Today's Edition
Wael Badran (Dubai) - Samuel Warburg, the Regional Spokesman for the US State Department, affirmed that the United Arab Emirates sets a leading example in the field of climate action, as evident in its continuouss and tangible efforts. He pointed out that the UAE’s hosting of important climate conferences demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing climate change mitigation efforts.
In an exclusive interview with Aletihad, Warburg said that the close cooperation between the UAE and international partners reflects a spirit of determination and dedication to achieve the required emission reduction goals and promote the transition to a new energy economy.
With the start of COP28, he expressed optimism that this cooperation would lead to tangible progress and positive outcomes that benefit everyone. He mentioned that bilateral relations between the US and the UAE have seen significant development in the fields of clean energy and sustainable technology. This cooperation represents a model for high-quality partnerships, as it supports the transition to clean energy, contributes to the creation of economic opportunities, and reduces the impacts of climate change.
The spokesman stated that the UAE’s strategic projects in the field of clean energy effectively contribute to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. He pointed out that the strategic partnership signed between the UAE and the US to invest $100 billion to implement clean energy projects with a capacity of 100 gigawatts in the UAE, the US, and other parts of the world by 2035 is a major step towards enhancing energy security and supporting clean technology.
He highlighted that a notable example of this cooperation is the UAE’s Masdar company’s investment in renewable energy projects in the US. These projects include wind farms, solar energy projects, and battery storage, contributing to job creation in the US clean energy sector and supporting efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Warburg noted, in his interview with Aletihad on the sidelines of COP28, that the UAE and the US are working together on initiatives such as the “Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate” aimed at promoting sustainable methods of food production. He stressed that meeting climate commitments, reaching the goals of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and accelerating emission reductions require addressing complex and multi-dimensional challenges.
He considered that enhancing international cooperation represents a major challenge, as effective coordination between countries is necessary to achieve global goals. For example, the strategic partnership between the UAE and the United States, which focuses on renewable energy solutions and clean technologies, is a positive step, but it needs to expand the scope of cooperation to include more countries and stakeholders. He mentioned that another major challenge is innovation and technology development.
Accelerating the development of innovative renewable energy technologies and improving energy efficiency is essential for achieving the necessary energy transition, and this requires investment in research and development. He emphasised that these challenges require a comprehensive and integrated approach that includes government policies, private investments, and international cooperation.
While the UAE and the US are taking significant steps towards these goals, the need for concerted efforts at the global level remains crucial to achieve the desired progress in the field of climate. Warburg revealed that during COP28, the US seeks to deepen cooperation with the UAE and other parties to enhance efforts in combating climate change.
This cooperation is based on achieving tangible progress in several key areas, including accelerating the pace of carbon emission reductions to limit global warming. He added that the plans include enhancing climate adaptation capacities, especially in developing countries and the most affected areas.
The spokesperson highlighted the importance the US places on addressing losses and damages caused by climate change and enhancing international cooperation in this context.
