The Clubic editorial team went to Cop 28 organized in Dubai at the beginning of December. The opportunity to discover the environmental solutions of many companies.
Cop 28 has been in the news a lot recently, particularly due to the action of oil-producing countries, which have called for rejecting an agreement on the exit from fossil fuels. But if the major geopolitical problems were invited into the dance, and occupied the forefront of the news, the event also brought together many actors from the economic world, who were able to present their solutions to support the ecological transition.
Dubai and the sun
Organizing the largest environmental event in a country that is one of the largest producers of hydrocarbons in the world does not instinctively attract sympathy. So the Dubai authorities wanted to show that they also had natural assets for the ecological transition. Already behind the largest solar farm in the world, the United Arab Emirates installed a huge canopy of solar panels on the Cop 28 site for the occasion.
In total, 4,912 solar panels were installed, with an annual capacity to generate 4 GWh of alternative energy. What ” recharge more than 900,000 cell phones » depending on the Gulf country. Irrigation solutions to reduce water consumption by 75% were also presented.
Here are some energy solutions you want
When we think about ecological transition, the question of energy almost comes to mind first. So, unsurprisingly, the largest “hub” on the entire site was devoted to energy solutions. All types of energy have thus been able to find their place, from classic renewable energies such as wind power to nuclear energy. The disgruntled will also have noticed the presence of companies that are not very eco-friendly, such as the oil services company Baker Hughes.
Generally speaking, many large global companies set up a stand in Dubai during the two weeks of Cop 28. On the French side, it was possible to see the national energy company Engie, while European giants like Siemens did not They weren’t far away either. Proof that the event is global, and important, even companies like Huawei have made the trip.
New mobility for all
The other important sector on the site was that of mobility. Most large means of transport, primarily using internal combustion engines, have been offered versions that emit much less CO2. The electric car was obviously in the spotlight, with major manufacturers like BMW. And all kinds of cars were presented on this occasion, including racing cars!
Other means of transport, or even simply tools usually motorized, were also given a stand. A small illustration of this electric explosion could be symbolized by the presence of products such as Volvo’s electric tractor, the ECR25 model. The need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is now being taken into account everywhere, including the aviation sector. Flynow, which is developing a flying taxi solution that emits low CO2, presented its vehicle to the public.
The 21st century everywhere
Beyond all the environmental solutions that were highlighted during Cop 28, companies also sought to make this event an opportunity to show off the most futuristic tools. The famous robot dog from Boston Dynamics was able to wander through the middle of the stands, not very far from a humanoid AI assistant taking the form of a child, and which was installed by the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority. “Rammas”, its nickname, was one of the attractions, particularly because of its ability to simulate certain human emotional actions (like hugging someone!).
Finally, several Middle Eastern countries supported the event organized by the United Arab Emirates more strongly by installing a pavilion dedicated to their national achievements. It was therefore difficult to escape the Egyptian pavilion, but also the perhaps more controversial one of Saudi Arabia. During COP 28, the kingdom wanted to present its “Saudi Green Initiative” plan intended to tackle the problem of climate change. Because even the world’s leading oil exporter wants to reduce its CO2 emissions by 2030. A symbol of Cop 28?
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