UAE plan at forefront of global climate initiative

morocco — The UAE has stressed the importance of supporting the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and translating its outcomes into successful actions that reduce the impact of global warming.

This was stated by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, as part of the UAE’s national statement at the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Shaikh Mansour, whose statement was delivered on his behalf by Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, expressed gratitude to the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting

the uae is currently working on developing its National Climate Change plan that will serve as a framework for future initiatives Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy PM and Minister of Presidential Affairs

the COP22 conference.

“Turning the Paris Climate Agreement into real initiatives on the ground requires enormous efforts and collaboration at the local, regional and international levels,” Shaikh Mansour, who led the UAE delegation at the conference, said.

“The Paris Agreement mandates the adoption of a flexible approach that allows all countries, especially those in the developing world, to take urgent action, in line with their national priorities and circumstances.”

Shaikh Mansour called upon the developed world to honour its commitments to extend financial support to developing countries, and help them in capacity building and climate change adaptation through technology transfer mechanisms.

Sheikh Mansour highlighted the UAE’s pioneering efforts in addressing the climate change issues and noted that as a member state of the UNFCCC, and in line with its international commitments, the UAE ratified the Paris Agreement and has hosted the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) for the past two years.

“The UAE is currently working on developing our National Climate Change plan that will serve as a framework for future initiatives and programmes to address climate issues,” Sheikh Mansour said.

“We have also adopted strategies that focus on the transition of our country from a hydrocarbon-focussed economy to a more diversified and knowledge-based one.”

Providing an overview of the UAE’s green initiatives, Shaikh Mansour highlighted the launch of the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative as well as other key actions aimed at supporting research and development in the clean energy sector.

He noted that these initiatives promote rationalisation of water consumption, improve energy efficiency, support the transition to a low-carbon economy, boost innovation and creativity and promote a culture of sustainability.

“The UAE is working hard to increase the share of clean energy to 27 per cent of its total energy mix by 2021,” Shaikh Mansour said.

“Our nation also broke a world record for the second time this year when it received the lowest bidding price of US cents 2.42 per kilowatthour for a photovoltaic project.”

“In addition, the UAE successfully implemented the 100MW Shams 1 concentrated solar power project and is developing the Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park that leverages both photovoltaic and solar technologies that will generate 5,000MW of electricity by 2030,” Sheikh Mansour added. — Wam