DUBAI, UAE, 18 July 2024: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) hosted a technical study tour on District Cooling on July 15 and 17 in Dubai. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Empower said the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) initiated the tour programme for high-level delegates from the Government of Tunisia, Kingdom of Morocco and the State Government of Punjab, in Pakistan, with funding support from the Government of Italy.

Empower said the study tour included workshops, and training and discussion sessions on District Cooling in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Empower said that in addition to the representatives from the COP28 UAE Presidency team, the sessions witnessed participation of representatives from UNEP and the Empower management team, headed by its CEO, H.E. Ahmad bin Shafar, who is also a Special Advisor on District Cooling to the UNEP for its ‘District Energy in Cities initiative’, Board Member Emeritus of the International District Energy Association (IDEA), and Chairman of the Association of District Cooling Operators. The sessions also attracted virtual participation by Rob Thornton, President and CEO, IDEA.

H.E. Bin Shafar said: “The initiative, in general, embodies one of the UAE’s most prominent values, and on a private level, it translates Dubai’s keenness to share its expertise with friendly countries for the world’s better future.

“Hosting the study tour and field visits for UAE’s guests from its friendly countries embodies one of Empower’s social and corporate values.”

Lily Riahi, Program Manager, UNEP, and Global Lead of the Cool Coalition, said: “District Cooling is a critical technology for delivering affordable, efficient and renewable cooling and for faster phasedown of climate-warming refrigerants. But its development is slowed due to lack of demonstration projects and supportive policies.

“Such international exchanges, like the one organised in Dubai by Empower and other companies in Abu Dhabi, will support countries such as Morocco and Tunisia to meet the commitments they have made under the Global Cooling Pledge at COP28 in UAE, of which 71 countries have now signed up.”