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· Masdar is a Principal Pathway Partner for UN climate change conference
· At COP28 Masdar will showcase its story as clean energy pioneer and global leader in sustainability
· The Masdar Stand at COP28 will be located in the Energy Transition Hub in the Green Zone
· Program of events will highlight women and young people as the sustainability leaders of tomorrow

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy pioneer, is gearing up to support the nation’s renewable energy ambitions and leadership at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). 

As a COP28 Principal Pathway Partner, Masdar will maintain a highly visible presence throughout the 12-day event with a packed program of events, activations, discussions and forums. Aimed at a wide range of audiences, Masdar’s activities will also have a special emphasis on supporting women sustainability leaders and young people interested in a career in the sector. 

The Masdar Stand, located within the Energy Transition Hub in COP28’s Green Zone, will showcase the company’s history and ambitions. Visitors to the stand will discover the key role that Masdar is playing in supporting the UAE’s clean energy commitments and its target to become the world’s largest renewable energy company and a green hydrogen champion by 2030, placing the UAE at the forefront of the energy transition. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, said

Masdar’s strategic initiatives will be well-represented at COP28.  This includes Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a global initiative championed by the UAE and Masdar to accelerate sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress.

The Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) global platform that champions women as leaders of sustainable change and Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), which supports the development of young people to enable them to become the sustainability leaders of tomorrow, will also host a number of events.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi added:

Masdar’s presence at COP28 will spotlight the impressive renewable credentials the company has built since its formation in 2006 under its founding CEO, and now Chairman, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, who has been a pioneer of the global renewable energy sector for 17 years.  

As the UAE’s clean energy champion, Masdar’s global footprint has expanded exponentially over the past few years, with new renewable energy projects currently under development in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Americas. This includes the Cirata floating solar plant in Indonesia, the largest in South-East Asia, and the Garadagh Solar PV Plant, Azerbaijan’s first foreign investment-based independent utility scale solar project.

Now active in more than 40 countries, across six continents, Masdar has developed more than 20GW of renewables capacity, invested more than US$30bn, and is targeting a 100GW portfolio by 2030. 

• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and Masdar-produced report finds decarbonization budgets are significant source of concern, with less than a third of executives believing their funds are adequate
• 60 percent of organizations taking steps to reduce emissions but have not yet set net-zero targets, with reliable financing the main barrier to accelerating commitments
• Half of industry executives now believe net zero is more feasible than previously but call on governments to boost support

Executives from ‘hard-to-abate’ industries have called for increased financing to support decarbonization efforts, following the release of a landmark report that outlines less than a third believe they have adequate budgets to do so, and over half have not yet set net-zero targets.

Reducing emissions in the hard-to-abate industries – cement, steel, aluminum, petrochemicals, shipping, aviation, heavy industry, and manufacturing – is vital in the effort to combat climate change, with industry and transport accounting for almost half of global emissions. 

The findings from ‘Hard to Abate, Ready to Start’, published today by Masdar, the host of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), in partnership with FT Longitude, furthers the discussion on decarbonization by identifying the biggest hurdles, and what is needed to drive greater action in the lead up to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the UAE.

Although challenging, the report finds that half of senior industry leaders are more confident that net zero in their business is more achievable today compared to a few years ago.

HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, said “COP28 will see the conclusion of the Global Stocktake, offering a review of progress against the Paris Agreement. We know that the results will show a significant gap in where we are and where we need to be. The UAE is committed to addressing this, to reigniting momentum and to bringing the goal of 1.5 within reach. Addressing carbon emissions in hard-to-abate sectors is a priority in that regard. There is simply no path to net-zero that does not include decarbonizing these essential industries.”

Despite the optimism that exists across the industry, and the emergence of innovative new technologies to capture and store carbon, reliable finance remains a major barrier for accelerating progress for many senior executives. Despite strong progress across the sector over the past decade, 60 percent of organizations surveyed across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and North America have still not set decarbonization targets, and leaders from those organizations cite a lack of reliable finance as the main barrier for committing to targets. 83 percent and 62 percent of senior executives from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific respectively highlighted that they are taking steps to reduce emissions but have not set a target date for completion. Further, only 30 percent of senior executives overall, indicated their budgets will be able to meet decarbonization needs, and more than 50 percent are concerned about the impact of global economic headwinds on decarbonization investment.

