US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry thanked the UAE for using Expo 2020 Dubai “to draw attention to the world’s shared responsibility to address the climate crisis”, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The UAE has been receiving applauds from leaders all across the world after it announced Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to do so.
John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, led congratulations from world leaders and prominent environmental policy-makers to the UAE for its Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, calling it an “incredibly important” step in combating climate change.
John Kerry said: “My heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the UAE for its incredibly important Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative. As the UAE prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a nation later this year, this mid-century net-zero goal sets out a very powerful vision for your next exciting decades ahead.
“I know this announcement is the result of serious substantive work by many and it sets an example for other major energy exporters to follow. I look forward to working with the UAE turn this goal into a reality.”
Kerry also thanked the UAE for using Expo 2020 Dubai “to draw attention to the world’s shared responsibility to address the climate crisis”.
He said: “This work that we all have to do must accelerate in this critical decade – a decade that will make or break our ability to realise our 2050 goals.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also welcomed the announcement, on Twitter: “Fantastic news that the UAE has become the first Gulf country to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050. This is a significant step in tackling climate change, and I hope more countries commit to net zero ahead of COP26.”
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This UAE is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa region to commit to such an initiative. The pledge was announced at Expo 2020 on Thursday by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said: “We are committed to seize the opportunity to cement our leadership on climate change within our region and take this key economic opportunity to drive development, growth and new jobs as we pivot our economy and nation to net zero.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also tweeted his happiness at the UAE’s pledge: “I welcome the announcement by the United Arab Emirates of its intention to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. I look forward to the UAE submitting a new Climate Action plan in line with this ambitious vision and encourage other Gulf states to follow this example ahead of COP26.”
COP26 President Alok Sharma tweeted: “I am delighted the UAE has announced it will reach net zero carbon by 2050. As the first net zero-carbon commitment in the Gulf, this is an historic announcement.”
The UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative aligns with the Paris Agreement, which calls on countries to prepare long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 C compared to pre-industrial levels.
The deployment and use of clean energy solutions is one of the main pillars of the UAE’s model of addressing the challenge of climate change and reducing GHG emissions. The country began financing clean energy projects more than 15 years ago, and has invested over US$40 billion in the sector to date. Current trends predict the production capacity of clean energy, including solar and nuclear, to reach 14 GW by 2030, up from about 100 MW in 2015 and 2.4 GW in 2020.
In 2017, the country launched the National Climate Change Plan of the UAE 2017-2050, which sets out a framework for managing GHG emissions, adapting to the impacts of climate change, and diversifying the economy through innovation.
In December 2020, the nation submitted its second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC, which entailed raising its climate ambition through several measures, including strengthening its efforts to reduce emissions by 23.5 percent compared to business as usual for the year 2030.
The UAE supports green infrastructure and clean energy projects worldwide, and has invested in renewable energy ventures worth around US$16.8 billion in 70 countries with a focus on developing nations. It has also provided more than US$400 million in aid and soft loans for clean energy projects.
The UAE now enjoys the world’s lowest-cost solar power and is home to three of the largest solar facilities in the world. It is also the first country in the region to deploy nuclear power and to develop industrial-scale carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS).