Video: Three UAE emirates join Dubai car-free day celebrations

Dubai - 60,000 cars are expected to be off the roads in four emirates.

UAE officials and delegates left their cars behind in favor for public transport to raise awareness on climate change as part of Car-Free Day.
The ninth edition of the Dubai Municipality initiative, marked on Februvary 4,  saw Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri Director General of General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA), Eng. Hussain Lootah, director general of Dubai municipality and Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, were among the officials who took the metro this morning from Etisalat to union metro park to encourage residents to follow the same path.

This year, over 60,000 cars are expected to be off the roads in four emirates: Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Al Ain to help reduce carbon footprint and raise awareness on climate change.
Residents are expected to join the line of using public transport, walking or cycling to their offices.
Dubai Municipality  is also holding a social media competition where three lucky participants will win Apple watch, iPad mini and coupons.
Several government entities and institutions announced their support for the Car-free day initiative. The ministry of community development, for example, provided its employees with buses to and from work at several locations including Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Sharjah.
Meanwhile, Dubai Media City is offering free parking and different prizes to those who choose to carpool and share their rides with friends.
The initiative has seen an increasing participation from residents and governmental and private entities over the years. Just last year, about 60,000 vehicles were off the road, collectively reducing about 174 tonnes of carbon emissions that may necessitate the cultivation of 1,218 trees to dispose it off.
Figures were 33 per cent higher than the number of vehicles stopped during the initiative in 2016, estimated at 43,000 vehicles of 1,070 organisations.
The municipality had started the initiative in 2010 with just 1000 vehicles kept away from the streets by the officials and employees of the civic body.
Sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai