UAE welcomes Saudi Arabia’s net zero target
The UAE on Saturday welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a target to achieve net-zero by 2060 and commended its leadership and people for the progressive step.
The UAE also appreciated the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) while making the case for practical solutions to tackle climate change.
Speaking at a panel session titled ‘Countdown to COP26 — State of play ahead of a critical summit’ at the one-day forum in Riyadh, Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change, said the UAE highly commends the leadership and the people of Saudi Arabia, particularly the youth, for such a landmark, bold and long-term strategic initiative.
“It represents a paradigm shift in ambition for this region; it underlines the vital role this region can and should play in providing practical climate solutions; and it represents another example of how this region can help address global challenges,” Al Jaber said.
“As a region, we have always had to live with harsh climate conditions and we will have to continue to innovate in both mitigation and adaptation. I firmly believe that an inclusive, partnership-based approach that embraces the energy transition as an economic opportunity is the best way to achieve truly sustainable global progress,” he said.
Dr Al Jaber said the UAE’S net zero strategic initiative is an open invitation for the world to partner with “us in developing this new economic model for progress”.
The minister noted political climate action has slowed even as investment in renewables has risen and the world needs practical solutions that are commercial and scalable. He expressed optimism about the UN Climate Conference (COP28), taking place in Glasgow from 1st-12th November, 2021, and provided insights on the UAE’S offer to host COP28.
“After the highs of Paris, political climate action has slowed even as investment in renewables has risen and the world has experienced a series of climate-related weather events. So, it is evident that COP26 needs to start shifting the goals towards an action-oriented approach,” the minister said.
Dr Al Jaber said the world needs practical solutions that are commercial and scalable and COP26 provides a timely platform to shift gears. “I strongly believe it will be an important step in the right direction,” he said.
“It is through this approach that the world can truly take the opportunity of the energy transition which is to use the wave of investment in lowcarbon solutions to drive economic prosperity for all. For that to happen, it is clear that developing countries must get the finance and technical support they need to rewire their energy systems and to put climate mitigation measures in place.
“We need a functioning Article Six to set up carbon markets which can help direct the flow of capital to low carbon solutions. We need greater ambition on emissions targets to close the gap between current NDCS and the Paris goals, and we need strategic roadmaps to make sure ambition becomes reality,” the minister said.
“Critically the world needs an umbrella approach with flexibility under which each country can have its own path to lower emissions,” Dr Al Jaber said. —
As a region, we have always had to live with harsh climate conditions and we will have to continue to innovate in both mitigation and adaptation Dr sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change