The UAE and US underlined their joint commitment to robust action on climate change before a crucial summit in Washington.
Both countries agreed to raise ambitions in tackling the issue.
The commitment came during talks on Thursday between UAE Special Envoy for Climate, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, and US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm.
The two met after the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi this month and their discussion came before the Leaders Summit on Climate next week being organised by US President Joe Biden.
“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.
“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. 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 said that the partnership between companies across the US and UAE energy systems can be built upon to maximise opportunities for sustainable growth.
The discussion touched on the UAE's climate leadership as an early investor in successful renewable energy projects within the Emirates and around the world. The discussion 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 20 years.
The two also discussed carbon-capture technologies as an essential tool for climate mitigation, with Dr Al Jaber noting that Adnoc is pioneering the use of industrial-scale carbon-capture technologies with the first such facility in the region.
Al Reyadah site has the capacity to capture 800,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
The meeting followed the visit of John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate, to Abu Dhabi for the Regional Climate Dialogue hosted by the UAE. Regional leaders pledged bold action in the run-up to the Cop26 meeting in Glasgow this November.
The Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi – in pictures
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US climate envoy John Kerry attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. This is Mr Kerry's first visit to the Middle East, and Asia, since being appointed to the role. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
US climate envoy John Kerry attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. This is Mr Kerry's first visit to the Middle East, and Asia, since being appointed to the role. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
Alok Sharma, President of Cop26, attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi. -
The pledge issued at the end of the Regional Climate Dialogue vowed to help the most vulnerable. -
Delegates at the talks in Abu Dhabi. -
Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment and John Kerry, US climate envoy at the dialogue. -
Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at the Regional Climate Dialogue. -
The dialogue comes during a critical year in the global fight to halt rising temperatures. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
The UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, at the Regional Climate Dialogue. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
US climate envoy John Kerry is given a helicopter tour of Noor solar park, outside Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
John Kerry speaks with Dr Sultan Al Jaber at Abu Dhabi's Shams 1 solar park on Saturday. The National -
This is John Kerry's first visit to the Middle East since being appointed US climate envoy. The National -
Mr Kerry has vowed to make up for the 'lost years' of the Donald Trump presidency and put the US at the forefront of efforts to protect the environment. The National -
John Kerry meets Francesco La Camera, director general of International Renewable Energy Agency, which has its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The National -
US climate envoy John Kerry visits Jubail Mangrove Park. Courtesy Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change -
An aerial image of Abu Dhabi's Noor solar park. Its 3.2 million panels make it the largest single-site solar park in the world. Courtesy: Noor Abu Dhabi -
Arrayed panels at Abu Dhabi's Noor solar park. Pawan Singh / The National
