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ICBA: Advancing Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture | COP29

by rachel
written by rachel

In an effort to emphasise the critical role of sustainable agriculture in addressing the growing challenges of climate change, food insecurity, water scarcity and land degradation, the International Centre For Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) participated in a series of high-level events and strategic meetings at COP29.

“The escalating climate crisis necessitates urgent, innovative and inclusive solutions, driven by the mobilisation of substantial climate finance to support the most vulnerable communities”, said Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of the ICBA. “Through science-driven approaches, we can empower societies to adapt and thrive amid increasing challenges.”

“ICBA’s initiatives, such as integrated agri-aquaculture systems, stress-tolerant crops, and capacity-building programmes for women and youth, provide transformative pathways to enhance water security, rehabilitate degraded ecosystems, and build resilience against climate impacts. COP29 was a pivotal platform to foster global collaboration, unlock climate finance, and advance sustainable agricultural practices that leave no one behind.”

Creating Sustainable Impact in Arid and Saline Environments in Central Asia: The Power of Partnerships for SDG17

At the UAE Pavilion, ICBA hosted the session ‘Creating Sustainable Impact in Arid and Saline Environments in Central Asia: The power of Partnerships for SDG17’. This event was moderated by Dr Charbel Tarraf, ICBA’s Chief of Operations and Development. The panel featured Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Mr Bekmurat Turdishev, Director of the Karakalpakstan Agrarian Research Institute (KARI), and Dr Marguba Rejapova, ICBA Post-Doctoral Fellow.

Supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the discussion highlighted pioneering strategies to combat soil salinity and water scarcity, enhance sustainable agriculture, and strengthen climate resilience in Central Asia. The panel emphasised the pivotal role of climate finance in facilitating such partnerships, enabling transformative projects that address the impacts of climate change while enhancing agricultural productivity and food security.

Empowering Women and Youth for Climate Action

ICBA, in collaboration with ICESCO, hosted a panel titled ‘Unlocking the Potential of Youth and Women in Transforming Food Systems for Climate Action’ at the ICESCO Pavilion. Moderated by Dr Charbel Tarraf, the session brought together diverse voices, including representatives from ICESCO, Azerbaijan’s Genetic Resources Institute, Green Republic Farms Nigeria, and the ICBA Project Development Specialist, Ms Nour El Jundi.

The panel highlighted ICBA-led initiatives such as LCOY UAE 2023 and ICBA YES, which empower women and youth to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and lead climate-smart transformations. Discussions underscored the importance of equipping youth and women with the tools and resources needed to foster innovation and build resilience in the agricultural sector.

Tackling Climate Challenges through the WEFE Nexus

Dr Tarifa Alzaabi participated as a panelist at a session organised by ICESCO, sharing expertise on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE), emphasising the importance of integrated approaches to managing resources efficiently in water-scarce regions.

The session underscores the need for targeted climate finance to support the implementation of WEFE-based strategies, ensuring sustainable resource management for vulnerable communities.

Strategic Collaboration with WorldFish

ICBA also held a bilateral meeting with WorldFish, a CGIAR member, to explore synergies in agri-aquaculture systems. Dr Tarifa Alzaabi and Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish, discussed ways to enhance food security and resilience in costal and saline environments.

The meeting highlighted ICBA’s expertise in Integrated Agri-Aquaculture Systems (IAAS) and WorldFish’s leadership in aquatic food systems, aiming to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities.

Showcase at the UAE Pavilion

At the UAE Pavilion, iCBA showcased its extensive stress-tolerant seeds (drought, heat, and sea-tolerant), including millet, quinoa, amaranth, Buffel grass, wheat, and maize, among others. Developed and tested to thrive in saline, arid and water-scare environments, these seeds provide practical solutions to enhance food security and agricultural resilience.

The ICBA has implemented years of rigorous experimentation and field applications with the crops, directly addressing the challenges posed by climate change and the resource scarcity in these vulnerable regions.

ICBA’s commitment to empowering communities through inclusive initiatives, fostering international collaboration, and promoting science-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture, was highlighted by its participation at COP29.

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DevelopingEnergyInnovation & EducationMobilityTransportation

Bertrand Piccard: Founder of Solar Impulse and Green Aviation Pioneer | COP29

by rachel
written by rachel

Aviation is a controversial topic within sustainable and efficient transport issues – it has been the subject of greenwashing and disinformation, making ‘sustainable’ aviation claims appear untrustworthy or suspicious. However, organisations such as Solar Impulse Foundation are working to advance green aviation and prove that there could potentially be an alternative to the climate impact of regular fossil-fuel powered flight.

ESG Mena spoke with Betrand Piccard, Founder of Solar Impulse, to find out more about green aviation, fossil fuel alternatives and realistic timeframes.

  • Please tell us more about the latest in terms of green aviation

Well, when we speak of green aviation, we have to speak about operations that can be much cleaner and more efficient, with consistent, dedicated approach, with direct routes, with electric facilities on the airport. But this is not what will completely change aviation. I think we now have to aim at the ultimate way to decarbonise, which is hydrogen.

Of course, you have a lot of people who will say it will never happen, it’s impossible, it’s too expensive – but may of these revolutions have already happened. You know, for mobile phones, it was considered impossible to have a mobile phone in every pocket. Now, we have antennas everywhere and mobile phones in the pockets. And it will happen like this.

For hydrogen, we just need to reach the critical mass. That means the quantity of production and the quality of demand. The price will drop – like for photovoltaics, where the price was divided by 40 over the last 25 years.

So hydrogen, if we believe in it, it will happen.

  • Is the future E-SAF or SAF? – (E-SAF is SAF that is not biofuel, SAF itself is biofuel).

Well, I think both will happen. For E-SAF, you take the CO2 from wherever you can, and you combine it with green hydrogen, and you have hydrocarbon chains.

You’ve captured CO2, you have it here in your hands, you could put it in the ground, instead, you make a fuel and put it back in the atmosphere. So, in a way, it’s neutral, it could be negative, but you could sequestrate it.

This is why I believe in hydrogen, which is outside of the cycle of carbon.

  • Some people have doubts in terms of the timeline, can you say when we can expect development updates?

Like always, the pioneers are early and the industry comes later, so what we need are the pioneers to open the way.

I have the construction of Climate Impulse underway – it’s a two-seater hydrogen plane that has to fly non-stop around the world in nine days with zero emissions by 2028. Of course, it’s experimental, it’s not yet certified to take passengers.

So between now and the moment where hydrogen aeroplanes can carry passengers in a certified way, we will need the sustainable aviation fuel, that’s for sure. It will be an intermediate fuel before hydrogen will take over.

I would say, 10 to 15 years to have the first hydrogen aeroplane certified for passengers, and then you have the replacement rates, which will be quite long. I would say 50 years before we really have hydrogen aviation, meanwhile SAF or E-SAF, clean and efficient operations.

Our hydrogen aeroplane is a way to make the hydrogen industry more desirable, to show that you can make the ultimate flight non-stop around the world, zero emissions with green hydrogen. If it’s possible there in the sky, it’s possible everywhere.

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DevelopingEnvironmentInnovation & Education

Building a Sustainable Future: Decarbonising Cement | COP29

by rachel
written by rachel

At COP29, Thomas Guillot, CEO of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), spoke with Sal Jafar, CEO of ESG Mena about GCCA’s efforts to decarbonise the cement industry. Highlighting their Global Net Zero Roadmap, Guillot shared how innovative solutions are reshaping the future of sustainable construction.

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DevelopingEnvironmentSocial

Empowering Tunisian Talent: A Conversation with Mounir Beltaifa at COP29

by rachel
written by rachel

At COP29, Sal Jafar, CEO of ESG Mena, spoke with Mr. Mounir Beltaifa, Vice President of Tunisian Talents United, to explore how the NGO is mobilising Tunisian professionals worldwide to contribute to national development. From fostering innovation to driving impactful projects, the discussion spotlighted the power of global collaboration in shaping Tunisia’s future.

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EnergyFinanceLatest News

Volts UAE Limited and AIC Sign MoU for Joint Project Implementation

by rachel
written by rachel

In a bid to advance international collaboration, energy storage manufacturer Volts UAE Limited and the Azerbaijan Investment Company (AIC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish energy storage production in Azerbaijan and facilitate the entry of Volt UAE’s products into new markets.

Vladimir Mlynchik, Chairman of the Board of Volts UAE, met with AIC representatives to sign the partnership agreement at COP29. Under this agreement, AIC plans to provide funding and local support for Volts UAE to create a large-scale assembly and manufacturing facility in Azerbaijan for industrial and home energy storage systems.

“We are truly amazed at Azerbaijan’s commitment to building a sustainable, green, carbon-neutral economy, and are pleased to be part of this strategy”, said Vladimir Mlynchik. “From our perspective, the country is already a regional leader in the integration of advanced green technologies.”

“So, we plan to build a facility for large-scale assembly of industrial and home storage systems to serve the Azerbaijani market and export products to Central Asia.”

Volts UAE will support green energy projects that aim to achieve Azerbaijan’s sustainable development goals and create a reliable renewable energy sector. This approach will contribute to the country’s transition to energy independence and help it gain expertise in the field of energy storage.

“This year, the Azerbaijani company Turan Energy joined forces with Volts Energy, a subsidiary of the Volts Group, to create specialised company TuranVoltsEnergy, a new entity committed to advancing green energy projects”, said Habib Hasanov, Chairman of TuranVoltsEnergy LLC.

