Five UAE schools to receive 'green makeovers'

Schools in Ajman, Sharjah and Umm Al Qaiwain are to receive green makeovers that will help them to reduce energy and water consumption.

Five schools are to receive green makeovers that will help them to reduce energy and water consumption. The schools won two competitions run by the Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF). Ibn Haitham School in Ajman won its category in both competitions, earning Dh200,000. The other four - Al Shoala Private School and Our Own English High School in Sharjah, Al Zawhra School in Ajman, and the Umm Al Qaiwain Intermediate Girls School - are getting Dh100,000 each. A Dubai consulting company, Farnek Avireal, will audit the buildings, implement steps to reduce energy and water and monitor the savings.

"Initially we have collected some basic information such as the number of students, number of class rooms, operating times, type of lighting and air-conditioning system used," said its general manager, Markus Oberlin. The information will help the company estimate the potential energy and water savings based on new technology and behavioural changes. Among the possible changes are LED lights and energy-saving systems added to air-conditioners, as well as devices that limit the flow of taps and in toilets.

The makeovers are to be implemented by the end of October. [e-mail]