In the conference of parties(COP) 21, the United Arab Emirates was the 155^TH party to submit its action plan to the UN in the Paris Summit in December 2015.

UN member states have been submitting plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions, boost renewable energy generation, and scale up climate finance for developing nations to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of efforts to agree a global climate deal at the Paris summit.

Fast tracking of technology and innovation as the main solution to climate change – has been the main highlight of UAE at the Lima-Paris Action Agenda Innovation Day event, led by the International Energy Agency at the 21st meeting of the conference of parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention.

The COP21 meeting in the French capital ran from 30 November to 11 December and a global deal was due to be agreed to limit greenhouse gas emissions and prevent average temperatures increasing by 2°C compared to pre-industrial times.

The climate pact approved in Paris is a major breakthrough towards a fossil-free future for our planet.

195 countries around the world—including oil-exporting nations—agreed not only to keep global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius but also went ahead to the extent that they have agreed to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. With effect 2020, this agreement will empower countries to work for the prevention of

 The agreement will come into effect in 2020, empowering countries to act to prevent calamitous effect of climate change and hold clean and sustainable development.

During the panel session titled, Enhancing Innovation Capacity Building and Financing in Developing Countries, Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Director of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed government roles in helping to remove barriers to financing and to building capacity.

"Innovation is crucial for all countries in addressing the impacts of climate change," said Dr. Al Zeyoudi. "Through innovative solutions, the UAE is diversifying its economy, attracting foreign investment, and forging public-private partnerships to deploy renewable energy projects in developing nations, all of which also contribute in reducing carbon emissions."

In a separate panel discussion titled, Financing Innovation to Take Action to the Next Level, Masdar CEO Dr. Ahmad Belhoul spoke on the UAE’s actions to deploy clean energy technologies domestically and abroad.

"Deployment of clean energy innovation is fundamental to economic growth and prosperity," said Dr. Belhoul. "Many of Masdar’s projects feature innovative, systematic solutions to pressing challenges of climate change and have strong potential to become game changers in the industry, while still being commercially viable."

The Government and industries of UAE have welcomed the Cop21 accord to cap global warming.

 UAE achieved its goals – it was signed by all countries involved, set ambitious plans and allowed for flexibility, which was a key factor for the negotiating team.

The UAE delegation argued for allowing countries to commit according to their circumstances and abilities.

Uniform adherence to the commitments by all 195 countries from developed countries in colder climates to smaller developing island countries in the tropics, is of paramount importance. The UAE had already planned to achieve the accord’s goals before the summit by providing 24 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2021.

The accord commits countries to reset “national determined contributions” for carbon emissions every five years, by which time technological advances could mean better results.

The Paris agreement supported the UAE’s position on all important items regarding finance, co-benefits of economic diversification and response measures.

 The final agreement requires countries to return every five years with new emission reduction targets. Whether this essential requirement will be sufficient to catalyze more action remains to be seen. Commitments have been made, now is the time to put all promises into actions.

Credit National, Khaleej times, COP 21