Ahead of COP28, the UAE Presidency has made clear that access to finance and capital will be a priority, noting that both governments and private sector partners require the resources needed to commit to transformative action. This includes investing in the breakthrough technologies and innovations needed to drive ambition, such as carbon capture and storage, and other forms of decarbonization.

In addition to financing hurdles, the report also highlights the disparity in available technologies to accelerate decarbonization. Despite the progress made in recent years, the research outlines the gap in “frontier” technologies available at a commercial scale, delaying energy-intensive industries in ramping up decarbonization efforts. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said “Building on important momentum gained during ADSW 2023, this report is a vital tool to drive forward decarbonization in hard-to-abate industries. Masdar, a global clean energy powerhouse, will continue to play a leading role by fostering global collaboration amongst governments and private sector partners. We intend to seize the opportunity of utility-scale renewable energy and focus our investments in frontier technologies like sustainable aviation fuel and green hydrogen to help accelerate global progress ahead of COP28 and beyond.”

As well as calling for greater industry collaboration, the report highlights the importance of increased public sector support and calls upon global governments to deliver innovative incentives across funding, legislation, and taxation to support national net-zero targets. As highlighted in the report, only 24 percent of senior executives expect to receive funding from government funds or incentives and 41 percent believe that without greater incentives and funding they will be unable to meet their domestic market’s net-zero targets.

Publication of today’s report comes ahead of the UAE’s preparations to host COP28 later this year. This global event will act as a major milestone in progressing conversations and inclusive solutions across all sectors, including those hard-to-abate industries. In convening key players from this sector, COP28 will aim to accelerate climate action and deliver concrete outcomes and solutions for climate change. 

In his role as COP President-Designate, Dr Al Jaber has emphasized the need to address gaps by bringing public and private partners together in a “COP of Action, and a COP for All”. The UAE is firmly committed to an inclusive approach to climate action that includes industry leaders, civil society, academics, women, youth, and indigenous peoples.  

In addition to COP28, ‘Hard to Abate, Ready to Start’ will help frame discussions at the upcoming International Energy Week in London and S&P CERA Week in Houston, Texas.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar, to accelerate sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress. Established in 2008, ADSW provides a global platform for all who have a stake in the future of our planet. ADSW brings together leaders from across governments, the private sector and civil society, to discuss and engage on bold climate action and the innovations that will ensure a sustainable world for future generations.

Read the full report here.

• Held under the patronage of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW 2023 opening ceremony was attended by His Highness and 13 heads of state and prime ministers
• Across six days, a series of landmark agreements were signed, positioning the UAE as a leader on climate action
• Anchor event, ADSW Summit, covered the upcoming COP28, pathway to net zero, transformative tech, financing climate action, and food and energy security 
• ADSW’s first Green Hydrogen Summit convened global leaders to discuss the development of the UAE hydrogen economy, green energy in Africa and hydrogen’s value chain 
• ADSW 2023 hosted 36,000 participants from 170 countries, including 13 heads of state and more than 600 global speakers 

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), successfully concluded its fifteenth edition, with a resounding show of commitment to climate action ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE later this year.

Under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Towards COP28,’ the six-day event was the first global sustainability gathering of a critical year, and it served as the first official platform for the recently announced COP28 leadership team, led by H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar. In his keynote at the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Dr. Al Jaber called for the world to come together around COP28 to cooperate and collaborate and turn rhetoric into tangible results.

Global dignitaries, including 13 heads of state and a record number of attendees, convened to progress dialogue on the transition to a net-zero future. The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE who attended the opening ceremony with Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea, and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan delivering keynote speeches. 

Championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse, Masdar, ADSW 2023, also welcomed world leaders including: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles; João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola; Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau; Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique; Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco; Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; and Tiemoko Meyliet, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

During the opening ceremony, 10 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize from five continents were recognized for their achievements in driving innovative and scalable sustainability solutions. 
Other major events that took place throughout the week included the 13th IRENA Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of the International Renewable Energy Agency. IRENA members confirmed their readiness to support the UAE’s COP28 presidency and committed to leveraging international cooperation through the Agency’s global platform.

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, which annually convenes the world’s top energy and foreign policy decisionmakers hosted its seventh meeting at ADSW. Guests including H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy for the UK, John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Bernard Mensah, President of International for Bank of America discussed the geopolitical and geo-economic implications of the energy transition.

