UAE cabinet approves green fuel guideline for aviation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Expo City Dubai, in conjunction with COP28, on December 10.

Commenting on the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed said, “We reviewed the outcomes of the national efforts for sustainability and climate change. More than 120 decisions on sustainability and climate change and developing our natural resources were issued within five years.

“In 2023, we issued more than 60 policies, initiatives and decisions to promote the UAE’s efforts to combat climate change and its impact.”

Sheikh Mohammed added, “The UAE ranked second globally in the Energy Transition pillar of the Green Future Index 2023; the sixth highest per capita consumer of solar energy in the world. It invested more than $50bn in renewable energy projects in 70 countries and has also committed an additional investment of $50bn over the next decade.”

Key climate action-themed steps taken

Sheikh Mohammed said: “We approved 10 new initiatives and decisions to achieve our national objectives on the environment, including the framework of the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 which aims to protect, monitor and develop ecosystems and local species, as well as raising the efficiency of our national cadres in this field.

“We also approved a global initiative to decarbonise waste; the national carbon credits registration system which enables government and private institutions to assess and document their contributions to reducing carbon emissions with government certificates.”

During the meeting, the UAE cabinet approved the UAE’s 5th National Communication Report and approved its submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It’s the first report shared on the achievements of the low-carbon development strategy and long-term emission reduction.

The cabinet also approved the establishment of the UAE Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Company.

The new company will develop infrastructure to charge electric vehicles, oversee daily operations of charging stations and develop a pricing strategy for charging services.

The cabinet also shared the ‘guideline’ on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UAE.

As per the guideline, at least 1 per cent of the total fuel supplied at UAE airports to UAE airlines in 2031 will be sustainable and produced locally.

One of the main aims of the ‘guideline’ is to produce 700 million litres of SAF yearly by 2030.

A national regulatory environment for SAF will also be developed.

The cabinet also approved the National Guide for Smart Construction. The guide will be applied to all construction projects in the UAE, including buildings, roads, bridges and tunnels.

The guide aims to standardise building design through the adoption of smart building indicators to incorporate smart construction and digital design.

Additionally, the cabinet signed off on the technical regulations for the energy efficiency of electric engines as well as consumption metres.

Read: UAE launches landmark Waste to Zero Initiative

Other initiatives approved at the UAE Cabinet meeting

• The cabinet adopted the rehabilitation criteria in cases of misdemeanours and felonies that are disturbing or involve dishonesty and moral turpitude. It also approved the regulations of the federal law concerning juvenile delinquents and those at risk of delinquency.
• The national qualifications system was approved. Eight levels will be adopted instead of 10 in the proposed framework to align the national qualifications system with the European qualifications system.
• The cabinet adopted the National Recognition Initiative for Culture and Creativity to honour distinguished figures in culture and creativity.
• The UAE Cabinet meeting approved the ‘Identification of Emirati Individuals and Families using the National Identity or Digital Certification’, which will replace the Family Book in official transactions, services and benefits at the state level.
• The development of several new government services in the field of health insurance for tourist visa holders and car insurance for imported vehicles was also given the go-ahead.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Expo City Dubai, and approved a number of legislations and government initiatives.#UAEGov pic.twitter.com/8fOq3q9BPI

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) December 10, 2023