The UK’s Aim to Develop GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

KEITH MANNS | www.mecs.design

Britain was the world’s first major economy to set a target of being net zero by 2050. Net zero refers to balancing the amount of carbon emitted and the amount captured. A net zero economy would fully offset its carbon emissions.

In a new report the Government reiterates the net zero commitment, while talking up the benefits of leading the world in this direction. They estimate, “By 2030 low carbon goods and services globally are expected to be worth between £1.1 trillion and £1.8 trillion per year.

“In the UK the green economy could support up to two million jobs, including in our industrial heartlands.”

“We want to help our manufacturing sector lead the world in the green industrial revolution.”

It also explains that post Brexit, the UK Government can forge its own streamlined route to net zero. And this is key to aligning the country’s resources with its targets. “Following Brexit, the UK now has the flexibility to determine our own decarbonisation pathways to 2050, in a way that fully utilises the unique strengths and opportunities of UK diplomacy, industry and innovation.

OUR TAKE:

All 6 of the Gulf monarchies feature in the world’s top 15 polluters, measured by CO2 emissions per capita. We checked (figures inset), and it came as no surprise.

Famous for oil production, energy is cheap here. State-supplied electricity is cheap and in most cases, heavily subsidised for local nationals. Petrol is far cheaper than in the UK, U.S,. or Europe, and we all drive big gas-guzzling vehicles as a result. Boats are fitted with huge outboard engines (plural). And in absolutely everything, performance comes way before efficiency in the buyer’s mind.

Yet that is changing. Energy costs are rising. Prices at the fuel pumps have been going up and up for years. Consumers are becoming more price sensitive too, buying more Japanese cars with smaller engines. And all across the Gulf, governments have been working to make their economies less dependent on oil (though this was a necessity due to low oil prices).

They also have a keen interest in new technologies, and oil revenues are readily available to invest in green tech. Abu Dhabi even has a new solar power plant. The Middle East Energy exhibition will focus on product sectors that will lead the way in energy transition (Smart Solutions, Renewable & Clean Energy, Backup Generators & Critical Power, Transmission & Distribution, and Energy Consumption & Management.) And a range of brands including Lucy Electric, Cummins, Emirates Transformers, Ducab, Riyadh Cables Group and Bahra Cables Company will be showcasing technologies that accelerate this transition.

So this trend is set to continue, and the UK would find a huge market in the Arabian Gulf if it develops world-leading low carbon goods and services.

There is a huge potential market in the Arabian Gulf for the very best low carbon goods and services.