Abu Dhabi empowers domestic workers to be agents of change

The scheme, which has so far been implemented in 16 domestic helper licensing centers in Abu Dhabi, is in line with the emirate’s 2030 vision for a more sustainable environment. It was developed based on a 2021 survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, which concluded that domestic helpers can be a major enabler of energy and water conservation in the home.

“Sustainable development is an overarching social responsibility and educating communities on the need to reduce water and energy consumption is critical to protecting our nation’s resources and ensuring continuity for future generations. A culture of conservation is necessary to improve energy and water efficiency , which in turn will promote responsible consumption. This is what we aim to achieve through our programs and initiatives. We continue to implement the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership with the aim of achieving long-term sustainability,” said the U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency Acting Executive Director Ahmed Al Falasi said.

“DCD has contributed to the development and organization of training programs for domestic workers in Abu Dhabi as they manage the energy and water resources of almost all households. Domestic workers are major contributors to Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and they , more efficient use of water and energy to support reductions in average household consumption. By empowering and equipping them to increase their environmental awareness, we can achieve significant results. Furthermore, environmental awareness and sustainable living is a habit; This is not only good for the environment; it can also help reduce energy bills and save money every month,” said Sheikha Al Hosani, DCD Acting Executive Director, Social Monitoring and Innovation.

As many as 390 people participated in the training provided by 32 domestic helper licensing center instructors. Over 95% of participants found the course easy to implement and 90% found the training useful. An impact assessment showed a 23% increase in domestic workers’ knowledge and awareness of sustainable practices in the home.

Al Hosani explained that water scarcity and the environmental impact of overuse of energy and water is a reality for all countries in the region, including the UAE. High population growth coupled with rapid industrialization requires sustainable water and energy patterns for residential households, as this sector is one of the largest consumers of water and energy.

“As water demand increases and supply decreases, residential water conservation becomes a priority. Water conservation not only helps conserve water, but also saves energy needed for desalination, wastewater treatment and water transportation,” she said.

Changing daily habits can help reduce household energy bills, lower carbon emissions and relieve stress on the grid, the official explained. Moderate behavioral adjustments can yield substantial energy and water savings on their own over time. Residential energy demand can be further reduced through structural investments, including upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances and retrofitting existing household equipment.

“At DCD, we believe that appropriate programmes, such as domestic helper training programmes, can foster sustainable change in behaviour, and encourage investment in structural improvements across the emirate. Given the success of the programme, we look forward to expanding the program and supporting The entire emirate trains domestic workers,” Al Hosani added.