MoFA Petroleum Institute discusses UAE role in combatting climate change

ABU DHABI 3rd November 2015 (WAM) -- The Directorate of Energy and Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs MoFA has partnered with the Petroleum Institute to make a presentation to students on the global impacts of climate change and the UAE's role in addressing climate issues through technology innovation and partnerships.

The event part of a MoFA lecture series to raise awareness on climate change comes ahead of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference in December where world leaders are expected to finalise a new global climate change agreement.

"The UAE is one of the world's largest exporters of oil yet we are also the region's biggest supplier of renewable energy underlining our commitment to climate action" Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi UAE Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA and Director of Energy and Climate Change DECC department at MoFA said. "We see renewable energy as a vital tool to combat climate change and to enable economic growth and social opportunity."

For more than a decade the UAE has been committed to renewable energy deployment research and development infrastructure modernisation and to working with the world to address the impact of climate change. Extensive efforts have also been made to increase efficiency of the oil and gas sector. Partners such as the Petroleum Institute have played a valuable role in supporting the UAE's efforts by providing development assistance and driving research to discover new technologies and innovations.

"Climate action is in the UAE's best interest and we are working together to find viable real-world solutions to curbing climate change" Dr. Murray R. Gray Petroleum Institute Senior Vice President Academics and Provost said. "Our students represent the next generation of leaders who need to understand the complexities of climate change and be prepared to continue leading the UAE toward a sustainable future."

The Petroleum Institute is committed to training and empowering students to contribute to a greener environment. Its coursework includes hands-on programmes such as the Solar Car project which provides students with real-world experiences in designing sustainable cars.