Dubai, and will undertake the same exercise for the other emirates except Abu Dhabi mandated by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water. “Early next year, the DSCE will publish the results of the Dubai GHG inventory conducted by DCCE and discuss the carbon strategy for the emirate in the years to come,” ended Mr. Salman.