15th National Dialogue on Climate Ambition session hosts aluminium industry, explores ways to accelerate decarbonisation

The fifteenth session of the National Dialogue on Climate Ambition (NDCA) held by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) at Emirates Global Aluminium headquarters in Al Taweelah focused on the innovative solutions that advance the decarbonisation of the aluminium sector in line with the growing demand for sustainable metal worldwide.

The NDCA is a 2-year-old platform dedicated to addressing sector-wise climate ambition and fostering all-inclusive participation to drive 2050 net-zero carbon emission goals in the United Arab Emirates.

The platform organises a monthly meet-up to discuss requirements, priorities, and action plans to amplify contributions towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions targeting a specific industrial sector. This latest assembly was for aluminium stakeholders from the entire value chain to discuss the role of aluminium in boosting the UAE's circular economy. The companies present at the session talked about the aluminium beverage cans recycling rate in the UAE and explored many other ways to reduce the carbon footprint in the industry.

Minister of Climate Change and Environment, HE Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak presided over the assembly and addressed stakeholders by saying, "The aluminium sector is a major asset in helping the UAE achieve a low-carbon future; it is critical to many of the industries central to low-carbon development."

Her Excellency added, "As a key enabler to reducing emissions in numerous sectors, we know that demand for aluminium will rise. We must find ways to meet this demand, whilst reducing the environmental impact of aluminium production."

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: "We are honoured to host the 15th National Dialogue for Climate Ambition session at EGA's headquarters in Al Taweelah. At EGA, we recognise that producing metal essential for the development of a more sustainable society is not enough. It also matters how sustainably aluminium is produced. Many of the decarbonisation challenges we face are shared with other industries, and we must work together to address these challenges."

Through this platform, many manufacturing companies in the UAE have come forward to contribute to the domestic net zero strategic initiatives. Tadweer Group and Yellow Door Energy are the latest ones to have signed the UAE's Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge during the session, taking the total number of signatories to 140. By signing the pledge, companies commit to measuring and reporting their GHG emissions transparently to help the government take correct measures to combat the carbon footprint.

During the visit to EGA, Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak inaugurated the region's first 100 per cent renewable energy-powered industrial data centre in Al Taweelah.