Sustainability Arab Coordination Group announces $50bn for Africa The Arab Coordination Group, made up of regional and international development institutions, has allocated $50 billion to advance sustainable development in Africa through to 2030. The funding was announced at the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference in Riyadh and further discussed at a panel arranged by the Saudi Fund for Development on Sunday on the sidelines of […] December 11, 2023
Sustainability Turning trash into tokens: blockchain’s answer to waste Trash, garbage, detritus. Whatever you call it, the waste management industry around the world faces a huge challenge as it must handle a substantial and growing volume of rubbish. In 2020, according to the World Bank, the world generated 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste, amounting to a footprint of 0.79 kg per person per […] December 11, 2023
Renewable Energy Morocco reveals strategy to speed up energy transition Morocco is accelerating plans to add 9 gigawatts to its electricity generation capacity – enough power for nearly 8 million homes – with 7GW coming from renewables. But the country will need to discover or import more gas as it bets on creating a new hydrogen economy, according to Leila Benali, its minister of energy […] December 11, 2023
Sustainability Bahrain seeks 30% reduction in emissions by 2035 Bahrain aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2035 and reach zero carbon by 2060 as part of its national carbon neutrality strategy. The Gulf state recently launched a national energy strategy and a $750 million fund, in addition to establishing the Safaa voluntary platform to offset carbon emissions, the UAE state-run Wam […] December 11, 2023
Sustainability Dubai targets 50% carbon emission reduction by 2030 Dubai plans to cut carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality. The new plan will accelerate the emirate’s transition towards clean energy, backed by a clear roadmap for reaching its net-zero goal by 2050, Dubai Media Office said in a statement. The strategy will focus on environmental protection, biodiversity, conservation of […] December 10, 2023
Energy Al Jaber calls for ‘flexibility’ on fossil fuel phase-out deal Cop28 president Sultan Al Jaber has urged delegates to set aside their differences to achieve a deal to phase out fossil fuels. “I need you to step up, and I need you to come out of your comfort zones. And I kindly ask you all to be flexible and to truly and genuinely engage in […] December 10, 2023
Oil & Gas UAE softens on fossil fuel wording, observers say The UAE, one of the world’s largest oil producers, is considering supporting an unprecedented agreement towards ‘phasing out’ fossil fuels, observers have told AGBI. Some suggest the parties may agree to a phase-out in easier-to-abate sectors such as power generation, where reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved with existing renewable technologies like solar or […] December 9, 2023
Oil & Gas Europe stands firm on fossil fuel phase-out deal at Cop28 The European Parliament is heading into the final days of negotiation at the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai with a clear mission to see the absolute end of fossil fuels. At a press conference on Friday, European Parliament member Peter Liese told journalists that the delegation is demanding the “tangible phase out of fossil fuels” […] December 8, 2023
Opinion Sustainability UN simplicities hinder genuine progress at unwieldy Cop This year's Cop can point to a solid list of achievements – but the next one must downsize December 8, 2023
Renewable Energy UAE’s Masdar to develop green hydrogen in Spain Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is exploring developing a green hydrogen plant in central Spain to aid in the decarbonisation of Europe’s hard-to-abate sectors. The Abu Dhabi-based renewables energy company is collaborating with Verbund Green Hydrogen on the proposed venture – in an agreement which was signed at the UN’s Climate Change Conference Cop28 […] December 8, 2023
Oil & Gas Libyan Oil Company commits to cut gas flaring The Libyan National Oil Company is joining the wider global oil and gas industry in committing to near-zero gas flaring by 2030, as part of wider efforts by the state-owned energy producer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. LNOC chairman Farhat Bengdara said in an interview with AGBI at the UN Cop28 climate conference in Dubai […] December 7, 2023
