Global Arab Network | UAE- We must walk together to reduce our carbon footprint

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UAE- We must walk together to reduce our carbon footprint

Global Arab Network - - Maha Karim

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 20:37

The UAE’s successful bid to host the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (Irena) headquarters in Abu Dhabi has once again put the spotlight on our nation’s environmental record. Pundits the world over have been quick to ask what business the UAE – a major oil producing nation – has in playing host to an international agency responsible for mitigating climate change and championing the development of renewable energy.

Often cited in the criticism of the UAE’s environmental record was the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report, which lists the UAE as having the largest per capita ecological footprint in the world. Sadly, this report has become a defining element of our environmental track record, overshadowing the nation’s efforts – both past and present – to reduce green-house-gas emissions and contribute to the global fight against climate change.

Although the WWF report has cast a sombre light on our environmental record, the organisation nevertheless recognises the UAE as a nation taking action. During our bid to host Irena, the WWF extended its public support to the UAE as a suitable host, which was a vote of confidence in our leadership’s commitment to the environment and a sustainable future.

This is not to say that our current carbon emissions are at an acceptable level. The nature of our hydrocarbon producing economy coupled with the moderate size of our population certainly affects our footprint per capita. The oil and gas industry comprises roughly a third of the country’s total carbon emissions but the hydrocarbons sector has worked to decrease them. For instance, between 1994 and 2006, the UAE was one of only 16 countries to decrease gas flaring, a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with Adnoc reducing the practice by 80 per cent.

The energy consumption of individual households now accounts for approximately one half of the UAE’s carbon footprint. Life in the desert is difficult to sustain and energy intensive cooling and desalination contribute to a large portion of our carbon emissions. Until the technologies for cooling and desalination become more environmentally sustainable, we will be high consumers in these areas. Nevertheless, we are not throwing in the towel in the face of adversity but are instead exploring and implementing solutions to tackle the problem.

From large-scale clean energy projects to grass roots educational campaigns, the UAE and its leaders are supporting the implementation of several initiatives. As a young and rapidly developing nation, we are taking steps to embed environmental awareness and responsibility as the foundation for a green economy that will fuel our nation’s growth.

Truth be told, the WWF report has had a positive impact leading to a public and private partnership in Abu Dhabi between the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Environment Agency’s Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS), WWF and the Global Footprint Network. The partnership is committed to researching and understanding the UAE’s ecological footprint with the ultimate aim of reducing it. The Heroes of the UAE campaign was launched by the Emirates Wildlife Society – with the support of Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and others – to encourage households to reduce energy consumption. When all is said and done, reducing our carbon footprint and safeguarding our environment is dependent on how we as individuals consume and conserve energy. Educating and engaging people to take simple action will play a vital role in our overall effort.

But educational campaigns and public-private partnerships to manage energy demand and consumption are not enough. And it is with this in mind that the leadership of the UAE had the foresight to build upon the country’s leading position in the global energy markets to expand into renewable energy. Unique among the major oil exporters, the Government of Abu Dhabi has set a target of supplying seven per cent of the emirate’s power needs from renewable energy sources by 2020. Masdar will be a key contributor toward meeting this target, both in terms of the company’s investments and in the development of low carbon energy supplies.

Central to the development of the appropriate clean energy policies and technologies in the long term is the need to bolster our expertise and develop the necessary human capital. A key milestone toward this effort will begin this month when the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology opens its doors to approximately 100 elite students from 22 countries into its graduate level science and engineering degree programmes focused on the study of alternative energy and sustainable technologies. The Masdar Institute is already playing a role in building this expertise by developing detailed analytical models to measure carbon footprints and supplying technical skills to organisations such as WWF and EWS. This unique institution will play a key role in developing a talented workforce of scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs specialised in sustainability.

The commitment to conserving the environment is not a phenomena that suddenly emerged in recent years, but rather a continuation of a unique and farsighted vision that is central to our heritage. This legacy is that of our late founding-father and President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who championed environmental stewardship and ecological conservation.

It is my belief that the presence of Irena in Abu Dhabi will act as an additional driver in our determination to reduce the UAE’s ecological footprint. Although the UAE will remain a major hydrocarbon producing nation for many years to come, we are building greater awareness in the community and developing policies to reduce our carbon emissions. This will benefit not only the environment, but also the people of this country by according them a sustainable economic future. In time, I hope that our dedication to reducing our energy consumption and carbon emissions will go beyond the commitment of our leadership and our environmental organisations to be embraced by all residents of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Global Arab Network

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is the chief executive officer of Masdar, this article appeared in The National on (September 01. 2009 ).

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Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network