UAE President's speech at COP27 outlined UAE’s vision, strategic approach to climate action, sustainability: Sultan Al Jaber

SHARM EL SHEIKH, 7th November, 2022 (WAM) -- Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, said that the speech of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the World Leaders Summit at COP27, held in Sharm El Sheikh, outlined the UAE’s clear vision and strategic approach to climate action and sustainability, and emphasised that effective climate action accelerates opportunities for sustainable economic and social development.

“This approach is rooted in a comprehensive, integrated, and realistic view of the integral link between energy security and climate progress. If the world’s basic energy needs are not met, economic growth will slow, which, in turn, will have a severe impact on the resources needed to support climate action and drive a practical and economically viable transition in the energy sector. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed asserted that the UAE would remain committed to its role as a responsible supplier of low-carbon energy, while continuing to make significant investments in renewable and other zero carbon energy sources in the UAE and around the world," Dr. Al Jaber explained.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said that His Highness’ speech emphasised that continuity and perseverance are at the core of the UAE’s strategy, and that the UAE will support Egypt’s COP27 Presidency and work with the international community to address the priorities of all parties.

"Our focus is on bridging the outcomes from Sharm El Shaikh to COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference, set to be held at Expo City Dubai next year, where we will strive to make as inclusive as possible, bringing all stakeholders together to shape climate action for years to come.

"COP28 is of particular importance, as it is set to deliver the first ever global stocktake of the progress the world has made towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. We will strive for consensus and raise ambition to achieve real progress across all tracks, and this includes supporting the countries most vulnerable to the impact of climate change, outlining measures for adaptation, and to address loss and damage."

"His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that sustainable development has been a driving force of the UAE for decades. Our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was the first to lay the foundations for sustainability and urge the preservation of the environment and natural resources. He had directed to stop gas flaring decades before global mandates to do so," Dr. Al Jaber went on to say.

"We remain committed to fulfilling our wise leadership’s vision and to continue to cut emissions from the oil and gas sector, while also investing in clean energy systems and driving progress in climate action," he affirmed. "We have many achievements in this regard. We are the first country in the MENA region to commit to Net Zero by 2050. The UAE is now home to three of the world’s largest and lowest-cost solar plants. We have also set new records for the most cost-competitive wind power, in the UAE and internationally."

"We are the first country in the region to deploy peaceful nuclear power and have pioneered a new value chain for clean alternatives, such as hydrogen. We continue to build bridges of cooperation with the international community and working to strengthen constructive partnerships to enhance energy security, the most recent being the UAE-US Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) to invest in clean energy.

"In the field of conventional energy, the oil and gas produced by ADNOC in the UAE is among the least carbon-intensive in the world, and we aim to reduce emissions by an additional 25 percent by 2030. ADNOC recorded the lowest levels of methane intensity in the energy sector two decades before a global pledge was made calling for a gradual reduction in methane intensity.

"ADNOC is also taking concrete steps to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations, with the UAE being the first in MENA to invest in industrial-scale carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS). ADNOC will continue to expand its capabilities in the field of CCUS to about five million tons annually by 2030.

"The electricity network of ADNOC's onshore operations relies on emission-free solar and nuclear energy to secure 100 percent of its needs, while work is under way to provide clean electricity for its marine operations and raise the efficiency of energy and water consumption across all operations.

"These steps are important pillars in achieving a realistic and pragmatic transition in the energy sector by ensuring energy security while simultaneously focusing on reducing emissions from the current energy sources, as well as building a new system for clean energy. ADNOC has already commenced building this value chain for clean fuels, such as hydrogen."

“The speech delivered by His Highness provides a clear roadmap and a comprehensive vision for addressing climate change challenges. We are guided by the vision of His Highness in dealing with the challenge with a positive mindset, and working to find appropriate solutions, in collaboration with partners who share the same vision and ideas, because the constant pursuit of progress is at the core of our approach," Dr. Al Jaber said, in conclusion.