Part of its CSR initiatives, McDonald’s UAE today announced that its logistics fleet of biodiesel delivery trucks have clocked a whopping 10,000,000 kilometers since the launch of the initiative seven years ago, saving 8,563 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the process and contributing to improve air quality in the country. Using biodiesel results in 100 percent reduction in the total carbon footprint, as stated by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy. This, in turn, translates to a 100 percent reduction in CO2 and CH4 gases.

The McDonald’s UAE Biodiesel Initiative underscores the benefits of using biodiesel and how it can help enhance air quality in line with the government’s Air Quality Strategy 2017 – 2021.

Since July 2011, McDonald’s UAE’s logistics fleet has been running on fuel made from used vegetable oil from their restaurants in the UAE. The biodiesel is converted by Dubai-based company ‘Neutral Fuels’, a UAE-backed venture that makes use of environment-friendly technology. The initiative is part of Dubai’s green schemes and is a team effort that also incorporates Dubai FDI, the foreign investment promotion arm of the Department of Economic Development.

“At McDonald’s UAE we strongly champion the cause of protecting the environment. This is evident with our various campaigns and our long-running partnership with the Emirates Environment Group (EEG). The Biodiesel Initiative is an example of how McDonald’s UAE is helping improve our communities by contributing to prevent the degradation of air quality in the country. Having covered 10,000,000 kilometers, our logistics fleet has saved as much as 100 percent of CO2 emissions, thereby helping improve the air we breathe,” said Rafic Fakih, managing director and partner at McDonald’s UAE.