Abu Dhabi: How to decarbonise the global economy is a major challenge and young people have a major role in developing new technologies towards that end, according to Prince Charles.
The Prince of Wales said this while addressing the students at Youth Circle organised by the Emirates Youth Council at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Abu Dhabi on Monday, the second day of his three-day official visit to the UAE along with the Duchess of Cornwall.
“The main challenge facing us all now is how we can decarbonise our economy,” he said.
The prince said the onus was on the next generation of businesses to develop sustainable solutions for the future. Referring to the latest scientific findings on rising global temperature, he warned that the world was moving towards a dangerous zone.
He suggested that developing the technology to decarbonise economies was the need of the hour.
The prince said the world is depending on the young generation to develop innovative sustainable technologies. “They [young people] are hugely important.”
He pointed out the need for living in harmony with nature.
The Prince of Wales impressed the audience by addressing them with the traditional Islamic greeting “Assalaamu Alaikum” [peace be upon you]. The students of Masdar Institute shared their thoughts on sustainability in his presence.
The prince toured Masdar City and Masdar Institute along with Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar; Shamma Suhail Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Mohammad Al Ramahi, Masdar CEO; Dr Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Masdar leadership team.
They briefed the prince on Masdar’s clean energy projects across the world, including those in the UK: London Array, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm, which is set for production in the first quarter of 2017.
Dr Al Jaber said the visit of the royals reinforced the strong ties between the UAE and the UK. “His Royal Highness is a strong advocate for sustainable development and shares the same commitment as Masdar to advancing the adoption of clean energy globally.”
Al Mazroui said that it was an honour to have Prince Charles championing an important priority for both the UAE and UK, namely, youth and sustainability.
“Through engaging youth-led initiatives such as Youth Circles, the UAE is providing a valuable platform for youth to lead the global dialogue on sustainability, while in turn developing knowledge and human potential,” she said.
