Dubai reduces 33% of carbon emissions in 2020

Dubai reduced its carbon emissions by 33 per cent in 2020, exceeding the target of the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 by more than double.

The Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy had set out a roadmap to reduce carbon emissions by 16 per cent by 2021.

“The achievement of reducing carbon emissions by 33 per cent in 2020 emphasises that we are on the right track to achieve the strategic objectives to become a carbon-neutral economy by 2050,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

“All organisations under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy work together to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100 per cent of energy from clean energy sources by 2050, as well as the Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy, which aims to reduce electricity and water demand by 30 per cent by 2030,” added Al Tayer.

The share of clean and renewable energy capacity in Dubai’s energy mix stands at 11.38 per cent. Among the factors that contributed to Dubai achieving its current rate of carbon emissions are the expansion of district cooling which saved 650 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2020 and incentives that have increased the use of electric vehicles.

Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, secretary-general of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said that Dubai has a plan for the next 30 years that covers the energy and water sectors, transportation, industry, buildings, and waste. The plan also includes all the necessary enablers, regulations and R&D.

Read: UAE reveals Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative

In October, the Dubai Future Council on Energy conducted an in-depth study on how the emirate can achieve carbon neutrality (Net Zero Emissions) by 2050. The study, which was developed based on well-established standards, accurate baseline modeling, extensive metadata scenarios and the latest technologies, indicated a practical path to transform Dubai into a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.

That same month, Sustainable City in Dubai unveiled the world’s first net zero carbon building. The 50,000 sqft building will be offsetting all its embodied carbon emissions from construction and interiors prior to operations, based on an offset scheme.

Read: Dubai: The Sustainable City unveils world’s first net zero carbon building