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Landmark Agreement Between UAE And France For The Environment | |
| Staff Writer |
The Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change and the French Government signed an agreement to cement ties between the UAE and France to maximise the social and economic benefits of climate action to help drive a green economy and deliver the "new industries, skills and jobs of the future".
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This comes as a part of President Sheikh Mohamed's state visit to Paris. The agreement seeks to "raise ambition" for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and support the UAE's hosting of Cop28 next year, state news agency Wam reported.
The UAE in 2016 became the first Middle East nation to sign the Paris Agreement, which calls for global warming to be limited to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
"As the host country of Cop28 in 2023, the UAE is keen to work closely with France to convert promises into pragmatic outcomes that will benefit all countries and communities," said Dr Al Jaber.
The climate change envoy said the two allies recognised that "climate action can be a key driver to building a new, low-emissions economic growth model underpinned by sustainability, creating new industries, skills and jobs needed for the future".
"More than 15 years ago, the UAE placed climate action at the centre of its economic growth and diversification strategy, while contributing innovative and practical solutions to one of the world’s greatest challenges. The UAE pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2050 in line with the targets of the Paris Agreement.
"We have demonstrated this commitment to climate action as the first country in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement and the first to commit to an economywide emissions reduction."
At Cop26 in Glasgow last autumn, the UAE committed to its net-zero plan, and to investing in other nations to aid them in their transition. “We will be investing another $50 billion in the next decade, knowing that we have already invested about $14bn in the country on clean and renewables and about $17bn in over 70 countries.”