State of Energy Report

By an IPS Correspondent Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 9 2013 (IPS) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set a target of achieving 5% of its energy mix from renewable energy by 2030 while also seeking to reduce energy intensity by 30%, according to a new 200-page report released Monday.  Like a number of countries in the Arab region, it seeks to place sustainable energy solutions at the centre of a new sustainable development pathway.

As shown in the results of a Greenhouse Gas Inventory captured in the report, Dubai makes up 25% of the UAEs total GHG emissions. Overall the top sources of UAE’s emission are electricity and water (35%), transport (26%), industry (21%), among other sources, according to a press release.

 Published by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and developed in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dubai Carbon Centre for Excellence, the ‘State of the Energy” Report highlights the drive by Dubai to emerge as a centre of innovation, investment and technology in the Arab region.

Described as a flagship initiative in support of the UAE National Green Economy for Sustainable Development Strategy launched in 2012, the report serves as a platform of partnerships to spur new green economy opportunities.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DSCE, said the partnership between the Government and UNDP is “a matter of pride for the Emirate of Dubai but also an enabler to share and improve the relevance of energy within sustainable development.”

The report is the first of its kind for the energy sector, creating a forum to share best practices, innovation and strategies. Dubai says it created the report to inspire the region and initiate similar reports through the GCC in the next years. The report highlights the commitment to sustainability at the heart of Dubai’s winning bid to host the World Exposition in 2020.

To assess trends towards sustainable energy goals, the report brings together 50 leading thinkers on sustainable energy solutions to highlight specific trends and challenges in areas such as models for energy governance and low-carbon strategies, new financing models, catalysts and incentives for solar energy expansion, reducing energy intensity through end-use energy efficiency measures, and clean technology applications for green buildings and sustainable transport, according to a press release.

Contributors include leading figures from the UAE and Dubai Government, UNDP, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Middle East Solar Industry Association,  the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Masdar Institute.