ID :
327943
Thu, 05/08/2014 - 10:34
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UAE energises climate change debate

Abu Dhabi (WAM) A UAE paper has said that climate change is an issue that affects every single life on the planet. With the negative impact of global warming overwhelmingly evident, world leaders should take seriously UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon's warning at the Abu Dhabi Ascent meeting that too many stakeholders are still "sitting on the fence." "It is a matter of great honour for the UAE that over 1,000 participants, including 100 government ministers, gathered in Abu Dhabi for the event, to chart new routes for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate resilience," said Gulf Today in its editorial on Wednesday. The two-day "Abu Dhabi Ascent" was co-hosted by the UAE to build commitment ahead of the UN Climate Summit, set for Sept.23 in New York. Ascent is the first international meeting to draw on the conclusions of the reports from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which found its consequences are already being felt. While the present action is insufficient, there are still pathways towards a low carbon future that could minimise climate change impacts. The UAE leadership has consistently believed in the adoption of renewable energy and clean technologies as a way to mitigate the problem. The progress made has been so impressive that the UAE is the only OPEC nation supplying both hydrocarbons and renewable energy to the international market. The Shams 1 solar power plant offers a perfect example of how renewable resources can help power an overhaul of the world's energy supply. Shams 1 is the largest solar power facility in the Middle East and the second largest in the world. The 100-megawatt plant, which can provide electricity for 20,000 households, is just over a year old, and is deemed a commercial success. So impressed was the UN chief with the efforts that he repeatedly commended the vision of the UAE leadership towards sustainable development, noting that the landmark projects reflect the leadership's far-sighted vision towards diversification of sources of national income, conservation of local environment and sincere efforts to provide development aid to a number of countries in the area of renewable energy. The paper concluded by quoting the United Nations chief as saying that, "By harnessing the power of the Sun, the UAE is cutting greenhouse gas emissions, generating jobs and laying the foundation for low-carbon economic progress." This lucidly sums up the effective path that the country has taken towards generating clean energy. In the process, the UAE also serves as a role model for the entire world in this field. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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