DNV, a global provider of services for managing risk, has announced the launch of a Climate Change Academy in the Middle East.

The academy will aim to address the shortage of competence and skills in climate change which is one of the major bottlenecks limiting success for companies operating in the fast growing carbon business, the company said. 

 The focus on renewables and carbon markets worldwide is becoming more important than ever before.  Millions of dollars are being invested globally, both by private companies and governments.  However, growth in this area is being severely hampered by the shortage of competent people, a statement said.

“Companies and institutions aiming to make a difference and to position themselves in the carbon market are struggling to find, develop and retain the competence and knowledge they need to implement their strategies,” it said.

“DNV recognises the competence deficit as a key barrier in developing businesses and institutions that work in the renewables and carbon markets and, in advance of the World Future Energy Summit, is calling for a strategic response to this challenge,” it said.

 Given the Middle East’s key role in the energy sector, and its emerging role in renewable energy and carbon trading, DNV is launching a Climate Change Academy in the region.  To support the academy, DNV will have a team of roving “climate change experts” who will drive the development of the academy and network, said the company.

Christer Farstad, director of strategy and business development DNV Climate Change, said: “DNV has a strong reputation in leading the way on climate change globally, and we believe that the Middle East has a key role to play. The technology and the investment is already in place to move forward, but a lack of competence is proving to be a major obstacle for the carbon business.  DNV is launching the Climate Change Academy as a direct response to this issue, and our goal is to work with the UAE government and key players, such as Masdar, to move this forward.”

The DNV Climate Change Academy and Network is a unique community concept created to build knowledge and competence for leading players in the carbon market.  Bringing together key stakeholders, it aims to build and share knowledge and identify common challenges and opportunities.  It will focus on three different types of competence levels:  the academy, to build key carbon competence; the network, to create a professional network that builds and shares knowledge on key strategic and operational issues in the carbon market value chain; and the roundtable, which will see the formation of a carbon network with cutting edge insight to enable business strategies and support growth.

DNV hopes to work closely with Masdar to build an industrial cluster, and to work closely with the UAE government to develop the new Middle East Climate Change Academy and Network, the statement added. – TradeArabia News Service