Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015 (ADSW) will be an important year in sustainable development as world leaders are preparing for the UN Climate Change Conference ( COP 21) in Paris.
The leaders will meet and discuss on various aspects towards a universal agreement on mitigating climate change.
The event will be hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company.
ADSW 2015 will tackle inter-relationships between energy, water and food, and the importance of effective waste management strategies in supporting economic and social development and the resolution of these issues will be highlighted by COP 21.
ADSW supplements these global efforts by providing a platform that promotes a private sector, bottom-up approach to enhance solutions that manage interconnected resource and climate challenges, said, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, minister of state, chairman, Masdar, UAE.
The bottom-up approach identifies that national governments alone cannot solve these issues. Increasingly, effective solutions are being driven by corporations and community leaders, he added.
One example of bottom-up, commercially driven solutions that have emerged from ADSW is Masdar ‘s desalination pilot project.
Announced during ADSW 2013, the partnership united certain companies to accelerate renewable-energy powered desalination technology.
If proven accessible, the technology could seriously address the UAE’s long-term water security.
ALSO READ : EcoWaste 2015 to be held in Abu Dhabi in January
Water security is one of the most pressing issues around the world, said, Al Jaber. But it’s particularly urgent within the Gulf region, where the climate presents with limited natural options. The desalination project is an example of how industry stakeholders can align, forge strategic partnerships and develop bottom-up solutions.
ADSW is a global platform that unites key industry players – from policy makers to corporate leaders – to ignite actions that accelerate commercial opportunities to address energy and water security, waste and that promote sustainable development, he added.
ADSW will run from January 17-24, 2015.The 2015 program will feature a series of events, conference and exhibitions, including the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), dedicated to the advancement of renewable energy
The focus of this year will be on the growing clean energy investment opportunities of the Middle East and Africa, participated by African ministers and leaders.
The International Water Summit (IWS) provides a business approach to addressing water scarcity, sustainable growth and economic development in arid regions.
The event will be attended by the global water community that will highlight the future challenges of water availability and promote international collaboration on water management to address the relationship between water and energy.
The EcoWASTE will focus on development of the GCC’s waste management challenges and opportunities, and will highlight progress and opportunities in sustainable waste management and display the adoption of innovative technology such as waste-to-energy.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize award ceremony will announce the winners of the US$4 million prize, which rewards innovators, organization and schools addressing global sustainability and energy challenges.
The General Assembly, January 17, of the International Renewable Energy Agency will open the week of ADSW.