Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | Dubai takes the lead in addressing climate change with a strategy and a roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050

Dubai Future Council on Energy has conducted an in-depth study on how the Emirate of Dubai can achieve carbon neutrality (Net Zero Emissions) by 2050. This is in line with of the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote the transformation of Dubai to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The move also alignes with Dubai’s commitment to sustainability and to enhance its proactive role in shaping and supporting the future of energy and climate change. This will be achieved through clear strategy and roadmap that include the implementation of the strategy and the use of the state-of-the-art technologies to take into account the required investments and other enablers, in addition to modeling the socio-economic impact and opportunities.

The study was launched to support the Dubai Future Council on Energy, one of Dubai Future Councils that were launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and enacted by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). Dubai Future Councils were launched as a futuristic platform for keeping abreast of global trends, anticipating the future and shaping Dubai’s key sectors over the next 50 years.

The study was launched in early 2020, with the support of a high-level strategic consulting firm, targeting a wide scope that covers all sectors of the economy and looking at a wide range of measures aimed at reducing potential carbon emissions. The study, which was developed based on well-established standards, accurate baseline modeling, extensive metadata scenarios and the latest technologies, indicated a practical path to transform Dubai into a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. A roadmap to 2050 has been developed.

The study, its findings and impacts were presented to the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, where it was approved and the decision to proceed with its implementation was taken by all concerned authorities in the Emirate of Dubai.

His Highness referred to the challenges posed by climate change and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on the 7th of October.

His Highness commented on the results of the study: "We are proud of the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. This initiative reinforces the importance and timing of the study that was conducted due to the need to translate the goals into actionable roadmaps. Thanks to a detailed and solid roadmap covering all sectors, Dubai is taking a further step to continue its leadership in the field of clean energy, accelerate the pace of transformation that will enhance the green economy and create job opportunities, and transform Dubai into a center of excellence in the essential new technologies to achieve zero carbon emissions and reach 100% of clean energy by 2050.”

His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Dubai  Future Council on Energy and MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said: “The importance of Dubai’s transition to carbon neutrality (Dubai Net Zero Emission Strategy 2050) highlights the importance of enhancing the emirate’s leadership position in facing climate change through the deployment and use of renewable and clean energy technologies, creating investment opportunities in the field of green economy, achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability, and moving forward towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030. This initiative and the Dubai Roadmap for Zero Carbon Emissions 2050 are another important steps to be added to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2015”.

 HE added: "Dubai has an ambitious plan for the next thirty years. Programs and mechanisms have been developed for the next period. It includes the energy and water sectors, transportation, industry, buildings, and waste. The plan also includes all the necessary enablers, regulations and R&D."