The UAE demonstrates its commitment to long-term growth, innovation, and climate leadership.
A watershed moment in the fight against climate change has arrived. The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) will be held in Expo 2020, Dubai, from November 30 to December 12, among many other important conferences. This year's conference is significant because it concludes the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement's implementation, which evaluates the world's progress towards meeting climate targets. The Global Stocktake, which takes place in the middle of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs, including Goal 13 (climate action), provides a key opportunity for states to reflect on their progress and rebalance strategy for a sustainable future.
Nations committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels by 2050 during the historic COP21 meeting in 2015. To keep on pace, however, the onerous task of halving emissions by 2030 must be addressed. With only seven years left, there has never been a more pressing need to accelerate climate action. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change, is leading the way at COP28. Dr. Al Jaber aspires to develop consensus and prioritise transformative climate change activities alongside the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, and the UAE Youth Climate Champion.
Dr. Al Jaber recently spoke at the Ministerial on Climate Action in Brussels, which was organised by the environment ministers of the European Union, Canada, and China. He emphasised the importance of questioning outdated financial models and dismantling barriers within industries and governments that impede the transition to a low-carbon economy.
"We are halfway between Paris and 2030, but we are still a long way from our destination." We must face reality. "The incremental steps taken to address the climate crisis thus far do not meet the urgency of the moment," he stated. "Today, I'm calling on all of us to disrupt business as usual, unite around decisive action, and achieve game-changing results."
Dr. Al Jaber believes that the UAE has set the ground for collective action by bringing together global leaders, scientists, and activists to rethink our approach to climate change. It is an excellent opportunity to relaunch and refocus the climate agenda, motivating creative solutions and establishing collaborations that may help design a greener and more resilient society.
The UAE has firmly established itself as a global pioneer in infrastructural development, industrial expansion, and innovation in pursuit of long-term development. The UAE is fully dedicated to crafting a more sustainable future, with a variety of federal and municipal programmes in place. The UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071, and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which sets an ambitious objective of 50% clean energy for the country, are among the most important of these sustainability projects. These initiatives have already provided the groundwork for a number of long-term development goals, and they serve as guiding principles for future projects.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recently authorised 78 environmental measures during a UAE Cabinet meeting in preparation for hosting COP28.
Lal Bhatia, Chairman of Hilshaw Group, expressed his confidence that COP28 has the potential to accelerate the UAE's growth trajectory and lead it towards a future centred on sustainability.
The UAE has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to encouraging long-term tourism growth. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Emirates Tourism Council, stressed the UAE's commitment to actively supporting global efforts to advance sustainable tourism during the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Goa, India. Al Marri emphasised the significance of joint efforts and aggressive steps to propel the regional and global tourism sectors, which coincide with the complete economic and social development goals set in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Al Marri emphasised the importance of sustainable tourism regulations that conserve natural resources, preserve cultural heritage, and foster sustainable growth in tourist areas during the meeting.
According to Saad Maniar, Senior Partner at Crowe UAE, the UAE has made tremendous steps to strengthen its commitment to sustainability across a wide range of sectors.
"We are all aware of Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy by 2050. By 2050, the policy seeks to provide 75% of Dubai's energy from clean sources. It contains goals for solar energy production, renewable transportation, and energy-efficient structures. "Masdar City in Abu Dhabi also aims to be a zero-carbon, zero-waste community, utilising renewable energy and implementing sustainable design principles," Maniar added.
He also stated that the UAE has made significant investments in renewable energy initiatives.
"The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world's largest single-site solar energy project, is located in the UAE and aims to provide clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes." In order to diversify its energy sources, the UAE also possesses nuclear power stations."
Key UAE government bodies in advanced technology and space sectors have formed a collaboration ahead of COP28 to improve climate action coordination. The UAE Space Agency (UAESA), the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), and COP28, represented by the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, have signed an agreement to mobilise support for COP28 from the local and global technology and space industries.
The collaboration's major goal is to encourage technology and space enterprises to contribute their climate contributions at the COP28 Technology and Innovation Hub.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) will be held at Expo City in Dubai from November 30 to December 12 to develop a comprehensive plan to address environmental difficulties. Heads of state, ministers, prominent corporate executives, and environmental specialists will attend the two-week event to propose practical solutions to damage control and climate challenges.
Source: khaleejtimes.com
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