The government of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), says it will shortly publish a comprehensive energy policy underpinned by a commitment that, by 2020, renewable energy will account for 7% of the emirate’s total power generation 
capacity.

With an economy dominated by the oil and gas sector, the UAE ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2005. However, it does not have to reduce its carbon emissions, but still the country is positioning 
itself to become a leading clean energy provider.

It is estimated that Abu Dhabi’s 7% renewable energy target will create a market worth $6-billion to $8-billion over the next ten years, which represents a significant business opportunity 
for local and international companies.

Meanwhile, other steps to reduce its carbon footprint include Masdar, a multi-
faceted future energy initiative wholly owned by the government through the Mubadala Development Company, and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) agreement to develop a series of projects to reduce carbon emissions from Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas facilities, and to monetise the emission reduction under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The agreement allows Masdar to identify and develop a port-
folio of CDM projects at Adnoc group companies’ facilities on 
an ongoing basis. 
Five CDM projects are cur-
rently under development by Adnoc, with the capacity to 
reduce four-million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and are currently in the pipeline for registration at the United Nations.

“Adnoc’s partnership with Masdar raises the bar for oil companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. 
“We are proud to work with Masdar so that the CDM can be effectively used to support our efforts to reduce environmental impacts and ensure a sustain-
able future for the industry,” says Adnoc CE Yousef Omair Bin Yousef.

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