UAE-based (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, has marked a key milestone in carbon abatement by getting the official certified emission reductions (CERs) cancellation certificate issued by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the successful offset of emissions.

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 (clean development mechanism) Project. The project is the source of the CERs utilised for cancellation, which reduces around 26,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide 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.

The cancellation certificate was presented to CEO Ahmad Bin Shafar by Ivano Iannelli, the chief executive of Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence.

The certificate is an important milestone testifying Empower’s leading approach to green practices and reinstates Dubai’s position in the development of a UAE carbon market.

"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," stated Bin Shafar.

“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 carbon dioxide emissions to support the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy and Dubai Plan 2021," he  added.

Iannelli said Empower’s commitment was 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," stated Ivano.

“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 added.-TradeArabia News Service