The UAE is fast-tracking low-carbon economic growth to deliver new jobs, new industries and new revenue streams, said Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.
He was speaking at the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (Menacw2022). Dr Al Jaber explained that the UAE is adopting a comprehensive, balanced and proactive approach to climate action and the energy transition that delivers sustainable economic growth.
“As a young country, and a responsible energy leader, the UAE has always faced the future with a positive mindset, and addressed challenges head-on. This is why we stopped flaring 30 years before the World Bank asked the industry to do so. It’s why we achieved 0.01 per cent methane intensity 20 years before the global pledge asking for a gradual reduction. It’s why we began to capture C02 (carbon dioxide) on an industrial scale before the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) called it an essential tool for de-carbonisation. And it’s why we became the first hydrocarbon producer to power our operations with zero-carbon energy,” Dr. Al Jaber added.
He pointed out that the UAE was also the first country in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, the first to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions, and the first to announce a Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. The UAE has chosen to lead in these areas because it views climate challenges “not just as problems to fix, but as opportunities to seize,” he underlined.
While the world mobilises investments for a new energy economy and addresses the climate challenge, Dr. Al Jaber emphasised that recent events have “reminded us that we cannot simply switch off the current energy system”.
“We all need to recognise that the energy transition will take time and require sober, thoughtful planning. It is more evident now than ever before that this cannot be rushed. The push to divest from hydrocarbons has led to a supply crunch that is having the biggest impact on the most exposed. The clear lesson is that we should not adopt climate policies that lead to energy poverty. We need to keep investing in low-cost, low-carbon energy that can provide the baseload power that the world relies on,” said Dr. Al Jaber.
He had reiterated this message during his speech at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum held at Expo 2020 Dubai.
On climate finance, he said it can be an effective tool for climate action as he urged the international community to do more and fulfil the $100 billion climate pledge made to developing nations over a decade ago.
“The international community continues to fall short of the $100 billion climate finance pledge they made to developing nations over a decade ago. We need bold targets going forward and we need to start treating climate risks as potential global security risks.
“We have taken a partnership approach focused on projects in countries most exposed to climate risks because we know that local resilience builds global resilience. We have provided over $1 billion in climate aid to more than 40 countries. And our experience tells us that once concessional finance is there, private finance will follow.”
He concluded by extending the UAE’s invitation to governments, the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society to partner on solutions that make sense for our climate and the economy. He said, “We should not have to choose between the two. We can and we must make progress on both.”
The Mena Climate Week aims to accelerate collaboration and integrate climate action into global pandemic recovery. Other dignitaries present at the opening ceremony of this first edition included Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, minister of climate change and environment, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organisation (Wgeo) and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa); and Patricia Espinosa, E
executive secretary of UNFCCC.
In a powerful message of national unity, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has called on everyone across the nation to raise the UAE flag over homes, buildings, and institutions.
The call underscores a renewed emphasis on national identity, collective responsibility and social cohesion, reinforcing the flag’s role as a unifying symbol across the country.
Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE had navigated recent challenges with strong unity, emerging more cohesive and aligned across all segments of society, including citizens and residents, as well as public and private sectors.
“The UAE faced recent challenges united and has come through them stronger and more cohesive. Everyone stood behind one flag,” he said.
“The UAE flag reflects our strength and what we have built as a country. I invite everyone to raise it across homes and workplaces.”
He added: “We take pride in our country, our President, our Armed Forces, our economy, and all citizens and residents who move this country forward every day.”
Sheikh Mohammed further urged that the flag be raised across every home and building, describing it as a reflection of unity and a shared sense of belonging.
The initiative highlights the importance of national identity and shared values, while recognising the contributions of individuals and institutions across the country, including frontline teams and those supporting the UAE’s continued development.
It also reinforces that raising the flag is a collective expression of solidarity, reflecting cohesion across society and a shared sense of belonging.
As the city navigates a complex month of regional shifts and unsettled weather, Parkin Company, Dubai’s largest provider of paid public parking, has launched a timely initiative to revitalise local commerce. The new Spot for Shops programme, unveiled on Thursday, allows motorists to offset their parking fees by supporting neighbourhood shops across the city.
Turning parking into local support Under the new scheme, customers making qualifying purchases at participating small businesses can have their parking fees credited back to their Parkin wallet. The validation process is handled seamlessly via the Parkin app using the customer’s mobile number.
“Small businesses play a vital role in Dubai’s economic landscape,” said Osama AlSafi, Chief Operating Officer at Parkin. “By connecting parking with everyday retail experiences, we are making it easier for customers to access neighbourhood destinations while supporting the city’s growth.”
The first wave of ‘Hidden Gems’ The pilot phase, set to go live in early May 2026, includes 15 initial outlets. High-profile neighbourhood staples such as the legendary Ravi Restaurant, Beirut Blendz, Cycle 2 Cycle, and Naif Bakery are among the first to join the programme. This move is expected to significantly boost footfall for community retailers at a time when residents are staying closer to home due to intermittent rainfall and regional travel caution.
Navigating a shifting landscape The launch comes as the Dubai entertainment and music industry continues to pivot toward localised experiences. With international event schedules being recalibrated due to the ongoing regional crisis, the “Spot for Shops” initiative aligns with a broader city-wide trend: a return to community-centric living.
How to claim your parking cashback:
Park: Use any paid Parkin space near a participating business.
Pay: Complete your initial parking fee via the app or SMS as usual.
Shop: Visit a participating outlet (look for the Spot for Shops signage).
Validate: The merchant validates your parking via your mobile number.
Earn: The cashback value is credited instantly to your Parkin wallet.
Your local mosque parking lot is get about to become a green hub. Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has signed a major deal to bring electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to mosque parking spaces across the city.
The 8-year agreement was signed (April 8), with the Emarat EV Charging Stations Company (UAEV). This move turns mosque parking areas into convenient spots for residents to power up their cars during prayer times or visits.
This isn’t just about a few plugs; it’s a full-scale smart infrastructure project:
Advanced Tech: Installation of modern, high-speed charging units.
Smart App: A dedicated digital application will show you exactly where the nearest available mosque charger is in real-time.
Easy Payments: Secure, integrated smart payment systems for a seamless experience.
Continuous Care: UAEV will handle all maintenance and performance monitoring.
This initiative follows just days after the announcement of 600 new supercharging spaces being installed at public parks and beaches.
Community Hubs: Mosques will now serve as multi-functional spaces that support sustainable mobility.
Environmental Goals: The project supports the UAE’s mission to have 50% of vehicles on the road be battery-electric by 2050.
Finding a charger in Dubai is getting much easier. By integrating clean energy into community spaces like mosques, Dubai is making eco-friendly living a natural part of daily life.
