Regional dialogue on reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector aims to foster low-carbon strategies & policies

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) in partnership with LG Electronics today announced its annual Greenomics conference which will take place on 24^th November 2011 in Dubai. 

With high power consumption across the region, this year’s conference is designed to examine opportunities and issues, principles and guidelines required to develop carbon reduction strategies and reduce the regions carbon footprint in the energy sector. Power generation including non-conventional and renewable energy sources will also be discussed. 

Launched in 2007, Greenomics was established to identify environmental issues and find practical solutions that lead to positive change and sustainable development. A meeting between UAE Minister of Environment and Water, H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad and Mr. K. W. Kim, President, LG Electronics, Middle East and Africa took place earlier today at the Ministry offices to discuss final arrangements for the event. 

H.E stated: “Over the last few years, the United Arab Emirates has paid great attention towards the efficiency and efficient use of energy which is one of our strategic goals and is an important component within our endeavour to transform our economy into a green low carbon economy. 

“In April, the UAE launched a national programme to rationalise energy consumption in homes. The first phase of this integrated programme was implemented in home air-conditioners and will be applied to refrigerators, deep freezers and lighting devices in 2012 and to washing machines in 2013.”

H.E continued: “Increasing population has meant more means of transportation and therefore higher emissions. The launch of a mass transportation system by Dubai was extremely wise and this will be further extended to other cities in the near future to reduce the reliance and demand for personal transport. 

“In addition, the UAE endeavours to incorporate the techniques of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and there are positive signs of the possibility to achieve this. The country has also willingly implemented real measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via the adoption of energy efficient principles, the use of renewable forms of energy and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes or through advanced and innovative environmentally sound technologies,” H.E. concluded. 

According to a *study by Britain-based environmental organisation Carboun, carbon emissions in the Middle East and North Africa have doubled in the past 30 years, with oil-rich countries leading the way. “The ecological impact of our current level of stewardship is unsustainable and it is imperative that we adopt realistic and workable solutions that reduce carbon emissions and the pressure we are placing on our planet’s biodiversity. This led us to the selection of this year’s topic which will serve as a platform to discuss future policies in the UAE and the wider Middle East,” said Mr. K.W. Kim, Middle East & Africa Region President for LG Electronics. 

Greenomics 2011, a half-day conference, will see a panel of experts from across the world present practical steps businesses and governments can take to help reduce carbon emissions, and will also demonstrate how the adoption of best practises from carbon reduction case studies will have a positive impact on the country’s ecological footprint. 

LG Electronics has successfully held its annual Greenomics conference in partnership with MoEW for three years now. The conference discusses issues relative to businesses in the region, addressing the impact they have on the environment and explores practical and creative solutions to achieve economic stability complemented by sustainable development.