His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, chaired a United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cabinet meeting at Expo City Dubai, in conjunction with COP28.
The meeting was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice-president, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Presidential Court and other UAE dignitaries.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “In 2023, we issued more than 60 policies, initiatives and decisions to promote the UAE’s efforts to combat climate change and its impact.”
He noted the UAE ranked second globally in the Energy Transition pillar of the Green Future Index (GFI) 2023 and the country was the sixth highest per capita consumer of solar energy in the world, having invested more than US$50bn in renewable energy projects in 70 countries and has also committed an additional investment of $50bn over the next decade.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid concluded: “The UAE has made significant strides in climate action and continues its efforts towards sustainability… Our efforts in this field are aligned with our commitment to economic development.”
The UAE Cabinet also approved a number of strategies to achieve climate neutrality, including the UAE National Energy Strategy 2050; the National Hydrogen Strategy 2050; and the National Electric Vehicles Policy; in addition to applying the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in the country.
Also, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Strategy to Combat Desertification (2022-2030); The national green building regulation; The National Guidelines for UAE Biosecurity (2023-2032); and the technical regulation measuring Air Quality.
During 2023, the Cabinet also approved the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031; UAE Integrated Waste Management Agenda 2023-2026; the UAE policy for integrated management of recyclable materials; and the Industrial Waste Management Policy.
The UAE Cabinet approved 10 international and regional agreements in 2023, aiming to protect the environment and contribute to achieving the goals of sustainability.
