Programme Objectives and Scope
The UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, announced in October 2021, commits the federation to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century. This made the UAE the first Gulf state to formally adopt a net-zero target. The initiative is comprehensive in scope, encompassing decarbonisation pathways across power generation, heavy industry, transport, buildings, waste management, and agriculture. It is built on the foundation of existing energy transition programmes — including the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the National Hydrogen Strategy, and the operational Barakah nuclear and large-scale solar programmes — while adding new requirements for carbon capture, methane reduction, and economy-wide emissions accounting.
Key Targets and KPIs
The headline target is net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Interim targets include achieving a clean energy mix of 50 percent by 2050 (combining nuclear, solar, wind, and other renewables), reducing carbon intensity of GDP, deploying carbon capture and storage at scale across industrial facilities, and progressively reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The UAE’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement targets a 31 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to the business-as-usual scenario. Progress is measured through national greenhouse gas inventories, clean energy capacity additions, and sector-specific emissions intensity benchmarks.
Implementation Status and Progress
Foundational infrastructure is operational. The Barakah nuclear plant delivers 5.6 gigawatts of zero-carbon baseload electricity. The Al Dhafra and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar parks represent some of the world’s largest solar installations. ADNOC has committed to zero routine gas flaring, deployed carbon capture at its Shah and Habshan facilities, and joined the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative. Masdar’s global renewable energy portfolio exceeds 20 gigawatts. COP28, hosted in Dubai in late 2023, produced the UAE Consensus and the $30 billion ALTERRA climate finance vehicle. Sectoral decarbonisation roadmaps for industry, transport, and buildings are in development or early implementation.
Lead and Supporting Institutions
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment provides policy leadership, supported by the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change. ADNOC leads hydrocarbon sector decarbonisation. Masdar and EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) drive clean energy deployment. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure coordinates the national energy mix targets. ENEC manages nuclear operations. Emirate-level authorities — including Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy — implement local clean energy and efficiency programmes. The UAE Climate Change Council, established at the federal level, coordinates across all relevant entities.
Relationship to We the UAE 2031 Pillars
The Net Zero 2050 initiative is the central programme supporting the Sustainability Pillar of We the UAE 2031. While the net-zero target extends two decades beyond the 2031 framework, the interim milestones — including clean energy deployment, emissions reduction targets, and hydrogen production goals — fall squarely within the We the UAE 2031 planning horizon. The programme also supports the economy pillar through the development of green industries and clean energy exports, and the global engagement pillar by reinforcing the UAE’s credibility as a climate leader and COP28 legacy custodian.
Funding and Resource Allocation
The UAE has committed over AED 600 billion in clean energy investment through 2050. Near-term capital allocation includes Masdar’s expansion towards 100 gigawatts by 2030, ADNOC’s multi-billion-dollar investment in carbon capture and low-carbon hydrogen, and continued investment in nuclear operations and solar capacity. The ALTERRA climate finance vehicle, launched at COP28, targets $30 billion in climate investment mobilisation globally. Federal and emirate budgets include allocations for energy efficiency retrofits, electric vehicle infrastructure, and green building standards implementation.