UAE Hosts Launch Of Global Partnership For Weather And Climate Services To Advance Clean Energy Transition

A transformative global initiative aimed at integrating weather, water, and climate information into the renewable energy sector has been announced. The new Global Partnership for Weather, Water, and Climate Information and Services for Clean Energy Transition is set to enhance global efforts toward a sustainable energy future, aligning with the ambitious targets set at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in 2023.

The initiative was officially launched during a workshop hosted by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in Abu Dhabi from July 22 to 24, 2024. Supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the workshop brought together international experts from the energy and climate sectors to lay the groundwork for a global center dedicated to advancing clean energy through improved meteorological and climate services.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of WMO and Director General of NCM, emphasized the importance of a global mechanism for providing comprehensive weather and climate information to support renewable energy. “The UAE is leading the way in developing expertise in weather, water, and climate to ensure sustainable clean energy for future generations,” he stated.

The workshop highlighted a significant gap in supporting the global energy transition, with less than a third of WMO members currently offering relevant services. Omar Al Yazeedi, Deputy Director General of NCM, pointed out that the new center will help optimize renewable energy production, build resilient energy infrastructure, and support countries in achieving their net-zero targets.

Key outcomes of the workshop include the development of high-resolution renewable energy atlases, consolidation of observational datasets, and strengthened collaborations between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) and energy producers. Prof. Alberto Troccoli, Director of the World Energy and Meteorology Council, noted that the partnership is crucial for enhancing sector-driven weather and climate services and fostering collaboration to drive the clean energy transition.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s commitments from COP28, which include transitioning away from fossil fuels and significantly increasing renewable energy capacity. The implementation framework for the global center focuses on four main components:

1. Science and Innovation: Developing scientific studies and innovations tailored to the renewable energy sector to improve predictive models and tools.
2. Operational Services: Providing practical operational services such as high-resolution energy atlases, weather and climate indices, and renewable energy forecasts.
3. Capacity Development: Enhancing the capabilities of NMHS professionals through training and workshops to effectively apply weather, water, and climate data in the renewable energy sector.
4. Policy and Advocacy: Integrating meteorological information into strategic planning and policy formulation to support the renewable energy sector.

The partnership aims to build a global platform for integrating energy-related data and technologies, promoting advanced practices, and addressing the demands of the renewable energy industry. This initiative is set to foster greater dialogue between the meteorological and energy sectors, driving progress towards a sustainable and resilient energy future.