The flagship ADSW Summit brought together global decision-makers and thought leaders in sustainability to discuss innovative pathways to net zero, practical solutions to finance climate action, and transformative tech for food and energy security. The event featured past and present leaders of COP, including H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, H.E. Laurent Fabius, President of France’s Constitutional Council, H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP27 President, and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC. Collectively they highlighted the need to build on past successes and leverage the COP process to deliver on the Paris Agreement, ahead of the UAE’s hosting of COP28 and the highly anticipated Global Stocktake. 

The inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit was also held during ADSW. Hosted by Masdar’s green hydrogen business, the Summit convened more than 50 leading global hydrogen players, gathering key representatives across regulation, policy and the green hydrogen value chain.

Masdar, the host of ADSW, announced multiple global projects and agreements showing it is on track to meet the target of 100 GW of clean energy by 2030. These included up to 5GW of renewable energy projects with three African nations under the Etihad 7 UAE-backed funding umbrella. 

Also announced were agreements with the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Energy to develop renewable projects with a capacity of up to 1 GW, an agreement with the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund to develop a wind power plant with up to 1 GW capacity, and an agreement with Azerbaijan state oil company SOCCAR to develop up to 4 GW of renewable energy projects. 
A first wave of investment of US$20 billion was also announced as part of the US-UAE Partnership to Accelerate Clean Energy (PACE), with Masdar and a consortium of US private investors leading the funding and development of 15 GW of clean energy projects in the US by 2035. 

ADSW provided a platform for engaging and empowering young people and women in sustainability in the lead-up to COP28. The Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Hub brought together more than 3,000 leaders, experts, entrepreneurs, and young delegates to discuss ways to advance youth engagement across climate action. The annual Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum hosted influential figures from around the world for a roundtable discussion on ‘Empowering Women to Lead Climate Adaptation’. 

Returning to an in-person format this year, Abu Dhabi Global Market hosted the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum to conclude the week’s events. It convened 50 global institutional investors, government leaders, regulators, and financial institutions.

ADSW was supported by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, COP28 UAE, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, TAQA, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Investment Company, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, General Electric, The Climate Pledge, Investcorp, Expo City Dubai, TotalEnergies, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Schneider Electric, 1PointFive, Fertiglobe, PepsiCo, Emirates Development Bank, HSBC, Baker Hughes, BEEAH, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ne’ma, Emirates Water and Electricity Company, McKinsey and Etihad Airways.

• Under three-year agreement DEWA will be Opening Ceremony Associate Partner for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW)
• Masdar to be Jubilee Sponsor for the Water, Energy Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX)

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development, and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), announced today the signing of a three-year partnership agreement to sponsor ADSW and DEWA’s annual Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show. 

The agreement was signed at ADSW 2023 by H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DEWA and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. As per the agreement, DEWA will be the ADSW Opening Ceremony Associate Partner from 2023 to 2025, while Masdar will be the WETEX Jubilee Sponsor for the same period. 

H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said, “DEWA and Masdar have a strategic partnership that supports the vision of the wise leadership for a sustainable future in the UAE. We are pleased to sign this partnership agreement for DEWA to sponsor the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and Masdar to sponsor the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show. This supports our common vision to enhance the pioneering position of the UAE in investing in renewable and clean energy. We collaborate to develop innovative solutions and projects that contribute to building a sustainable future for us and for generations to come. ADSW and WETEX are leading events that support the government strategies in the UAE, including the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. Both events have become global platforms to share experiences and best practices, learn about the latest technologies, and explore investment opportunities in the clean energy sector in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as consolidate the UAE’s leading position in the shift towards clean and renewable energy sources.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, “We are pleased to enter into this partnership that will help advance our shared goals for global collaboration for sustainability. Masdar has long recognized the value of WETEX, which stands alongside Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week as a major event on the global sustainability calendar and demonstrates the commitment of the UAE leadership to accelerating the energy transition. Through platforms such as WETEX and ADSW, the UAE is driving the global sustainability agenda and taking a leading role in climate action.  We look forward to continuing to enjoy a productive partnership with DEWA on future events.” 

Established in 2008 by Masdar, one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy companies, and hosted every January, ADSW is the first major sustainability gathering of a critical year for the UAE for climate action. DEWA organizes WETEX and Dubai Solar Show annually to showcase technological advancements and explore trends in energy, water conservation, the preservation of natural resources, and building a sustainable environment. 

