United Arab Emirates

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Addressing Climate Change at Home & Abroad
COP21 Paris Nov 30 – Dec 11, 2015
Comm
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Em
Our nation committed to global
& domestic efforts to combat
climate change.
In Partnership with
“The future depends
on the steps we
take today.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme
Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
Addressing Climate Change at Home & Abroad
United Arab Emirates
Proud Participant in the Annual Conference of Parties COP 21, Paris
Global warming is caused by an excess of heattrapping gases, or greenhouse gases (GHGs)
first and foremost carbon dioxide, methane and
nitrous oxides. These gases prevent the sun’s
heating rays from radiating back into space
after they have reached the earth’s surface. This
warming has a number of knock-on effects,
such as melting glaciers, heavier rainstorms,
more frequent droughts and changing weather
patterns. Together, global warming and these
phenomena are known as “climate change.”
In December, world leaders will gather in Paris for
the United Nations International Conference on
Climate Change (COP 21). This meeting will mark
a major turning point in global climate change
strategy, and intends to deliver a new international
climate agreement to come into force in 2020.
It will, for the first time in over 20 years of UN
negotiations, aim to achieve a legally binding and
universal agreement on climate, with the aim to
govern climate action.
The United Arab Emirates is committed and
prepared to work closely with other nations to find
viable, real-world solutions that address this pressing
challenge, at home and abroad. The UAE delegation
to the 2015 Paris Climate Conference comprises of
esteemed representatives from 17 organisations and
government entities. The delegation will highlight the
UAE’s role as a recognised, responsible key player
and a partner committed to the global efforts in
addressing climate change.
For more information about the
UAE’s delegation at COP21,
please scan:
masdar.ae/cop21
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Scientists have warned that if
emissions continue to rise, we will
pass the threshold – estimated as
a temperature rise of 2°C above
pre-industrial levels – beyond
which global warming becomes
catastrophic and irreversible
Climate Change
A Global Challenge
COMMITTED
Current emissions trajectories indicate that we are
heading for a rise of about 5°C by 2100. To put
that in perspective, the temperature difference
between today’s world and the last ice age was
about 5°C, so small changes in temperature can
mean big differences for the Earth.
Neither the UAE, nor the Middle East in general,
will be immune to the physical or economic
impacts of climate change. Climate change has
direct impact on the UAE, including:
• Sea levels: Rising sea levels pose significant
threats to the UAE as its coastal zones are
home to about 85% of the population and
over 90% of water and power infrastructure.
• Water resources: Increased evaporation and
reduced rainfall from today’s minimal levels
will put greater pressure on already scarce
water resources in the UAE.
• Food supply: Increased precipitation and extreme
weather events in other countries will have direct
implications for the UAE’s food supply given that
the UAE imports 90% of its food.
• Biodiversity: Increased ocean temperatures
and higher concentrations of CO2 will lead
to the acidification of waters and threaten
the existence of the UAE’s most biologicallyproductive systems, such as mangrove forests
and sea grass beds.
Committ
According to a recent report by
Oxfam, climate change could
push up food prices by
50-60% by 2030
United Arab Emirates
According to World Food
Program (WPF), by 2015, the
number affected by climate
change disasters could reach
375 million people per year
United Arab Emi
The United Arab Emirates is a global partner
in climate change action through renewable
energy deployment at home and abroad.
