Abu Dhabi: Countries must tackle the issue of climate change through effective policies that combine economic growth with clean sustainable development, former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Speaking at Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Fillon was joined by several other high ranking officials including the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at the event held under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
“Sustainable development is at the heart of our existence. Our planet’s resources are not unlimited, and we must respect the natural equilibrium,” said Fillon.
“It is only through concrete action that we will be able to reduce global warming… The challenge is to unite economic and environmental progress, neither can exist independently or in opposition to each other,” he added.
Members of society will also have to contribute to the change by adjusting their lifestyle habits, Fillon said.
“We must bring a new outlook on society; in this regard, ecology is a matter for civic sense and personal responsibility, every citizen and business must create a more sober society.
“It is important for all our states to bring under control energy costs and consumption, and for this to work there must be a reform from consumers and businesses,” he added.
Fillon cited the UAE positively for its actions towards a more sustainable future.
“The late Shaikh Zayed was conscious of the necessity for environmental improvement when he created an original vision of development for the post-oil era,” he said.
“The UAE represents bold innovation, an example of which is Masdar City. This will be a zero-carbon based city, and instead will completely rely on sustainable energy,” he added.
Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the UAE was firm in its commitment to a cleaner future, and had undertaken several policies in line with that goal.
“The UAE has provided over $840 million [Dh3.08 billion] to developing countries helping them with renewable projects that involve wind, solar, and geothermal technologies.
“A number of leading institutions in the UAE are working on many innovative projects that will increase the resource efficiency of the UAE and move us towards a knowledge based economy,” he added.
