McDonald’s UAE, with the support of the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), continues its efforts to implement its ‘Planting a Greener Future’ campaign in order to build a more environmentally conscious community. McDonald’s UAE and EEG have partnered with Al Manar Model School in Sharjah to participate in the initiative’s fourteenth tree planting activity. Students between the ages of 11 and 12 planted an assortment of indigenous trees as an investment in the future and to learn more about caring for the environment.

‘Planting a Greener Future campaign aims to benefit local communities, educate children on the importance of caring for the environment, and promote the benefits of an environmentally friendly lifestyle. The campaign has pledged to create 500sqm of green spaces within all participating schools campuses, enhancing the growth of freshly laid grass and indigenous tree species by implementing a full-fledged irrigation system.

Walid Fakih, General Manager of McDonald’s UAE, was present at the activity. ‘Today’s students are becoming tomorrow’s leaders, and McDonald’s UAE aims to encourage them to step forward and take action to create positive environmental changes that will support the management and care of our environment, Fakih commented.

Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of EEG, commented on the event: ‘This initiative in partnership with McDonald’s UAE is part of a wider series of programs initiated by EEG aiming to enhance environmental awareness amongst youth and involve them in green practices.

Since the campaign started in April 2014, more than 420 students have participated in planting a total of 760 trees across 14 schools in the UAE. McDonald’s UAE’s  Planting a Greener Future.initiative has reduced CO2 levels by 4.5 metric tons.