The 11th Renewables Talk in Abu Dhabi, UAE held on April 12 focussed on challenges, opportunities, and best practices towards achieving renewable energy targets and clean energy transition for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
The event was co-hosted by the European Union Delegation to the UAE and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Secretariat, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to IRENA.
The delegates present at the event were EU Ambassador to the UAE, Andrea Matteo Fontana, IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Permanent Representative of UAE to IRENA, Walburga Hemetsberger, Chief Executive Officer of SolarPower Europe, and Mattias Frumerie, Head of Delegation to UNFCCC at the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise.
The upcoming COP28 Climate Conference will be held in the UAE in November 2023. The event emphasized the EU’s commitment to the European Green Deal and its ambitious targets for the share of renewables in gross final energy consumption by 2030.
Speaking on the occasion, Andrea Matteo Fontana, EU Ambassador to the UAE, said, “The EU has set ambitious targets for the share of renewables in our energy consumption by 2030 exceeding 40%, and we are proud to be at the forefront of the global effort to tackle climate change. Our partnership with IRENA is crucial in driving the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, and the Renewables Talk provides an exceptional opportunity for us to share our experiences, exchange ideas and learn from one another with a view to COP28 taking place in Dubai later this year.”
IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera said, “The EU’s new ambitious Renewable Energy Directive brings Europe one step closer to becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. As a strong partner of IRENA, the EU has played a critical role in accelerating the energy transition globally, and the upcoming COP28 in our host country, the UAE, presents a unique opportunity to further reinforce our collaborative efforts in creating lasting, transformative change.”
Further, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Permanent Representative of UAE to IRENA remarked, “The energy transition is one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced. While there is no silver bullet for the task at hand, we know that we will not succeed if we act in silos. We must work collectively and collaboratively across the international community to ensure that our transition from the energy system of today, to a future energy system powered by renewables, is just and inclusive.”
“As we look ahead to COP28 in the UAE this year, the UAE’s partnership with IRENA and its membership will have a crucial role to play in putting the energy transition at the heart of the negotiations, dialogues and outcomes of the solutions COP,” he noted.
The discussions highlighted the importance of accelerating the deployment of renewable energy technologies and systems. It stress on transforming key sectors viz. power, transport, industry, and heating and cooling, and reiterated the need for the necessary infrastructure and governance to achieve a sustainable future for all.
Discussing the European Green Deal, it was said that it is crucial to accelerate the deployment of renewables by the end of the next decade in order to Europe becoming the world’s first climate neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality.
EU’s determination to gain its energy independence through a faster deployment of home-grown renewable energy, was also discussed, and speakers dwelled on EU’s commitment to meet its 55% greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2030.
Further, it was revealed that EU will continue to support clean and just energy transition across the globe as a key element of climate action and the chief tool to address energy security concern.
