United Arab Emirates Pioneering Initiatives in Emission Reduction and Sustainable Industrial Growth.
Abu Dhabi, October 12 - Emission reduction initiatives in the industrial sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have consistently been a top priority in sustainable plans aimed at creating an integrated system for the country's industrial facilities to effectively contribute to achieving climate neutrality. These initiatives rely on a proactive approach based on two fundamental principles: a commitment to clean energy solutions and an increased adoption of cutting-edge technologies supporting the growth of sustainable and environmentally friendly industries.
Accelerating the integration of these solutions into industrial facility strategies, the UAE has taken the lead in supporting sustainable investment efforts. They offer the industrial sector the opportunity to play a vital role in development, in addition to its contribution to combating the challenge of climate change. One of the most significant government measures has been to encourage the transition towards eco-friendly industries, including the production of green hydrogen using clean and renewable energy, carbon capture and storage to mitigate the causes of climate change, desalination of water, and the adoption of smart mobility solutions.
Additionally, industrial facilities are urged to develop plans to harness technological solutions, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and blockchain, while increasing sustainable research and development spending to 2% of GDP by 2031. Through an integrated system of national initiatives, programs, and projects, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is striving to enhance sustainability in the industrial sector and increase its contribution to carbon emission reduction and the attainment of climate neutrality.
These initiatives and programs include the "Technology Transformation Program," which supports the implementation of 1,000 sustainable technology projects in the country by 2031, and the "National Value-Added Program," which encourages companies to adopt sustainability practices by providing an additional 5% rating to participating businesses.
The Ministry has also launched an additional incentive known as "Green National Added Value" (Green ICV) for companies committed to applying sustainability standards throughout their value chains. This complements the "Make in the Emirates" initiative, which focuses on stimulating local investments and attracting foreign investments into the approved national industrial sector.
In line with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, the UAE's industrial sector is committed to meeting emission reduction requirements transparently and responsibly as part of its contribution to achieving climate neutrality. This commitment is demonstrated by the country's industrial establishments aligning themselves with the goals of the Technology Transformation Program and sustainability standards across their value chains, all of which are overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
In addition, the sector is actively participating in the "Climate Responsible Companies Pledge" initiative launched by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. To date, 106 companies from various sectors, including cement, iron, aluminum, real estate, and construction, have joined this commitment to reduce the effects of climate change and lower emissions. These companies are committed to working together to exchange experiences, explore the best methods for achieving emission reduction targets in their respective sectors, communicate transparently, and develop practical plans to reduce carbon footprints.
The UAE's efforts to develop a technology-driven national industrial sector, along with research and development, to reduce carbon emissions are consistent with the "Path to Achieving Climate Neutrality" axis of the recently launched "National Sustainability" campaign. This initiative aligns with preparations for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), scheduled from November 30 to December 12, to be held in Expo City Dubai.
The UAE has a strong track record in sustainability, thanks to pioneering initiatives and projects that reflect the values of environmental preservation, societal traditions, and other authentic heritage values.
In an effort to encourage constructive communication between government authorities in the UAE and industrial establishments, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has organized 11 national dialogues as part of the Climate Ambition National Dialogue Initiative. These dialogues involve representatives from both the government and the private sector, and they present various solutions for targeted sectors to achieve the required carbon reduction rates.
The dialogues have also identified initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in the cement industry, such as reducing reliance on limestone in cement production and utilizing other eco-friendly alternatives. They have also identified five opportunities for the construction and building sector to mitigate its impact on climate change. These opportunities include adopting eco-friendly procurement practices, upgrading building systems for new constructions, renovating existing buildings to improve energy efficiency, and focusing on the use of solar thermal energy and energy-efficient cooling systems in residential areas. Reducing waste production and promoting recycling in construction and demolition waste is also a key component of these initiatives.
Studies indicate that industries must adopt advanced technological solutions and sustainable energy sources to combat emissions, as confirmed by a report published by the World Government Summit Foundation in 2022. Policymakers are called upon to explore options for achieving climate neutrality, improve knowledge, and facilitate access to technologies that support the transition to lower emission levels. This necessitates increased investment in these technologies in the coming decade.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in collaboration with relevant federal and local authorities, is working to promote sustainable economic growth and initiatives that support this trend. These initiatives include the "Made in the Emirates" program, the Technology Transformation Program, the National Value-Added Program, and infrastructure sustainability initiatives that support the preparation of the industrial sector. The ministry is committed to adopting cutting-edge technology through standard specifications and proactive technical legislation to enhance the "Made in the Emirates" brand, promote national products, increase exports, and develop mechanisms for the fourth industrial revolution.
