Germany and UAE promote implementation of COP28 consensus
Several bilateral events and meetings were held on the sidelines of the IRENA General Assembly under the umbrella of the Emirati-German Energy and Climate Partnership. The working plan for the Emirati-German Energy and Climate Partnership in 2024 has been set out by Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure at the 8th High-Level Steering Group Meeting on 18 April 2024. Accordingly, the Partnership will focus on hydrogen and SAF, expansion of renewable energies, climate action, and private sector engagement.
The implementation of the COP28 Consensus: “Tripling Up, Doubling Down” has been in focus of the 8th Emirati-German Energy and Climate held in Abu Dhabi on 18 April 2024. State Secretary Wenzel discussed with politicians from the UAE as well as with German and Emirati business representatives how to translate the COP28 consensus into concrete measures. With the UAE COP28 consensus, it has been agreed to triple global renewable energy capacity and to double yearly energy efficiency increase rates by 2030 as a contribution to transition away from fossil fuels.
His Excellency Eng Al Olama said: “The UAE and Germany share a steadfast commitment to sustainable development, a passion for innovation, and an eagerness to embrace future trends. The Meeting offered an ideal platform to explore potential synergies and promote dialogue between stakeholders from industry and public sector of both countries.”
His Excellency Stefan Wenzel said: “I congratulate the UAE for the historic COP28 consensus with the ambitious global targets for renewables, energy efficiency and phasing out of fossil fuels. Our bilateral Energy and Climate Partnership is the ideal platform to get from talking to action, to exchange knowledge and experience and to deliver on our global COP 28 commitments.”
The speakers agreed that the ambition and momentum of COP28 must now be matched with accountability and action. Dr. Abdulla Malek from the UAE Climate Change Special Envoy summarized the key initiatives of COP28. Germany’s measures for implementing the COP28 consensus were presented by Anne Jacobs-Schleithoff, Head of Division Middle East North Africa at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The Abu Dhabi Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy was introduced by Shamma Husain Alrabeea from the Department of Energy Abu Dhabi. Andreas Feil from the German Embassy Abu Dhabi presented Germany’s Strategy on Climate Foreign Policy. Dr. Faye Al Hersh gave an overview on Masdar’s strategy and projects for producing green hydrogen and derivatives. The implication of the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) were summarized by John Niedergesäss from Guidehouse. The event was moderated by Karin Zangerl from the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK) and Henrik Schult from Guidehouse.
The Emirati-German Energy and Climate Partnership is an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, supported by Guidehouse and the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK).