Way to better lives lies in renewable energy, says VP
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, reaffirmed the UAE’S commitment to transform the challenges of climate change into future opportunities for the next generation, as well as work closely with the United States, the global community and the private sector to make a step-change in the global response to climate change.
Addressing US President Joe Biden’s virtual Leaders Summit on Climate Sheikh Mohammed said: “Although the UAE is one of the largest oil exporting countries in the world, we made a strategic decision 15 years ago to invest in renewable energy and low-carbon technology.”
Sheikh Mohammed noted the UAE’S progress in the energy sector: “Today, we operate two of the largest solar plants in the world and we will soon break ground on a third that is even larger. The UAE is home to the International Renewable Energy Agency, and we also invested in successful renewable projects in 70 countries around the world by providing concessional capital that makes sound economic sense. We believe that renewable energy is the answer to building a beter future for humanity.”
Sheikh Mohammed added: “In addition, the UAE was the first country in the Middle East to pioneer carbon capture and storage technology, and our oil sector is the lowest carbon emiter in the world.”
Meanwhile, Joe Biden called on nations to work together on a transition to clean energy on Friday, the second and final day of a climate summit he hosted to rally world ambition to reduce global warming.
“Nations that work together to invest in a cleaner economy will reap the rewards for their citizens,” the Democratic president, who took office in January, told the virtual summit.
Biden called the meeting with dozens of heads of state to declare the United States back at the climate leadership table ater his predecessor, former president Donald Trump, withdrew from the 2015 Paris Agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Biden, who returned the United States to the 2015 pact, announced a new US target on Thursday to reduce its emissions 50%-52% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. Japan and Canada also raised their targets.
Opening the final session of the two-day virtual global climate summit, President Joe Biden says he wants to shit the conversation from climate threat to economic opportunities. Biden said, “This is a moment for all of us to build beter economies for our children, our grandchildren.”
Sheikh Mohammed announced that the UAE will partner with other critical climate champions to launch Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM-C) a new initiative to support agricultural research and development, and innovation for food systems over the next five years.
“Climate change is not a temporary concern, but a global challenge that is here to stay. We must unite our efforts to safeguard the planet for future generations or risk paying heavier costs in the future,” His Highness stated.
Noting the UAE’S commitment to concerted climate action Sheikh Mohammed concluded: “Today, we are ahead of a new opportunity with the leadership of President Biden, and we look forward to working together to unlock the major opportunities born from the pressing challenge of climate change.”
The Leaders Summit sets a milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow and is designed to increase the chances for meaningful outcomes on global climate action at COP26.
Bill Gates, a wealthy businessman-turnedphilanthropist, said he was working with partners on a programme called Breakthrough Energy Catalyst that would raise money from governments, philanthropists and companies to make capital investments to bring down the cost of clean technology.
“We can build new industries and companies that support communities around the world with good jobs on making the transition to the clean economy,” said Gates, who has invested about $2 billion toward the development of high tech electricity generation and storage.
Jennifer Granholm, the US energy secretary, said clean technology was “our generation’s moonshot” and that her department would be announcing new goals for “leaps in next generation technologies,” such as carbon capture, energy storage and industrial fuels.
Sheikh Mohammed announces UAE’S participation in the ‘Agricultural Climate Innovation’ project; Biden urges world to make good on climate commitments; Bill Gates highlights role of green jobs.