Al-Futtaim Group announced that it has set a new Guinness World Record for creating the largest display of solar-powered lights using 3,000 solar lights, in continuation of its strategic partnership with the Climate Conference (COP28) as a strategic partner for electric transportation. The event will be held at the North Helipad in Dubai Festival City Mall between May 24 and 26, and will allow visitors to enjoy viewing handmade solar lamps arranged in the shape of a ghaf tree, the national tree of the UAE.
By setting this record, Al-Futtaim Group aims to raise awareness of the importance of renewable energy sources and sustainability in the UAE, in addition to enhancing its societal contributions, as it intends to provide these solar lamps to 3,000 families in remote areas that do not have access to electricity. These lamps are being distributed in collaboration with the Letter of Light Initiative, a UNESCO social enterprise that aims to provide affordable, sustainable energy to communities that lack access to electricity.
The Tree of Lights initiative comes from Al-Futtaim Group in celebration of World Earth Month in April, in which Al-Futtaim Automotive Group, Al-Futtaim Educational Foundation, Al-Futtaim Real Estate Company, Dubai Festival City Mall and the Blue Rewards application joined forces.
- Participation of the younger generation
Kerry Ross, Chief Operating Officer at Al-Futtaim Educational Foundation, said: “This initiative underscores our keenness at Al-Futtaim Group on the importance of promoting a culture of sustainability throughout the company’s departments and diverse communities. We are also keen to activate the participation of the younger generation, represented by students from Al-Futtaim Schools, the American International School and Deira International School, allowing them to play a major role in creating solar-powered lamps, gaining knowledge about environmental challenges, in addition to providing lighting services to communities in need. We also provided the opportunity for the participation of community members through public workshops and activities at Dubai Festival City Mall, which highlighted the importance of cooperation in the transition to the use of clean energy and addressing the disparities that the world is witnessing in the field of energy.”
- Access to clean energy
For his part, Ilac Diaz, Founder and Executive Director of the Letter of Light Initiative, said: “Despite having access to affordable clean energy, approximately one billion people around the world are still without electricity or unable to afford it. As concerns about the climate increase to unprecedented levels, especially among the younger generation, we stress the need to cooperate with local communities and young people to develop a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities available to take concrete action. Our cooperation with Al-Futtaim Group comes within the framework of the Zero Emissions Campaign, which calls for a focus on climate action across the Asia, Middle East and North Africa region. Through cooperation with actors in the business sector, led by Al-Futtaim Group and its subsidiaries, we aspire to inspire communities to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute significantly to efforts to reduce energy poverty in the areas in which we are active across the region.”