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Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan

Green Retreat stresses need to take climate challenges head-on

DUBAI, April 9, 2023

The urgent need for the world to take climate challenges head-on and promote sustainability across various sectors to secure a better future for posterity was stressed at the ‘Green Retreat’ recently.
 
“Our top priorities are advancing climate action and mobilising national capacities to ensure the success of COP28,” said Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
 
The goal is to present a model that reflects the country's standpoint and climate efforts during COP28 UAE and to enhance the nation’s role in offering innovative and inspiring solutions to global climate challenges while fostering a climate-resilient world, she said. 
 
The Green Retreat, was organised by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, a leading force in global climate initiatives, hosting ministers and over 150 high-ranking officials from 50 government and private entities. 
 
Addressing climate change
This collaborative event showcased the UAE's dedication to addressing climate change and served as a strategic precursor to the nation's much-anticipated hosting of the Conference of Parties (COP28) later this year.
 
Held in Expo City Dubai, the Green Retreat unfolded under the inspiring theme 'United for Climate'. The event harnessed the collective power of various stakeholders, building on their accomplishments in climate change action, environmental preservation, and sustainability promotion across the nation. By fostering innovative ideas and projects, the retreat facilitated a collaborative approach to showcase the UAE's most impactful initiatives in the lead-up to hosting COP28 in Dubai, set to take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
 
The Green Retreat was also attended by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA); Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr Ahmad Abdulla Humaid Abdulla Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education; and Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth. 
 
Almheiri added: "The Green Retreat serves as an invaluable opportunity for participants to learn about the UAE's outstanding climate action record and contribute their ambitious ideas to drive tangible progress in national efforts towards sustainable economic growth. We aim to develop a comprehensive climate action plan through the participation of all government and private institutions, which will create significant opportunities for economic growth and diversification, generate employment for youth, foster inclusive and cohesive communities, harness the potential of clean energy, and safeguard natural habitats and preserve the environment."
 
National priority
Al Marri said: "Coordinating all government efforts in the country in preparation for hosting COP28 is a national priority, given the importance of this vital issue and its direct impact on the comprehensive development process at both state and global levels. This is especially true in light of the unprecedented challenges facing the world today due to climate change, which will continue to make this issue a top priority on the global dialogue agenda in the coming years." 
 
Over the next three decades, the country will invest over AED600 billion ($163 billion) in clean and renewable energy, he said. He emphasised that the country's economic vision for the next 50 years is based on transitioning to a low-carbon and more diverse economic model capable of meeting the requirements of sustainable development.
 
Al Mazrouei said: The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has launched multiple projects and initiatives to sustain the energy, infrastructure, housing, and transport sectors. We work relentlessly with our partners to reduce the energy and water footprints and drive the shift to green economy that enables sustainable development across all sectors. To that end, we run demand side management (DSM) programmes in the built environment, agriculture, industry, and transportation that can save up to 40% of energy consumption and 50% of water use by 2050. 
 
Unified building code
“We also implement a unified building code that contributes to achieving the objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, and the National Energy and Water DSM Programme. To cut down the carbon footprint of the transport sector - one of the highest carbon emitters, we seek to enhance green mobility.”
 
Al Falasi, said: “Education plays a pivotal role in spreading awareness and enhancing the ability of societies to withstand, adapt and confront climate change, thus contributing to sustaining the planet. As such, the Ministry of Education is committed to achieving the objectives of the ‘Greening Education Partnership’ that was established by the United Nations in cooperation with the UNESCO. 
 
“Through this partnership, we are focusing on four main action areas, namely: greening schools, greening learning, greening communities, and greening capacity and readiness. We are also working with more than 30 local and international partners to adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses these areas and serves as an educational model that benefits the region and the world.”
 
Cultural heritage
Al Qassimi said: “While culture is regarded as a key resource for mitigating and adapting to climate change, it is also a resource that is threatened by its negative impacts. Climate change driven natural hazards can have a tremendous impact on our cultural and natural heritage resulting in the loss of crucial cultural elements of communities tied to the environment. Tapping into traditional cultural practices and knowledge can help build resilience in societies and guide us to make sustainable lifestyle choices.”
 
“Despite our future-focused approach, the UAE as a nation, has often borrowed from the past and put its traditional sustainable practices to good use. Discussions on the role of culture in mitigating the risks of climate change have secured significant gains and we shall continue to build momentum to scale up culture-based climate action at the upcoming COP28. The UAE’s youth will have a major role to play in these discussions as key changemakers and the world will witness how the next generation takes accountability for their future,” he added.
 
A plan for government collaboration
The Green Retreat featured seven Thematic Councils addressing critical topics in the sustainability value chain. These included Water Resource Management and Conservation; Biodiversity and Blue Carbon Ecosystem Protection; Private Sector Engagement and Industry Transformation; Waste Management and Circular Economy; Sustainable Transportation; Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency; and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.
 
The Councils consisted of experts from federal and local government entities as well as the private sector, who discussed various ideas and challenges related to each topic. They proposed solutions in the form of initiatives and projects to be implemented by individual entities or through coordinated efforts.
 
Each Council presented 8 to 10 projects and initiative ideas supporting the respective topics. The most feasible and impactful ideas were chosen as part of the preliminary plan for national climate activities through January 2024. Representatives from the government media office also discussed ideas that could be added to the national climate action agenda.
 
Several media workgroups were set up to help government entities present a unified narrative for the COP28 conference and raise awareness in the UAE about the significant event hosted by the country this year. Periodic follow-up meetings were agreed upon to ensure progress in implementing this plan.-- TradeArabia News Service
 



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