68%
$1.7bn
12%
of the Gulf’s renewable
energy capacity
equity invested
of global CSP capacity
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
EOTHERMAL
Ras Al Khaimah
Dubai
ROOFTOP PV
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
London, UK
Masdar City
Dubai
Spain
1-17
Jordan
Morocco
Cuba
18
Masdar City
Mongolia
SOLAR FARM
19
Helmand Province
Abu Dhabi
Afghanistan
London, UK
WIND FARM
Spain
Helmand Province
Afghanistan
Jordan
Morocco
Mauritania
Cuba
WIND FARM
Palau
Vanuatu
Mauritania
EWABLE ENERGY
LINATION PLANT
Palau
St.Vincent & Grenadines
RENEWABLE ENERGY
DESALINATION PLANT
Mali
Vanuatu
STE TO ENERGY
WASTE TO ENERGY
Sierra Leone
Seychelles
Honiara
Majuro
Fiji
Seychelles
Egypt
Egypt
APTURE PROJECT
Honiara
Oman
CO2 CAPTURE PROJECT
Samoa
Samoa
Oman
Sudan
Sudan
Pohnpei
Maldives
Maldives
Sierra Leone
Kiribati
Nauru
Kiribati
Pohnpei
Iran
Mali
Nauru
Tuvalu
IranTuvalu
St.Vincent & Grenadines
Ecuador Ecuador
1-17
Ras Al Khaimah
SOLAR FARM
ROOFTOP PV
18
Abu Dhabi
Mongolia
GEOTHERMAL
19
Majuro
Fiji
Tonga
Argentina
Tonga
HYDRO
Argentina
HYDRO
$6.4bn
of renewable
energy assets
By 2030, the
UAE’s green economy
will generate:
5%
boost to GDP
160,000
Jobs
ABU DHABI, UAE
1
Masdar City
6
Sea Palace
11
Al Ain Dewan
16 Omran Hospital Rooftop PV
2
Abu Dhabi Solar Roof Programme
7
UAE Island – PV & Desalination
12
Masdar City, Concentrated PV Plant
17 Al Wathba Camel Farm and Stables
3
Um al Zumool Farm Project
8
Renewable Energy Water Desalination 13
Al Jarnain Island, PV Plant
4
Murwah Island Project
9
Al Reyadah
14
Masdar Solar Hub
DUBAI, UAE
18 Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
5
Al Wathba Stables Project
10
Shams1
15
Al Hayl Hybrid Systems
RAS AL KHAIMAH
19 Rashid Abdullah Omran Hospital
STEP – In the Spotlight
One of the longest
gravity-driven sewerage
tunnels in the world
41km
of deep sewer tunnel
5.5m
United Arab Emirates is
taking leading action to
advance clean energy &
other climate solutions
Setting a national target to generate 24% of
electricity from clean energy sources by 2021
internal diameter
45km
of link sewers connecting
the existing sewerage
system to the new deep
sewer tunnel
Average pumping
capacity of
1.7 m
cubic metres per day
Featured in
National Geographic’s
primetime documentary
‘Megastructures’
The UAE’s actions reflect the country’s economic
diversification strategy and the commitment
to sustainable development, which harness
innovation and green growth to ensure
prosperity and environmental protection.
In 2012, the UAE set out the ‘Green Growth
Strategy,’ a unified federal roadmap for
economic growth and social development
rooted in sustainable initiatives.
Efficient Management & Conservation
Green Building Standards
In 2014 the Regulation and Supervision Bureau
of Abu Dhabi (RSB), in collaboration with Abu
Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al
Ain Distribution Company (AADC), announced
a revision of water and electricity tariffs across
the Emirate to encourage the sustainability and
conservation of our precious resources.
The Pearl Rating System, the green building
rating system developed by the Abu Dhabi Urban
Planning Council as part of Estidama, will enhance
water and energy efficiency and conservation.
The system aims to create more comfortable and
healthier communities that consume less energy
and fresh water and generate less waste.
Carbon Capture, Use & Storage (CCUS)
Long-term Wastewater Collection & Conveyance
The CCUS project in Emirates Steel Industries
(ESI) is the first project under Al Reyadah that
comprises three elements; industrial capture
of the CO2 from the ESI facility; compression,
dehydration and transportation of the CO2 from
the Masdar carbon capture facility to an ADNOC
onshore oil field; and finally the use of injected
CO2 for enhanced oil recovery.