“Previously, both companies effectively collaborated as a consortium, bringing to life Azerbaijan’s National E-Mobility Plan, and they continue to enhance that success. With Volts, a leading manufacturer of energy storage solutions, joining the coalition, Azerbaijan’s energy transition is now more achievable than ever. We believe that synergy created by this partnership will facilitate cutting edge technology transfer and bring more investment opportunities to the country.”

The total investment in the new energy storage facility in Azerbaijan will amount to $20 million, of which $10 million will be provided by AIC and $10 million by Volts UAE.

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EnergyEnvironmentLatest News

UAE Launches the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA) at COP29

by rachel
written by rachel

The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure launched the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA) at COP29, an initiative aimed at doubling global energy efficiency rates annually while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

The GEEA highlights some of the potential of climate efficiency as such;

  • Environmental Impact – Energy efficiency can reduce emissions significantly, preserving resources and protecting natural habitats. Improved efficiency could account for up to 40 per cent of the emissions reductions needed to reach global climate targets.
  • Economic Impact – Energy efficiency can drive economic growth , reduce operational costs and increase competitiveness. Every $1 invested in energy efficiency returns $2 in savings.
  • Social Impact – Improving energy efficiency enhances quality of life by reducing pollution , improving public health and promoting sustainable cities.

The GEEA calls for global collaboration to drive energy efficiency, which is one of the quickest, most impactful ways to reduce emissions and build resilience.

“Energy efficiency is not just a goal; it’s the foundation of our sustainable future”, said H.E. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

Key objectives of the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance:

Global knowledge exchange, establishing a platform for sharing best practices and data. Capacity building, providing training and resources for emerging economies to adopt advanced technologies, regulatory frameworks and financing models. Public-private partnerships, facilitating collaborations between governments, private sectors and financial institutions. Standards and certification, harmonising global energy efficiency standards to ensure consistent benchmarks.

Key actions the GEEA propose:

Policy guidance, helping countries design and implement best-in-class energy efficiency policies. Innovation and technology, fostering innovation by creating a platform for sharing new technologies. A financial framework, establishing a model for green financial funding in collaboration with the banks. Knowledge and capacity building, providing resources and training for energy efficiency implementation.

The GEEA put forward a roadmap to forming an international alliance –

In 2024, the initiative hopes to establish a founding committee, create framework documents and engage stakeholders for initial partnerships.

In 2025, the official launch of the GEEA will hope to initiate flagship projects and monitor global energy efficiency progress.

In 2025 and beyond, the GEEA hopes to achieve targeted improvement rates, become a recognised leader in energy efficiency, and expand the alliance’s impact.

The GEEA’s vision is “A world where energy efficiency leads the way to a sustainable, resilient and equitable future”, which can be accelerated through international collaboration on energy efficiency and carbon emission reductions.

The GEEA states “We invite governments, organisations, and industry leaders to join us in creating this alliance, setting ambitious goals and working collaboratively. This alliance will play a pivotal role in realising a sustainable future through energy efficiency. We call on all nations to join us in this crucial effort.”

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EnergyLatest News

ACWA Power and Uzbek MoE: 2GWh Battery Energy Storage Systems Capacity

by rachel
written by rachel

ACWA Power has signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) with the Ministry of Energy (MoE) of Uzbekistan to develop up to 2GWh of standalone Battery Energy Systems capacity (BESS) across the country,

The agreement was witnessed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia.

The announcement came soon after Saudi Arabia signed an implementation programme to strengthen cooperation in the field of renewable energy with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The agreement was formally signed during COP29, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies and reducing carbon emissions. The IA follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ACWA Power and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy during the Tashkent Investment Forum in May 2024.

Under the agreement, ACWA Power receives contractual priority for 2GWh of new BESS capacity in Uzbekistan, allowing the company to offer competitive tariffs. The agreement is valid for two years and may be extended by mutual consent. Both parties will collaborate on feasibility studies to identify optimal locations for BESS projects.

“This agreement marks a key milestone in the evolution of our ongoing partnership with Uzbekistan”, said Raad Al-Saady, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of ACWA Power. “Crucially, as the largest investor in Uzbekistan’s energy sector, with over 13GW of projects under development, this new agreement represents our shared vision for a sustainable future for all.”

“Today, we reiterate our support for the country’s energy transition through advanced battery storage solutions. The agreement not only strengthens our leadership in energy storage technologies, but also demonstrates our commitment to delivering reliable and sustainable energy solutions across Central Asia.”

The signing of the IA underscores both ACWA Power’s leadership in energy storage technologies and Uzbekistan’s ambitions to expand its renewable energy portfolio.

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