During the Year of Sustainability, a growing number of UAE residents are choosing carpooling due to its various advantages — it decreases air pollution, carbon footprints, and traffic congestion, lowers fuel costs and consumption, and also reduces the need for parking spaces. Many residents interviewed by Khaleej Times favor sharing rides to work, and sometimes, this is part of a sustainable urban mobility strategy implemented by their employers. This year, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), in collaboration with a carpooling app provider, introduced an innovative carpooling program for its staff. A survey of over 500 caregivers showed promising environmental and economic outcomes, such as a reduction of 123,124 kg in carbon emissions and savings of 615,620 km in driving distance.
Sara Alameri, Director of Environment Health and Safety at CCAD, described carpooling as a "forward-thinking solution" addressing both climate change and urban congestion. "By adopting carpooling, we not only cut our carbon footprint and ease traffic congestion but also build a sense of community and shared responsibility. This commitment to sustainability sets the stage for a healthier, more resilient future, ensuring our actions today benefit future generations," Alameri stated. Carpooling has become a popular, simple, and effective strategy to enhance energy efficiency, especially as fuel prices have risen by 17 fils a litre in the first seven months of the year.
Residents commuting between Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been spending between Dh2,000 to Dh2,500 on petrol, but carpooling can halve these costs. Hareesh Natarajan, an Abu Dhabi resident, has been using car-sharing for a while, but it became a regular practice five months ago when he started commuting to Dubai. "Carpooling provides peace of mind as you don’t have to drive long distances daily. There are multiple benefits to carpooling," said Hareesh, an IT manager at Medad Holding in Dubai.
For Sharjah resident Afnan Smadi, carpooling has been a smart, eco-friendly practice since her public sector job days and continues at Burjeel Holdings. "The UAE leads in sustainable practices. Our family always tries to reduce single-occupancy trips and plan travel accordingly," said Afnan, a Jordanian expat. With regular meetings in Abu Dhabi, Afnan and her three Dubai-based colleagues travel together in one car.
Nabeel Mamoun Taha, a 28-year-old Sudanese expat living in Abu Dhabi suburbs, benefits from the car lift service. "I travel daily from Shabiya to a hospital in Shakhbout City, where I work as a sonologist. Carpooling with friends who travel to the same location helps me save time and money, and it’s environmentally friendly," said Nabeel.
