Telecom Review had been cordially invited to attend Etisalat & Ericsson's sustainability Day: Race to net-zero event at the Swedish Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.

The sustainability themed event titled “ICT journey towards race to net-zero” was a call to action from the Expo to the whole world to leverage technologies in accelerating the shift to a low carbon economy and finding new ways to improve energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and addressing the most pressing challenge of our time – the climate crisis.

According to Ericsson research, ICT solutions can enable a reduction of global carbon emissions by up to 15% by 2030. With the UAE being the first country in the Gulf to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the event was well aligned with the UAE’s vision and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Throughout the event, Etisalat and Ericsson also shed light on innovative solutions and partnerships that support the global journey to net-zero emissions and how technology can be leveraged to be at the service of the environment. In addition, the two companies spoke about innovative partnerships and solutions that support net-zero projects in the United Arab Emirates and in the region and how using 5G will help decarbonize industries.

Dr Ahmed Bin Ali at the Race to Net-Zero event

Delivering a keynote speech, Dr. Ahmed bin Ali, group senior vice president, corporate communications at Etisalat said, “We realize the potential ICT has in reducing carbon emissions in industrial operations and accelerating the race to a net-zero future. The UAE has demonstrated outstanding leadership in taking initiatives to control emissions and increase energy efficiency. By providing reliable and innovative mobile networks and working alongside various industrial partners in the region, we aspire to leverage technology to create sustainable and new business models and support the UAE to reach its sustainable environment and infrastructure targets of Vision 2021.”

"We still want to be the fastest mobile network, we still want to be the high digital platform nation and at the same time, we are not forgetting the sustainability goals in whatever we do," he added.

Meanwhile, Fida Kibbi, vice president & head of marketing, communications, sustainability and corporate responsibility at Ericsson Middle East and Africa said, “Sustainability being the core of our strategy, we work towards pioneering a more sustainable future. We aspire to use our technologies to accelerate the decarbonization of our economy and find new ways to combat climate change by improving the energy performance of our products, as we reduce or own carbon footprint and combat climate change.”

Also addressing a keynote opening speech, Liselott Andersson, ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the UAE, said that the UAE's recent announcement to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was a "very positive and very welcome announcement and would be a significant contribution to global sustainability efforts in tackling climate change." She also said that the partnership between Etisalat and Ericsson was an important collaborative move to combat climate change and create better solutions for all in the future.