World Green Economy Summit Highlights International Cooperation To Combat Climate Change Challenges

The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) has begun its 10th edition, focusing on the theme 'Empowering Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress'. This event gathers leaders, experts, and officials worldwide to discuss sustainable practices. Organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, DEWA, and WGEO, the summit runs until 3rd October 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

A session titled ‘International Co-operation on Climate Mitigation’ featured Luma Saqqaf, Dr Mahamadou Tounkara, and Sarah El Battouty. They discussed the need for clear frameworks in climate action through treaties. Achieving net-zero by 2050 was highlighted as crucial. The speakers stressed collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure inclusivity in the green transition.

Juan Diego Gómez Zuluaga and Dr Ralf Blumenthal led a session on power grid integration challenges. They emphasised energy networks' role in decarbonisation. Gómez Zuluaga pointed out financial hurdles in integrating hybrid technologies in developing countries. Dr Blumenthal highlighted the need for substantial investments and collaboration to secure energy transitions.

Carbon Footprint Management

Jean Louis Morcos, Miki Hirasawa-Ashton, Daxita Rajcoomar, and Vivek Tripathi discussed carbon footprint management. They highlighted challenges in ensuring reliable carbon data due to lack of standardisation. Companies like 3M aim to cut emissions significantly by 2030 using innovations like green hydrogen. Global reporting standards are crucial for transparency and accountability.

Decarbonising Energy-Intensive Industries

HE Mohammad Abunayyan spoke about Saudi Arabia's renewable energy goals during a session on decarbonising industries. ACWA Power is leading efforts with significant investments in clean energy. The discussion included Ali Rashid Al-Jarwan, Najeeba Al Jabri, and Nada Jasim sharing insights on decarbonisation strategies for various sectors.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

A session on aviation sustainability featured HE Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, Linn Tonsberg, Dr Sami Kamel, Andrew Sweeney, and Farid Al Bastaki. They discussed advancements in sustainable aviation fuel to reduce carbon footprints. The aviation sector is committed to reducing emissions but faces challenges like regulatory support for emerging technologies.

The Role of AI in Sustainability

Sam Daws, Dr Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, and Mohammed Al Rais explored AI's potential in sustainability. AI tools optimise processes and predict outcomes for environmental benefits. Seghrouchni noted Morocco's success with AI-driven supply chain savings. Al Rais emphasised data's value in enhancing company performance across sectors.

Carbon Capture Strategies

Beena Shamma, Yvonne Lam, and Leonidas Papanikolaou discussed carbon capture solutions' challenges during a session on CCUS strategies. They highlighted infrastructure needs and policy support for large-scale viability. Government subsidies are vital initially but long-term market sustainability is essential for success.

Green Hydrogen's Potential

The summit concluded with a session on green hydrogen featuring Akram Alami, Dr Lourdes Vega, and Marcel Kooter. They explored green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source. Collaboration among industry, government, and academia is needed to overcome financial challenges and position green hydrogen as key to achieving carbon neutrality.

The summit's first day covered diverse topics from international cooperation to technological advancements in sustainability. Participants shared insights into achieving net-zero goals through collaboration across sectors globally.

With inputs from WAM