A range of conferences aimed at highlighting sustainable practices and the challenges in water, energy and waste management, will take place during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), between 18 and 24 January 2014.
The second edition of the ADSW, which is being hosted by renewable energy firm Masdar, has been estimated to rope in more than 30,000 visitors from 150 countries around the world.
The ADSW starts with the fourth assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), a global inter-governmental organisation for renewable energy, on 18 January 2014. The organisation is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and has 163 member states.
The Irena convention is followed by the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) between 20 and 22 January, which will focus on the advancement of renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology.
The WFES is being held alongside the International Water Summit (IWS), which will address the water-energy nexus, scarcity, sustainable growth and economic development in arid regions, along with future challenges in water availability.
For the first time, the ADSW will feature the EcoWaste Exhibition, which is being held in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Centre of Waste Management. This exhibition will highlight the progress made in the field of waste-to-energy technology and the wide-spread adoption of such solutions.
During ADSW, the Zayed Future Energy Prize, with awards worth US$4mn for innovations in renewable energy and sustainability, will be announced.
Masdar chief executive officer Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said, “Over the past year, sustainable growth has been at the top of the global agenda. By 2030, as many as five billion people worldwide will require an efficient management of resources such as water, energy and waste.
“Harmonizing environmental, social and economic sustainability objectives are critical in supporting global development. The UAE is a key contributor to the dialogue, and a recognised driver of innovation and sustainable technological development.”
According to a recent report by the United Nations (UN), half of the world’s population could face water shortages by 2030, where demand for water could exceed supplies by 40 per cent. The world energy consumption has also been estimated by the UN to increase by 56 per cent by 2040.
The UN has estimated that the global waste market, from collection to recycling, will have a net worth of US$410bn a year in the near term.
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