EWS-WWF to expand collaboration on its 100% Renewable Energy Vision for the UAE - 2050 project

ABU DHABI, 16th January, 2017 (WAM) -- The Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF, EWS-WWF, has announced that it is looking to expand collaboration and push forward its 100% Renewable Energy Vision for the UAE – 2050 project, via its participation at the tenth annual World Future Energy Summit, WFES, in Abu Dhabi this week. Designed as a comprehensive study, the project will assess the feasibility of transitioning to 75-100% levels of renewable energy for power generation in the UAE by 2050. Commenting on the announcement, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Head of WWF International’s Climate and Energy Practice, said, "Renewable energy, a key focus at the World Future Energy Summit this year, presents the best opportunity for closing the gap between what science demands and what countries have committed to in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. The world’s energy system is in transition, driven by the demand for clean, sustainable energy. WWF believes that a world powered by 100 percent renewables is possible by 2050." Mr. Pulgar-Vidal continued, "If we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must limit global temperature rises to well below the 1.5 degrees C threshold agreed to in Paris. To achieve that, we must significantly scale up the roll out of renewable energy." Tanzeed Alam, Director of Climate and Energy at EWS-WWF, said, "The UAE recognises that planning for a post-oil future based on renewable energy is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the country’s growth. EWS-WWF welcomes the launch of the new UAE Energy Plan for 2050 and the new long-term targets for renewables and energy efficiency, which if implemented will bring large environmental, social and economic benefits. The UAE is now uniquely positioned to push forward renewable energy innovation as it scales up its clean energy ambition, and has the opportunity to drive even greater ambition for renewable energy here and across the region. Locally, we recognise that this opens incredible opportunities for industry, civil society and the government to work in synergy to identify the full potential for renewable energy and build practical and realistic recommendations to realise this." EWS-WWF’s 100% Renewable Energy Vision project will highlight the environmental, economic, political and social positive outcomes of the UAE’s commitment to a shift to renewable energy sources. Additionally, the analysis will provide cross-sectoral short and long-term recommendations, on a federal and emirate level, that the UAE can realistically implement to reach these ambitious levels of renewable energy generation. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-sustainability/1395305901569.html