Countries
across the world are lauding the United Arab Emirates for taking the first step
towards commitment to net zero emissions in the Gulf region. On October 7, the
UAE officially announced its strategic initiative to reduce carbon emission by
the year 2050.
With
its Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, the UAE became the first country in the
Gulf to commit to Net Zero emission by 2050 as well as promote sustainable
energy. The project was launched by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the UAE Pavilion
at the Expo 2020 Dubai.
As
part of its strategic plan, the UAE affirmed huge investment worth Dh600
billion in clean, renewable and sustainable energy sources over the next three
decades. Taking to Twitter, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed noted that the UAE’s Net
Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative is consistent with the country's long-standing
vision to contribute to global sustainability efforts while ensuring economic
and human development both regionally and globally.
Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also noted that UAE is
playing its "global role in combating climate change".
Praises for UAE
Significantly,
world governments are hailing the UAE's big leap towards reducing its carbon
footprint and protecting the planet. The UAE further seeks to build the
momentum for other countries across the world ahead of the Cop26 climate talks
scheduled to take place from October 31 in Glasgow, Scotland.
UN
secretary general Antonio Guterres welcomed the UAE's pledge to combat climate
change and called on other states in the Gulf to follow suit.
“We
very much welcome this very important announcement and the secretary general
looks forward to the UAE submitting as soon as possible a new nationally
determined contribution in line with this ambitious goal that the government
set for itself,” Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
Praising
the UAE for becoming the first Gulf nation to commit to Net Zero emissions, UK
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it is a significant step in tackling climate
change. Cop26 summit president Alok Sharma, president of the Cop26 summit,
called it historic as the UAE announced the first net zero-carbon commitment in
the Middle East region.
In
an appreciation tweet on social media, John Kerry, US special presidential
envoy for climate, commended the UAE for heeding the call to net zero carbon
commitment ahead of Cop26. Underlining that the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategic
Initiative is an example for other energy-producing nations, he further called
on other nations to take strong action to combat climate change.
UAE continues to protect planet Earth
For
decades now, the UAE has been working on fulfilling its commitment to
protecting the environment by adopting green energy. To date, the UAE has
invested over $40 billion in the clean energy sector with several projects
launched to promote green economy in the past 15 years. It is the first Arab
nation to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme. In addition, the UAE is
home to the lowest-cost solar power and three of the largest solar facilities
in the world.
UAE
officials have affirmed that in the next five years, the country will be
producing more than 50 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources to
reduce its CO2 emissions by at least half.
Similarly,
the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative has been designed to collaborate
the work of public and private entities to reduce emissions and promote green
and sustainable energy across all sectors without compromising the country's
economic potential.
Need for global efforts
As
the UAE leads global efforts in limiting carbon footprints, it is important for
other countries to follow the positive initiative to commit to net-zero carbon
emissions. At this critical time, it has become the need of the hour to work
towards carbon neutrality with the aim to address the implications of climate
change.
As
a host of countries have joined the Paris Agreement on climate change, the
efforts can include investment in resilient measures and effective mobilisation
of climate financing to ensure that the goal is achieved for the globe as a
whole.
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