COP26 Climate Change Conference and Net Zero Pledges in the GCC Region

With the COP26 Climate Change Conference under way, and the recent net zero pledges made in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, we are watching with great interest as the Middle-East is starting to demonstrate much greater leadership to tackle the climate crisis.

You can see all the commitments made by countries and companies in a really great net zero tracker that was launched recently here:

https://www.zerotracker.net/

The tracker highlights that 136 countries have made net zero commitments, covering 78% of emissions, 80% GDP and 62% of the population. This is certainly a step in the right direction and grounds for optimism. 

However, action on Climate Change is not just about making Net-Zero pledges, but working out the practical steps for how countries and companies can successfully achieve them. Moving towards renewable energy and being more energy efficient is a huge undertaking that requires constant review, assessment and guidance. Setting short term targets and reporting on progress, with transparency on what’s working, and what can be improved, is essential to build trust, learn lessons and work collaboratively.

Here in the UAE, there have been a number of important developments that have happened in the run up to COP26:

On the 25th September 2021 the UAE cabinet was reshuffled:

https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2021/09/25/new-uae-cabinet-unveiled-by-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid/

On 7th October 2021, the UAE’s Strategic initiative to become net zero by 2050 was announced at Expo2020 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He was joined by HE Mariam Al Mheiri, the UAE’s new Minister of Climate Change & Environment and in charge of coordinating domestic climate change efforts. This made the UAE the first oil producing country outside the OECD to announce such a goal.

While we await the details of the UAE’s implementation plan, we have noticed some potentially important policy and strategy issues that requires reconciliation, notably in the following areas:

The launch of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative at Expo 2020 Dubai

●  The extent to which the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 contradicts the new UAE net zero 2050 target. For example, the Energy Strategy 2050 sets a target of 50% mix of coal and gas in the power generation mix by 2050.

●  Adnoc’s plans to increase by six-fold Carbon Capture and Storage with Enhanced Oil Recovery by 2030. This is compared to current sequestration of 800,000 tonnes/year at Al Reyadah CCS plant in Abu Dhabi.

●  The potential contribution of green and blue hydrogen, which Mubadala is spearheading with Adnoc and ADQ as part of the UAE Hydrogen Alliance.

●  The relatively slow pace of action to decarbonise transportation and hard to abate sectors such as steel, cement and heavy industry such as petrochemicals.

●  How aviation and shipping fit into this announcement, noting the UAE is a major international hub for both.

●  The potentially positive role of nature based solutions that can enhance land and marine carbon sinks. 

The COP26 opening ceremony was fantastic to watch, with Sir David Attenborough delivering an incredibly inspiring and impactful speech. Take a look if you haven’t seen it already:

Get in touch with Earth Matters Consulting to discuss how we can support your climate change efforts:

Email info@earth-matters.net or call on +971 (4) 368 0892