Renewable Energy Dubai opens world’s largest concentrated solar power project UAE Vice President and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has inaugurated the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) project as the Gulf state accelerates towards becoming net zero by 2050. The project is part of the AED15.78 billion ($4.30 billion) fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in […] December 7, 2023
Renewable Energy Acwa Power to develop $1bn green hydrogen project in Indonesia Saudi-listed Acwa Power will develop a $1 billion green hydrogen facility – the largest in Indonesia – that will start commercial production in 2026. The project will be codeveloped with PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Indonesia’s state-owned electricity provider and PT Pupuk Indonesia, a state-owned fertiliser and chemical producer. The agreement was signed on the […] December 7, 2023
Renewable Energy Masdar expands renewables footprint to Jordan and Europe UAE company Masdar has expanded its renewables footprint to Jordan, while exploring the development of a green hydrogen supply chain from Abu Dhabi to Europe. The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai. Masdar signed a joint development agreement with the Jordanian energy and mineral resources ministry to develop […] December 7, 2023
Energy Total CEO backs renewables to phase out fossil fuels TotalEnergies’s CEO gave his backing to an international pledge to triple renewable energy generation at the Cop28 climate summit, calling it necessary to phase out fossil fuels and decarbonise. “It’s the right way to frame the object, tripling renewables, because if we don’t do that, there’s no way to phase out fossil energy,” Patrick Pouyanne […] December 7, 2023
Finance Sovereign funds struggle to channel trillions into climate finance Sovereign wealth funds that control nearly $12 trillion in assets are unlikely to quickly dismantle the hurdles in the way of urgently needed increases to their climate investments, even as Cop28 talks seek to close the funding gap. Funds such as those of Norway and the UAE Cop28 host, face obstacles including mandates that require […] December 7, 2023
Analysis Giga-projects Big 5 builders seek answers to Saudi’s $1.5trn question Saudi Arabia’s mammoth pipeline of giga-projects was the focus of the Big 5 Global conference in Dubai this week, as the region’s main construction players discussed how to juggle fast-approaching 2030 deadlines with the kingdom’s push for sustainable development. Saudi Arabia has signed off on $78 billion of construction projects so far this year, up […] December 7, 2023
Video length: 06:23 EXCLUSIVE Renewable Energy Nuclear ‘arrives too late’ to halt climate emergency Nuclear energy will not help the world meet its urgent target to limit global warming, according to the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Francesco La Camera, director-general of Abu Dhabi-based Irena, told AGBI the significance of nuclear power in fighting climate change had been overstated. “Nuclear does not serve the climate change agenda […] December 7, 2023
Renewable Energy Acwa Power plans a bold investment future in Africa Saudi Arabia-listed Acwa Power is targeting future investments in Africa as part of the clean energy company’s plan to triple in size by 2030. “Africa needs that energy transition. But there aren’t enough developers going there and asking questions,” said Raad Al-Saady, vice chairman and managing director of Acwa Power, during a panel discussion at […] December 6, 2023
Sustainability Tadweer unveils plan to decarbonise waste industry Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) is spearheading an initiative to address rising emissions in its industry. The company launched its global Waste to Zero programme at the Cop28 climate conference in Dubai on Wednesday. “The initiative invites governments, private players, technologies, education institutions and the public to join hands, start looking at the challenge […] December 6, 2023
Construction US Green Building Council to launch new ratings system The US Green Building Council is launching a new ratings system to measure structures against tough sustainability targets. It is the first time in 10 years that the organisation has updated its policy, with the industry largely relying on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) green building system. According to the US Green […] December 6, 2023
Video length: 06:23 EXCLUSIVE Banking & Finance Mashreq will ‘follow science’ for fossil fuel fund phase-out The UAE’s Mashreq Bank will “follow the science” when it comes to phasing out funding for fossil fuel companies, according to a senior executive. Mashreq is one of the top contributors to the UAE Banks Federation’s AED1 trillion ($272 billion) pledge to boost their green financing. The bank has committed to facilitating AED110 billion in […] December 6, 2023