The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking significant steps to address climate change and reduce its carbon footprint. The country has embraced the responsibility of leading action on the matter as it prepares to host the COP28 UN climate conference.
The UAE is renowned for its booming economy as well as for taking the lead in reforming the energy sector and advancing the world toward net-zero energy use. By investing in low-carbon energy sources, the nation has demonstrated its commitment to constructing a cleaner future and its objective of becoming climate neutral by 2050.
Masdar, a renewable energy business that has supported historic solar and wind projects, was founded by the government in 2006. To further boost the proportion of clean fuels and improve energy efficiency, the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 was updated. This strategy intends to lower the carbon footprint of power generation by 70% and save AED 700 billion by 2050 while increasing the share of renewable energy in the whole energy mix from 25% to 50%.
Some of the largest single-site solar power plants in the world are also situated in the United Arab Emirates, including the Al Dhafra PV2 solar project in Abu Dhabi, which when it begins operating, it will be the largest single site photovoltaic plant in the world. Additionally, the nation runs nuclear power, which will provide 25% of its electrical needs by 2024. Because of this, the UAE now ranks among the countries with the lowest emissions globally.
The National Hydrogen Strategy also focuses on important industries such heavy-duty transportation, steel, aluminum, cement, aviation, marine, steel, and aluminum. The UAE is leading the hydrogen revolution and currently has a number of hydrogen projects under development. Six hydrogen projects costing $1.66 billion are being developed in the UAE.
Events like Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference are also held in the UAE. This year, the latter intends to further decarbonization objectives by bringing together stakeholders from the public and private sectors as well as pioneers in energy and technology.
The UAE recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and is fully committed to the global endeavor to tackle it, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for people today and securing the well-being of future generations.