Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Strategic partnerships between the UAE and the US are playing a pivotal role in advancing both regional and global sustainability goals, according to environmental experts.
Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Assistant Professor in EHS at Abu Dhabi University's College of Health Sciences, noted that UAE-US collaborative initiatives in areas of climate and energy contribute to fostering innovation, accelerating clean energy adoption, and shaping international climate policies.
In an interview with Aletihad, she pointed to the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), a joint initiative between the two countries aimed at boosting investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.
Other strategic UAE-US efforts include the Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE), committing $100 billion to develop 100 gigawatts of clean energy globally by 2035; and collaborative efforts in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies to reduce industrial carbon emissions, according to Dr. Ajaj.
Additionally, the UAE's renewable energy company Masdar has invested in multiple renewable energy projects across the US, including wind farms in Texas and Nebraska, contributing to the expansion of clean energy infrastructure.
"These projects enhance sustainable development within the region and serve as a catalyst for global climate action by demonstrating the effectiveness of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges, thus inspiring other nations to pursue similar collaborative approaches," Dr. Ajaj said.
Nahla Nabil, an ESG and Sustainability Strategist, highlighted recent projects, such as the first indoor vertical strawberry farm in Abu Dhabi, a collaboration between Mawarid and California's Plenty.
She described this project, which employs smart technology to reduce the use of water and space, as a step forward towards building resilient food systems in the region.
"The partnership between the UAE and the USA has always been built on mutual respect, knowledge exchange, and shared goals, especially when it comes to climate change and sustainability. Both countries have long understood the importance of working together to push innovation in key areas like energy and agriculture, and this cooperation has only grown stronger over time," she told Aletihad in an interview.
"There is a saying that goes: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," noted Nabil; "But these partnerships aren't just strategic, they're essential for ensuring we meet our global commitments under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). It's through partnerships like these that real progress happens on issues like clean energy, food security, and climate resilience."
The strength of the UAE-US partnership was evident at COP28, where several ambitious initiatives were launched to further climate and energy objectives, according to Nabil.
"One that stands out is the Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE), that aims to deploy 100 gigawatts of clean energy by 2035. This is a clear example of both nations' commitment to a fast energy transition, with a focus on clean energy innovation, carbon management, and decarbonization."
Dr. Ajaj also stressed that cross-border collaborations are critical for tackling global climate and energy goals.
"Climate change affects all countries and cannot be solved by any one nation alone. Working together allows countries to combine resources, share knowledge and technology, and create unified strategies to address climate change. This collaboration helps nations to set and achieve more ambitious targets, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement, and ensures that efforts in one country are not canceled out by activities in another."
She added that global cooperation facilitates financial support for developing nations, ultimately promoting equitable access to clean energy technologies, supporting global economic stability and addressing transnational environmental issues, like air and water pollution.
Dr. Ajaj also views that hosting international events such as COP28 highlights the UAE's dedication to environmental stewardship and its influential role in global climate action.
"The UAE is a global leader in clean energy and climate solutions. It has taken on ambitious initiatives and projects in renewable energy development, sustainable urban planning, and international collaboration," she said.
Dr. Ajaj referenced key projects, including Masdar City, a zero-carbon urban development that focuses on clean-tech innovation, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which aims to become the world's largest single-site solar park with a capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030.
The UAE is also home to the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world, contributing to low-carbon electricity generation, she added, noting the UAE's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, evidenced in its enabling policies and global investments in renewable energy projects.
