Target set for a sustainable society

Abu Dhabi - The public will also be urged to highlight their own commitments to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

The UAE will launch a nationwide campaign inviting the public to "show greater commitment to living a sustainable lifestyle" during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), one of the world's largest sustainability gatherings, to be held in Abu Dhabi from January 12 to 19.
As part of the #WeAreCommitted campaign, ministers and international industry leaders will take a sustainability pledge and promote the right of all communities to enjoy cleaner land, air and water in 2019. The public will also be urged to highlight their own commitments to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the global platform will see the UAE and international policymakers make a collective call for unity in addressing the challenges of climate change and working towards sustainable development goals.
Over a week, ADSW 2019 will explore the major social, economic and environmental trends impacting the sector on the theme 'Industry Convergence: Accelerating Sustainable Development'.
Speaking at the event's Press launch on Monday, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: "Every year at the ADSW, the UAE joins forces with the rest of the world to accelerate the pace of sustainable development. Platforms such as this one enable the country to keep pace with the increased global uptake for innovative climate technologies, and lead the way to a cleaner and better tomorrow." 
Al Zeyoudi said that this year, the ministry will present the second edition of the Climate Innovation Exchange (Clix) initiative that will facilitate funding for innovators who pioneer climate change solutions. "As part of the hub, Clix will offer $20 million to fund innovative projects for climate change solutions this year," Al Zeyoudi told Khaleej Times.
This year's Clix programme has received a record 811 applications from 83 countries. The categories include sustainability in space; future of energy; and future of food and agriculture. In 2018, nearly half of the 27 finalists who exhibited their inventions received funding pledges from investors, totalling over $17.5 million.
This year's edition of the ADSW has widened its scope and will address global sustainability challenges and opportunities on six pillars - energy and climate change, water, future mobility, space, biotechnology, and tech for good. The topics of youth and digitalisation will be part of each of these pillars and the programmes running throughout the ADSW.
Commenting on Masdar's role as host of the ADSW and the event's expanded mandate, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said: "We regard investing in renewable energy and sustainable real estate as good business. Hosting the ADSW, on the other hand, is our proud duty to the UAE. It is a collaborative effort and a platform for multilateral dialogue.
Last year, a record 38,000 people representing 175 countries attended the ADSW, including 180 ministers and 300 high-level speakers. Commercial projects worth $15 billion were announced during the week. 
anjana@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi