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Progress on Circular Economy in the United Arab Emirates

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Learning activity

Consider the UAE's four priority sectors for implementing circular economic policy that His Excellency mentioned: sustainable green manufacturing, sustainable food production, sustainable infrastructure, and sustainable transportation.

Then, given the circumstances in your country, write down which of these sectors your government should focus on to have the most significant impact on your country's transition to a circular economy. Explain your reasoning.

If you have another sector outside of the four examples above in mind, then write about that.

Key Takeaways

This chapter discussed strategic decision-making through the lens of the UAE's focus on circular economy policies, highlighting the nation's commitment to green growth as a key driver of economic sustainability.

  1. The UAE has identified four key sectors - sustainable green manufacturing, sustainable food production and consumption, sustainable infrastructure, and sustainable transportation - as focal points for implementing circular economy policies.

  2. The UAE has decided to invest significantly in green transitions both domestically and internationally, emphasising renewable energy projects and supporting developing countries' transitions.

  3. Governance of the new focus on circular economic development has involved the private sector to get multiple viewpoints on best practices.

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Further Readings
  1. Strategy& (2019)Adopting a circular economic model could save GCC US$138 billion between 2020 and 2030
  2. The United Arab Emirates' Government Portal (2023)Green economy for sustainable development
  3. International Solar Alliance (ISA)About ISA
  4. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)About IRENA
  5. Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform (ETAF)An inclusive multi-stakeholder climate finance platform to advance the global energy transition
  6. World Economic ForumScale360° circular innovation
  7. UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (2021)UAE Green Growth Strategy
  8. UAE Cabinet (2019)The UAE is the first globally to sign on the World Economic Forum's "Scale 360"
  9. Marwan Bejjani et al. (2019)Putting GCC cities in the loop: Sustainable growth in a circular economyStrategy&
  10. Gulf News (2022)The UAE has invested over $40 billion in clean energy over the last 15 years
  11. ZAWYA (2023)UAE Circular Economy Council discusses 'Year of Sustainability' initiatives and COP28