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decarbonise. Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, but has
contributed around 4% of global warming to date.”

As climate concerns reach a boiling point, he continued, achieving sustainable air
travel is no longer optional, it's essential. “That's why sustainability is at the
forefront of our agenda today.”

To truly make a difference, the minister explained, the aviation industry urgently
needs a collective effort. “We need increased support from both governments and
the private sector, particularly in funding and infrastructure development. This will
unlock the production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels and other
promising alternatives.”

He stressed that the UAE is at the forefront of the shift forward to a low carbon
economic model, with aviation as a key component, diversifying away from oil and
tackling climate change is among top priorities of the UAE leadership, and “we
are making tremendous efforts to accelerate transition to a low carbon economy.”

The non-oil sector represents more than 74% of our GDP in 2023. Moreover, he
added, the UAE is one of the first countries to adopt sustainability agenda and
consider the environmental impact of the aviation sector. "We actively participated
in all negotiations launched by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and
endorsed all international decisions supporting sustainability.

“Furthermore, we aim to decarbonise the aviation sector and position the UAE as
a regional hub for low carbon aviation fuel. This is why we have launched the
National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, setting an ambitious goal to
produce up to 700,000,000 litres annually by 2030. This initiative is expected to
reduce up to 4.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.”

The minister explained that COP28 highlighted the need for technological
advancements within the aviation sector. “This includes developing more fuel
efficient aircraft and exploring alternative propulsion systems such as electric and
hybrid electric engines and of course, the use of hydrogen.”

As one of the leading economies in travel and tourism in aviation, the UAE, he
added, is committed to being a part of the solution to climate crisis and to
decarbonise the industry. “We believe that partnership and collaboration with the
private sector are crucial to achieving our economic sustainability goals. And the
UAE views the private sector as a key driver of growth."

https://wam.ae/en/article/b3h9yde-uae-committed-development-sustainability-aviation