Al Marmoom Ultramarathon Celebrates World Environment Day
  • 2022
  • 2021

Al Marmoom Ultramarathon Celebrates World Environment Day 2022 at Solar Innovation Centre in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

In conjunction with World Environment Day, observed on 5 June every year and held this year under the theme ‘Only One Earth’, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised several internal and external activities. It also launched an awareness campaign on its social media accounts to encourage society members to conserve electricity and water consumption and adopt sustainable practices that protect the environment and natural resources. These include using digital services, electric vehicles, installing solar photovoltaic panels, planting trees and reducing plastic.

In addition, DEWA’s Innovation Centre at the Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, organised a cleaning campaign for the area around the Solar Park. This was in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council, the participants in Al Marmoom Ultramarathon, Dulsco, and FittGROUP.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, stressed the need to engage all members of society in efforts to preserve natural resources, environmental habitats and biodiversity, and reduce wrong environmental practices, to ensure environmental sustainability in Dubai to maintain the quality of life.

“The whole world faces environmental challenges. At DEWA, we support national and international efforts in environmental sustainability and ensuring a greener future for generations to come. This is in accordance with the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said, ‘Countries share one fate and one future, and, therefore, cannot work alone to protect the planet’. DEWA works to promote sustainability in all its forms: environmental, social, and economic to achieve the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030,” said Al Tayer.

“We have launched pioneering initiatives and projects covering all clean and renewable energy technologies in Dubai. One of our most notable projects in this field is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park globally, using the Independent Power Producer (IPP). Its production capacity will reach 5,000 megawatts by 2030,” added Al Tayer.

“World Environment Day is an annual initiative close to our hearts. It brings like-minded companies such as DEWA, Dubai Municipality and Al Marmoom Ultramarathon together to make a difference to our planet. We must realise that there is only one earth and do our part to encourage and involve the wider community in making changes towards protecting and preserving the environment. The ‘Plogging’ initiative, where we walk whilst collecting litter, is aimed not only at advancing Dulsco’s commitment to environmental sustainability but also at creating a chain reaction for youth to take the lead and make a difference,” said David Stockton from Dulsco.

“The desert is a precious ecosystem and habitat that has to be protected and preserved. Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is not only a place of outstanding natural beauty but also an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of the region. We all must help to protect its legacy now and for future generations. FittGROUP and the crew from the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon are delighted to help keep the area clear of litter that might negatively impact wildlife and the enjoyment of the desert by others,’’ said Danil Bornventure Race Director Al Marmoom Ultramarathon.

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Al Marmoom Ultramarathon Celebrates World Environment Day 2021 in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

The UN World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June annually and this year focused on ‘Ecosystem Restoration.’ It will see the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aims to help in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact.

Volunteers from leading organizations in Dubai, as well as the Dubai ultra- running community spent the morning cleaning a desert area near the Innovation Centre - part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.

The event was organized by Dubai Sports Council and Al Marmoom Ultramarathon in association with Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and Dulsco. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and to inspire others - as well as make a positive practical difference.

David Stockton, CEO of Dulsco: “At Dulsco, we are dedicated to driving the message of environmental importance to the community, and being a part of the World Environment Day celebrations at Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is in line with our commitment to this. We are proud to be part of an event that spreads the message of preserving our environment and caring for the planet that we all share. A community-focused event such as this is an integral part of our vision at Dulsco, and we are delighted to work alongside other entities in the UAE to achieve this.”

Danil Bornventure, Race Director Al Marmoom Ultramarathon: ‘Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty set aside for us all to enjoy. The aim of the event was to bring together the community to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and inspiring others to do the same. It is important that all of us do our part in respecting the delicate desert ecosystem and protecting it for future generations’.

The event saw volunteers taking part in ‘plogging’ a popular exercise that involves jogging or walking whilst picking up litter. The term plogging originated in Sweden and comes from merging the Swedish verbs plocka upp (pick up) and jogga (jog). Plogging has become popular globally as it is considered an ideal community activity - good for health and for the environment.

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve spans 10 % per cent of Dubai’s total area and is the largest unfenced nature reserve in the UAE. The reserve is open to the public and is also home to the region’s largest renewable energy project, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park.

Event Video: click here