With the key aim of ensuring full implementation of the Paris Agreement, the much-awaited United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 finally opened on November 6 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with discussions on water security, food security, health, and energy security. 

The diverse UAE delegation comprises emissaries from over 70 public and private organizations, policymakers, negotiators, business executives, several young and female business owners, and civil society organizations.

The panel’s main objectives will be to advance the UAE’s close relationship with Egypt, assist the Egyptian COP27 Presidency in its efforts to carry out the Paris Agreement’s objectives and bridge the gap between COP27 and COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference in 2023.

The delegation intends to emphasize the country’s dedication to a low-carbon path, which opens up possibilities for sustainable socio-economic growth in all nations, especially developing nations, which are the most climate-vulnerable.

“The UAE is keen to reinforce efforts to cut emissions, meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and adopt a sustainable economic pathway aligned to Net Zero by 2050. We will cooperate with the international community to push for a realistic energy transition that leaves nobody behind and for immediate support for those already suffering the worst impacts of climate change,” said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change. 

He added that the UAE takes its responsibility to lead the UN climate process forward as the host of COP28 very seriously. To use this as a pivotal opportunity to raise global ambition, “UAE will ensure to include everyone in the dialogue — from business and industry to academia, youth, and civil society,” he said. 

The UAE will also reaffirm the role of young people and women in building a global consensus for climate action.

“The UAE has established a model for empowering young people as sustainability leaders and champions and encourages them to actively take a role in shaping pathways towards Net Zero,” said HE Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, adding that youth play a critical role in carrying out the UAE’s climate agenda.

Some of the collaborations to accelerate the clean energy transition and develop inclusive solutions include pledging $1 billion of increased investment to accelerate innovation in climate-smart agriculture and food systems and launching Etihad 7, an innovation program dedicated to securing funding for renewable energy projects in Africa.

The UAE and IRENA joined efforts to launch the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform, a global climate finance facility targeting the deployment of 1.5 gigawatts of new renewable power in developing countries by 2030.
Masdar currently invests more than $20 billion in renewable energy projects in more than 40 countries, which generate over 15GW of clean power and displace nearly 19.5 million tonnes of emissions annually.

The UAE’s climate action relies on innovation and technology, including taking measures to enhance food security through Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm, which produces over 1,000 tons of leafy greens every year.

Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas comes to the Middle East on 23 November 2022. Click here to know more.