Dubai Supreme Council of Energy & Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence Organize First Workshop on Dubai's Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Attended by representatives of the Government and Other Industries The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) organized a workshop marking the launch of the ‘Monitoring, Reporting and Verification’ phase of Dubai’s Carbon Footprint project, which will create a platform to monitor and benchmark Dubai’s carbon performance. The event was attended by key partners from government entities and major local organizations. In an effort to mitigate climate change, The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy organizes workshops and coordinates with stakeholders to support the assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory, whilst providing background information on the project’s aim, its methodology and data collection process. His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of DSCE, said: “We will identify viable targets for emission reduction and provide recommendations on how to monetize emissions, similar to the European Trading Scheme or the Clean Development Mechanism developed under the Kyoto Protocol, through the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence.” His Excellency added: “We will also create an incentive-based mechanism to reduce carbon emissions which will establish a regional benchmark for sustainable development and help finance new investment in clean energy infrastructure, further supporting the growth of Dubai.” His Excellency, Vice Chairman of DSCE, noted: “This initiative is an integral part of the UAE Strategy for Green Development announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote green economy for sustainable development and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, and includes the establishment of the 1000 MW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in the Emirate announced earlier this year.” His Excellency stressed that Dubai is leading the region in the transition to a low carbon economy. “We also aspire to play an active role at the federal level in the UAE’s low carbon projects.” The workshop was inaugurated by Waleed Salman, Chairman of the DCCE, who underlined the importance of this project, which will lead to building a strong database to reach the objective of the CO2 abatement strategy in Dubai. Speakers included Mr. Taher Diab, Director of Strategy and Planning at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and Mr. Ivano Iannelli, CEO of DCCE. The workshop was attended by newly appointed Carbon Strategy Champions and facilitators from a number of Dubai based Government entities and other industries. The DCCE was appointed as an advisor to develop the Carbon Emission Inventory, or simply speaking an overall “carbon footprint” for Dubai. The effort, first of its kind in the region, will enable the Government of Dubai to draw a baseline on present day emission levels and track changes in the years to come. As a strategic initiative by the DSCE, it will form the background for the development of a legal framework and is aimed at introducing a comprehensive carbon dioxide abatement programme. In order to facilitate and harmonize the data collection in the ‘Monitoring, Reporting and Verification’ (MRV) phase of the project, governmental institutions and the industry were briefed during the workshop on how to report their entity’s emissions. Participants are being associated with their industrial cluster to promote mutual assistance as well as competitive spirit among the industries. Engineer Waleed Salman, Chairman of the DCCE, said: “We want to establish an engaging collaboration with the industry, answer their questions and listen to their concerns. An inventory of this scale can only be managed with the support of all. Therefore, we are highly appreciative of the great support of our partners in the governmental entities, institutions and private and public industries. The impressive turnout of today’s event confirms our direction.” The detailed inventory of Dubai’s greenhouse gas emissions is being produced in line with the requirements of the International Panel on Climate Change, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Expected to be finalised by December 2012, it will verify and extend the initial carbon dioxide emissions baseline established by the DSCE in 2011.