DUBAI, UAE, 3 December 2023: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) announced that it will host the District Cooling Summit 2023, organised by the International District Energy Association (IDEA) on December 5, as a side event of COP28, that is currently being held in Dubai. Making the announcement through a Press release, Empower said, the summit aims to bring together representatives from governmental bodies, international organisations, and officials from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), along with environmental experts from various countries, to discuss the critical role of District Cooling, in addressing climate change.

H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “Empower’s participation in the COP28 is highly significant, as evidenced by the breadth and depth of its engagement, which includes bringing together key stakeholders in the global District Cooling industry from various nations. This distinctive participation at the international event aligns with our global strategy of providing comprehensive support to humanitarian causes, particularly those about climate change. We remain persistent in our commitment to corporate social responsibility by raising awareness of the risks of global warming and its detrimental consequences for humanity and development in various countries.”

H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar

Rob Thornton

He further said that through sponsorship of various initiatives that support the international agenda and the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, Empower is committed to addressing climate warming and confronting climate change with the utmost priority.

According to Empower, the Summit agenda is enriched with many activities designed in line with the magnitude of the theme of COP28. The event, Empower added, seeks to collaborate international efforts to adopt effective policies and executive plans to confront the repercussions of climate change. The District Cooling utility provider further said that the District Cooling Summit 2023 will feature in-depth and diverse panel discussions exploring the critical role of District Cooling as a pioneering force in combating climate change risks. From its ability to reduce energy consumption to its superior potential for safeguarding natural resources, District Cooling significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes environmental sustainability, Empower said.

Rob Thornton, President and CEO, International District Energy Association (IDEA), said: “The Association is proud to maintain close collaboration with Empower, particularly in playing an active role at COP28. Moreover, COP brings together world leaders from nearly 200 nations to collaborate on the urgent challenges of climate change. Hosting the COP allows the United Arab Emirates to seize a unique historic opportunity to achieve tangible progress in climate action and build a better future for all in collaboration with nations worldwide.” He further said that the UAE is a world leader in the deployment of District Cooling systems for enhanced efficiency, resilience and emissions reduction, and added that IDEA looks forward to continuing its work towards a fundamental transformation of the cooling sector through strong collaboration and meaningful partnerships and supporting the UAE in fulfilling its ambitious environmental agenda during and after the event.