As a country with the barjeel, or wind tower, as one of the central motifs of its heritage, the relevance of climate change has an innate resonance with the UAE’s developmental goals. Over the past decade, it has confirmed its credentials as one of the most dynamic proponents of sustainable progress, as well as an effective catalytic agent. The Zayed Future Energy Prize, for instance, is an outstanding example of the UAE’s ability to lead the change globally in sustainability and carbon footprint reduction.
The upcoming environmental event, Abu Dhabi Ascent, to be held in the capital from May 4-5 — in preparation for the global Climate Summit to be held later this year — is more proof of the UAE’s synergist role. Deservedly, it has elicited generous praise from the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will be attending the Abu Dhabi Ascent this week. In a world that is experiencing a rapid depletion of environmental guarantees, sustainability is a complex, and unavoidable, global mission.
The need of the hour for every nation is to be responsible and lead by example and on both counts, the UAE is doing an exemplary job. Clean technologies, renewable energy, green city planning, carbon footprint shrinkage and many other urgencies that can put the brakes on climate change are already a part of the UAE’s agenda. Rather than indulge in the luxury of time a young nation has to stand and stare, the UAE has chosen to become the cynosure of the global community.
