صناعة الإمارات.. نشاط متنام لخفض الانبعاثات وأتمتة الإنتاج

Abu Dhabi: “The Gulf”
Emissions reduction initiatives in the UAE’s industrial sector have formed a consistent focus in the sustainable plans aimed at building an integrated system that allows industrial facilities to effectively contribute to achieving climate neutrality, by relying on a proactive approach based on two basic principles, which are enhancing reliance on clean energy solutions and increasing Rates of use of advanced technology that support the growth of sustainable, environmentally friendly industries.
To accelerate the integration of these solutions into the strategies of industrial facilities; By adopting the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, the implementation of which is supervised by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the UAE took the initiative to support sustainable investment and provide the opportunity for the industrial sector to exercise its vital developmental role, in addition to its contribution to confronting the challenge of climate change. Among the most prominent of these government steps was encouraging… Moving towards future environmentally friendly industries, including producing green hydrogen using clean and renewable energy, capturing and storing carbon to contribute to reducing the causes of climate change, water desalination, and adopting smart mobility solutions. It also called on industrial facilities to develop plans to benefit from technological solutions, including: This includes artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics and blockchain, in parallel with increasing spending on research and development in sustainable solutions to 2% of GDP by 2031.
Industry sustainability
Through an integrated system of national initiatives, programs and projects, the Ministry works to enhance the achievement of sustainability in the industrial sector and increase its contribution to efforts to reduce carbon and achieve climate neutrality. Among these initiatives and programs is the “Technological Transformation Program” that supports the establishment of 1,000 sustainable technological projects by 2031, and the “Programme “National Added Value”, which motivates companies to be sustainable by introducing an additional bonus of 5% added to the evaluation of companies joining the program.
It also launched an additional incentive under the name “Green National Added Value” for companies committed to applying sustainability standards throughout their value chains, in addition to the “Made in the Emirates” initiative, which focuses on stimulating local investment and attracting foreign investments to the national industrial sector that relies on the application of higher standards. Sustainability standards.
The UAE’s efforts to develop a national industrial sector based on advanced technology, research and development, to reduce carbon are consistent with the axis of “The Path to Achieving Climate Neutrality,” and with the “National Sustainability” campaign, which was recently launched to coincide with the preparations for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP28, which will be held from November 30 to December 12 of this year, in Expo City Dubai. The UAE has a strong record in the field of sustainability, through pioneering initiatives and projects that reflect the established values ​​​​of preserving the environment, societal traditions, and other authentic heritage values.
Sector commitment
In line with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, the industrial sector is committed to the requirements of reducing emissions and working transparently and responsibly to contribute to achieving climate neutrality. This was represented by industrial establishments expressing their commitment to the targets of the technological transformation program and sustainability standards in all value chains supervised by the Ministry of Industry, in addition to their commitment With the “Climate Responsible Companies Pledge” initiative, which was launched by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment last year to limit the effects of climate change and reduce emissions, where 106 companies from various sectors have joined the pledge so far, including 28 industrial companies, such as cement, iron and aluminium, and 29 have also signed. A company operating in the real estate and construction sector from all over the country has signed the climate pledge for the real estate sector, which is considered a complement to the “Climate Responsible Companies Pledge.” The signatories to these pledges are committed to working to exchange experiences to explore the best means to achieve the strategy of reducing emissions in the sectors concerned, and to report them transparently. Completely, and develop practical plans to reduce the carbon footprint.
Within the framework of the Ministry of Industry’s participation in supporting the transfer of technology and advanced practices and assisting industry in the areas of reducing environmental pollution, the Ministry’s Standards and Legislation Sector joined the membership of the International Technical Committee No. (ISO/TC 197) for hydrogen technology to benefit from international experiences and participate in developing international standard specifications. (ISO Standards), in addition to joining the International Technical Committee (ISO/TC (265) for specifications for carbon dioxide capture, transportation and storage. The Standards and Legislation Sector has adopted many standard specifications in these two fields, and provided them for use and application at the national level, because they are One of the tools to support the industry, achieve sustainability, and transfer and apply the latest technology in this field. The UAE system for hydrogen vehicles has also been approved.
National dialogues
To activate constructive communication between the concerned authorities in the Emirates, on the one hand, and industrial establishments operating in the public and private sectors, on the other hand, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment organized 11 national dialogues from the National Dialogue Initiative on Climate Ambition, with the participation of representatives from the public and private sectors, where it launched These meetings provided a number of solutions for the targeted sectors to reach the required rates of carbon reduction. They also proposed 4 initiatives to reduce carbon in the cement industry sector in the country. The initiative included reducing reliance on limestone in cement production and relying on other environmentally friendly alternatives. It also identified 5 opportunities for the sector. Building and construction with the aim of mitigating its effects on climate change, which is to ensure the adoption of green procurement practices by adopting procurement standards that strengthen partnerships with suppliers of low-carbon products; upgrading building systems for new buildings; Work to modernize existing buildings with the aim of improving energy efficiency; Focus on using solar thermal energy and cooling systems that consume less energy in residential areas. Finally, reducing waste generation and encouraging the recycling of construction and demolition waste.
Technological transformation
Specialized studies indicate the need for the industry to adopt advanced technology solutions and sustainable energy sources to deal with emissions, as confirmed by a knowledge report issued by the World Government Summit Foundation 2022, as the report called on policymakers to explore possible options to achieve the goals of climate neutrality, and to enhance knowledge and access to technology that supports the transition. Towards lower levels of emissions, which requires expanding areas of investment in these technologies over the next decade.
The Ministry of Industry, in cooperation with the relevant federal and local authorities, works to promote sustainable economic growth and encourage initiatives that support this trend, most notably the launch of “Made in the Emirates”, the technological transformation programme, the national added value programme, and quality infrastructure sustainability initiatives that support the readiness of the industrial sector to adopt… Advanced technology through standard specifications and proactive technical legislation, strengthening the position of the “Made in the Emirates” brand, promoting national products and increasing their exports, and developing mechanisms for adopting the solutions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Ministry’s plans to develop the industrial sector in the Emirates go hand in hand with providing the requirements for climate neutrality and reducing emissions in the industrial sector, and this appears in the national strategy for industry and advanced technology “Project 300 Billion”, which aims to enhance the growth and development of the national industrial sector, enhance its competitiveness, and adopt technology solutions. Advanced and accelerating the pace of digital and technological transformation and promoting the UAE’s position as a regional and global center for sustainable manufacturing and innovation, in a way that supports its directions and strategies towards achieving sustainable economic development and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Stimulate innovation
In the field of stimulating innovation and adopting advanced technology in modern industries, the Ministry of Industry is working to develop the national program for the electric conversion of vehicles, as the Ministry aims to reduce emissions resulting from the transportation sector and reduce the number of vehicles operating on fossil fuels used on the roads, and convert them to vehicles that operate on energy. electrical.
Green technology
The Ministry organized three specialized sessions to support and promote entrepreneurship in the field of green technology that supports climate action efforts, and strengthens private sector partnership in achieving sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, within the activities of the Emirates Climate Technology Forum, which was held last May.
Under the umbrella of the Technological Transformation Programme, the Ministry also launched the Industrial Technological Transformation Index, in cooperation with the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi last February, to support companies in raising their operational efficiency, accelerating their digital transformation, and enhancing their contribution to reducing carbon emissions, and approved commitment to the standards and terms of the index. An additional bonus of 5% is added to the evaluation of companies that join the National Value Added Program.
It also launched, within the National Value Added Program, an additional incentive for companies joining the program, which is the green National Value Added for companies committed to applying sustainability standards throughout their value chains.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Schneider Electric, a member of the Industry Leaders Network of the Technology Transformation Program, it conducted a national assessment of industrial companies on their smart and sustainable readiness, with the aim of measuring the maturity of operating facilities, classifying them according to the rate and nature of energy consumption, and determining their priorities for transformations. Energy and sustainability, which enhances the industrial sector’s contribution to achieving climate neutrality.
The Ministry of Industry evaluated the legislative system for technical specifications and legislation and allowing the use of recycled plastic for wrapping and packing foodstuffs to enhance environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to reducing costs for the industrial sector, in accordance with the requirements and conditions that must be present in the products to ensure the health and safety of the consumer.
Global cooperation
The UAE seeks to enhance global cooperation, unify efforts to reach effective solutions to climate issues, and increase the positive impact of the industrial sector in reducing emissions. It organizes many specialized conferences and concludes agreements that enhance this trend, as the Ministry of Industry organized, in partnership with both companies « ADNOC and Masdar, the Emirates Climate Technology Forum, with the participation of 1,500 policymakers, CEOs, experts, specialists, technology sector leaders and investors from around the world. The event witnessed discussion of a mechanism for enhancing cooperation on innovative solutions to accelerate emissions reduction efforts in all sectors.
The Ministry of Industry also signed, on the sidelines of the activities of the second session of the “Make in the Emirates Forum”, an agreement with the “Charger” company, affiliated with (NEV Enterprise), an organization operating in the Gulf region, with the aim of launching a strategic partnership focusing on developing, maintaining and operating a factory for charging stations. For electric vehicles in the Emirates, to meet the growing local demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the agreement supports the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to efforts to achieve climate neutrality, as “Charger” aims to meet 40% of the demand for direct current charging. In the UAE by 2030.
The Ministry of Industry signed a memorandum of understanding with the MEXT Technology Center of the Metal Fabricators Syndicate in Turkey (MESS) with the aim of applying the industrial technological transformation index for the first time outside the Emirates, which reflects positively in raising the competitiveness of the international industrial sector and accelerating efforts to reduce carbon emissions, by harnessing technologies. advanced and enhance its efficiency and productivity.
Last May, the Ministry signed 4 memorandums of understanding with ADNOC, the EDGE Group, one of the global specialized groups in the field of defense and advanced technology, the Kizad Group, affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, and Dubai Industrial City, to adopt the Industrial Technological Transformation Index in its industrial companies. And its suppliers, with the aim of contributing to accelerating the reduction and removal of carbon emissions from the industrial sector, and promoting the adoption and application of sustainability and digital transformation practices.
Consolidating competitiveness
The Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, represented by its Industrial Development Office, has strengthened the sustainability approach in various industrial sectors and all stages of manufacturing at the level of industrial facilities in the emirate, by launching the “Sustainability in the Industrial Sector” project, in order to provide all means and capabilities to improve efficiency and quality of products. Industrial sectors, according to a sustainable approach that keeps pace with the directions of the Abu Dhabi government towards achieving sustainable development and preserving the environment in various fields, and in a way that enhances its competitiveness, regionally and globally, by creating a pioneering model for industries based on sustainability.
The industrial sector sustainability project is based on the issuance of the “Guideline for Industrial Sustainability,” and targets industrial buildings, facilities, warehouses, and various manufacturing operations in Abu Dhabi. The project also includes storage spaces, administration buildings, and offices that extend over an area of ​​less than 2,000 square meters.
The project focuses on understanding sustainability practices at the industrial sector level in Abu Dhabi, collecting, analyzing and evaluating data, conducting standard studies, identifying goals and opportunities, developing a set of guidelines for the sustainability of industries in Abu Dhabi, spreading awareness and implementing the tasks required for different areas of industry.
It is worth noting that the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed that all countries of the world must work to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030 if we want to avoid the rise in global temperature exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. At the same time, demand will continue to increase. The world’s population will increase by about half a billion people by 2030.
The UAE is working with a practical and realistic methodology to reduce carbon emissions and stimulate entrepreneurship, research, development and innovation in climate technology, seeking to become a global center for sustainable industries and advanced technology.