New York: The UAE has voiced grave concern over the dangerous consequences of climate change and urged the industrialised nations to take necessary measures to comply with targets of green gases emissions.
""Industrialised nations have great key responsibilities in regards to commitments to the Kyoto protocol legally-binding targets to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as a major source climate change, said Rehab Al Mansouri, member of the UAE Permanent Mission to the UN in statement before a debate on sustainable development and environment of the UN General Assembly"s second committee on international economic affairs. Al Mansouri appealed to those nations to offer more development aid and assistance to developing countries in order to build their capacities in tackling environmental disasters, developmental challenges and achieve millennium development goals.
She told the delegates about the UAE"s incessant efforts to conserve and protect the environment and how it had braved its difficult weather condition by turning its barren desert into lush green farms and gardens, becoming a modern development model and favourite tourist destination.
""Remarkable achievements in the environmental sector have not come by coincidence. Rather they have been a fruit of sound national comprehensive strategy and action plan, she indicated.
She cited the introduction of solar energy systems, compressed natural gas and unleaded diesel as just few of many shinning examples confirming UAE commitment to preservation of the environment.
Al Mansouri added that the UAE"s Masdar Initiative had launched the world"s first fully sustainable green community. Masdar City Development is the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, ‘green community’. Nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the six square kilometer alternative energy city will open late in 2009 and will establish a world-class standard for implementing integrated sustainable technologies.
She also pointed out to the recent decision announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai that Dubai will be adopting ‘green building’ standards for the design and construction industry as of January 2008.
""The recent launch of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-4) by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) of in Abu Dhabi along with other cities in the world is yet another recognition of the prominent stature the UAE is holding at the world environment map, she added.
