Dubai: The Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) plans to offset 5 million tonnes of carbon annually, by selling carbon credits on the international market, Waleed Salman, Chairman of DCCE, said at the Dubai Global Energy Forum.

Moreover, the UAE currently hosts four registered Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects and five are undergoing validation. Of the nine advanced CDM projects, a biogas steam generation project at a paper mill is situated in Dubai. The DCCE aims to have 5 million CERs by 2015 and twice as much by 2020, with an annual incremental value of 1 million tonnes from current projects.

Salman said that Dewa, Dubal and Enoc are considering carbon-emission reduction quotas as part of a joint voluntary initiative. This has the potential to generate carbon credits, which can be sold in international markets.

Support

Carbon credits can be generated on any project, not just industrial projects. The DCCE will provide support and assistance to any entity that wants to learn more about carbon reduction and monetise their carbon-reduction programmes.

The Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) announced yesterday at Dubai Global Energy Forum 2011 that it has now commenced operations and introduced its portfolio of board members.

Under the directive of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the DCCE was launched in 2011 through an agreement between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"With a highly-qualified and experienced board of directors DCCE will focus on opportunities created by global carbon-emission reduction projects, while simultaneously working to stimulate a carbon-efficient economy in Dubai by developing carbon incentives for the emirate's society, businesses and the public sector," he said.

Effective means

"The most effective means of reducing carbon emissions today is, quite simply, economics. By treating carbon emissions reduction as an economic opportunity, the DCCE aims to act as a catalyst for carbon reduction among organisations in Dubai and support government entities in improving their environmental efficiency. As such, we aim to promote the development and competitiveness of Dubai's carbon credit strategies in ways that can result in sustainable environmental and economic gains."

Filling the gap: shortfall in aviation

The Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) feels that with the Kyoto Protocol concluding in 2012 there are well known short-positions ripe for development within the Middle East. An example of this is the European Union's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), which will affect the aviation industry globally from January 1. In the European aviation sector alone, Aviation Allowances are expected to face a gap between the 18 metric tonnes carbon dioxide emissions for all inbound and outbound flights and the available 15 metric tonnes available for auction.