DUBAL supports Earth Hour for fifth consecutive year

A concerned and responsible corporate citizen, Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) – whose Jebel Ali complex ranks as the world’s largest single-site primary aluminium smelter using pre-baked anode technology – strives continuously to minimize the impact of its operations on the environment by implementing advanced technologies and adhering to strict operating standards. For example, conserving energy is a top priority at DUBAL: the company constantly innovates to identify new opportunities to reduce energy consumption or improve energy efficiency of its operations. The company also supports international, regional and local initiatives and campaigns whose objectives reflect the DUBAL’s own ambition of “Zero Harm to People and the Environment”.

Accordingly, DUBAL is not only a registered supporter of Earth Hour — the world’s largest community-driven campaign focused on our planet — but will also again participate actively in Earth Hour 2013, which takes place from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Saturday 23 March 2013. “For the fifth year in a row, we will switch off all unnecessary lights, air conditioners, office computers and other non-vital equipment in a united stand with millions of people across the world,” says Abdulla Kalban (President & CEO). He adds that, being a 24-7 operation, the DUBAL plant cannot be switched off on an ad hoc basis. However, certain non-critical items can be turned off temporarily without compromising individual safety and/or plant security; or affecting production and plant efficiencies. Individual operating departments within DUBAL have identified these items, which will be de-activated for the duration of Earth Hour 2013.

Echoing the Earth Hour organizers’ 2013 challenge, which asks “What are you willing to do to save the planet?”, staff in DUBAL’s administration areas have been encouraged to turn off their personal computers, printers, scanners, lights and other equipment for the entire weekend (i.e. from Thursday afternoon through to Sunday morning). In addition, DUBAL’s Residential Area – which is home to some 1,600 bachelor employees – will mark Earth Hour 2013 with 60 minutes of complete darkness by turning off all street lamps, flood lights and recreational facility lights. Residents will also be encouraged to turn off their room lights and air-conditioners for the period.

According to Kalban, Earth Hour’s ambitions reflect DUBAL’s corporate commitment to protecting the environment through energy-conservation and emission-minimization initiatives. “Acknowledging that carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse and therefore the main cause of global warming, DUBAL in 2009 implemented a 2015 Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan that will help us reduce the size of our carbon footprint.  The plan outlines programmes to raise awareness about climate change and carbon emissions; implement systems to measure its emissions; identify carbon reduction and abatement options; and continually improve our carbon performance,” he says.

DUBAL’s participation in Earth Hour 2013 has been communicated to the company’s 3,800-plus employees using various channels, including email, e-posters, a banner on DUBAL’s corporate website and bulk SMS-messaging. In keeping with the Earth Hour ‘I Will if You Will’ campaign, e-posters have also been sent to customers, suppliers and contractors to advise them of DUBAL’s participation in Earth Hour 2013 and encourage them to do so, too. In addition, DUBAL employees have been encouraged to participate in Earth Hour activities held within the Dubai community.