U.A.E and U.S. Reinforce Strength of Energy Partnership and Commitment to Robust Climate Action in advance of Leaders Summit on Climate

(MENAFN - Mid-East.Info) UAE Special Envoy for Climate Dr Sultan Al Jaber and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm meet following Regional Climate Dialogue convened in Abu Dhabi aimed at accelerating progress toward global climate action. The discussion focused on the strong alignment between the U.A.E. and US Approach to raising ambitions in advance of COP 26. Investment in new technology and energy diversification key to low carbon, high growth sustainable future. Abu Dhabi, UAE: UAE Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Group CEO of ADNOC H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber today met U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to discuss how to build on and accelerate the work the two countries are doing to accelerate climate action ahead of the Leaders Summit on Climate to be convened in Washington D.C. next week. H.E. Dr. Al Jaber shared views on how investments in new technology and R & D across the diversified energy mix can encourage low carbon, sustainable economic growth throughout the region. Coming after the US and the UAE signed a joint statement focused on joint efforts on renewable energy, hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, carbon capture and storage, and other mitigation tools and technologies, the discussion focused on how the two countries can further strengthen their energy partnership to enhance low carbon growth. 'The UAE believes there is a sound business case for progressive climate action, which can deliver more economic growth with fewer emissions,' said H.E. Dr. Al Jaber, adding 'As the world will still rely on hydrocarbon fuels for decades, it is essential to ensure they are produced responsibly and are as low carbon as possible. The UAE is one of the least carbon intensive producers in the world, and we are investing in technology to build on this distinct competitive advantage.' His Excellency went on to say: 'Just as in the US, climate considerations are at the core of decision-making in the UAE, including domestic policy, foreign policy and national security,' H.E. Dr Al Jaber noted the excellent partnership between companies across the US and UAE energy system can be built on to maximize opportunities for sustainable growth. The discussion touched on the UAE's climate leadership as an early investor in successful renewable energy projects both within the UAE and around the world. The discussion also focused on the UAE's development of new zero carbon fuels, such as hydrogen that have the potential to play a significant role in the energy system in the next twenty years. Dr Al Jaber explained how ADNOC is leveraging its hydrocarbon infrastructure to develop blue hydrogen, while also exploring green hydrogen through the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance. In addition, the two Ministers discussed the application of carbon capture technologies as an essential tool for climate mitigation. H.E. Dr Al Jaber noted that ADNOC has pioneered the use of industrial scale carbon capture technologies with the first CCUS facility in the region. The Al Reyadah CCUS facility currently has the capacity to capture 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. ADNOC plans to expand its capacity at least six times by 2030 and is willing to share its experience with any country in order to help take this important mitigation technology to scale. The meeting with Secretary Granholm comes on the heels of U.S. Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry's recent visit to Abu Dhabi for the regional climate dialogue the UAE hosted, where regional leaders pledged bold action in the run up to the COP26 meeting in Glasgow this November. During his visit, Special Envoy Kerry had an opportunity to tour some of the UAE's major renewable energy assets, including Noor Abu Dhabi, the largest single site solar plant in the world. At the conclusion of the regional climate dialogue, the UAE and the U.S announced their shared commitment to tackle the climate challenge in a Joint Statement that stresses the importance and urgency of raising global climate ambition. Both countries announced their intent to cooperate on new investments in financing decarbonization across the MENA region and beyond, and to focus on assisting the most vulnerable countries as they adapt to the effects of climate change. MENAFN16042021005446012082ID1101929817