Go Green guide
Twelve practical ways for UAE offices and homes to cut Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Every number comes with a source.
Set air conditioning to 24 degrees Celsius or higher
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) advises keeping the thermostat at 24 degrees Celsius or higher, because air conditioning consumes a large portion of the electricity generated in summer. DEWA says each one-degree rise in the set point can save up to 5% of air conditioning consumption. Agree one setpoint for the whole office and tell staff why.
Reduces: Scope 2 (purchased electricity)
Source: DEWA: Set your AC to 24 C
Shade the windows and seal the gaps
DEWA recommends curtains, drapes, shades, awnings and reflective materials to reduce the heat entering through glass. It also recommends sealing gaps around doors and windows with weather stripping and caulking, to keep cool air in and hot air out. Start with the windows that face the afternoon sun.
Reduces: Scope 2 (less electricity for cooling)
Switch the engine off instead of idling
The US fuel economy website says idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use, and that any shutdown longer than one minute saves fuel. Make it a rule for company vehicles. Apply the same thinking to generators: run them only when they are needed.
Reduces: Scope 1 (diesel and petrol in vehicles and generators)
Fix refrigerant leaks and record every top-up
A New Zealand government guide explains that HFC emissions come from unintentional leaks from refrigeration units, and that the top-up amount is the preferred basis for estimating the gas lost. If a unit needs gas more than once, ask the technician to find the leak. Ask for the gas type and the kilograms added on every invoice.
Reduces: Scope 1 (refrigerant leaks)
Source: New Zealand Ministry for the Environment: Measuring Emissions, refrigerants
Fix water leaks and fit flow reducers
DEWA says water flow reducers on taps and showerheads save more than 30% of water, and that a leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water every day. It also advises watering gardens before 8 am or after 6 pm. Check taps and toilets monthly and report leaks the same day.
Reduces: Scope 3 (water supply)
Separate waste at source and keep the weight records
The UAE government describes segregation of waste at source as one of the most impactful waste reduction initiatives in Ajman, and says Abu Dhabi processing facilities recover plastics, metals, paper and glass. Put separate bins for recyclables in your office. Ask your waste contractor for invoices that state the tonnes collected.
Reduces: Scope 3 (waste)
Check the footprint of a flight before you book
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) calculator estimates the carbon dioxide produced by one passenger on a flight, from the origin and destination airports, and applies a cabin class factor. Use it to compare options. Replace trips that a video call can do, and keep a record of every trip you do take.
Reduces: Scope 3 (business flights)
Ask staff how they get to work
The GHG Protocol guidance on employee commuting recommends collecting data from employees, for example with an annual survey, and says you can survey a representative sample if asking everyone is not practical. The answers show whether car sharing, a shuttle or hybrid working days would make a difference for your team.
Reduces: Scope 3 (employee commuting)
Source: GHG Protocol: Technical guidance, Category 7 Employee commuting
Ask your main suppliers for emissions data
The GHG Protocol describes a supplier-specific method that collects product-level emissions data from the suppliers of goods and services. A supplier who can give you that data lets you replace a rough spend-based estimate with a better one. Start with the two or three suppliers you spend the most with.
Reduces: Scope 3 (purchased goods and services)
Source: GHG Protocol: Technical guidance, Category 1 Purchased goods and services
Read every meter every month
DEWA says smart meters and grids give customers live and detailed readings, both current and historical. Wherever your utility offers this, record kWh for each meter every month and compare it with the same month last year. A sudden jump can point to a fault or to equipment left running.
Reduces: Scope 2 (purchased electricity)
Source: DEWA: official website, smart meters and consumption tools
Consider rooftop solar, with the utility's approval
In Dubai, the Shams Dubai programme connects rooftop solar to the grid. A regulatory guide says DEWA approval is required, applications go through an accredited consultant or contractor, and surplus power is credited against your bill rather than paid in cash. In other emirates, ask your own utility what applies.
Reduces: Scope 2 (purchased electricity)
Switch off and unplug what you do not use
DEWA advises switching off air conditioning units in unused rooms, using LED lights, and unplugging small appliances after use because they draw power even when switched off. Put a short checklist by the exit door for the last person to leave. These habits need no new equipment.
Reduces: Scope 2 (purchased electricity)
