Ras Al Khaimah joined today cities across the world for the “Earth Hour” initiative to promote the culture of energy saving among individuals and institutions and encourage them to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

Several RAK Government entities took part in the global initiative in addition to some major landmarks in the city, such as Julphar Towers and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, which switched off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30pm local time.

In line with the Vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the strategy of the United Arab Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah aims to support international efforts to reduce climate change through the adoption and implementation of a number of sustainable energy projects. This includes a one of a kind project to produce hybrid energy using methane and solar energy in an effort to increase the contribution of clean energy to the total energy mix to 50%.

In addition, the Barjeel Green Buildings Project aims to produce 30% energy savings and 20% water savings, while also increasing the percentage of renewable energy generation to 20% by 2040. Ras Al Khaimah has also established the largest environmentally friendly drinking water production and desalination project in the country, while a constructive partnership between Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) will see the launch of a sustainable villas project, setting new standards for the specifications of new residential buildings in the emirate.

Ras Al Khaimah is also committed to recycling 50% of the waste energy of its companies and is keen to promote the sustainability of the marine and coastal environment through marine monitoring stations using solar energy, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the Emirate through the “One Million Trees” initiative, which sees trees planted to increase the number of green spaces across the Emirate.