World 'not on track to meet its renewables target'

Abu Dhabi officials meanwhile poised to present updated energy and water efficiency strategy next week

The world is not on track to triple renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, according to Irena. Photo: EPA

The world is not on track to meet the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by the end of the decade, Francesco La Camera, director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency, said in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Speaking before Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Mr La Camera said that more action was needed to align policies and market design to favour renewables and an adjustment to trade tariffs could be needed.

Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, meanwhile said that the UAE Government will present an updated energy and water efficiency strategy for Abu Dhabi next week to set a blueprint for meeting the ambitious target.

ADSW, organised by clean energy leader Masdar, will start on Sunday and conclude on Saturday, January 18. This year, the sustainability summit is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants, with Masdar's chief, Mohamed Al Ramahi, saying the summit aims to build on its mission as a global platform to tackle the most pressing sustainability issues.

“This year, ADSW is set to reach even greater heights, as it receives 13 heads of state from around the world – including from Africa, Asia, and Europe,” he said. This year's event themed, “The Nexus of Next”, will also welcome over 50 ministers, more than 200 global chief executives, and participants representing 175 countries.

Women taking charge at global energy summit

The World Future Energy Summit will run from January 14-16. This year, the event is close to doubling the representation of female speakers. Last year, women accounted for 22 per cent of the speaker roster, this year that number has risen to about 40 per cent.

Leen AlSebai, general manager of RX Middle East and head of the summit, told The National that the industry has focused on female start-ups and entrepreneurs in innovation.

“We have a programme which is for the climate innovation exchange initiative,” said Ms AlSebai. “We decided to host female start-ups and entrepreneurs.” She added that representation is important because women are disproportionally affected by climate change, as women and girls make up 80 per cent of people displaced by climate change, according to the UN Environment Programme.

Now in its 17th year, participants will gather from across the globe to discuss the latest developments in energy and technology. The summit will also hone in on the region’s progress in urban development and the power of smart cities in its dedicated sustainable cities conference and exhibition.