Letter from the Middle East: UAE mulls going net zero
The hydrocarbons producer could look to unlock certain benefits by being in the regional low-carbon vanguard
There are increasing hints the UAE may be about to make a commitment to net-zero carbon emissions. Although following several large developed countries as well as China, it would be a remarkable step for a leading and growing oil exporter. Such a decision would raise two important questions: why, and how? Net-zero commitments call for CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced as far as possible and for any residual emissions to be mopped up, for instance by reforestation or direct removal of atmospheric CO₂. News agency Bloomberg suggested the UAE could make a declaration before the next UN climate conference, Cop26, in Glasgow this November, potentially linked to the UAE’s ambiti
Also in this section
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions
8 January 2026
The next five years will be critical for the North Sea, and it will be policy not geology that will decide the basin’s future
8 January 2026
The region’s access to versatile feedstock, combined with policy support, is setting it up to meet growing demand both at home and abroad
7 January 2026
No longer can the energy source be considered a sidekick to oil in the Middle East and neither should it step aside for less convincing alternatives






