Nuclear energy is now the largest source of clean electricity in the UAE. Wam
Nuclear energy is now the largest source of clean electricity in the UAE. Wam
Nuclear energy is now the largest source of clean electricity in the UAE. Wam
Nuclear energy is now the largest source of clean electricity in the UAE. Wam

Abu Dhabi to focus on clean energy in new climate strategy


Anjana Sankar
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Abu Dhabi's new climate strategy will focus on a shift towards cleaner energy sources, especially solar power, a senior executive at the emirate's environment agency has told The National.

Abu Dhabi announced its ambitious Climate Change Strategy for 2023-2027 in July. It aims to reduce emissions by 30 million tonnes by 2027, from 135 million tonnes in 2016.

The new plan to tackle climate change is designed to move the emirate towards a sustainable future, said Sheikha Al Mazrouei, executive director of Integrated Environment Policy and Planning at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

“The strategy set an emission reduction target of 22 per cent from 2016 recorded emission levels by 2027,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.

“Greenhouse gases are measured by weight. This means that through the strategy, Abu Dhabi will reduce its emissions by 30 million tonnes by 2027 from the 135 million tonnes recorded in 2016.

Focus on low-carbon and renewables

“Different emitting sectors are going to contribute differently to achieve this target, but the main contribution will be coming from power production through low carbon clean energy sources and solar power introduction.”

The UAE’s energy portfolio includes solar, natural gas and nuclear. Nuclear energy is now the largest source of clean electricity in the UAE with the Barakah nuclear power plant generating up to 48 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s carbon-free electricity.

Emirates Water and Electricity Company announced in March that 80 per cent of the total power demand in Abu Dhabi is using renewable and clean energy from its solar and nuclear energy plants.

The climate strategy will be delivered through 81 initiatives, which include 12 key projects, covering all vulnerable or emitting sectors.

“The contributing emitting sectors projects cover oil and gas, energy, transport, industry, waste and agriculture. The main reduction of emissions will be in the power generation while diversifying the energy mix by introducing low-carbon power generation as well as renewables,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.

Eight countries with net-zero emissions – in pictures

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    Guyana is net zero thanks to dense rainforest cover, despite being a newly oil-producing nation. AFP
  • Bhutan was the first country to report net-zero emissions. Getty
    Bhutan was the first country to report net-zero emissions. Getty
  • Niue's emissions are negligible, at less than 0.0001 per cent. Photo: Flickr
    Niue's emissions are negligible, at less than 0.0001 per cent. Photo: Flickr
  • Suriname's forests absorb billions of tonnes of CO2. Getty
    Suriname's forests absorb billions of tonnes of CO2. Getty
  • Panama was one of the first three countries to report net-zero emissions. Photo: Flickr
    Panama was one of the first three countries to report net-zero emissions. Photo: Flickr
  • The Comoros government has reported its carbon emissions have been in the negative since at least 2015. AFP
    The Comoros government has reported its carbon emissions have been in the negative since at least 2015. AFP
  • Almost 90 per cent of Gabon's surface is covered by forests, allowing for optimal carbon absorption. Getty
    Almost 90 per cent of Gabon's surface is covered by forests, allowing for optimal carbon absorption. Getty
  • Madagascar may lose its net-zero status if rampant deforestation continues. Photo: Alexandra Laube / imageBROKER / Shutterstock
    Madagascar may lose its net-zero status if rampant deforestation continues. Photo: Alexandra Laube / imageBROKER / Shutterstock

The strategy is based on two main pillars: adaptation to decrease the impact of global warming on people, and mitigation which reduces the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Ms Al Mazrouei said Abu Dhabi will adapt to the expected risks of climate change by improving the resilience of the four key vulnerable sectors – energy, health, infrastructure and environment.

“The strategy makes adaptation to climate change part and parcel of government entities' plans,” she said.

“Additionally, it outlines Abu Dhabi's plan to reduce greenhouse gases significantly in line with the country's announced aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

“Likewise, the strategy drives innovation in carbon capture and storage, and identifies actions aimed at economic diversification towards low-carbon sectors.”

The emirate plans to mitigate climate change impact by reducing emissions in key sectors and carbon capture, sequestration and storage.

“This is enabled by economic diversification through innovative, low-carbon solutions and identified opportunities,” she said.

Ms Al Mazrouei said one of the main projects in the strategy is to develop green or sustainable procurement to support investment in lower emission production locally.

“EAD is working very closely with the Department of Economic Development and its affiliated Industrial Development Bureau to promote investment and develop local production capabilities in more sustainable products,” she said.

She said the ambitious climate strategy has been carefully crafted to address challenges beyond just temperature rise, including rising sea levels, humidity, water salinity and extreme weather events.

“Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure, environment and ecosystem need to be protected from those impacts,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.

“Our existing and future infrastructure and key facilities must adapt to climate risks. Public health is another important area where projects are being designed to protect the public, especially workers, from exposure to heat stress resulting from the increased temperatures.”

The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines

Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

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Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

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Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km

JAPAN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayvn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Flinos%2C%20Ahmed%20Ismail%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efinancial%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2044%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseries%20B%20in%20the%20second%20half%20of%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHilbert%20Capital%2C%20Red%20Acre%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: August 13, 2023, 3:00 AM