Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has obtained the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Challenge 2021, which recognizes the authority’s works in sustainable development and its support of the UAE’s efforts to achieve the UN SDGs.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, expressed his gratitude for the honoring, which reflects DEWA’s efforts to achieve the vision of the country’s wise leadership to establish a more sustainable environment and develop long-term solutions in line with the UN SDGs.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer MD & CEO DEWA
“We are proud of DEWA winning the EFQM UN SDG Challenge 2021. This achievement underlines our relentless efforts to support the UAE to achieve the 17 UN SDGs 2030. As a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), DEWA supports the UN’s role in achieving sustainable development goals. Our work plans, initiatives, programs and projects are aligned with the SDGs. During this period, there is an urgent need to mobilize global efforts to contain the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, enhance efforts to overcome poverty and inequality, address climate change, and develop strategic and vital sectors.”
DEWA has a key role in protecting the environment by expanding its use of clean and renewable energy. This is part of its social responsibility and commitment to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75 percent of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.
Speaking on the win, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said, “We applaud DEWA for its active contribution to achieving the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 to incorporate sustainability across all sectors, and to fulfilling the country’s international commitment towards the SDGs.”
Mr. Al Nuaimi further highlighted DEWA’s dedication in meeting the standards of sustainability in power generation and consumption and expanding the share of renewable energy in its overall capacity that supports the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s vision of protecting natural resources and biodiversity, and tackling climate change.
EFQM noted that DEWA had made a determined effort to systematically explore how it can improve its alignment to all the SDGs. In presenting its initiative, it drew on the SDGs as the framework for demonstrating how sustainability goes along with its business objectives and value to its stakeholders while also contributing to society.
DEWA encourages sustainability amongst its staff, its customers, and society as a whole. The authority’s annual Sustainability Report is a reliable reference for its achievements and efforts over the year to achieve the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071, to make the UAE the world’s leading nation.
DEWA achieved a notable score of 89.17 percent in the sustainability culture indicator index in 2019, surpassing the global average. The indicator is based on several aspects, including leadership in achieving sustainability, strategic commitment to sustainability, innovation in sustainability, training effectiveness and awareness about the UN’s SDGs.
