The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced the launch of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap aiming to accelerate the decarbonization of the aviation sector. The roadmap contributes to achieving the country's goals in climate neutrality, enhancing fuel efficiency and maintaining it in one of the vital sectors that support national economies, thus making the UAE a regional hub for sustainable aviation fuel.
The roadmap was drawn up based on several main principles, including the acceleration of decarbonization of the aviation sector, transforming the country into a regional hub for low-carbon aviation fuel, leading international cooperation in this vital field and building capabilities to enhance local value in this field. It also accelerates technology and innovation sharing and contributes to accelerating the global transition to low-carbon fuels through the state's position in ICAO and supporting projects related to renewable fuels and energy in other countries.
The announcement was made in the presence of HE Engineer Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, HE Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, HE Eng. Youssef Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for the Electricity, Water and Future Energy Sector, as well as a number of officials concerned with the sector, and heads of the national airlines and major companies operating in the field.
On this occasion, HE Engineer Sharif Al Olama said: “Thanks to the directions of the wise leadership led by HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and his brother, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote future solutions to global climate challenges, the latest of which was the announcement of the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is keen to cooperate closely with its partners and proceed according to the existing plans aimed at expanding the areas of environmentally friendly energy use and launching quality initiatives and ambitious projects, especially those related to renewable (clean) energy aimed at supporting the country’s goals and future vision.” The ministry works closely with its regional, global and local partners to achieve sustainability in the energy sector and accelerate its transformation, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and contribute to promoting climate neutrality.
HE Saif Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said: “The civil aviation sector in the UAE supports all strategic environmental goals set by ICAO. The decisions of the 41 General Assembly of the organization came to stress the international aviation community’s commitment to the ambitious long-term goal of net zero 2050 strategic initiative. Accordingly, we must all work hard to prepare the infrastructure for our sector in order to achieve that goal. For this reason, the low-carbon and sustainable fuel comes on our list of priorities with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The adoption and launch of the sustainable fuel roadmap are very important in the path of transition to clean energy, cutting down international emissions, and supporting the sector in a balanced manner so that it continues to grow and contribute effectively to reducing the negative effects of climate change.”
Engineer Youssef Al Ali also explained that the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap is one of the ambitious projects that support the achievement of the UAE’s goals for the coming fifty years and its quest for global leadership in energy, especially the clean ones. It also furthers the country’s sustainable development aspirations that require joint action between government and the private sector entities to put innovative solutions in place and ensure the optimal use of modern technology towards the UAE Centennial 2071.