HE Awaidha Al Marar, chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has delivered a keynote speech at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit stressing the need to protect the world?s environment through making positive energy choices
?When I think of climate change and the global call to reduce emissions, I see Earth as a person. She is suffering from serious health symptoms and has been diagnosed with a disease called global warming. Thankfully, it is not too late to save her,? said HE Al Marar.
Al Marar has highlighted that the required therapy to treat the Earth involves limiting global warming to below two degrees Celsius ? preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius ? to achieve decarbonisation by mid-century. He said that the treatment plan won?t be effective and long-lasting to anticipate a sustainable future unless it incorporates essential lifestyle adjustments and adoption of more energy efficient practices.
?As we try to undergo the prescribed treatment plan, much pressure is put on the energy sector to reduce power generation emissions as well as emissions in the supply chain. Countries around the world have joined long-term energy transition to decarbonise the power sector and promote electrification. Many have identified individual net-zero commitments and accelerated the shift to renewable energy. Renewable energy is the alternative to fossil fuels and despite the decline in prices of solar and wind energy, it is somehow still not growing as fast as we need it to,? he added.
His Excellency drew attention to the changes that Abu Dhabi has been making to renew its energy system to be part of the cure, citing ? among other things - the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) as one of the world?s first carbon neutral developments, the Noor Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra solar PV projects, the fact that today, the UAE accounts for over 70% of all installed renewable energy capacity in the region, and the commencement of commercial operations of the first and second units of Abu Dhabi?s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in addition to the recent announcement of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.
?These are examples of the adjustments we are making in energy, similar initiatives exist across all other sectors to ensure we are future-ready and by all means sustainable. Our progress and rapid development was always backed by our visionary leadership and through our approach of partnerships, international cooperation, and active participation in open knowledge-sharing platforms,? said he.
?In 2023, we will host the COP 28 in Abu Dhabi. It will be yet another platform to work together on practical climate solutions and sustainable economic growth. In conclusion, I would like to stress that besides investment in research and development and technology, it is critical that we form new regional and international partnerships. ADSW is a great platform to do that.?
