The UAE Climate Action Council outlined its progress in working with all relevant authorities in the UAE to implement the national commitment, as well as preparations for COP29, which will be held in the Republic of Azerbaijan in November.
The third meeting of the UAE Climate Action Council in 2024 was chaired by Her Excellency Amna bint Abdullah Al Dhahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), who expressed her gratitude to the members of the Council and the team of different authorities involved in climate activities for their coordination and collaboration efforts towards promoting a sustainable future for the UAE.
His Excellency said: “We are active participants in important international forums, with this latest meeting being particularly significant. Our goal is to showcase the UAE’s vision in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Recent examples include our participation in the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil and our upcoming presence at the United Nations General Assembly. Through these platforms, we aim to highlight the UAE’s role in addressing climate issues and working towards environmental sustainability both at home and abroad.”
Dr Al Dhahak added: “The UAE has a clear vision for a sustainable climate and environment, reaching net zero by 2050. This vision is being realised through concrete projects and tangible results that we are keen to expand on.”
He added: “Working together through this Council, I am confident that we will continue to implement this vision in all areas and adhere to the timelines set out. As we have consistently done, it is essential that we show the world that our ambitious words translate into effective action. Our aim is to build on the UAE’s historic legacy of climate and environmental action.”
The third meeting of the UAE Climate Action Council focused on several key topics, particularly the progress in implementing the UAE’s Net Zero Strategy 2050. The Council stressed continued collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the strategic projects.
It also mandated the submission of an annual report detailing the progress and achievements of the strategy to Cabinet every January from 2025 onwards.
The meeting also discussed the need for legislation to mitigate the social and economic impacts of climate change, with the aim of promoting sustainable economic growth and social welfare. The Council discussed the latest developments in the Carbon Markets Project and Carbon Pricing Research. Future work will include a comparative analysis of appropriate carbon pricing mechanisms and the development of models to assess their potential economic and social impacts.
Discussions during the meeting also highlighted the progress of the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA), which has so far held 14 meetings across various sectors and has seen 138 companies sign MOCCAE’s Climate Responsible Business Pledge.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the UAEโs upcoming Nationally Determined Contribution, as well as the second phase of the national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.
The meeting discussed preparations for the UAE’s national participation in COP29, developing a strategic plan building on the success of COP28, which was held in the UAE last year, and coordinating with all stakeholders involved in the UAE delegation under the guidance of Azerbaijan’s Supreme Committee for COP29 to identify and coordinate initiatives to be announced at COP29.
The third meeting of the UAE Climate Action 2024 Council was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Education, the General Civil Aviation Authority and the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from Abu Dhabi National Energy Company TAQA, Dubai Supreme Council for Energy, Ajman Municipal Planning Department, Ras Al Khaimah Environment Protection and Development Authority and Umm Al Quwain Municipality Authority.