RTA plans curbs on carbon emissions

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is planning to improve its carbon footprint, after signing an agreement with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) to curb carbon emissions and release of greenhouse gases.

The RTA currently uses driverless metro carriages and solar powered car parking machines, while it was experimenting biofuel in some buses.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the RTA by Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Younes, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, and on behalf of DCCE by Waleed Ali Ahmed Salman, Chairman of the Board of DCCE.

“The RTA is seeking to adopt the best international practices of sustainability in all affiliated agencies and sectors as well as services rendered to various spectrums of the community, and is keen on protecting the environment and public health through using state-of-the-art technologies in all transit means and associated infrastructure,” said Abdul Mohsin.

Waleed Ali Ahmed Salman said: “The vital role played by the RTA in this field constitutes a pivotal support to the efforts of the UAE towards realising its vision for a green economy and sustainable environment.”

The DCCE is the first of its kind in the region aimed at curbing carbon emissions (known as the carbon footprint) of the Emirate of Dubai, and propping up the government efforts aimed at drawing the line on the current emissions levels, as well as monitoring and tracking changes in the forthcoming years.

Housewife and medicare-provider Susheela Ahmed, 38, a commuter on the Dubai Metro, travels from Discovery Gardens to Healthcare City every day. She, however, used the public transport system for more reasons than its environmental friendliness, she said. “Taking taxis instead of the metro is costly.”

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