Today's Edition
DUBAI (WAM)
Climate envoys at UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) praised the UAE for successfully foatering unity among representitives from 198 countries, along with the European Union. On Wednesday, the COP28 approved the historic "UAE Consensus" on climate change, signaling a signficant step toward safeguarding both humanity and the planet.
Jennifer Morgan, Special Envoy for International Climate Policy of the German Government, said that the agreement reached at the end of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) is “historic”, as it calls for tripling renewable energy by 2030.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of COP28, which saw the announcement of ‘The UAE Consensus', Morgan stressed that the agreement showcases the need to accelerate the process of diversifying global economies.
She noted to the unprecedented start of COP28, which was marked by operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund and the pledge of the UAE and Germany to provide US$100 to mobilise the fund, which stimulated more pledges to the fund to reach over US$700 million.
“COP28 ended on a hopeful note, with a renewed commitment to climate action throughout the decade. This proactive approach could be the turning point in our fight against the mounting losses and damages caused by climate change,” the German Climate Envoy concluded.
Remarkable Agreement
In the same context, Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, confirmed that the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) culminated in a remarkable agreement to tackle climate change, congratulating the COP28 President on the achievement.
Bowen highlighted the importance of this COP edition describing it as a step forward for the world.
He noted that the UAE can be very proud of the role it played in hosting COP28.
African Countries Voice
Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of the Republic of Uganda, said that the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) succeeded in uniting the voices of African countries and gave them opportunities to play a proactive role in climate action.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of COP28, Dr. Nankabirwa praised efforts to hear all parties, communities, and countries, including African countries, and give them opportunities to negotiate, lauding decisions to address the issues of African countries, especially those related to the gradual phase-out of fossil fuel use and the protection of green spaces.
She added that Uganda announced the launch of a national energy transition plan during COP28, noting that the plan aims to protect forests and green spaces by transitioning to "clean cooking" using low-carbon technologies.
The minister explained the importance of setting policies for agricultural practices in Uganda to prevent deforestation and promote environmental conservation, ensuring that clean electricity is produced and delivered, with the generation capacity to be increased from 2,000 megawatts (MW) to over 52,000 MW by 2040.
Dr. Nankabirwa noted Uganda's energy mix and resource utilisation are eco-friendly, and include hydroelectric, solar and wind energy projects, in addition to having the potential to produce thermal and nuclear energy, adding that her country is seeking to raise renewable energy production from 58 to 80 percent by 2025 and to 100 percent by 2030.
