The UAE has joined the Global Biofuel Alliance founded by India, the UK and the US. The announcement was made by Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
The UAE’s membership in the alliance is part of its strategy to develop and promote the use of cleaner energy. The UAE is the first country from the Middle East to join the alliance.
At the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation Meeting held in Goa, India, Al Mazrouei said a formal launch is planned at the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The event will also be hosted by India in September.
Read: Biofuels becoming true engines of sustainability growth
Importance of Global Biofuel Alliance
By joining the alliance, the UAE hopes to benefit from the members’ technical expertise and assistance. “We also seek to leverage valuable opportunities for sharing best practice and effective partnerships,” Al Mazrouei continued.
The UAE continues to invest in biofuels to diversify its energy mix and reduce its carbon footprint. Many manufacturers in the country have been using biofuels, derived from mixing used cooking oil with fuel, to operate. In addition, biofuels are also powering up machines and small vehicles in the UAE.
“We have multiple waste-to-energy plants either operational or under-development, providing clean energy, reducing emissions, and diverting waste from landfills. We are also taking serious steps in utilizing biofuels as a clean, alternative fuel for aviation,” added Al Mazrouei.
In addition to biofuels, the UAE is also investing in hydrogen fuels. It aims to produce 1.4 mn tons of low-emission hydrogen annually by 2031, 71.4 percent of which will be green hydrogen. Furthermore, the UAE is seeking to increase its hydrogen production capacity tenfold to 15 mn tons per annum by 2050.
COP28 significance
The UAE will host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
This year’s COP28 is significant as the world is grappling with unprecedented climate change disasters. Extreme heat, drought, and flooding have greatly impacted the lives of billions across continents.
As host, the UAE is aiming to mobilize action around a “major course correction” to accelerate emissions reductions while ensuring energy security.
“As the host of COP28, the UAE perceives the global energy transition as a front-and-centre focus for its presidency and will work with all participants to help make a concerted push to triple renewable energy capacity and double the production of hydrogen by 2030, in line with the global priority of reducing emissions by 43% by 2030 to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement,” said Al Mazrouei.
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