Dubai Sets Ambitious Goals To Go Green

After a recent convening of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, it seems that Dubai is committed to invest in green energy. In fact, Dubai will be the first city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to launch a clean energy strategy that sets specific targets and deadlines for 2050. The Dubai Government seeks to implement a host of green initiatives and programs to reduce carbon emissions 16% by 2020. Additionally, Dubai has already managed to reduce its CO2 by over 5 million tons already—a 9% reduction, exceeding the 7% target initially set for 2015. Over the next three decades, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy intends to give their energy sector a green makeover. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy states that “the strategy aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s energy from clean energy sources by 2020. This target will increase to 25% by 2030, and to 70% by 2050.” The council also intend to treat waste through several key projects: converting methane gas emitted from landfills into energy, recovering waste water gas and transforming it into energy, burning solid waste to produce energy, as well as other sustainability projects. Furthermore, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) expects the share of global electricity generated by solar energy to increase from the current 2% to as much as 13% by 2030. Since world electricity demand is expected to grow by more than 50% by 2030, mostly in developing and emerging economies, Dubai, as well as other MENA countries, will need to follow this expansive green timeline in order to deal with the future energy crisis. Do you think other MENA countries will take Dubai’s lead and make the necessary shift to green energy? Comment below with your thoughts! For more information read: http://www.emirates247.com/news/dubai-sets-time-target-for-being-powered-by-green-energy-2016-06-24-1.633813 http://cleantechnica.com/2016/01/04/dubai-plans-7-3-billion-renewable-energy-tenders/