Dubai is popularly known because of its beautiful landscapes and tourist attraction sites. Traveling and adopting sustainable practices are okay. This influences positive environmental changes and benefits the local communities, too. Visiting UAE and understanding their goals and targets improves your travel experience and influences the habits of other tourists. Read the good practices you can follow in the Emirates.
Reducing Your Use of Plastic
The Emirates will ban plastic bags from January next year. This is because of the increasing world concern about the environmental impact of plastics. While touring the country, you can observe these guidelines by carrying water bottles, avoiding plastic straws, opting for wooden brushes, and carrying your utensils to avoid using single-use plastics. This will decrease the plastic littering in the environment and keep it clean.
Book Eco-friendly Accommodation
When planning your eco-adventure in the UAE, your choice of accommodation matters. When booking hotels, be picky on the ones adhering to sustainable requirements. You can tell if they are using solar panels, cleaning products that are biodegradable and not toxic, reducing waste, and observing water consumption. There is the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, an initiative that recognizes hotels that have the highest adherence to sustainability requirements. When picking a hotel, ensure it is certified to prove its compliance with the requirements.
Use Public Transport
When exploring the cities in the UAE, consider taking public transport instead if you can travel on foot. Dubai’s bus network is a cheap and efficient way to commute, while Abu Dhabi offers an extensive metro system with connections to Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s international airports. If Dubai rent a car is necessary, explore your options to find one that suits your needs and preferences. Renting provides flexibility and convenience to explore Dubai. If you are visiting Abu Dhabi, renting from one of the city’s many bike rental companies is an affordable way to explore the area. And you get to enjoy the beauty of nature while sightseeing. Additionally, consider carpooling or opting for group tours to minimize the number of vehicles on the road.
Reduce Your Water Usage
The country is very arid, and they try to ensure continued and sustainable access to water. Emirates aims to reduce its consumption of water and increase the use of treated water. Dubai aims for reverse osmosis technology to raise its daily water needs by 2030. You should control your water usage and save as much as possible by taking short showers, reporting water leakages in the hotel, and using water sparingly. This ensures water sustainability in the country.
Reduce Your Consumption of Energy
Adopting renewable energy measures is one of the goals of the UAE. When visiting this country, you can reduce your energy by turning off lights, unplugging your electronics, and reducing the time you spend showering. Emirates has widely available ranges of technologies, such as energy-saving light bulbs and thermostats that maintain optimum temperatures. Be considerate of the amount of energy you consume to protect the goals of the country.
Proper Waste Management
Waste management in the UAE is coordinated through the local authorities. They manage waste through recycling, converting waste to energy, and improving the collection systems. While traveling, you should dispose of your waste, carry reusable items, and recycle when necessary. If there are no bins nearby, kindly carry your trash until you find a place to dispose of it.
Stay on Marked Paths
When going for hikes or exploring the natural beauty, make sure you stick to the trails and paths. This is to avoid stepping on the plants. You should observe the park rules and avoid touching and feeding animals. When taking photographs, avoid disturbing the wildlife and stepping on plants. Be a responsible tourist and abide by the guidelines to enjoy your visit. If you decide to use guided tours, ensure they comply with the sustainable environmental requirements practices. It will keep you in check, too, as a tourist, to observe the same behavior.
Embrace Sustainable and Local Eco-product Consumption
Sustainability is not just about reducing waste and carbon emissions. It’s also about supporting local communities and economies using sustainable, locally sourced products. Consuming sustainable regional food and purchasing souvenirs made from local resources can help support the local economy and reduce environmental impact.
It’s easy to get caught up in the natural beauty of the UAE and the many attractions that come along with it. Taking eco-friendly travel options, being mindful of waste output, and working with local nonprofits are just a few ways to make sustainable travel true for your next excursion in UAE. Start researching now and discover how to switch your eco-adventures up for your upcoming UAE journey.
