Daikin Aligns with UAE’s Ambitious Climate Goals: Signs Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge
Daikin Middle East and Africa FZE ("Daikin"), recently announced a significant achievement in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by signing the Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge initiated by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). This momentous step aligns seamlessly with Daikin's Environmental Vision 2050 and contributes wholeheartedly to the UAE's ambitious Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and Clean Energy Strategy.
In becoming a signatory to the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge, Daikin UAE commits to intensify its efforts in combating climate change by substantially reducing its carbon footprint in scope 1 & 2 emissions. This commitment echoes the national drive towards achieving the net-zero emissions target by 2050, if not sooner.
Samer Alawiah, UAE Managing Director at Daikin, expressed, "We take immense pride and honour in embracing the opportunity extended by MOCCAE to sign the Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge. This significant move solidifies Daikin's unwavering alignment with the UAE's global climate commitments, notably the Paris Agreement, and underscores our support for the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative."
The pledge represents the cornerstone of future collaborations between the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and international entities, including Emirates Nature in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This strategic alliance aims to bolster and guide private sector enterprises as they take concrete steps towards realising their net-zero aspirations.
Alawiah further emphasised, "We underscored our dedication to sustainable cooling and the paramount importance of collective efforts from corporations and individuals in tandem with governmental endeavours to decarbonise and construct a sustainable future. The signing of this pledge propels us further along this trajectory, as we stand as responsible local citizens keenly attuned to the needs of our community."
A total of 29 esteemed companies have joined the pledge, including notable names such as Siemens, Emirates Steel Arkan, and Alec Engineering and Contracting. These entities specialise in a wide spectrum of domains, including design and consultancy, engineering, manufacturing, construction, energy services, and facilities management. Beyond setting decarbonisation targets, these signatories are poised to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, leveraging experiences and best practices to uncover innovative ways of reducing emissions within the real estate and construction sectors' value chain. A cornerstone of this collaborative effort is the sharing of data, which promises to enhance carbon emissions accounting and reporting throughout the lifecycle of real estate assets.
Among the shared commitments by these signatories is a steadfast dedication to making climate change mitigation and adaptation integral to their business and operational models. Additionally, the pledge champions an inclusive approach that actively engages youth, women, and vulnerable segments of society in the formulation of net-zero plans.
The UAE pledge forms an integral part of MOCCAE's multifaceted initiatives aimed at elevating the UAE's climate action in direct response to the call issued by the Glasgow Climate Pact, a consequential outcome of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). This call urges nations to set and strive for higher targets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The eagerness exhibited by these pioneering companies to endorse the pledge underscores the private sector's deep understanding of the critical menace posed by climate change and its far-reaching consequences for the environment, food security, water security, and public health.
