[INTERVIEW] U.A.E. looks to Korea to help weather the storm of climate change

Diplomacy

Published: 15 Jun. 2022, 15:17

[INTERVIEW] U.A.E. looks to Korea to help weather the storm of climate change

U.A.E. Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi speaks with the Korea JoongAng Daily at the embassy in Seoul on May 31 about the country's responses to climate change effects in light of its hosting of the UN climate conference in 2023. [PARK SANG-MOON]

As the United Arab Emirates faces severe weather patterns like heatwaves, drought and rising sea levels, it has increasingly identified Korea as a partner to address the common challenges of climate change, said the top Emirati envoy in Seoul.

“The Republic of Korea is one of the U.A.E.’s most longstanding and important partners, and the low-carbon and sustainability sector has been a major focus of our bilateral cooperation given both our governments’ commitment to green growth and climate action,” said the U.A.E. Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, speaking to the Korea JoongAng Daily at the embassy in Seoul on May 31.

“A number of Korean companies are building the peaceful zero-carbon nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, and Korean companies are actively participating in developing solar and hydrogen capacity in the U.A.E.,” he added. “Korean companies are notably present in Masdar City, our sustainability investment and research hub in Abu Dhabi.”

Korea helped build the Barakah nuclear power plant in the country. Two of its four reactors have begun commercial operations as of March. Once all four begin operation, they are expected to power a fourth of the country’s electricity needs.

According to the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, which operates the plant with Korea Electric Power Corporation, the full operation of the plant will lead to a reduction of about 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually, which they say is comparable to around 4.8 million passenger cars being driven for a year.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country’s president, has openly welcomed the selection of the U.A.E. as the host of the annual UN climate conference, the Conference of the Parties (COP), for 2023, the COP 28.

He led a delegation to Seoul in February 2019, when he was the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces. During his visit, the two countries signed several agreements on the renewable and green energy front, including on hydrogen and recycling.

More recently, Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber, the U.A.E.’s industry minister and special envoy for climate change, visited Seoul earlier this month to meet with his counterparts including the environment minister to discuss bilateral cooperation on responding to climate change.

Korea had also looked to hosting the COP 28, but decided to throw its support behind the U.A.E. and instead aim for host the COP 33, the next time that a country in the Asia-Pacific States group of the UN, where both Korea and U.A.E. are party to, will be able to host the conference.

To hear more about the Gulf nation’s climate agenda and where its partnership with Korea stands in relation to the topic, the Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with Al Nuaimi last month at the embassy.

The following are edited excerpts of the interview.

Q. What are some of the environmental challenges that the U.A.E. faces today?

A. Like many countries, the U.A.E. is feeling the effects of climate change, and as a country where heat can be intense and water is scarce, we are particularly aware of the need to take progressive climate action. Without significant mitigation efforts, our region is expected to experience twice the average temperature increase by 2050. The U.A.E.’s cities are also low-lying and directly on the coast, so we are concerned about rising sea levels.

This is why the U.A.E. has been proactive in its response. We were the first Gulf country to sign and ratify the Paris accords. Our latest Nationally Determined Contribution makes us the first country in the region to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions by 2030.

The U.A.E. was [also] the first country from our region to endorse the 30 by 30 biodiversity target — which calls for protection of 30 percent of the ocean and 30 percent of the land by 2030. These marine protected areas take other stresses off marine species, giving them a little more capacity to cope with climate change.

What kind of action plan does the U.A.E. have to reach its carbon emission reduction goal?

The U.A.E. views climate change as a defining issue of the era, requiring a defining response. But we also view the response to climate change as a major economic opportunity and driver of diversification in our economy.

We were accordingly the first country in our region to embrace renewable energy some 15 years ago, and we now have the cheapest solar power in the world, below the cost of natural gas even.

We have also enacted the region’s first economy-wide emissions reduction target, green building codes, mass transit, and large-scale carbon capture and storage, as well as peaceful, zero-carbon nuclear power with the Republic of Korea’s support.

The U.A.E. has been proud to be part of this shift, investing billions into low-carbon technologies and projects, and supporting other countries through billions of dollars of climate aid for renewable energy and humanitarian relief.

Any recent projects that the U.A.E. has taken part to develop such low-carbon technologies?

One of our most exciting and recent partnerships is the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate. It was announced by [U.S.] President Joe Biden, Bill Gates, and our prime minister, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in April, and will significantly increase investment into climate-smart agricultural R&D and innovation within five years.

Vertical farming, drought-resistant seeds and digital monitoring tools are examples of innovation areas that will be essential to managing climate change, and we will invest to improve our coping capacity, as well as create new jobs and sectors.

Do you think the U.A.E. and Korea see eye-to-eye on the green energy transition?

Renewable energy is a game-changer in particular. It is now the least expensive electricity source in almost every country, giving us a powerful economic rationale to change the way we power our economies.

Major economies like the Republic of Korea have also announced ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which send a clear signal to the international market about the case for climate action and encourage more ambition. I don’t want to under-emphasize the challenge — it is unprecedented — but I think we are turning the corner on the economic case for climate action, and that will accelerate progress dramatically.

I would also highlight that the U.A.E. is a close partner with the Republic of Korea in the Global Green Growth Institute. We host the regional office in Abu Dhabi, and it has been an important multi-country initiative to evidence the economic case for green growth.

What does the hosting of COP 28 mean for the U.A.E.?

During the Glasgow COP 26, the U.A.E. was selected to host the COP 28 in 2023 in Abu Dhabi. The selection shows the international community’s recognition of U.A.E.’s commitment to support the global efforts to overcome the threat of climate change. The host of this event will allow the voice of every nation and stakeholder to be heard, ensuring that, together, we not only help mitigate the effects of global warming, but also unlock new opportunities to realize greater prosperity and a better life for future generations.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]