UAE believes in adoption of a comprehensive and balanced Energy Mix, says Masdar's Director of Sustainability

Abu Dhabi, Dec 17, 2012 (WAM) - Masdar's Director of Sustainability, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany has stressed that UAE believes in the adoption of a comprehensive and balanced Energy Mix covering different sources of energy, including renewable, traditional hydrocarbons and nuclear. "For the UAE, a commitment in advancing renewables and clean technology is an investment in our long-term future, reinforcing our economy with knowledge capital. This is a strategic sector that is playing a role in the diversification of our local economy, moving form a resource-based economy to one based on human capital and knowledge," she told "Green Prophet" in an interview. Diversifying the energy mix is critical to meeting future electricity demands, lowering our environmental footprint and our energy security. Investments in renewable energy are also a natural extension of our leadership and long history as energy exporters. "The UAE is in a unique position to leverage its resource to advance the economic, social and environmental benefits of clean energy," Dr. Nawal added. "Green Prophet" specialises in environmental affairs in the Middle East, the MENA region, and especially the Gulf States. She told, "We have an opportunity to leverage its expertise in energy and move into new sectors, including wind and solar power." The future energy mix will include renewables, and we should embrace this transition. In addition, the region also has an abundant solar resource - an energy we should tap into to address energy security and our rising demands, according to her. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany said: "When it comes to the region, women have an active voice in the climate change discussion. However, we can all do more, regionally and globally. The fact is climate change affects women differently, especially underprivileged, uneducated and un-empowered women. Women form the majority of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty in the world." Women have a social, economic and moral responsibility to be equal participants in the fight against climate change. And one way we can immediately help is to encourage women to pursue careers in math and science, where we can advance the renewable, clean-tech and sustainability sectors. Talking about Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, she said that 35% of our student body comprised of women. The Institute's Young Future Energy leaders programme that mentors and trains future leaders in the fields of advanced energy and sustainability has 45% women. It's these types of outlets in higher education that provide women with a vehicle to get involved and to be part of the climate change solution. "There are a few ways in which we can encourage women's participation in the climate change debate. One of them is education opportunities especially in the STEM fields. We can actively push for better access to educational grants and scholarships, so that women can pursue advanced careers. Mentoring programmes can also provide young women with role models for their education and career paths," Dr. Nawal informed. "We also need knowledge-sharing and action-oriented platforms that encourage open dialogue and that unite women fighting for climate change across the globe." Masdar's Director of Sustainability stated, there is a need to raise awareness on adopting and incorporating a sustainable approach in the region and beyond - how sustainability can be incorporated in an organisation, the benefits of a sustainable approach to operating a business etc. "One way we hope to shed light on the subject is during the upcoming Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), taking place from January 13-17 in Abu Dhabi." ADSW will be the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East and will bring together companies, policymakers and thinkers from more than 150 countries to discuss the challenges and solutions related to energy, water, climate and other sustainability issues. - Emirates News Agency, WAM