The Strategic Tunnel Enhancement Programme
(STEP) is recognised as one of the longest gravitydriven sewerage tunnels in the world. STEP is an
efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solution
to meet the long-term wastewater collection and
conveyance needs of Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates
A History of Sustainability
Setting Our
Green Foundation
Embracing Our
Sustainable Heritage
Pursuing
Sustainable Growth
1992-2005
2006-2012
2012-2030
The UAE becomes a signatory
to the The United Nations
Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The construction
of the first
desalination
plant in the UAE
1960
1971
Dubai Water and Electricity
Authority (DEWA) was
established
Environment
Agency Abu Dhabi was
established
1992
The founding
of the United
Arab Emirates,
a federation
consisting of
7 emirates
1995
1996
1997
Abu Dhabi Water
and Electricity
Authority (ADWEA)
was established
1998
UAE ratifies
the Kyoto
Protocol
Zero Gas Flaring Policy announced
Today, gas flaring represents <1%
of the UAE’s gross gas production
1999
Establishment of
Abu Dhabi Global
Environmental Data
Initiative (AGEDI)
Abu Dhabi
Sewerage Services
Company (ADSSC)
was established
2002
2006
First UAE Annual
Sustainability
Report issued
The Carbon
Footprint
Initiative was
launched
2007
Inaugural World Future
Energy Summit held
The UAE’s Green Growth Strategy was launched
UAE Leadership launches
Zayed Future Energy
Prize, a US $4 million
annual award across
Directorate of Energy
5 prize categories
and Climate Change
Dubai launches Green
(DECC) established
Building Regulations
Dubai Carbon Center
Construction begins
of Excellence (DCCE)
on Masdar City
established
Masdar inaugurates 50MW CSP projects Valle I & II
International Water Summit announced
2008
2009
2010
UAE launches Water Strategy
UAE initiates National Environment Day
Masdar invests in Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm
Abu Dhabi Ascent Climate Change Summit took place
Masdar delivers first renewable energy projects
in Pacific island countries as part of
UAE - Pacific Island Partnership Fund
2011
2012
Gemasolar Concentrated
Solar Power (CSP) plant
was inaugurated which
provides 24-hour power
to the grid
Emirates Green Building
Council formed
The Sustainable
Bioenergy Research
Consortium established
Ministry of Environment and
Water was established
Establishment of the Federal
Electricity and Water Authority
(FEWA)
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park announced
Water Conservation
Strategy was launched
The launch of Masdar, Abu
Dhabi’s Renewable Energy
Company
Federal Environmental Law issued
Global Sustainable Cities Network launched
Abu Dhabi’s Water Master Plan was launched
Masdar City Solar PV Plant is commissioned
which displaces 15,000 tonnes of CO2 every year
The UAE signs Copenhagen Accord
The UAE wins bid to host the International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Headquarters
2013
2014
2015
UAE adopts Vision 2021 to outline
development priorities
Abu Dhabi hosts Solar Impulse on
round-the-world solar flight
IRENA HQ is established at Masdar City
Masdar renewable-powered
desalination pilot is operational
Women in Sustainability, Environment &
Renewable Energy Initiative was launched
Inauguration of Tafila Wind Farm in Jordan
Inauguration of Solar Hub
The Strategic Tunnel Enhancement
Programme (STEP), a gravity-driven
hydraulic wastewater network tunnel,
nears completion
US$350m pledged for IRENA projects
Masdar launches renewable-powered desalination pilot
Dubai Metro launched
M-station, the UAE’s largest power & desal plant, was launched
Abu Dhabi launches Economic Vision 2030
The launch of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW)
Abu Dhabi launches Estidama Pearl Rating
System for Buildings
The launch of Shams 1 Solar Power Plant
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC)
established
The inauguration of London Array Wind Farm
Displaces 175,000 tonnes of CO2 every year
Environmental Performance Certificate was
established
The region’s largest Carbon Capture, Usage & Storage
initiative announced, which will displace up to 800,000
tonnes of CO2 annually
Green Applications Initiatives was launched
M-Environment Initiative was launched
Innovation at the Core of
the UAE’s Water Strategy
Masdar City is One of the World’s Most
Sustainable Urban Developments –
Environmentally, Economically & Socially
Empowering Future Generations
to Promote Sustainability
The goal of this programme is to identify industrialscale and commercially viable desalination
technologies that will address sustainable access
to water both in the arid MENA region and globally.