The partnership agreement will ensure greater alignment between the two key UAE platforms, in line with the UAE’s long-term sustainability vision and net-zero objectives, and ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), taking place in the UAE from 30 November to 12 December.  

Held under the patronage of UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and taking place this week under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Towards COP28’, ADSW 2023 is convening heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs, for a series of impactful dialogues on the transition to a net-zero future. 
Key stakeholders at ADSW 2023 are discussing priorities for the global climate agenda at COP28, the need for all stakeholders across society to be engaged and included, and how to leverage the assessments from the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement to accelerate climate progress at COP28 and beyond.

WETEX and Dubai Solar Show (DSS) are held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, in line with the wise leadership’s vision for UAE’s sustainable development and Dubai as a hub for green economy. Each year, tens of thousands of visitors attend the joint DEWA event. In 2022, WETEX and Dubai Solar Show attracted more than 1,750 companies from 55 countries.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and a number of world leaders today attended the opening ceremony of this year's Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global initiative championed by the UAE to accelerate sustainable development.

The inauguration, which was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), was also attended by Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea; Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan; Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles; João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola; Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau; Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique; Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania; Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco; and Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Tiemoko Meyliet, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; and a number of sheikhs and senior officials also attended the opening.


His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to ADSW 2023, which will explore issues and aim to find solutions to the challenges the world faces as it looks to a more sustainable future for future generations.

He stressed that ADSW is a global platform, reflecting the UAE's commitment to convening the international community and ensuring collaboration in driving sustainable economic and social development.

The UAE is making intensive efforts to find feasible and pragmatic solutions to climate change issues, His Highness said, stressing that its strategic initiative to achieve Net Zero by 2050 was a natural progression of the comprehensive approach to sustainability the company has followed since its inception, inspired by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision. The UAE’s Founding Father laid the groundwork for building a prosperous and sustainable future through this commitment to protecting nature and preserving the environment.

His Highness the President stated that ADSW this year is an essential step towards the UAE hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). The country’s selection to host COP28 reflected the UAE’s continued efforts to promote practical climate action, sustainable economic development, and progress towards desired global goal, he said.

The opening ceremony began with the national anthem of the UAE, followed by a film on the importance of effective climate action and the need for concerted global efforts. The film included statements from global leaders and officials calling for urgent and serious action to confront the problem of climate change and strengthen collective action, in order to achieve a sustainable future.

During his keynote speech, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, expressed his deepest gratitude for His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for inviting him to ADSW, and stressed the depth of the bilateral relations between the UAE and Azerbaijan. He also praised the UAE’s remarkable growth trajectory, particularly in the sustainability and renewable energy sectors.

President Aliyev highlighted his country’s ambition to strengthen its reliance on clean energy sources as an essential part of national development efforts, and to contribute to the global drive for a more environmentally friendly economy. He referred to the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Masdar and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) for the joint development of renewable energy sources, which aim to produce 10 GW of renewable energy in the long term.

ADSW 2023, hosted by the UAE's clean energy powerhouse Masdar, features a series of key events throughout the week that seek to engage all sections of society. It will be held under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Towards COP28’ and will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs for a series of high-level sessions focused on key priorities for sustainable development ahead of the UN conference. Hosted by the UAE from 30th November to 12th December, 2023, COP28 aims to leverage the country’s strategic position as a connector between north and south, east and west, and its global position to facilitate dialogue and conversations that enable a consensus for the most pressing climate challenges of our time.

Delegates at ADSW will look to set global climate agenda priorities for COP28 – which will cement the UAE’s position as a bridge connecting the global North, South, East and West – and will discuss the need for all groups across society to be engaged, and determine how to leverage outcomes from the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement.

The ADSW Summit, the two-day flagship event of ADSW, focuses on a wide range of important topics, including food and water security, energy savings, decarbonisation of industries, health and climate adaptation.

ADSW 2023 will also see the arrival of a new platform for the global energy sector through the launch of the inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit, which will highlight green hydrogen’s role in the process of decarbonising key sectors and supporting countries' efforts in the journey to net zero.

ADSW 2023 seeks to involve young people in climate action through the Youth 4 Sustainability Forum and Hub, annually engaging 3,000 young men and women. ADSW will also include the annual forum of Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy platform (WiSER), aiming to give women more space to discuss sustainability, and ‘Innovate’ A Masdar City Initiative to showcase the latest global technologies. In addition, ADSW will focus on startups and SMEs, with more than 70 companies exhibiting, alongside Masdar’s ‘Innovate’ initiative which will showcase the latest groundbreaking technologies globally.

