The 10th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) continued on October 3, 2024, with its second day focusing on key issues related to sustainability, climate finance, and decarbonisation. Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, the summit brought together global experts, industry leaders, and government officials to explore advancements in the green economy.
The summit is hosted by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO). This year’s theme, ‘Empowering Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress,’ aimed to address the most pressing environmental challenges, including clean energy adoption, climate finance strategies, and integrating circular economy principles across industries.
The second day opened with a session titled “Global Agricultural Production Will Need to Double by 2050: How Do We Meet Growing Global Agricultural Needs?” This dialogue featured leaders such as Henry Gordon-Smith, CEO of Agritecture, and Christine R. Gould, Founder of Thought For Food®. The panel focused on the urgent need to innovate within the agricultural sector to meet rising global food demands while ensuring sustainability. Vertical farming, smart agriculture, and controlled environment farming were discussed as critical solutions to increase food production with fewer resources.
Another key discussion focused on circular economy integration during the session “The Circular Economy Integration and Waste-Reduction Strategy Implementation.”
Majed Al Marzouqi, Acting Director of Project and Facilities at Tadweer Group, highlighted the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy, launched in 2021, as a comprehensive strategy to shift from a linear economy to a circular one. He noted, “The UAE’s Circular Economy Policy is crucial for transitioning industries, but its success depends on engaging stakeholders from manufacturing to consumers.”
Throughout the summit, experts emphasised the need for global collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. Key sessions covered carbon credit markets, clean energy financing, and sustainable practices across sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and construction.
Majed Al Marzouqi’s session highlighted the importance of global efforts in waste reduction, stating, “Success in implementing circular models requires redesigning production and consumption systems, viewing waste as a resource, and involving all stakeholders in the transition.”
The event also explored the financial aspects of climate action, with experts discussing the growing role of carbon markets and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to support decarbonisation efforts. Speakers urged governments to adopt policies that encourage both compliance and voluntary efforts to reduce emissions.
The second day of WGES 2024 further established the UAE’s leadership in promoting a green economy, with discussions on clean energy adoption and sustainable practices that can drive global change.
