UAE Cabinet Approves Groundbreaking Regulation to Drive Sustainability in Industrial Sector

Dubai, UAE – June 21, 2024 – The United Arab Emirates Cabinet has approved a pioneering regulation to enhance its sustainability efforts. This new policy aims to improve energy management and environmental performance in industrial facilities across the country.

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology developed the Federal Energy Management Regulation in Industrial Facilities. It sets ambitious targets for energy efficiency, encourages the adoption of renewable energy, and aims to reduce emissions. The regulation aligns with the UAE’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said, “This regulation shows the UAE’s strong dedication to sustainability and taking care of the environment.” He stressed that helping the industrial sector to improve energy management and use clean technologies is a big step towards a future with less carbon that helps both the economy and the environment.

Key Targets and Anticipated Outcomes

The new regulation sets ambitious targets to achieve by 2050:

• 33% Reduction in Energy Consumption: Industrial facilities must implement comprehensive energy management systems and adopt energy-efficient technologies to reduce overall energy use by one-third.
  
• 32% Improvement in Air Quality: By focusing on emissions reductions and integrating clean energy, the regulation is expected to enhance air quality by 32% in industrial areas.
  
• 63 Million Tons in CO2 Emissions Savings: The regulation aims to substantially reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 63 million tons by 2050. This will significantly contribute to the UAE’s climate action goals.
  
• AED 14 Billion in Financial Savings: Anticipated energy and emissions savings are expected to generate financial benefits of around AED 14 billion for the industrial sector by 2050.

Regulation Alignment with the Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap

The UAE’s comprehensive Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap incorporates the new regulation. This roadmap aims to achieve a 93% reduction in industrial emissions by 2050. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is leading this initiative. They are collaborating closely with industrial stakeholders to adopt sustainability benchmarks and implement cutting-edge clean technologies.

H.E. Al Jaber emphasized that this regulation marks a pivotal moment in the UAE’s journey towards a sustainable industrial future. He highlighted that empowering our industrial sector to improve energy management and adopt clean technologies is achieving significant progress. This progress leads towards a future that is low-carbon and resource-efficient, benefiting both the economy and the environment.

Additionally, the approval of the Federal Energy Management Regulation in Industrial Facilities highlights two important aspects. It underscores the UAE’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. It also showcases the country’s leadership in driving the global transition to a greener and more sustainable economy.