State of Energy Report 2017 launched

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has launched the State of Green Economy Report 2017, a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) backed publication. The 3rd report was launched at the World Climate Summit organised during the 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC, in Marrakech, Morocco.

The event was attended by Dr. Hakima El Haite, Minister Delegate for the Environment in the Kingdom of Morocco, Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Adnan Amin, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency(IRENA), Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun, President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Companies, Bertrand Piccard, Initiator, Chairman and Pilot of Solar Impulse, Yvo de Boer, Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Frode Mauring, the UNDP Resident Representative in the UAE, Qatar and Oman, Jens Nielsen, CEO, World Climate Ltd , Paul Polman , CEO of Unilever and other international personalities.

The State of Green Economy Report 2017 aims to help the UAE sustain its economic growth, while keeping the green economy as the fuel for this growth. The report is created around the theme of Knowledge, and aims to provide the public and private sectors with a clear overview of the government’s plans, as well as offer a benchmark on the country’s current standing in green economy.

"The 4th of November 2016 was a historical date as it marked when the Paris Agreement came into force. It is with great pleasure that we meet here today to reaffirm our commitment to the Agreement. The Paris Agreement charts a new course in our efforts to combat climate change and limit its effects, both as individual countries and as part of something far bigger: a global network that by working together can make a real change. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai has adopted green growth and sustainable development," said Al Tayer.

He continued: "Last year, His Highness announced the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. This strategy has a target to make Dubai a global centre for clean energy and green economy, which will also contribute to making Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050. Based on our leadership’s vision, we have set primary goals to ensure our continued social and economic development by mitigating the corresponding negative impacts on our environment. We will continue our efforts to achieve this vision so that it remains a beacon that shapes our policies, strategies, and practices for government, which in turn will promote social change.

We recognise that there are different methods of achieving as every nation will follow its own path towards a green economy that is adapted to their own social, economic and environmental conditions. Nonetheless, we also recognise the importance of this being a common goal, along with the lessons learned along the way. Sharing experiences, transferring knowledge, and providing support across borders is the only way we can all prosper into the future,"

"Each year, we organise the World Green Economy Summit, which is an international forum for government representatives, business leaders, decision makers, experts, specialists and other stakeholders to gather and create partnerships between the public and private sectors. It encourages dialogue and knowledge exchange, which are vital elements in pushing us forward in planning and implementing the shift to a global green economy. At this year’s summit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), which is supported by the Government of Dubai and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). WGEO will be based in Dubai, pioneering a new approach to promoting the green economy by bringing together governments, the private sector, foundations, UN agencies, financial organisations, and civil society, to work on achieving the green economy goals, and to serve as a mechanism for generating new solutions to climate change, sustainable energy, and other challenges for water and the environment around the world.

This year was a very productive one for the UAE. In addition to these initiatives to encourage international cooperation, we have continued to propel the shift in our own economy, adding further smart services and focusing on diversifying the energy mix to incorporate renewable energy sources. We have numerous initiatives underway, covering all sectors of industry, the economy, and society, to ensure a prosperous, happy and healthy future, for generations to come. Many of these initiatives are outlined in this year’s edition of the State of Green Economy Report, which is an annual review and critical reflection of the current situation of the green economy landscape. The report traces our successes in green economic development, offering a knowledge base for national and international experts and thought leaders to share research and development, tools, and repeatable initiatives. This year alone, Dubai has recorded two milestones in renewables. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority received the world’s lowest solar tariff at USD 2.99 cents per kW/h, an improvement on DEWA’s previous record of USD 5.6 cents per kW/h. This resulted in an increase in our commitment to clean energy providing 75% of Dubai’s total power output by 2050 and launching the Dubai Green Fund, a USD 27 billion (AED 100 billion) green investment vehicle to support green investments and green growth," added Al Tayer.

"It is a privilege and honour to be here to present the State of Green Economy Report 2017. In this report, we capture success stories that we wish to share to contribute to global sustainable and green development. The report demonstrates our commitment to develop and implement green programmes and initiatives across all sectors, making a strong case for a green transition to a robust low-carbon economy.

It also provides an overview of initiatives that promote innovation, and policies that help accelerate the transition. The report also underlines the efforts made to encourage and enable different sectors to participate in the transition towards a green economy. It serves as a roadmap to establish new market-driven models to decarbonise the energy sector and encourage the market to adopt energy efficiency. The report emphasises that knowledge leads to change and helps redesign strategies. It provides cutting-edge information to both policymakers and practitioners. The report is divided into 8 areas of green economy development, connected through one common theme: Knowledge, which is the main driver to sustainable development and a guarantee that it remains on the right path," said Al Tayer.

"Human civilization, throughout history, has stood at the edge of many new frontiers. Strong political leadership, with the help of thought leaders, think-tanks, innovators, academicians, businesses and entrepreneurs, and utilising knowledge as a common link, has ensured our consistent progress and sustained economic growth. The transition to a green economy is not a journey into the unknown. The globally-accepted UN Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals are well-defined. The targets are clear. A better understanding of climate change helps deliver specific solutions based on technology and innovation. Smart cities are sustainable cities. The sustained green growth will reflect positively not only on the environment and ecosystems but also socially. Each chapter opens with a thought leader and continues to highlight the remarkable contributions of individuals and organisations in knowledge-sharing and building partnerships," noted Al Tayer.

At the end of his speech, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer handed Dr. Hakima El Haite and other attending personalities a copy of The State of Green Economy Report 2017.

Produced with the support of organisations that are leading the way in the Emirate and the UAE, including DEWA, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Empower, ENOC, RTA, Dubai Sustainable Tourism, UAE Water Aid, Dubal Holding, Dubai Science Park and EGA to name a few, the report is a success story of what can be achieved through knowledge sharing and the building of strong partnerships, while advancing towards new frontiers. The report is divided into eight chapters anchored by an opinion from a thought leader, highlighting the remarkable contribution of individuals, as well as government entities.

"The report confirms the UAE’s dedication to combating climate change while increasing the share of renewable energy. It sheds light on the most important strategies, initiatives, existing projects and success stories across various industries including energy, water, oil and gas, industry, transportation, construction, tourism, wastes, land planning, agriculture and finance, in addition to following up on the progress achieved by the UAE in its transformation into a green economy," said Waleed Salman, Chairman of the Dubai Carbon.