Dubai approves plan to reduce carbon emissions 30% by 2030

Dubai has approved plans to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by the end of 2030, a move that is expected to offer a significant boost to the national push to attain net-zero emissions by 2050.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, presided over the council’s 68th meeting, which was conducted online. The meeting was attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

The meeting was also attended by HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy along with board members HE Dawood Al Hajiri, Director General of Dubai Municipality; HE Abdulla bin Kalban, Managing Director of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA); HE Saif Humaid Al Falasi, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC); Juan-Pablo Freile, General Manager of Dubai Petroleum; and Nasser Abu Shehab, CEO of the Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector at the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

The meeting covered a variety of subjects, including the successful launch of DEWA-SAT 1, a component of DEWA’s Space-D programme, which was launched in January 2021 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

The Supreme Council of Energy evaluated the methods and programmes put in place by the Council’s related entities to minimise carbon emissions in power and water generation, industry, waste management, and land transport. These have resulted in considerable reductions in 2019 and 2020.

The Council adopted new plans and targets to cut carbon emissions by 30% by the end of 2030 in order to assist the UAE’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The meeting also discussed the implementation stage for Resolution number 6 of 2021 issued by the Executive Council of Dubai to regulate district cooling services in Dubai. The Council approved the regulatory framework for cooling service providers and customers to ensure the effectiveness of permit issuance and billing.

“In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to increase the share of clean and renewable energy sources as well as achieve the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050, the meeting reviewed the plans and roadmap to implement the strategy, using the latest technologies. The Council has started evaluating carbon emissions for the next 10 years, in collaboration with the relevant organisations in Dubai to come up with the required measures to reduce emissions. A roadmap will then define the way to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Al Tayer.

“The meeting also reviewed the successful launch of DEWA-SAT 1 nanosatellite, which is part of DEWA’s Space-D programme. Space-D aims to improve the operations, maintenance, and planning of DEWA’s networks with the support of nanosatellite technology, Internet of Things (IoT), and remote sensing technologies. The programme also aims to train Emirati professionals to use space technologies to enhance its electricity and water networks. The programme shows how Dubai’s leadership is taking advantage of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain to exchange information with the help of satellite communications and earth observation technologies,” added Al Tayer.

“We reviewed participations in the fourth edition of the Emirates Energy Award, which highlights the best existing practices in the areas of clean energy, energy efficiency and sustainability in the region,” said Al Muhairbi.

Winners of the 4^th Emirates Energy Award will be announced in October 2022.