UAE marches towards a ‘Greener Economy’

RITIKA SHARMA / Emirates Business

As green technology and dependence on renewables become more than just a choice for the world, UAE emerges as the torch-bearer of the global march towards a ‘green’ future. Committed to diversify its economy, UAE is heavily investing in its green initiatives, thereby emerging as a trendsetter for the nations that aspire to reduce their carbon footprint and benefit their respective economies with the use of renewables.
Organisations like International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), MASDAR and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) are supporting UAE in its transition to a sustainable energy future. They are serving as platform for technology, resource and financial knowledge exchange across the country, in terms of renewable energy.
Nation’s Vision 2021 is in line with the globally emerging concept of ‘green economy’, which refers to the practice of encouraging economic growth while safeguarding those ecosystems.
Adding to UAE’s consistent efforts towards green economy, Al Ghurair Investment, one of the largest diversified industrial enterprises in the Middle East, unveiled its environmental and sustainability plan for the next three years.
“It is our responsibility to save environment and to ensure a balance between natural ecology and business ecosystem. Working in this direction, we have introduced many sustainable activities in our ongoing projects to make sure we can rely more on renewable resources,” said Badr Al Ghurair, CEO of Al Ghurair Construction — Al Ghurair Investment.
In another development which is expected to have a huge impact on reduction of carbon-footprint of UAE, Dubai Carbon for Excellence has launched a web-based self-assessment tool for companies to assess their green economy maturity.
Waleed Salman, Chairman of Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence told
Emirates Business, “Transition to a low carbon economy is the need of the hour and is only possible if both public and private sectors work together towards enhancing energy and resource efficiency.”
“On World Environment Day, we urge all stakeholders to become actively involved in making choices and changes to support sustainable development. Hence, Dubai Carbon has created this online sustainability self-assessment tool,” he added.
Adding to the same, IvanoIannelli, CEO, Dubai Carbon Centre for Excellence told Emirates Business, “The private sector in the UAE plays an important role in the economic development and holds the key to pioneering a shift to more sustainable patterns of consumption. With the launch of this tool we are providing companies an easily accessible tool to assess and benchmark their environmental credentials.”
Adnan Z. Amin, IRENA’s Director-General, said in an official statement.“The business case for renewable energy has never been stronger. Renewables are also increasingly being seen as the solution to a myriad of social, economic and environmental challenges.”