UAE: Sheikh Mohammed Unveils Plans For Electric Cars, Biodiversity & SAF

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, set out the sustainability strategy aimed at driving efforts to achieve new environmental goals at a meeting of the UAE Cabinet at Expo City Dubai, that’s hosting the key COP28 Summit.

The annual climate conference is set to conclude on Tuesday. Sheikh Mohammed said several initiatives and decisions were approved during the ministerial gathering, including the adoption of a framework for the Biodiversity Strategy 2031.

The scheme is aimed at monitoring natural ecosystems and strengthening sustainability, with a goal to rehabilitate and restore 80% of degraded land and marine areas, preserving at least 21% of land and marine ecosystems, and improving the status of endangered native species.

Notable Focus On EVs and Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The UAE Cabinet also highlighted the need to remove carbon from the waste sector and set up a national registry of carbon credits, in an effort to enable government and private institutions to evaluate and document their contributions to reducing emissions.

In addition, ministers agreed to establish a company to run electrical vehicle charging stations, which will be responsible for developing an efficient infrastructure for the charging of EVs and devising a price strategy for services.

Moreover, they also agreed on the launch of a policy for sustainable aviation fuel and smart construction. The SAF policy plans to ensure at least 1% of the total fuel supplied at UAE airports to national airlines in 2021 will be sustainable and produced domestically.

In comments shared by the UAE Media Office, Sheikh Mohammed said the country has “made significant strides in climate action and continues its efforts towards sustainability.” “Our efforts in this field are aligned with our commitment to economic development.”

Key Green Projects Approved During The Meeting

The framework of the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031

The Global Initiative to Decarbonise Waste, called ‘Waste to Zero’

The UAE’s accession to the global cooling pledge

The National Carbon Credits Registration System

The Guideline on Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The National Guide for Smart Construction

The UAE’s fifth National Communication Report

Report on Low-carbon Development Strategy and Long-term Emission Reduction

The establishment of the UAE Electric Vehicle Charging Station Company

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