The planning and studies section at the environment department at Dubai Municipality has announced that in 2013, it issued a total of 311 environment permits to organizations working in the industrial sector, an increase of 18% when compared to its figures from 2012.

 

According to Eng. Hind Mahmood Ahmed, acting head of the section, the projects approved by the municipality include industrial enterprises, infrastructure development, service projects, telecommunications and power transmission.

 

“These activities come within the framework to ensure sustainable development in the Emirate, as well as to fulfill Dubai Municipality's vision to create an excellent city that provides the essence of success and comfort of living,” Ahmed said.

 

“Even though the real estate, industry and other businesses are booming in Dubai, the investors see the environment of the Emirate is highly good, a positive thing which can be attributed to the policies of wise the leadership of Dubai and other competent authorities including the civic body,” she added.

 

Ahmed explained that when an application for a new project is received by Dubai Municipality, a team of experts at the planning and studies section carry out an in-depth study of the project’s potential effects on the environment.

 

The project is then allowed to proceed only if the study proves that it won’t harm the environment during both its construction and operation phases.

 

Ahmed added that Dubai Municipality is also striving hard to develop the culture of recycling in the Emirate, as it will help its overall goals of achieving sustainability in development. In 2013, the civic body issued 129 NOCs to various projects dealing with recycling of waste materials.