The ministry's projects aimed at developing the industrial sector in the UAE align with the requirements for climate neutrality and emission reduction in the industrial sector, as outlined in the "Project 300 Billion" of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology. This project seeks to strengthen the growth and development of the national industrial sector, improve its competitiveness, and adopt cutting-edge technology solutions. It aims to accelerate the pace of digital and technological transformation, and promote the UAE's position as a regional and global center for sustainable manufacturing and innovation. This supports the UAE's strategies for achieving sustainable economic development and climate neutrality by 2050.
In the field of promoting innovation and the adoption of advanced technologies in modern industries, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is working to develop the national program for the electric conversion of vehicles. The ministry aims to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, transitioning from fossil fuels to electric vehicles.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has organized three specialized sessions to support and promote entrepreneurship in green technologies to support climate action efforts. These sessions aim to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to achieve sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.
As part of the Technology Transformation Program, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, launched the Industrial Technology Transformation Index in February. This index aims to help companies improve operational efficiency, accelerate their digital transformation, enhance their contribution to carbon emission reduction, and uphold approved standards and provisions. It provides an additional 5% rating to companies that join the National Value-Added Program.
Within the National Value-Added Program, the ministry has launched an additional incentive for companies that join the program, known as the "Green National Added Value." This incentive is for companies committed to applying sustainability standards throughout their value chains.
In partnership with the Petroleum Company Abu Dhabi National Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology organized the UAE Climate Technology Forum in May. This event brought together 1,500 policymakers, CEOs, experts, specialists, and technology leaders, as well as investors. The forum served as a platform for discussions on mechanisms to enhance cooperation in innovative solutions to accelerate emission reduction efforts in all sectors.
During the second session of the "Make in the Emirates" Forum, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology signed an agreement with "Charger," an affiliate of NEV Enterprise, a leading institution in the Gulf region. The agreement focuses on the development, maintenance, and operation of private charging station facilities for electric vehicles in the UAE, catering to the growing demand for local electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This agreement supports the country's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and increasing the industrial sector's contribution to achieving climate neutrality, with "Shahreen" aiming to cater to 40% of the demand for direct current charging in the UAE by 2030.
The ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the "MEXT Center" in Turkey, affiliated with the Metal Manufacturers' Union in Turkey (MESS), to apply the Industrial Technology Transformation Index outside the UAE for the first time. This positively impacts the competitiveness of the international industrial sector and accelerates carbon emission reduction efforts through advanced technologies that enhance efficiency and productivity.
In May, the ministry signed four memoranda of understanding with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), EDGE Group, KIZAD (Abu Dhabi Ports Group affiliate), and Dubai Industrial City. These agreements aimed to adopt the Industrial Technology Transformation Index in their industrial companies and suppliers to accelerate carbon emission reduction and promote the adoption and implementation of sustainability and digital transformation practices.
To strengthen sustainability in various industrial sectors and all stages of manufacturing at industrial facilities in Abu Dhabi, the Department of Economic Development of Abu Dhabi, represented by its Industrial Development Office, launched the "Sustainability in the Industrial Sector" program. The program aims to provide the means and capabilities to improve the efficiency and quality of industrial products, aligning with the government's sustainable development and environmental preservation goals to enhance competitiveness at regional and global levels. The program focuses on understanding sustainability practices in the industrial sector in Abu Dhabi, data collection, analysis, and evaluation, conducting standard studies, identifying goals and opportunities, developing sustainability guidelines for industries in Abu Dhabi, and raising awareness and implementing required tasks across different industry sectors.
It's important to note that the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed that all countries worldwide must strive to reduce their emissions by 43% by 2030 to avoid a global temperature increase exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the global population is expected to increase by approximately half a billion people by 2030. The United Arab Emirates is taking a practical and realistic approach to reducing carbon emissions and spurring entrepreneurship, research, development, and innovation in climate technologies. The country aims to become a global center for sustainable industries and advanced technologies.