The first day of the Make it in the Emirates Forum touched upon Industrial decarburization, as delegates highlighted the need to lower emissions in the manufacturing sector.
A panel session titled ‘Industrial Sustainability and the Roadmap Towards COP28’ focused on initiatives being implemented under the UAE’s efforts to drive industrial sustainability and achieve net zero.
Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General and Special Representative of COP28, pointed out that the conference presents a “real opportunity” to review progress, get the world back on course, and boost the transition to a sustainable economy.
“Our goal is to organize a successful COP28 with the participation of all stakeholders in the industrial sector,” Al Suwaidi affirmed.
He also elaborated on how climate change impacts all industrial and economic sectors, indicating that adopting sustainability measures in all industrial activities is vital to reducing emissions and building a greener economy.
Meanwhile, Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of Emirates Steel, described the group’s $3 million investments in cutting emissions.
“We’re pioneering technological trends – from CO2 capture to potential hydrogen use – striving for the lowest possible carbon footprint. Our mission is unwavering: to steer the steel industry towards a sustainable future,” Al Remeithi said.
Abdulnasser bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), mentioned that reshaping the energy landscape is no longer a choice but a necessity.
ADNOC’s Yaser Saeed Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Upstream Directorate, also called on stakeholders to focus on building “the energy system of tomorrow while meeting the energy needs of today.”
Al Mazrouei underlined ADNOC’s previous announcement about investing $15 billion to lower emissions by working with natural gas, hydrogen, and ammonia.
The panel also included Alan Smith, CEO of Agthia Group, as he talked about sustainability as an important factor in business growth.
“In our pursuit of growth and ambition, we must never forget our responsibility to sustainability,” Smith pointed out. “From saving thousands of tons of packaging to reducing emissions and saving water to forging innovative partnerships and nurturing our team, every step we take is guided by a commitment to do better – for our consumers, for our customers, and for the planet.”
Smith told the audience that Agthia, which has 10 factories, reduced emissions by 4.3% and recycled 600 tons of material in the past year.
The Make it in the Emirates Forum takes place from 31 May to 1 June 2023 at the Abu Dhabi Energy Center under the theme ‘Investment. Sustainability. Growth’.
It is being hosted jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and ADNOC.