2021 is referred to as the “make or break year” for climate action. According to WMO’s report on the State of the Global Climate 2020, last year was also another unprecedented year of extreme weather and climate disasters. From extreme wildfires across the US to unprecedented heat levels in Siberia, 2020 could possibly be the hottest year on record and the cause is clear. Anthropogenic climate change — climate disruption caused by human activities, human decisions, is causing rapid changes to the climate, which will cause severe environmental damage if not handled quickly.
Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, has reiterated the UAE’s commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 70% and increase clean energy use by 50% by 2050 during the inaugural Middle East Energy virtual event.
“Over the past 50 years, the UAE has been at the forefront of the ongoing energy transition in the region and among leading nations worldwide. We were among the first nations to ratify the Paris Agreement, thereby showing our commitment to the efforts toward a low carbon economy, which requires a low carbon energy system,” said Al Mazrouei.
Renewables, alongside new technologies and services, are transforming the business of supplying and delivering power. As the world races towards a cleaner planet, a more responsive and interconnected power system is emerging and hence changing the energy landscape, offering new opportunities for both leadership and action.
According to Yousif Al Ali, Assistant Under-Secretary: “The UAE is well-positioned to be one of the top producers of hydrogen in the world.The UAE is committed and working with confidence to reduce the nationwide carbon footprint, by working on the demand side, supply-side and working on our different energies and future technologies to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Oil and gas companies around the world are looking to strategically transition towards a renewable energy future. Climate change has forced companies to not only compete on price but also on carbon emissions.
From considering green hydrogen, widespread use of solar, and other energy alternatives, The UAE National Energy Plan 2050 calls for clean energy to represent 50% of the nation’s total energy mix by 2050. That would reduce the carbon footprint of power generation by 70%, bringing with it cost savings estimated at $190bn.
