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.
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.
Sci-fi is officially reality in Dubai. The RTA has launched its fleet of 100 autonomous taxis, now roaming the streets of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah.
How to book your ride
Dubai has partnered with global tech giants Apollo Go (Baidu) and WeRide to make booking as easy as ordering a pizza. You can find them on:
The Uber App: WeRide vehicles are integrated directly into the Uber platform.
The Apollo Go App: Operated in cooperation with the Dubai Taxi Company.
Where can you ride?
Currently, the service is focused on two of Dubai’s most iconic coastal districts:
Jumeirah
Umm Suqeim
How safe are autonomous cabs?
Before hitting the road, these vehicles underwent “extensive testing” to navigate real-world traffic.
The Tech: They use AI, advanced sensors, and HD digital mapping.
The Smart City: The taxis are designed to process data in real-time, handling intersections, traffic signals, and pedestrians without a human behind the wheel.
This rollout is part of Dubai’s long-term goal to lead the world in self-driving transport. If you’re in Jumeirah, your next Uber might just be a robot.
The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) has proposed making membership mandatory for all 12 million Pakistanis living abroad, carrying a fee of Rs10,000 (approx. Dh130).
Syed Qamar Raza, Chairman of the OPF, said that the proposal has been approved by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and is now awaiting final sign-off from the Prime Minister.
Membership fees
Cost: Rs10,000 for a 5-year membership.
Who it affects: All Pakistanis living in the UAE, Gulf, the Middle East, and worldwide.
The goal is to generate finances that allow the OPF to better serve the diaspora and introduce new welfare facilities.
The move comes as overseas Pakistanis continue to provide a massive boost to the national economy. Remittances are expected to hit an all-time high of $41–42 billion this year.
The OPF is a non-profit designed to resolve challenges for the diaspora. If approved, this nominal fee will create a massive fund aimed at protecting and supporting the millions of workers who keep Pakistan’s economy afloat.
Meanwhile, the Federal Cabinet has officially cleared the way for overseas Pakistanis to import used cars up to three years old. The new rules focus on two main pathways. Gift Scheme – for sending a vehicle to a family member back home, and Transfer of Residence (TR) Scheme – for those moving back to Pakistan permanently.
