Dubai reduced its carbon emissions by 33 percent in 2020, which is more than double the target of the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.
The Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy aims to reduce carbon emissions by 16 percent by 2021, the Council said and added that this “achievement emphasizes that Dubai is moving steadily towards becoming a carbon-neutral economy by 2050”.
In a statement, Al Tayer said, “All organizations under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy work together to achieve the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai a global hub for green economy and sustainable development and achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.”
“The aim is also geared towards the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100 percent of energy from clean energy sources by 2050, as well as the Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy, which aims to reduce electricity and water demand by 30 percent by 2030,” he said.
Al Tayer said the pioneering programs and initiatives implemented by the organizations under the umbrella of the Council have contributed to this significant reduction in carbon emission.
The statement said the share of clean and renewable energy capacity is now 11.38 percent of Dubai’s energy mix, while the expansion of district cooling saved 650 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2020.
It added that incentives have increased the use of electric vehicles and other pioneering initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in Dubai.
Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said Dubai has a plan for the next 30 years that covers the energy and water sectors, transportation, industry, buildings, and waste. The plan also includes all the necessary enablers, regulations and R&D.