ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Abu Dhabi Cycling Club has joined the UCI’s Climate Action Charter, which aims to take steps to build a sustainable sport that serves and sustains the environment.
According to the UCI, the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club is among a number of clubs and teams in the Middle East and Asia to join the programme.
The UCI has emphasised the importance of implementing sustainability programmes to maintain its efforts to combat climate change and its effects. The organisation has highlighted that failure to act now could lead to greater costs for society and cycling in the future. With the next five years being crucial to transitioning to a sustainable climate path, there is a significant role for the sport.
The UCI also highlighted the importance of addressing climate change as part of its responsibility to the cycling community. They emphasised the need to reduce the sport’s environmental impact and promote the benefits of cycling for sustainable development. This includes reducing the use of materials affecting the climate and using recyclable resources. Additionally, the UCI also committed to respecting nature and raising awareness of the significance of biodiversity in sport and the importance of preserving it.
Al Nekhaira Al Khaili, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, said, "In line with the directives of the leadership to extend the Year of Sustainability for another year, the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club has signed and joined the UCI’s Climate Action Charter, to promote sustainability in cycling. The recent period has witnessed the launch of many environmentally friendly community events and outings focusing on sustainability. The club has also introduced medals made from recyclable materials like wood and encouraged sustainability as a lifestyle choice for all segments of society, leading to greater participation."
Al Khaili added, "As part of the club's responsibility and following the leadership's announcement to extend the Year of Sustainability into this year, we will work to implement numerous programmes, submit proposals and develop strategic plans in the coming period to build a sustainable sport that serves and conserves the environment."
The signing is also in line with the Bike Abu Dhabi initiative, which was launched in November 2021 to spearhead the emirate’s long-term vision to become a leading global cycling hub and promote the sport as a sustainable means of transport.
As part of Bike Abu Dhabi, which is promoting the growth of the sport, significant cycling infrastructure enhancements are already underway, including an extension of the emirate’s 300km cycling network to more than 1,000km and the 109km Abu Dhabi Loop – a segregated cycle way linking key destinations across the city, further enhancing mobility and encouraging the population to engage in a healthier lifestyle through safe and sustainable transportation.