The Middle East will need to reduce its projected greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent by 2030 if the region is to help limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a report has suggested.
Released by the World Government Summit and Oliver Wyman, a management consultancy, the document calls on the region’s nations to, among other things, invest in carbon capture and storage, bring in efficient energy generation and cut transport emissions.
It was released after several countries in the Gulf, including the UAE, made pledges last year to reach net zero.
'Unique opportunity' for region
“The coming decade presents the region with a unique opportunity to create a bold vision despite the many challenges in reducing emissions in sectors that are difficult structurally to decarbonise, due to their high reliance on energy-intensive industrial and refining activities,” said Matthieu De Clercq, a partner at Oliver Wyman.
The report stated that current projections indicate the Middle East will produce the equivalent of more than 3,120 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by 2030.
To ensure that global temperature rises do not exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the region should ensure its actual annual emissions by the end of the decade are the equivalent of 1,795 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
This is 42 per cent less than they are projected to be by that time, meaning there is an “emissions gap” equivalent to 1,325 million tonnes.
The report highlights four sectors as central to reducing this: energy generation, which accounts for 39 per cent of emissions; industry, for 21 per cent; “residential and public usage”, for 14 per cent; and transport, for 11 per cent.
Five-point plan to protect the planet
Five actions are needed to achieve most of the reductions, including investments in carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and use, both of which take carbon that is being emitted and store it or use it for other purposes.
There should also be a focus on reducing emissions from the heating and cooling of buildings, a cut in emissions from logistics and transport, and efforts to make industrial processes more energy efficient.
The fifth area is an increase in low-emissions power generation, something that the UAE has already prioritised through its investments in solar power and the Barakah nuclear power plant, where two of the four reactors are already operational.
Also, the UAE has outlined the most ambitious plan in the Gulf for achieving net zero, with the country announcing in October last year — around the time of the Cop26 climate summit in the UK — that it was aiming to reach this milestone by 2050.
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain aim to reach net zero by 2060, while Qatar has committed to a 25 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The report, “Sustainable Policies for Climate Action in the Middle East: Reaching Net Zero Targets”, is linked to the World Government Summit held in Dubai in March.
Efforts to reach net zero could, the report said, diversify the region’s economies and help to achieve sustainable growth.
“It’s clear in the Middle East, governments have realised the importance of reducing emissions. Green technologies will provide a new platform for economic growth, one that can achieve both a sustainable economy and will help meet the region’s net-zero targets,” Mr De Clercq said.
If all of its policy recommendations were adopted, greenhouse gas emissions from the region would be reduced by 80 per cent, the report said.
The report also details Oliver Wyman’s “Climate Action Navigator”, a tool that gives decision-makers suggestions for policies and actions to cut emissions.
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How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
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Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
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Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Second ODI
England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)
England win by 86 runs
Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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