UAE committed to climate action: Al Jaber
ABU DHABI, April 18, 2021
UAE Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Group CEO of Adnoc Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber has said investments in new technology and R&D across the diversified energy mix can encourage low carbon, sustainable economic growth throughout the region.
He said this during a meeting with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to discuss how to build on and accelerate the work the two countries are doing to accelerate climate action ahead of the Leaders Summit on Climate to be convened in Washington DC this week.
The meeting comes on the heels of US Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi for the regional climate dialogue the UAE hosted, where regional leaders pledged bold action in the run up to the COP26 meeting in Glasgow this November.
Regional leaders had signed a joint statement focused on joint efforts on renewable energy, hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation, carbon capture and storage, and other mitigation tools and technologies, the discussion focused on how the two countries can further strengthen their energy partnership to enhance low carbon growth.
“The UAE believes there is a sound business case for progressive climate action, which can deliver more economic growth with fewer emissions,” Dr Al Jaber said.
He added: “As the world will still rely on hydrocarbon fuels for decades, it is essential to ensure they are produced responsibly and are as low carbon as possible. The UAE is one of the least carbon intensive producers in the world, and we are investing in technology to build on this distinct competitive advantage.”
He further said: “Just as in the US, climate considerations are at the core of decision-making in the UAE, including domestic policy, foreign policy and national security.”
Dr Al Jaber noted the excellent partnership between companies across the US and UAE energy system can be built on to maximise opportunities for sustainable growth.
The discussion touched on the UAE’s climate leadership as an early investor in successful renewable energy projects both within the UAE and around the world. It also focused on the UAE’s development of new zero carbon fuels, such as hydrogen that have the potential to play a significant role in the energy system in the next twenty years.
Dr Al Jaber explained how Adnoc is leveraging its hydrocarbon infrastructure to develop blue hydrogen, while also exploring green hydrogen through the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance.
In addition, the ministers discussed the application of carbon capture technologies as an essential tool for climate mitigation.
Dr Al Jaber noted that Adnoc has pioneered the use of industrial scale carbon capture technologies with the first CCUS facility in the region.
The Al Reyadah CCUS facility currently has the capacity to capture 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Adnoc plans to expand its capacity at least six times by 2030 and is willing to share its experience with any country in order to help take this important mitigation technology to scale.
The UAE and US share a commitment to tackle the climate challenge and have stressed the importance and urgency of raising global climate ambition.
Both countries have announced their intent to cooperate on new investments in financing decarbonisation across the Mena region and beyond, and to focus on assisting the most vulnerable countries as they adapt to the effects of climate change. –Tradearabia News Service
