Al Jaber stresses joint efforts for clean energy solutions
Masdar chief executive calls for countries to come together to fight global warming and climate change
Abu Dhabi: Countries of the world will have to come together to ward off threats caused by global warming and climate change, Dr. Sultan Al Jabar, chief executive of Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) said here on Monday in his inaugural speech at the World Future Energy Summit 2010.
"We cannot afford to falter...we have to develop clean energy solutions and drive progress towards low carbon economy," Al Jaber said in the presence of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other speakers at the summit which included some heads of state.
Al Jaber said through its Masdar Initiative, Abu Dhabi wants to promote global cooperation and dialogue in renewables and "push renewable energy to a new frontier."
In this regard, he called for greater collaboration between public and private sectors.
He said the global investments in renewable energy have increased four-fold in recent years to $155 billion and significant strides have been made at the local and international levels to promote the use of alternative energy sources, but more needs to be done.
"The world's population is going to touch 9 billion by 2050. We have to fight the threats caused by global climate said Al Jaber, emphasising that extensive use of fossil fuels worldwide is increasing carbondioxide in the atmosphere, the main cause of global warming.
He said Abu Dhabi hosting the headquarters of the newly-established International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which represents 142 member countries, bears testimony to its commitment towards renewable energy.
Al Jaber said renewable energy maintains its relevance despite global recession.
Speaking at the summit, Prime Minister of Malaysia Mohammad Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak said that continuing on today's energy path, without any change in government policy would mean "rapidly increasing dependence on fossil fuels with alarming consequences for climate change and energy security."
He added: "Our planet can no longer withstand man's unsustainable consumption and wastage. We do not own this earth, we merely hold it in trust for our posterity. It is our moral responsibility to bequeath our children a more pristine and healthy planet. The challenge is to act now before it is a case of "too little, too late."
