On Renewables

Her Excellency Teresa Ribera, Spain’s Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain, explains how Spain is working to meet its 2050 objective of national climate neutrality, in conversation with Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany. Ahead of COP28 in the UAE, the two diplomats discuss why the global community must collaborate to help mobilise collective action and deliver a solutions-oriented UN climate conference, against the backdrop of the first Global Stocktake since Paris 2015.

In the wake of two extremely challenging years for the energy industry, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has demonstrated its agility and readiness to adapt to the new normal. But how? And what does the global energy transition mean for economies in the heart of the hydrocarbon landscape? Joining the On Renewables podcast to answer this question and more, is His Excellency Engineer Awaidha Murshed Ali Al Marar, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy.

Green maritime transport is a major aspect of global efforts to stem the tide of climate change. 

In this episode of On Renewables, H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany hosts Gunter Pauli to discuss the future of our oceans, sustainable vessels, and the blue economy on board the world’s largest solar ship MS Porrima’s Blue Odyssey.

"We're in the midst of an energy revolution, we're transitioning to an electricity-based economy," - the UN Development Programme's Administrator, Achim Steiner, discusses how the United Nations is setting out to tackle the multiple challenges facing society today – from  pandemic recovery efforts and bridging the energy access gap, to rebuilding social cohesion and the climate crisis. 

In discussion with Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Steiner reflects on a career in sustainable human development that has taken him to posts from India and Pakistan to Germany,  Zimbabwe and  Vietnam, and looks to ways we can build forward better.

In the last decade before the UN Sustainable Development Goals need to be realized, the challenge of meeting global energy goals at the speed and scale that is needed is a tough task. So, who better to talk about how we achieve them than Damilola Ogunbiyi, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for SDG7 and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). We explore the challenges and choices SRSG Ogunbiyi has made, personally and professionally, to lead the charge on securing access to sustainable energy for all in the 21st century.

We’re talking global climate action with one of the world’s most prominent voices and activists in the movement, Christiana Figueres, the former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change whose work on the Paris Agreement saw 195 nations sign the historic accord. In this episode, the UAE Mission to IRENA discusses the emergence of more women in diplomatic and STEM careers, the role of soft power in accelerating climate action and the reasons to be optimistic about the Paris Agreement’s impact on policymakers, as Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to IRENA and Mrs. Figueres recall the highlights of a long friendship.

In episode one of “On Renewables” we explore the climate challenges facing the UAE with His Excellency Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment. Located amid one of the hottest regions on the planet, the UAE faces a unique set of challenges, from extreme heat to sustainable agriculture. We discuss the nation’s plans to forge a greener, cleaner future with the cabinet minister.

*New York Times article referenced: “This Is Inequity at the Boiling Point” by Somini Sengupta https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/06/climate/climate-change-inequality-heat.html

In episode five of “On Renewables” we discuss how the UAE is putting sustainability at its core with Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai and Chairperson of Dubai Cares. 

Her Excellency Al Hashimy offers a glimpse into her everyday life, explains the responsibilities of each of her high-level leadership roles, and how renewable energy and sustainability have become the north star of a nation pursuing ambitious clean energy targets by 2050.

In episode six of “On Renewables”, we discuss how the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is globally spearheading the renewable energy movement with Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA. 

Francesco offers a glimpse into his past, his early beginnings as a footballer, his transition to public affairs, his journey with sustainability and renewable energy and his role as Director-General of IRENA.

“As a small island surrounded by water, we need to understand the impact of global warming on the sea water level. We are looking for change; change in the ways we produce and consume things. The way that we generate energy will determine the carbon footprint of almost 100% of the people in Singapore, so we’re looking to renewables, electrification and smarter grids.”

- Ms. Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, discusses the country’s policymaking plans and priorities to become a more sustainable place in the coming decade. And we discuss the significance of the Singapore government’s recent decision to re-name the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment.