@ green | May-June . 2024

Collaborative effort underscores importance of transitioning from fossil fuels equitably and systematically

This initiative aims to triple renewable power capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030 , which are crucial steps in the global effort to combat climate change and maintain the 1.5 ° C temperature target .

The UAE Consensus , a collaborative effort agreed upon by all 198 Parties at COP 28 , underscores the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels equitably and systematically .

Dr Al Jaber ’ s statement highlighted the shared responsibility : “ IRENA ’ s annual report will track and monitor global progress against these targets , ensuring we turn agreement into action and keep 1.5 ° C within reach .

“ The energy transition offers the greatest opportunity for social and economic development since the industrial revolution , and in IRENA , we have a partner who understands both the need to transition to renewable energy and the huge economic opportunity

ARAMCO , a global leader in energy and chemicals , has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with Rondo Energy , a pioneer in lower-carbon industrial heat and power .

This collaboration marks the beginning of engineering studies for the first industrial-scale deployment of Rondo Heat Batteries at Aramco facilities . The aim is to reduce emissions and eventually scale up to 1GWh .

The partnership will also explore further deployment of this technology across Aramco ’ s global facilities , focusing on novel applications such as hydrogen production and carbon capture .

In July 2023 , Aramco Ventures invested in Rondo , underscoring its commitment to innovative , lowercarbon technologies .

Rondo Heat Batteries provide continuous energy from stored wind and solar power at the gigawatt scale and high temperatures essential for industrial processes .

“ Aramco has stated its ambitions to achieve Net Zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across its wholly owned and operated assets and sees opportunities to build substantial lower-carbon new

Dr Sultan Al Jaber this offers .”

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera welcomed this new role , affirming the agency ’ s commitment to the UAE Consensus .

He stated : “ I confirm the unwavering commitment by IRENA to the successful implementation of the historic UAE Consensus . Given the centrality of the Agency ’ s World Energy Transitions Outlook 1.5 ° C Pathway to the tripling of renewables and doubling of energy efficiency goals , IRENA is best placed to monitor progress towards these vital outcomes and ensure commitments are transformed into firm action and progress on the ground .”

From 2024 to 2030 , IRENA will lead and publish an annual tracking

Francesco La Camera

report . This report , featuring the latest data and projections on renewable energy and energy efficiency , will be crucial for monitoring progress towards the UAE Consensus goals .

It will also provide timely and accurate inputs for future COP engagements , ensuring that global efforts to address climate change are transparent and effectively monitored .

IRENA ’ s new role as the official Custodian Agency highlights its pivotal position in the global energy transition , aiming to translate highlevel commitments into actionable progress . This initiative will support the worldwide community of reaching critical climate targets and advancing sustainable development .

energy business ,” said Ali Al-Meshari , Aramco ’ s senior vice President of Technology , Oversight , and coordination .

“ Innovative technologies are crucial for reducing emissions costs , and we see Rondo ’ s technology as having significant global potential .”

Beyond Aramco facilities , the companies will explore applications of Rondo Heat Batteries in hydrogen production , carbon capture , and direct air capture projects .

The technology is also suited for large-scale solar desalination , addressing economic and operational challenges in current thermal desalination facilities .

Rondo Heat Batteries utilise costeffective brick materials , which can be produced using the Kingdom ’ s mineral resources . This opens the potential for establishing large-scale energy storage manufacturing in the region .

“ Rondo is working with one of the world ’ s biggest energy producers to solve one of the world ’ s biggest energy challenges – low-cost clean energy for industry ,” said Rondo CEO John O ’ Donnell .

“ We ’ re thrilled to announce this MoU with Aramco aimed at delivering lower-carbon energy solutions that can help Aramco achieve their decarbonisation ambitions and support the world ’ s critical needs for solar desalination and clean hydrogen .”

The MoU signing was witnessed by US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Prince Abdulaziz Salman Al-Saud , Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia .

This collaboration aligns with the US Department of Energy ’ s goal of enhancing US competitiveness in the global clean energy market , creating jobs , and ensuring secure supply chains .

A HIGH-LEVEL strategic dialogue has reaffirmed the pivotal role of the partnership between the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ) and Türkiye in advancing sustainable , equitable , and peaceful development globally , regionally , and nationally .

This robust collaboration leverages Türkiye ’ s geopolitical stance and substantial development expertise to foster innovative , sustainable solutions across various focus areas . The partnership has gained new momentum since the Partnership Framework Agreement in 2011 .

Türkiye hosts the UNDP ’ s Istanbul Regional Hub ( IRH ) and the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development ( ICPSD ), the most prominent supporter of UNDP ’ s regional programme in Eastern Europe and Central Asia .

Türkiye also stands out as one of the few contributors to UNDP ’ s core resources with multi-year pledges , supporting a broad range of national development priorities .

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner , who opened the consultations , highlighted the strategic alignment between Türkiye ’ s vision to support Agenda 2030 and UNDP ’ s mission .

“ Our collaboration with Türkiye enhances our impact on critical issues , including green and just transitions , innovation , private sector involvement , and rapid crisis response , accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ,” said Steiner .

Co-chaired by Ms Ivana Živković , Director of UNDP ’ s Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS , and Esen Altuğ , Director General of Multilateral Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye , the consultations reinforced this vital collaboration .

Ambassador Altuğ emphasised : “ UNDP ’ s collaboration with Türkiye across global , regional and country levels amplifies our impact on critical issues , including green and just transitions , innovation , private sector involvement and rapid crisis response . These efforts are critical for accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development .”

Attended by key stakeholders , the consultations addressed global challenges such as climate action , digitalisation , and support for least-developed countries . They also underscored the importance of multilateralism and Istanbul ’ s emerging role as a key UN hub .

The dialogue occurred after Türkiye reconfirmed its multi-annual contributions to UNDP ’ s core resources and the regional programme in Europe and the CIS , covering 2025 to 2027 .

These contributions support the world ’ s poorest countries and conflict settings , enabling UNDP to remain agile and leverage SDG financing .

With this renewed commitment , Türkiye and UNDP will continue shaping a sustainable framework for future generations , building on Türkiye ’ s immense potential in increasingly complex development settings .