ADSW began with the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Energy Forum of the Atlantic Council on 14th and 15th January. The ADSW Summit takes place on 16th and 17th January, and the World Future Energy Summit, the “Innovate” initiative, and the Youth Center for Sustainability takes place on 16th to 18th January.

The (WiSER) summit takes place on 17th January, the Green Hydrogen Summit on 18th January, and the Abu Dhabi Forum for Sustainable Finance on 19th January, with the week concluding with the festival in Masdar City.

• International experts and decision makers to highlight green hydrogen’s potential to support global net-zero goals ahead of UAE-hosted COP28 later this year
• Summit to be one of series of high-level events held at ADSW 2023 – highlighting UAE leadership’s commitment to practical, inclusive climate action

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development, will hold its first annual Green Hydrogen Summit this year, highlighting green hydrogen’s growing importance in the global drive toward net zero. 

The Green Hydrogen Summit 2023, taking place on January 18, will be one of the key events taking place at ADSW 2023, which will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs, for a series of impactful dialogues ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE from November 30-December 12. COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference, will see the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement – assessing the progress made by countries on their national climate plans. 

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said, “We stand at a critical moment as nations prepare to gather in the UAE to highlight progress on meeting climate objectives and to explore pathways to net zero. Ahead of COP28, ADSW2023 will provide a platform for vital dialogue between key stakeholders and decision makers, as we look to forge alliances and develop innovative solutions to deliver an inclusive energy transition. The UAE and Masdar have long believed that green hydrogen will play a key role in that energy transition and as we continue to explore low-carbon and zero-carbon energy solutions, the time is right for green hydrogen to take a more central role at ADSW.”  

The inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit at ADSW will cover topics including, developments in hydrogen production, conversion, transport, storage, and use. It will include high-level discussions focused on the development of the UAE hydrogen economy, the role of government and regulation, and panel sessions on a broad range of topics including innovation, sustainable finance, green energy in Africa, and hydrogen’s value chain. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, said, “As green hydrogen continues to show growing promise as a critical enabler of our net-zero future, we must unlock its full potential by accelerating research and development and investment in this vital sector. Masdar is excited to launch the ADSW Green Hydrogen Summit to support the development of the UAE’s green hydrogen economy and help realize the global energy transition. This inaugural Summit will also pave the way toward COP28 in the UAE, where we can expect green hydrogen to be a key component of a future low-carbon energy market.”

The Green Hydrogen Summit is held in partnership with the Hydrogen Council, Atlantic Council, International Renewable Energy Agency and Dii Desert Energy. 

ADSW host Masdar announced in December the formation of its new green hydrogen business to support the UAE’s green hydrogen economy. Masdar’s green hydrogen business aims to produce up to one million tonnes of green hydrogen per annum by 2030. Masdar is already actively involved in a number of projects related to green hydrogen production, including agreements with leading Egyptian state-backed organizations to cooperate on the development of green hydrogen production plants, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030, and output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

The first international sustainability gathering of the year, ADSW 2023 will again feature the ADSW Summit, hosted by Masdar. Taking place on January 16, the Summit will focus on a wide range of critical topics including Food and Water Security, Energy Access, Industrial Decarbonization, Health, and Climate Adaptation.

As in previous years, ADSW 2023 will feature partner-led events and opportunities for international engagement on sustainability-related topics, including the International Renewable Energy Agency’s IRENA Assembly, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, and the World Future Energy Summit.

ADSW 2023 will also mark the 15th anniversary of the Zayed Sustainability Prize – the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognizing excellence in sustainability. Masdar’s Youth for Sustainability platform will hold the Y4S Hub during the week, which aims to attract 3,000 young people, while the annual forum for Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform will also be held, giving women a greater voice in the sustainability debate.

