Recently the UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment held its third meeting presided over by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and attended by Council members from local and federal authorities and the private sector.

His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said: "The establishment of the UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment stems from the insightful vision of our wise leadership. It is also a part of the UAE's efforts to adopt international best practices to underline the concept of a sustainable lifestyle towards preserving our local environment for the current and future generations."

The country aims to serve as a role model in the region for climate change action and environment protection. The meeting discussed important developments at the local and international levels and the impact of the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris agreement. The meeting also reviewed the UAE National Climate Change Plan 2050, which aims to support the country's efforts in the field of climate change within a broad framework and time frame for the management of greenhouse gas emissions.

The meeting provided updates on the public policy guide in the field of municipal work and proposed the guide to include the policies and mechanisms of infrastructure planning and development, best use of resources in construction, integrated waste management, public health and occupational safety, landscaping and city beautification, imposition of fines, and a policy for crises, disasters and emergencies.

The UAE, which has the world's sixth largest oil reserves and fifth largest natural gas reserves, is already way ahead in its efforts to combat climate change. UAE has the world?s first sustainable city, Masdar, the largest solar energy project, Shams 1 and the International Renewable Energy Agency. The UAE is now developing the largest independent solar plant, Noor Abu Dhabi, as well as its first nuclear energy plant, Barakah. It has ambitious plans to boost clean energy and slash dependence on natural gas. It aims to curb carbon dioxide emissions by 70 per cent, increase clean energy use by 50 per cent and improve energy efficiency by 40 per cent by 2050.

UAE is utilizing USA's exit from Paris agreement as an opportunity to lead in climate change and become a hub of energy innovation in the region. It is a wakeup call for the rest of the world to speed up efforts to fight climate change, and for the UAE to lead the change in the region and beyond.