Residential, commercial, cultural and educational
concepts blend to create mixed-use neighbourhoods
where communities will live, work, play and learn. The
knowledge created here informs a new greenprint
for how cities can and should be built, around the
world. High-performance buildings reduce Masdar
City’s water and energy consumption by 40% and
embodied carbon by 15%. The Siemens Middle East
Headquarters is the first – and currently the only –
LEED Platinum certified office building in Abu Dhabi.
The IRENA Headquarters achieved a prestigious
Four Pearl rating certification, under the Estidama
Pearl Building Rating System. These environmental
achievements create economic benefits, demonstrating
the cost- effectiveness of a truly sustainable approach.
UAE organisations operate approximately 70 desalination
plants, representing about 14% of global capacity
100% of wastewater in Masdar
City is reused for irrigation
$5 million in research grants to develop rain
enhancement science and technology
$4 million annual awarded
across five prize categories
4 pilot plants have been
operating for 18 months
54% less water than the
UAE’s average building
Apply now at:
www.uaerep.ae/en
Apply now at:
zayedfutureenergyprize.com
The UAE has the second largest capacity of
desalination after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
75% of hot water is provided
via thermal receptors
Innovation to Ensure Water Security –
Addressing Costly Desalination
Masdar launched a pilot programme to test and
develop advanced energy-efficient seawater
desalination technologies suitable to be powered
by renewable energy sources to both ensure water
security and reduce energy consumption.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize
Developed by the National Centre of Meteorology
and Seismology, the UAE Research Programme
for Rain Enhancement Science Initiative is a firstof-its-kind grant programme investing in research
that enhances precipitation to increase rainfall in
the UAE and arid and regions across the world.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize is an annual award
celebrating achievements that reflect impact,
innovation, long-term vision and leadership in
renewable energy and sustainability.
The Prize also awards grants to high schools
across the world committed to advancing
sustainability through projects that promote
renewable energy, improvements in energy or
water efficiency, or a reduction in waste.
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Did you know…
Shams 1
5000 B.C.
1880s
Masdar’s Shams 1
concentrated solar
power plant in Madinat
Zayed is the largest
renewable energy
project in operation in
the Middle East and
powers over 20,000
homes.
Ancient Egyptians
used wind power to
propel the sails of their
boats on the Nile River
around 5000 B.C.
The first solar cell
was made by Charles
Frits in the 1880s,
and only had a power
conversion efficiency
of 1%. Currently the
average ranges from
14% to 18%.
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In 1931, the famous inventor and founder
of General Electric, Thomas Edison said
“I’d put my money on the sun and solar
energy. What a source of power!”
1958
90%
In 1958, the Vanguard I
space satellite used
about one watt of
photovoltaic cells to
power its radios.
The element silicon
is responsible for
90% of the world’s
photovoltaic solar
power systems.
Albert Einstein’s
Leonardo Da Vinci
1,219
experiments with
solar energy led to his
winning of the 1921
Nobel Prize for Physics.
thought of using solar
energy to heat water
for industrial use back
in the 15th century.
A standard industrial
scale wind turbine can
power 1,219 homes or
13,470 refrigerators.
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World’s Largest
Horace de Saussure,
The London Array is the
world’s largest offshore
wind farm and powers
over 500,000 homes while
reducing carbon emissions
by 925,000 tonnes annually.
the Swiss scientist,
invented the world’s
first solar energy
collector, or “hot box,”
in 1767.
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United Arab #UAEforClimate
Emirate
PO Box 54115, Abu Dhabi, UAE
T +971 2 653 3333
E [email protected]
masdar.ae
Supporting Ministries
Participating
Organizations
/masdar
/masdar
/masdarofficial
For more information
about the UAE’s
delegation at COP21,
please scan: