UAE raises emission cut target to 40 pct by 2030

DUBAI, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Tuesday to raise its emission reduction target from 31 percent to 40 percent by 2030, as the country prepares to host a major climate conference later this year.

The updated target "marks a step-change in the nation's approach to greenhouse gas emission reduction," UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri was quoted by the official news agency WAM as saying.

All domestic sectors such as power and water generation, heavy industry, transport, waste, buildings, and agriculture will collectively reduce emissions as per specific sectoral targets, said the WAM report.

Under the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050, the oil-rich country aims to increase the share of clean energy to 50 percent by 2050 and reduce the carbon footprint of power generation by 70 percent.

The UAE is to host the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.