The UAE Council for Climate Action was formed in 2016 to create plans for achieving environmental objectives and represent the United Arab Emirates in regional and global negotiations over climate change-related matters. The Council’s third meeting for 2023 revealed the country’s vision for carbon trading and its NetZero ambitions.
The Climate Change and Environment minister, Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri presided over the meeting, which was held at Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai in October. The meeting centered on discussions regarding the UAE’s readiness for COP28 and the nation’s endeavors to achieve the objectives outlined in The UAE NetZero by 2050 strategic initiative. The meeting also highlighted the UAE’s vision for carbon trading, among other related matters.
In her address, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri noted that the COP28 set to be hosted in Dubai in November was geared towards making climate action grow stronger.
She underlined that when it comes to protecting the environment, the UAE has a lot to offer both its citizens and the international world. She made the point that realizing these goals requires teamwork. Therefore, it is essential to enhance cooperation in all areas to provide an exceptional climatic experience that is beneficial to all living things on Earth.
She made the point that helping the nation achieve its goal of being climate-neutral in the next years would need a significant contribution from the private sector.
UAE’s Preparedness
The national teams’ efforts to carry out the UAE’s preparedness plan for the conference were highlighted, and the Council was given updates on the most recent developments in the country’s preparations for COP28 during the meeting. It also addressed how government agencies and the commercial sector were getting ready for the conference and how actively they would be participating. The discussion also included increasing student understanding of the conference and other facets of climate action, improving the tourist experience, and community participation.
The Council examined the United Arab Emirates’s carbon capture initiatives and showcased successful examples of government building retrofits. The Ministry of Education’s research and development initiatives were also examined.
The meeting had prominent people, including Dr Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education’s Care and Capacity-Building sector; Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, the Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority – Sharjah; Ahmad Al Muhairbi, the Secretary General of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; Ahmed Ibrahim Obaid Ali Al Ali, Director-General of the Umm Al Qaiwain Municipality; and Abdulrahman Mohammed Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department.
His Excellency Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Environmental Policy and Planning Sector, Juma Alhamli, Chief Communications Officer of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and Vijay Somaney of Union Cement Company were also present at the meeting. Additionally, representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, TAQA, etc.
Takeaway
Becoming climate-neutral and keeping the environment safe is one major goal of the UAE. The Ministry for Climate Change and Environment emphasizes this with the COP28 and The UAE NetZero by 2050.