Key dates for ADSW 2023 include:
• 14 – 15 January: IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Energy Forum
• 16 January: Opening Ceremony, COP28 Strategy Announcement and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit
• 16 – 18 January: World Future Energy Summit, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, Innovate
• 17 January: WiSER Forum WiSER Forum
• 18 January: Green Hydrogen Summit and Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum

Registration for the Green Hydrogen Summit is now open and can be found on https://abudhabisustainabilityweek.com/

• Held under the patronage of UAE President HH Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW will contribute to setting sustainability agenda ahead of COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference.
• Under theme of ‘United on Climate Action Toward COP28,’ ADSW 2023 will demonstrate UAE leadership’s commitment to practical, inclusive climate action
• ADSW will convene global sustainability decision makers and key stakeholders for impactful dialogue ahead of critical Global Stocktake that will take place at COP28
• ADSW 2023 will also feature inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023, the global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development, will feature a series of high-level sessions focused on the key priorities for sustainable development ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE from November 30-December 12.

The fifteenth edition of the annual event will be held under the patronage of UAE President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who has championed sustainability as a key pillar of the UAE’s economic and social progress and prosperity.

ADSW, taking place from January 14 to 19, under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Toward COP28,’ will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs, for a series of impactful dialogues on the transition to a net-zero future. Key stakeholders will discuss priorities for the global climate agenda at COP28, the need for all stakeholders across society to be engaged and included, and how to leverage the assessments from the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement to accelerate climate progress at COP28 and beyond.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said, “For over 15 years, ADSW has reinforced the UAE’s commitment to addressing global challenges as a responsible leader driving climate action and sustainable economic development. ADSW 2023 will help shape the sustainability agenda and drive momentum toward COP28 in the UAE by convening the global community and facilitating meaningful dialogue to foster consensus, groundbreaking partnerships and innovative solutions.

“The world needs a just and inclusive energy transition that supports the needs of developing nations while ensuring a more sustainable future for us all. ADSW can serve as an ideal platform to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies and put partnerships together that can take them to scale around the world, leaving no one behind.”

ADSW 2023 will feature for the first time a Green Hydrogen Summit, hosted by Masdar’s green hydrogen business, highlighting its potential to decarbonize key industries – helping countries to achieve their net-zero objectives.

Earlier this month, Masdar formally announced a new shareholding structure and the launch of its green hydrogen business – forming a clean energy powerhouse that will spearhead global decarbonization efforts. Masdar is now one of the largest clean energy companies of its kind and is well-positioned to lead the industry on a global scale, strengthening the UAE’s role as an energy leader.

The first international sustainability gathering of the year, ADSW 2023 will drive discussion and debate around climate action in the run-up to COP28. The ADSW Summit, hosted by Masdar and taking place on January 16, will focus on a wide range of critical topics including Food and Water Security, Energy Access, Industrial Decarbonization, Health, and Climate Adaptation.

ADSW 2023 will also seek to engage youth in climate action, with its Youth for Sustainability platform holding the Y4S Hub, which aims to attract 3,000 young people. ADSW 2023 will also feature the annual forum for Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform, giving women a greater voice in the sustainability debate.

As in previous years, ADSW 2023 will also feature partner-led events and opportunities for international engagement on sustainability-related topics, including the International Renewable Energy Agency’s IRENA Assembly, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, and the World Future Energy Summit.

The 2023 ADSW will also mark the 15th anniversary of the Zayed Sustainability Prize – the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognizing excellence in sustainability. With 96 winners across its categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Global High Schools, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of over 378 million people around the world, including in Vietnam, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia, Maldives and Tuvalu.

Over the years, the Prize has provided communities across the world with access to quality education, clean food and water, quality healthcare, energy, jobs, and improved community safety.

With small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) making up roughly 90 percent of businesses worldwide, ADSW 2023 will welcome over 70 SMEs and start-ups across several sectors, including Masdar City’s global initiative Innovate, which will showcase groundbreaking international technologies.

Key dates for ADSW 2023 include:

• 14 – 15 January: IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum
• 16 January: Opening Ceremony, COP28 Strategy Announcement and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit
• 16 – 18 January: World Future Energy Summit, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, Innovate
• 17 January: WiSER Forum
• 18 January: Green Hydrogen Summit and Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), Masdar’s global platform for accelerating sustainable development, today announced that the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has signed an agreement to return as Principal Partner of both ADSW 2023 and 2024.

Signed by Undersecretary of the DoE, His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, and Masdar Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, the agreement ensures that the DoE, a Principal Partner since 2019, will continue to support ADSW in its efforts to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development and positive climate action, in line with the United Arab Emirates’ long-term sustainability vision and net-zero commitments.

