#29 - Faisal Ali Rashid - How Dubai Aims To Implement Net-Zero : Lessons For the World

Nov 1, 2024

Faisal Ali Rashid, Sr. Director at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, shares insights on Dubai's ambitious sustainability goals aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. He outlines the integration of renewable energy strategies and demand-side management, highlighting a current mix of 25% renewable energy. Along with sustainability advisor Tushar Narula, they discuss innovative public-private partnerships fueling green projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and emphasize the crucial role of community involvement and youth leadership in shaping a sustainable future.

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INSIGHT

Dubai's Renewable Energy Targets

Dubai aims to reach 25% renewable energy penetration by 2030 and 100% by 2050 on the supply side.\n- Demand side management targets a 30% reduction in consumption by 2030 from 2013 levels.

ADVICE

Policy Levers for Net Zero

Gradually update building codes and retrofit buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.\n- Set clear green procurement policies such as mandatory quotas for electric vehicle purchases.

INSIGHT

Effective Demand Side Strategies

Building regulations, retrofit programs, and district cooling are the most effective DSM programs in Dubai.\n- District cooling accounts for 25% of cooling capacity, offering 40-45% better efficiency than conventional cooling methods.

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We welcome Faisal Ali Rashid, Sr. Director at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, to learn from Dubai's ambitious drive toward achieving net zero by 2050. Faisal, a leader in energy strategy and sustainability, oversees programs transforming Dubai’s approach to energy, water, and waste management, setting a new standard for urban sustainability in the region.

We were also joined by our friend on the podcast, Tushar Narula - a sustainability advisor and a climate change expert whose work has spanned different continents, industries, and top institutions like UC Berkeley, MIT, Harvard, & Imperial College London.

In this episode, Faisal shares Dubai’s comprehensive strategies for renewable energy and demand-side management, revealing key milestones like achieving 25% renewable energy in the total energy mix and aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2050. He explains not only the WHAT but HOW Dubai plans to achieve these in detail.

We also discuss the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s regulatory framework, incentive programs, and innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs) that fund green projects, including the groundbreaking Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Faisal highlights the role of community involvement and youth leadership in advancing sustainability, describing how the Advancing Net Zero initiative empowers the next generation to contribute to Dubai’s climate goals.

All the topics covered in the episode:

-Dubai’s Renewable Energy Goals: Achievements and future targets toward 100% renewable energy.

-Demand-Side Management: Reducing consumption and increasing energy efficiency.

-Policy and Financial Incentives: How Dubai fosters sustainable development through strategic regulations and PPPs.

-Innovation and Technology: Cutting-edge projects in solar, smart metering, and energy storage.

-Community and Youth Engagement: The role of education and volunteerism in driving net-zero progress.

Join us as we dive into Dubai’s pioneering efforts to build a sustainable, net-zero future with one of its leading energy strategists.

Follow our host, Waheed Rahman (@iwaheedo), for more updates on tech, civilizational growth, progress studies, and emerging markets.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:30) - Faisal’s background and Dubai’s sustainability journey

(03:58) - Demand-side management and green building initiatives

(05:47) - Dubai’s renewable energy milestones and 2050 goals

(09:38) - Policy and incentives driving green transition in the middle east

(18:43) - The role of PPPs in funding sustainability projects

(24:12) - Dubai’s innovation in energy storage and technology

(32:33) - Key lessons for global cities on climate action

(38:33) - Youth and community involvement in net-zero goals

(41:28) - Outro