Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE is on track to exceed its target of generating 35% of its electricity from clean energy by 2031, with clean sources accounting for 32.4% of electricity generation last year, Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said on Monday.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit, Al Dahak said the country was advancing projects combining solar power and battery storage to provide electricity around the clock, as it pursues its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
“We are targeting 35% share by 2031, which means we're well on our way and we can exceed that as well,” she said.
The UAE has consistently pursued a strategy of economic diversification alongside decarbonisation, Al Dahak said, highlighting the role of investment, innovation and international partnerships in advancing the country's climate goals.
She pointed to large-scale projects combining solar power and battery storage as examples of how technological innovation can support the transition to cleaner energy while strengthening energy security.
Beyond energy, Al Dahak highlighted water resilience and food security as key priorities, noting that the UAE was building on traditional resource-management practices through modern desalination technologies, improved water management and innovative agricultural methods.
She also emphasised the role of young people in delivering the country's sustainability goals, citing initiatives such as the Emirates Youth Council for Agriculture and student participation in mangrove planting and conservation.
“The true measure of our legacy is not only what we protect today, but what our future generations will be empowered to protect tomorrow,” she said.
The UAE will also co-host the UN Water Conference 2026 with Senegal in Abu Dhabi next December, bringing together the international community to advance practical solutions to global water challenges, Al Dahak said.
The conference will provide an opportunity to share innovations, mobilise resources and strengthen international cooperation on water security, she added.
Calling on business leaders to integrate resilience into investment decisions and business plans, Al Dahak said protecting natural resources and strengthening competitiveness must go hand in hand with equipping younger generations with the skills and opportunities to develop future sustainability solutions.
