Today's Edition
SHABAAN BILAL (CAIRO)
Experts and specialists praised the UAE’s role in the field of climate adaptation, considering that the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) is a great opportunity to develop financing mechanisms for adaptation projects and enhance countries’ national capabilities in this field.
Dr. Osama Sallam, an expert in climate and water resources, believes that COP28 will play a vital role in enhancing international cooperation, exchanging experiences, and setting financing mechanisms for climate adaptation projects. This will encourage investments, highlight the importance of these projects, and provide the necessary information for investors. Sallam told Aletihad that the UAE’s experiences in adaptation and addressing the climate change effects are exemplary.
The country has taken many measures to address this issue, such as launching the climate adaptation strategy in 2017, which aims to enhance adaptability in sectors like water, energy, infrastructure, health, and environment. The expert noted that the UAE had reduced its reliance on fossil fuels, rationalised water consumption in agriculture, developed infrastructure to protect against floods and droughts, and raised community awareness through campaigns and activities.
During her part, Dr. Rawda Al Qafrash, a Tunisian expert in water resources and climate adaptation, said that COP28 is of paramount importance in supporting and enhancing adaptation projects, especially amidst UN reports stating that current global efforts are insufficient to limit greenhouse gas emissions and prevent exacerbating global warming.
The unprecedented rise in temperatures, floods, hurricanes, droughts, and fires experienced by many countries this year are all due to climate change, Dr. Al Qafrash pointed out. Dr. Al Qafrash told Aletihad that the UAE’s experiences in climate adaptation could assist climate change-affected countries, especially in terms of its sharing knowledge about the country’s use of modern technology in all fields, including agriculture, renewable energy-powered water, and environmental protection.
The president of the Jordan Environment Union, Omar Al Shoshan noted that one of the main issues in adapting to the repercussions of climate change is the financing gap, especially for developing and least developed countries, which will be of global interest during COP28. He added that the negotiating groups will try to bridge these financing gaps by advocating for doubling adaptation finance by 2025 in an effort to compensate for years of funding shortage. Al-Shoshan told Aletihad that the efforts of the negotiating groups representing developing countries, including Arab countries, to obligate developed nations to fulfil their commitments previously announced in 2009 – to provide $100 billion annually to developing and least developed countries by 2020 – hasn’t occurred yet.
He noted that this amount is no longer sufficient because of the increasing damages caused by extreme climate conditions. Al-Shoshan emphasised that the UAE sets an important example by adopting best practices and policies in adapting to the repercussions of climate change, thanks to the presence of political will, legislative frameworks, governance, domestic financing, and not waiting for adaptation and climate funds to finance strategic projects. He also praised the UAE’s continuous investments in smart technology, as well as its modern technical applications.
The UAE reduces its fossil fuel reliance and develops infrastructure to protect against floods and droughts COP28 will play a vital role in enhancing international cooperation, exchanging experiences, and setting financing mechanisms for climate adaptation projects.
