Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) recently unveiled the National Dialogue for Climate Ambition (NDCA), a platform which the MoCCAE intends to use for defining and raising sectoral climate ambition and advance all-inclusive participation in the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative to meet the country’s international climate commitments, particularly the Paris Agreement.
Running from May to September 2022, NDCA will host monthly stakeholder assembly dedicated to a different sector every month, focusing on the UAE’s priority sectors such as manufacturing, cement, waste, transport, and energy, to explore sectoral requirements, priorities, and future direction to scale up their contributions to reducing carbon emissions.
The 1st NDCA session, dedicated to the cement sector was organized under the theme ‘Cementing a Decarbonized Future’. The session witnessed participation from 83 representatives of federal and local government entities and stakeholders from the cement, waste, and energy sectors.
During the session, the attendees discussed international best practices, reviewed the status of the local sectoral landscape, and explored emerging solutions that can decarbonize the sector and bring it closer to net zero.
Through the launch of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative in October 2021, we aspire to build on our long-standing track record of ambitious climate mitigation and adaptation action, and continue to make significant contributions to global climate endeavors.
Ms. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment remarked while addressing the gathering of cement industry stakeholders.
The UAE Minister elaborated that, “the transition towards net zero presents a new model of sustainable economic growth that leverages research, development, and technology innovation, and acts as a catalyst for investment and job creation. We are pleased to introduce NDCA that will serve as a national platform to foster sectoral climate efforts.”
Ms. Almheiri further added that, “The cement industry contributes between five and 10 percent of the carbon footprint of many nations. In the UAE, it accounts for six to seven percent of the national CO2 inventory. However, we have great faith in the ability of the cement industry to take a stand today and plan for a better and environmentally sustainable future. Going green does not mean losing efficiency or becoming non-competitive. On the contrary, we can use commercially viable technologies, the latest innovations, and agile regulations to our advantage to achieve a dual positive impact.”
During each sector specific session at NDCA, a sectoral climate action champion will be appointed who will lead their respective sectors’ efforts to reach ambitious climate goals, advocate for climate-smart solutions, and serve as liaisons between their industries and the government.