Established in 2008 by Masdar, one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy companies, and hosted every January, ADSW is the year’s first major sustainability gathering. ADSW 2023 will convene global stakeholders 14–21 January in Abu Dhabi to take stock of progress on commitments resulting from this year’s COP27, which concluded last week in Sharm Al-Sheikh, Egypt; and drive forward momentum to next November’s COP28 in the UAE.

Undersecretary of the DoE, H. E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, said: “The Department of Energy is keen on promoting global dialogue on sustainability in order to stimulate all components of the energy sector. Dialogue and coordinated action will enable us to connect and exchange visions on the best ways to move the sector towards a carbon-neutral future. The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is an ideal platform to achieve this, as it continues to push efforts to combat climate change on the local and international stage, in line with our endeavor to help the UAE achieve its Net Zero 2050 goal. We are pleased to continue participating in this pioneering event and partner with ADSW for the next two editions to help consolidate Abu Dhabi’s leading position in energy transition and sustainability.”

“Climate action continues to top the agenda of policymakers, which increases the need for specialized events such as ADSW that bring together specialists in this field to find solutions to climate challenges posed by the increasing demand for energy around the world,” added H.E. Undersecretary Al Rumaithi.

Masdar CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, said: “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the Department of Energy are united in our long-standing joint efforts to cement the UAE’s position as a pioneering leader of the global clean energy transition. As we look back on this year’s COP27 in Egypt, and ahead to next year’s COP28 in the UAE, ADSW will provide the ideal platform for global stakeholders to hold each other to account and continue to engage on bold climate action and practical innovation.”

ADSW 2023 also aligns with the DoE’s mission to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for clean-tech innovation to support the UAE’s economic diversification and decarbonization efforts, for the benefit of future generations.

With the October 2021 launch of its Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, the UAE became the first country in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region to commit to decarbonizing its energy grid by mid-century, in line with the Paris Agreement, which calls on countries to prepare long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 C compared to pre-industrial levels.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the sustainability platform hosted by Masdar, has produced a white paper highlighting some of the key findings from the ADSW Summit 2022, held in January. The Journey to Net Zero reflects the key themes of the event: Global Collaboration & Leadership, Innovation and Technology, and Sustainable Finance.

Attended by more than 80 specialists, heads of states, policy makers, global CEOs and leaders of international organizations, the ADSW Summit 2022 tackled the vital energy conversation, as well as the transition to sustainable economies and societies. 

“Today, world leaders have a responsibility towards the global population to act on climate,” the white paper states in its conclusion. “This includes mitigation measures, phasing out coal, focusing on the energy mix to bring in green technologies and green jobs, and reducing emissions to set forth the net zero path. Investing in energy, connectivity, and food systems, while using the necessary resources to make the required sustainable changes and ensuring jobs are at the heart of it, will render such a path all-inclusive.” 

For more information on the ADSW Summit, its sessions and to download The Journey to Net Zero, please click here.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will return from January 14-21, 2023. 

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, hosted by Masdar, partnered with Harvard Business Review to conduct survey-led research into issues around the adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and try to understand just how businesses are implementing ESG strategies.

The report, Reaping Returns on Environmental, Social and Governance Investments, which surveyed 249 executives from global businesses across a range of industries, found that interest in ESG adoption is strong, with 83 percent of respondents indicating that their organization will increase investment in ESG initiatives over the next 12 months. While only 9 percent of respondents said they have already seen a financial return on their ESG investment, most organizations believe this will lead to future financial benefits, with 22 percent saying they will see this within a year, although 41 percent said it would take two to five years.

According to the report, “strong tailwinds of change are encouraging organizations to assume greater corporate responsibility for their impact on the world’s natural resources, the well-being of employees, and ethical decision making in the boardroom.” However, developing an ESG strategy, one that evaluates and addresses issues that affect an organization’s operations and practices – and potentially its value – is still proving challenging, with 27 percent of respondents indicating that they have yet to put a formal ESG strategy in place, and 10 percent saying they are not currently working on improving their ESG performance.

To support the research, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week recently hosted Alex Clemente, Founding Managing Director of Harvard Business Review Analytic Services who examined the report findings and discussed ESG in more detail. Moderated by Zainab Al Ali, Head of Outreach and Stakeholder Relations at Masdar, the virtual session can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebzyckDlASk

More information on the topic of ESG, including the full Harvard Business Review report can be found at adsw.ae.