Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013
Dubai: Winners of the first cycle of the Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment, were announced on Tuesday.
Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and General Security, has been named the environmental personality for his outstanding contributions to promoting environmental conservation and preservation over the years.
The Emirates Appreciation Award for the Environment was launched by the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in order to recognise and promote the values of sustainable living and environmentally conscious initiatives among the UAE community.
Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Midfa, Secretary General of the UAE Supreme Council and chairman of the award’s jury announced the winners and listed some of the achievements of the winners that enabled them to win.
Tamim was announced environmental personality, Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) was awarded the Industrial Enterprise Award, The Abu Dhabi Council for Education received the award for Educational Institutions, The Award for Innovation and Research was given to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and the Media and Public Awareness award was awarded jointly awarded to the Enviroment and Natural Reserve Authority in Sharjah and Azza Yousif Mohammad Al Awadi from the Ras Al Khaimah Education Zone.
The award rewards those who contribute to sustainable development through best environmental practice, research and innovation, capacity building, education and raising environmental awareness.
The winners will be awarded at a ceremony that will be announced in the upcoming days.
The award’s total amount is worth one million dirhams that is divided equally between the five categories. Each winner will also receive a trophy and a certificate.
Al Midfa said that Tamim was awarded for his long track record in environment related initiatives. Tamim was the first to establish an environmental administration in a security institution and also the first to call for a marine emergency plan, Al Midfa said.
He added that he also authored pioneering initiatives to combat air and marine pollution in addition to the plant one million trees initiative in Dubai.
Azza, he said, had created an environmental programme to introduce students to different environments through environmental field trips in order to raise the level of environmental positive behaviour among students and strengthen the role of education in serving a sustainable environment, as well as support the science curriculum with non-classroom features and activities.
By Noorhan Barakat ?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
