HCT Sustainability Efforts
HCT is justifiably proud of its dedicated, sustainability-oriented initiatives, which have been recognized and commended by various awarding organizations. As a federal government institution, HCT is wholly committed to the agenda of the UAE’s National Climate Change Plan (2017-2050), the UAE Vision 2021’s Green Economy for Sustainable Development and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
With 23,000 students at 16 campuses throughout the UAE, and employing over 2,000 employees, HCT is committed to addressing the issues of energy usage footprint, sustainability and environmental awareness throughout our system. Since 2018, we have proactively implemented a range of environmental initiatives across the HCT system, resulting in our Sustainable Educational Institution Plan. This has led to a proactive culture of sustainability and environmental awareness within HCT.
At HCT, we have initiated a raft of strategic sustainability initiatives and programs that support and enrich de-carbonization and climate action on our campuses. By successful planning and implementing these initiatives, which include signing the Global Universities and Colleges’ Climate Commitment; reducing water and power consumption; reducing waste products and using sustainable energy sources, we have attained a reduction of over 20,000 Tons of Co2 equivalent Annual Average GHG Emissions.
While our actions to date speak volumes for HCT’s sustainability orientation, there is still much more we can do and achieve. As a vanguard of experiential and technology-enabled teaching and learning, and with the largest student body across the UAE, HCT is an eager participant in the nation-wide drive towards sustainability, particularly with 2023 being the Year of Sustainability. As a leading HEI, we are whole-heartedly committed to engaging the youth, as a driving force for development and a sustainable economy, in our sustainability-centered initiatives across all HCT campuses.
HCT’s endeavors are aimed at creating a roadmap that focuses on developing the capacities of young people, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills for a brighter future.
We seek to inspire our youth to devise innovative ideas and solutions to tackle various climate change challenges, through the creation of sustainability-oriented solutions and the adoption of sustainable practices.
It is therefore HCT’s responsibility to promote and encourage youth, as future environment ambassadors, to embrace sustainable practices, in the building and development of a climate-friendly and sustainable society. To this end, I commend our members for enabling HCT to host the HCT Sustainability Forum 2023 under the theme "The Role of Youth for a Better Future". That forum highlighted the youth's contribution to a sustainable future, by increasing their awareness, empowering them to take action and inspiring them to be creative and innovative. This, and the recently convened Ramadan Talks youth circle, are just some of many proposed initiatives we are undertaking with the eager support of the COP28 UAE organizers, the Universities Climate Network.
Through our committed, joint resolve and actions, HCT will be a significant and proud contributor to our nation’s continued sustainability efforts and ensure our country will be a champion of sustainable practices in all levels of society, government and industry.
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