Countries must take a measured approach to replace traditional fuels or risk plunging themselves into energy poverty, said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and special envoy for climate change.
He said attempts to move away from traditional energy sources would only work if governments were pragmatic about the realities facing the world today.
Dr Al Jaber made his comments on the opening morning of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2022 conference at Atlantis The Palm resort in Dubai.
“We all need to recognise the energy transition will take time and it actually requires sober and thoughtful planning,” he said.
“It is more evident than ever before that this cannot be rushed.”
There was great potential to create jobs in the non-carbon energy sector, he said, but only if the opportunities were properly explored.
He said the current rise in fuel prices, due to a global shortage of oil, showed the need to ensure governments get it right when planning for the future.
There was no benefit to ditching existing energy models if people could not afford to use the alternatives, said Dr Al Jaber.
“We need to keep investing in low-cost, low-carbon energies,” he said in his address.
“Alongside renewables, we need nuclear, natural gas and oil from parts of world where it takes the least amount of carbon to produce.
“We should not be adopting policies that lead to energy poverty.”
Dr Sultan Al Jaber: We should not adopt climate policies that lead to energy poverty
UAE taking pro-active approach to climate fight
The UAE has an established track record in leading the way when it comes to sustainability in the region, he said.
“We were the first country in the region to sign up to and ratify the Paris Agreement,” he said.
“The UAE was also the first to commit to an economy-wide reduction in zero emissions.”
He said the UAE has provided more than $1 billion in climate aid to more than 40 countries around the world.
Dr Al Jaber said the UAE was taking a proactive approach to creating a more sustainable future while maintaining economic growth.
“As a young country, and a responsible energy leader, the UAE has always faced the future with a positive mindset, and addressed challenges head-on," he said.
"This is why we stopped flaring 30 years before the World Bank asked the industry to do so. It’s why we achieved 0.01 per cent methane intensity 20 years before the global pledge asking for a gradual reduction. It’s why we began to capture C02 (carbon dioxide) on an industrial scale before the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) called it an essential tool for de-carbonization.
"And it’s why we became the first hydrocarbon producer to power our operations with zero-carbon energy.”
Dr Sultan Al Jaber on the UAE's established sustainability track record
More support for developing nations
Dr Al Jaber called on the international community to fulfil a pledge to provide $100 billion to developing nations to help them tackle climate change.
“The international community continues to fall short of the $100 billion climate finance pledge they made to developing nations over a decade ago. We need bold targets going forward and we need to start treating climate risks as potential global security risks.
“We have taken a partnership approach focused on projects in countries most exposed to climate risks, because we know that local resilience builds global resilience. We have provided over $1 billion in climate aid to more than 40 countries. And our experience tells us that once concessional finance is there, private finance will follow.”
Climate change 'an extraordinary challenge'
Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, was also among the speakers during the opening sessions of the event.
She warned the climate crisis was the single most lethal threat facing humanity.
“We are in a moment when the world is facing an absolutely extraordinary challenge,” said Ms Espinosa.
“We cannot forget that climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity right now.”
She praised the UAE for taking a proactive role in tackling climate change, pointing out how the country was leading the way when it came to looking for climate solutions in the region.
“The UAE has played a leadership role when it comes to climate change,” said Ms Espinosa.
“The country has ambitious net zero emission targets and has some of the world’s largest solar energy fields.”
The UAE plans to be net zero by the year 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement where participating countries pledged to take action and work on strategies to reduce greenhouse emissions.
She said making the sacrifices required to win the battle against climate change is going to be challenging for all sectors.
“Making the required transformation is not going to be an easy task,” said Ms Espinosa.
“We need to be up to the challenge and work until the world moves in the right direction together.
“Delaying action on climate change comes at a steep cost.”
The Mena region was particularly vulnerable from the effects of climate change, she said.
“Water supply, food production and infrastructure are all at risk from extreme heat and rising seas,” said Ms Espinosa.
