DUBAI, UAE, 5 December 2023: As part of the activities of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), at Expo City, Dubai, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), hosted District Cooling Summit 2023. Organised by the International District Energy Association (IDEA) in the Green Zone, the conference saw participation of leaders from the global District Cooling sector, representatives from governmental bodies, international organisations and officials from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), along with environmental experts from various countries, Empower said through a Press release.

The conference featured sessions that convened regional and international energy sector experts, who discussed the landscape of the District Cooling industry. The discussions revolved around exploring the industry’s future prospects and pioneering new solutions aimed at achieving significant advancements in the sector.

Rob Thornton, President and CEO, IDEA, led the first session. H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, IDEA Board Member Emeritus, and Chairman of Dubai’s District Cooling Operators Association; and Shikha Bhasin, Senior Advisor at UNEP, participated in the session.

During the first panel discussion of the day, speakers emphasised the significance of energy-efficient solutions in curbing carbon emissions and underscored the pivotal role of District Cooling in addressing global climate change challenges. International experts in District Cooling and energy, such as H.E. Bin Shafar; Carlyle Coutinho, CEO, Enwave & IDEA Board Chair; Steven Swinson, former CEO, CentTrio and IDEA Board Member Emeritus; Andrea Voigt, Head of Global Public Affairs & Industry Affairs, Danfoss; and Ommid Saberi, Global Program Lead for Green and Resilient Buildings, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), USA, highlighted the importance of efficient cooling methods and proposed a roadmap to achieve desired goals in this regard.

The second panel discussion delved deeper into the significance of policies favouring District Cooling. The focus was on enabling the industry to further reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable urban development. District cooling experts, including H.E. Bin Shafar; Khaled Al Marzouqi, CEO, Tabreed; Dr. Adib El Moubadder, CEO, Emicool; Ahmed Al-Ammari, CEO, Marafeq Qatar; and Joyce Honeine, Program Management Director, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, enriched the session with their insights.

H.E. Bin Shafar said: “We all understand that climate change has become a real threat that must be confronted with deliberate actions and policies, not with only words and emotions. Fortunately, District Cooling systems possess significant potential to mitigate this threat. This vital industry not only helps build a sustainable future but also creates an enabling environment for energy-efficient management systems. We trust our ability to provide more efficient plans for countries and governments to adopt District Cooling as a future solution for sustainable life.”

Thornton said the world looks with admiration and appreciation to the UAE for its pioneering efforts and supremacy in the applications of sustainability and environmental preservation to contribute to reducing climate change.

Thornton praised UAE for its strategies to increase the contribution of renewable energy, including the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 and the UAE Net Zero 2050, in addition to the Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy 2030, which aims to reduce electricity and water consumption by 30% by 2030. He explained that the UAE’s global leadership in the District Cooling sector was the fruits of the State’s investment in advanced infrastructure and facilities with international standards.