Institution of Civil Engineers   |   Spotlight

COP28 prepares for a net zero future

COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, will be hosted in Dubai later this year.

There are few countries better placed to explore this year’s key theme of technology and innovation than the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

CRAIG THACKREY

The UAE’s commitment to innovative thinking and its collective will to harness new technology to progress towards net zero have already brought a unique stamp to the COP28 preparations.

There is no getting away from the fact that gathering delegates from all over the world is a carbon intensive process, but this year, the UAE is taking on the challenge of reducing the event’s own impact. The hosts are determined to make it the most sustainable COP yet.

To that end, the conference will be held at the former Expo 2020 site – a location that was designed and built to be sustainably repurposed.

Organisers also have produced a Sustainability & Environmental Management Plan (Semp), a Carbon Management Plan (CMP) and a Carbon Tracking Tool. They have pursued ISO 20121 certification and followed international best-practice guidelines such as PAS 2060.

They have also enhanced the COP28 UAE operational sustainability and carbon management guidelines with training and sustainability assurance assessments via on-site audits and action on carbon offsets.

“Each innovation and lesson, regardless of where it originates, must be embracedAs well as looking at novel ways to reduce the impact of COP28, the UAE is taking advantage of technology innovation to reach net zero.

It hopes to increase clean energy production to 14GW by 2030, while still supplying gas and oil responsibly. It aims to achieve this using blue and green hydrogen production.

While blue hydrogen is derived from fossil fuels, the UAE is committed to producing twice as much green hydrogen as blue. Additionally, as blue hydrogen is most effectively produced at industrial hubs, it can be co-located with existing energy-intensive sectors, reducing its impact.

Meanwhile, the UAE understands that it cannot meet its climate goals without collaboration.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution for climate change​An initiative from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment that I find particularly inspiring is the encouragement for UAE-based private sector companies to sign the UAE ClimateResponsible Companies Pledge.

This establishes formal partnerships between these companies and the government that has them working together to achieve mutual net zero goals.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for climate change so each innovation and lesson, regardless of where it originates, must be embraced as one that could have the potential to help us on our net zero journey.

• Craig Thackray is the ICE’s UAE committee vice chair