UAE aims for net-zero target by 2050

UAE aims for net-zero target by 2050

/ Oil & Gas / Sunday, 27 June 2021 08:42

The UAE is in discussion for a 2050 target to support a global drive to keep temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, according to a news report, sourced from people familiar with the matter.

If this comes to fruition, the UAE could become the first among OPEC countries to technically reach net-zero while continuing with plans to invest billions in oil extraction. The move would be in accordance with the requests of Western countries for stronger climate commitments but will not require it to cut down on the sale of oil.

In the UAE, the net-zero campaign is being led by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE’s special envoy for climate change and its minister of industry and advanced technology.

The news report has quoted Hana AlHashimi, who heads Al Jaber’s office,  as saying, We are “certainly working on a whole-of-government approach to see at what point it would be feasible to achieve net-zero,” during a call hosted by the US-UAE Business Council. “I’d encourage you to stay tuned,” she said.

UAE plans to announce the UN climate summit in Glasgow in November, according to the news sources, requesting anonymity as the talks are ongoing.

As per the report, emissions from burning fossil fuels after they’re shipped abroad are not included in such country-level targets. Fossil fuels remain UAE’s biggest source of revenue, contributing about 30 percent to GDP. Still, the nation has taken steps to bolster its green credentials.

According to the UAE’s long-term energy plan, only half of all power capacity is set to be emission-free by 2050, consisting of renewables and nuclear. The country plans to meet the rest of its energy needs with gas and coal.

The UAE is currently bidding to host the UN’s global climate talks in 2023.  In Asia, South Korea has already set a net-zero by 2050 goal.

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