GECF calls for energy options to balance post-Covid requirements and climate actions of global community
Gulf Times
Yury Sentyurin, secretary-general of the GECF, addressing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow.
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the global platform of the leading gas producing nations, has urged the global community to look for energy options that achieve the right balance between the post-Covid-19 economic and social requirements and climate actions, particularly for the most vulnerable regions of the world.“Given the technology’s pivotal role in transforming the energy industry, we recommend that the COP26 negotiations are underpinned by technology transfer to decarbonise the energy sector, including the decarbonisation technologies of the gas industry,” Yury Sentyurin, secretary-general of the GECF, said.He was addressing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the organiser of the conference of the parties (COP26), in Glasgow, UK.Gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels, and its abundance, flexibility, and affordability makes it an ideal fuel of choice, particularly for emerging and developing economies, many of them in highly populated regions of Asia and Africa.The latest GECF figures estimate natural gas to become the most used source of energy in the world by 2050, upping its share from 23% today to 27%.“Ensuring access to competitive and reliable energy sources is of paramount importance for a sustained economic recovery,” Sentyurin said.He also outlined the steps being taken by the GECF member countries, from technology and innovation to research and development, in order to cement the role of natural gas as a solution for a balanced energy transition.“Our environmental knowledge and solutions framework has been initiated as a collaborative platform with designed measures to build capabilities and exchange expertise, specifically regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation practices,” he said, adding “the GECF member countries have placed climate action at the forefront of their priorities.”Alexey Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, cited the energy landscape of the world’s largest country by landmass as an example for other countries. “86% of our energy generation is based on solar, wind, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric power. Russia is already an example of low GHG emissions,” Overchuk said.Qatar, another GECF member and host of the headquarters of the GECF, affirmed its National Environment and Climate Change Strategy at COP26.HE Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Qatar, told delegates that Doha’s strategy for environment and climate change is based on five main pillars: Reducing GHG emissions and air pollutants, enhancing the abundance of biodiversity, establishing sustainable water management, improving waste management, building a circular economy, and enhancing land use productivity.Qatar has also promised the first carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup next year.