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The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) has set an ambitious long-term goal to achieve zero consumption of single-use plastic through its “Mission Zero” public awareness campaign. This will result in zero waste and zero carbon emissions, with zero impact on biodiversity.
The agency has already taken positive steps towards its “Mission Zero” initiative for single-use plastics. This will include a variety of offline and online events for all community members, government departments and businesses, retailers, restaurants and youth.
The goal is to encourage Abu Dhabi residents to switch to sustainable environmental alternatives, such as reusable items, to reduce reliance on single-use items and minimise waste.
develop an initiative
Key stakeholders targeted by the agency are retailers, caterers, restaurants, small grocery stores, as well as government entities and private sector industries. Their responsibilities include developing initiatives to reduce consumption of single-use plastics. The public is urged to spread the message of the campaign in social circles and to adopt environmentally sustainable practices to reach the zero-use goal.
The agency launched a “Mission Zero” communications program, which includes social media, media, workshops, online and offline events, and outreach through the Green Business Network and the EAD-led Sustainable Schools and Schools Initiative.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management at EAD, said: “In our vision of achieving the Sustainable Goals for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, we have been striving to design ambitious and challenging solutions to achieve true Change. In the larger context, Mission Zero is a framework through which we hope to reduce single-use plastic, waste, carbon emissions and any impact on our species and habitats.
Ban on single-use plastics
“As part of this larger picture, one of our key goals for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is to significantly reduce the use of single-use plastics, and to support this goal, we have launched a comprehensive policy in 2020. Following this, we began banning single-use plastic bags on June 1, and to complement this ambitious initiative, we designed a public-facing “Mission Zero” campaign to motivate the public to switch to consuming greener products, These products can be reused instead of relying on single-use plastics.
Mission Zero is a collaborative effort with other stakeholders under one umbrella of activity to amplify results and help us achieve a common goal. At the heart of what we do is our larger community of businesses and individuals who are key and important players in our path to success. Mission Zero is a focused and ambitious goal that will help raise the bar on reducing single-use plastic consumption, and our success depends on the collective efforts of the entire community. “
He added: “This is a long-term campaign that will involve the use of creative messages and tools to facilitate the shift towards reusable goods, fostering a positive mindset and a natural inclination towards eco-friendly alternatives across all industries. We hope Abu Dhabi Everyone in Biz understands Mission Zero and is a part of this movement by taking small steps every day to drive change.”
Retailer Support
To date, Mission Zero single-use plastic components have gained support from multiple retailers and have seen single-use plastic bag bans. For example, on May 23, a group of senior executives from major retail outlets in the emirate of Abu Dhabi signed a voluntary declaration pledging to support the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s single-use plastic policy. Leading brands include: Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society and Spar, Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Choithrams, Spinneys and Waitrose.
June 1 this year marks the start of Abu Dhabi’s ban on single-use plastic bags. Retailers are offering reusable bags as an alternative to single-use plastics. — arab trade news agency
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