Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation, Empower, has received the official Certified Emission Reductions, CERs, Cancellation Certificate issued by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, for the successful offset of emissions during the IDEA District Cooling 2016 Conference, in cooperation with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, DCCE.

The certificate was presented by Ivano Iannelli, CEO of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence.

Commenting on the certification, Bin Shafar said "It is indeed an honour to receive the cancellation certificate, which is a reflection of our ethos that we refuse to rest on our achievements and continue to strive to become a more environmentally responsible organisation. At Empower, we consider carbon emission reductions an integral part of our environmental strategy and adopt the best green practices in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The CER certification not only reinstates our commitment towards climate change mitigation, but also drives Dubai and the UAE closer to achieving its agenda of sustainable development."

The purchase and cancellation of CERs owned by Dubai Carbon allows local businesses to reduce and offset their carbon emissions using locally sourced carbon credits from regional clean energy projects. The CERs were generated from the DEWA’s Chiller Station L, CDM Project. The project is the source of the CERs utilised for cancellation, which reduces around 26,800 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent per annum and is one of the few CDM projects generating carbon credits in the GCC. The station utilises energy efficient technology in electricity generation.

"Following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement, it is increasingly important that companies set an example in reducing emissions. At Empower we are committed to reducing our CO2 emissions to support the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy and Dubai Plan 2021. In addition, reducing the amount of carbon not only drives the country towards a carbon-neutral framework, but also significant cost reductions, which ultimately leads to greater profits," added Bin Shafar.

"Empower’s commitment is a milestone in green economy leadership and the IDEA District Cooling 2016 conference is the perfect platform to showcase new international best practices. Events such as these are engines of innovation and are an integral part of getting business done in today’s world. Being an attractive hub for international trade shows and conferences, Dubai presents a promising ground for green events," said Ivano Iannelli. "We expect to see more carbon-reduction programmes in the events industry. When you organise an event it is very important to understand the carbon impact, so you can identify areas where you have room to make reductions," he concluded.