UAE Participates In G20 Ministerial Session In Brazil To Discuss Energy Transition And Climate Goals

The UAE, through the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), took part in the G20 Ministerial Session in Brazil. This gathering aimed to foster cooperation among G20 nations, focusing on energy sector opportunities and climate action challenges. Sharif Al Olama, MoEI's Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, reiterated the UAE's dedication to a fair energy transition as per the UAE Consensus.

Al Olama engaged in several high-level discussions during the G20 meeting. He participated in the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and Mission Innovation (MI) Dialogue. Here, he emphasized innovation and collaboration's role in reshaping energy landscapes to meet climate goals. Additionally, he joined the Unlocking Future Fuels Ministerial Session, highlighting the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and its commitment to energy transition.

The Undersecretary co-led the third ministerial meeting of the Hydrogen International Trade Forum (IHTF). This event attracted representatives from IHTF-supporting countries aiming to boost hydrogen trade. Discussions centered on developing cross-border hydrogen trade and exploring potential markets for its derivatives.

In another session titled ‘Moving the Fuels of the Future, Production and Transportation Aligned?’, Al Olama discussed UAE’s initiatives to support hydrogen-based fuels and sustainable biofuels production. These efforts particularly target maritime and aviation sectors.

Al Olama also attended a session called ‘Keep Cool: Deploying Highly Efficient, Innovative Cooling Technologies’. This session addressed energy consumption challenges and climate impacts within the cooling sector. Speaking about his participation, he stated that such meetings provide valuable opportunities for aligning visions, sharing experiences, and expanding partnerships with like-minded nations.

He remarked, "The UAE is an active player in the global energy market, with a focus on enhancing its role as a supplier of renewable energy, particularly low-emission hydrogen." He expressed confidence that collaboration between the UAE and other G20 members will help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), drive collective climate action, and accelerate energy transition.

Commitment to Renewable Energy

The UAE has made significant progress in transitioning to clean energy. It developed the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, committing to tripling its renewables capacity by 2030. The country invested AED160 billion in clean energy and plans an additional AED500 billion investment over three decades to reach net zero by 2050.

The current renewable capacity stands at 6 GW while nuclear energy capacity is at 5.6 GW. By 2030, it aims for a clean energy capacity of 19.8 GW. These efforts underscore its commitment to sustainable development and reducing emissions globally.

With inputs from WAM