In preparation for hosting the upcoming COP28 summit at Expo City Dubai in November, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cabinet meeting has given its approval to 78 environmental projects and initiatives. These endeavors, spearheaded by the Emirates, encompass various national strategies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, regulating the utilization of solar energy products, promoting sustainable tourism, and fostering environmentally friendly development.
Pioneering the way among its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) counterparts, the UAE developed its national climate strategy as early as 2017 and was the first to commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In line with its commitment, ADNOC, the country’s leading oil exporter, has allocated a substantial $15B toward decarbonization projects. These initiatives encompass endeavors such as carbon capture, electrification, and the development of novel CO2 absorption technologies, according to Zawya News.
By hosting COP28, the UAE aspires to facilitate the formulation of tangible solutions that can aid in climate change adaptation and address the escalating impacts of global warming. Notably, the adoption of the 1.5-degree target to limit global warming, which transpired during the COP21 Paris Summit in 2015, serves as a benchmark for the discussions and initiatives to be undertaken at COP28.
“We have just passed the seven-year mark since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, with just seven years to go to 2030. There are seven years to reduce emissions by 43% and keep the ambitions and objectives of the Paris Agreement alive,” COP28 UAE President Designate Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, said at the 14th Petersberg Climate Dialogue held at Berlin.
Al Jaber, the CEO of ADNOC and a prominent figure in the UAE, continues to emphasize the imperative of transitioning away from fossil fuel emissions. He underscores the importance of exploring and adopting viable and cost-effective zero-carbon alternatives.
