Arab leaders, including the UAE, emphasize a pragmatic, balanced shift towards renewables while maintaining reliance on fossil fuels to ensure economic stability and meet climate goals, with regional investments reaching nearly $18 billion since 2020.
The global energy scene is currently facing quite a tricky challenge—balancing the age-old reliance on fossil fuels with the urgent push for renewable energy solutions. This issue was recently brought into focus by Jamal Al-Loughani, who’s the Secretary General of the Arab Energy Organization (AEO). He spoke at the event titled “Empowering the Future: Energy Transition and Economic Diversification in Arab Countries.” During his talk, he emphasized that blending traditional energy sources with renewables offers the most practical way to satisfy rising energy demands, all while managing economic and social realities.
Al-Loughani highlighted the need for a practical approach to moving towards cleaner energy. He pointed out that, even though decarbonisation is crucial, the oil and gas sectors still provide dependable energy and jobs for millions of people across the Arab world. He also called for reducing the current dominance of oil and gas—which at the moment makes up over 50% of energy markets in Arab countries—advocating instead for a balanced narrative where fossil fuels coexist alongside renewable initiatives. Since 2020, investments in renewables across the Arab region have jumped by about 35%, reaching nearly $18 billion, which shows a clear rising commitment to green energy.
Take the UAE, for example. It really shows this balanced approach through its UAE Energy Strategy 2050. The plan aims to triple the share of renewables in the energy mix by 2030, with investments expected to range from AED150 billion to AED200 billion. Among the key objectives are reducing emissions in water and energy sectors to reach net-zero by 2050, phasing out clean coal from their energy portfolio, and improving energy efficiency by up to 45% compared to 2019 levels. The strategy also focuses on economic growth, aiming to create around 50,000 green jobs by 2030 and boosting clean energy capacity from 14.2 GW to nearly 19.8 GW in that timeframe.
These plans aren’t just about national goals—they also line up pretty well with regional and global trends. The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, under Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei, has reiterated its commitment to the Net Zero 2050 Strategy by pushing ahead with renewable projects, integrating cleaner energy sources alongside traditional ones, and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure. The government has also rolled out policies to encourage electric and hybrid vehicles, supporting a broader move toward sustainable transportation.
The UAE isn’t limiting itself to renewables, either. It’s also investing heavily in nuclear and alternative energy sources. Plans amounting to over $163 billion are set in motion by 2050 to keep the economy growing while sticking to climate commitments. This strategic diversification is based on the recognition that oil and gas still make up around 30% of the UAE’s total economic activity—so a gradual, well-thought-out transition makes a lot more sense than abrupt shifts.
Abu Dhabi, a major hub within the UAE, demonstrates this forward-thinking on sustainability with a pledged investment of AED 600 billion in clean and renewable energy projects. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims for renewables to constitute 30% of the energy mix by 2030, phasing out clean coal, boosting energy efficiency, and creating green jobs as part of its economic transition.
This balance—between keeping the economy steady and pushing for decarbonisation—is mirrored in other parts of the world, too. For example, the European Union recently moved to divest from coal assets like a German coal mine, signaling a global shift toward cleaner energy sources, even though fossil fuels are still part of the transitional phase.
What all this underscores from the Arab Energy Organization and UAE leaders is that an integrated, balanced energy model is crucial. Completely ditching fossil fuels too quickly could cause serious economic and social fallout—particularly in regions where millions depend on oil and gas jobs. But ignoring the renewable future isn’t wise either; failing to develop those technologies risks making climate change worse.
As the world continues to face an energy crisis, the Arab nations’ call for a harmonized transition serves as a practical reminder: sustainability and economic growth need to go hand in hand. Thanks to their investments and strategic planning, countries like the UAE show that innovation, balance, and well-thought-out policies can help guide the energy sector toward a more sustainable and economically stable future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://energiesmedia.com/arab-energy-organization-calls-for-balance/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.moei.gov.ae/en/media-center/news/13/1/2025/uae-leads-region-as-fastest-growing-clean-energy-market-suhail-al-mazrouei – In January 2025, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei, highlighted the nation’s leading position in clean and renewable energy. He emphasized the UAE’s commitment to achieving its Net Zero 2050 Strategy by advancing ambitious renewable energy projects, integrating traditional and clean energy sources, and ensuring a sustainable and diversified energy sector. Al Mazrouei also discussed the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure and the implementation of national policies to encourage the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. ([moei.gov.ae](https://www.moei.gov.ae/en/media-center/news/13/1/2025/uae-leads-region-as-fastest-growing-clean-energy-market-suhail-al-mazrouei?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification – The UAE is actively diversifying its energy mix to achieve its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims to balance energy supply and demand while meeting environmental commitments. The strategy targets an energy mix that combines renewable, nuclear, and alternative energy sources, with plans to invest over $163 billion by 2050 to meet growing energy demand and ensure sustainable economic growth. ([uae-embassy.org](https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.added.gov.ae/en/invest/growth-sectors/clean-energy – Abu Dhabi’s sustainable energy efforts reflect the national agenda to diversify the economy. The UAE has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and announced it would invest AED 600 billion in clean and renewable energy. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims to eliminate the contribution of clean coal to the energy mix, increase the contribution of clean energy to 30% by 2030, create 50,000 new green jobs by 2030, and increase consumption efficiency by 42-45%. ([added.gov.ae](https://www.added.gov.ae/en/invest/growth-sectors/clean-energy?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification – The UAE is pairing traditional and alternative energy sources to sustainably produce the power needed to fuel its economy. The UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative is working to expand innovation across the energy sector. The UAE has taken aggressive action to diversify its energy mix and economy, with oil and gas exports accounting for about 30 percent of the UAE’s total economic activity. The share of additional energy sources is rapidly expanding to meet growing energy demands. ([uae-embassy.org](https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification – The UAE is pairing traditional and alternative energy sources to sustainably produce the power needed to fuel its economy. The UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative is working to expand innovation across the energy sector. The UAE has taken aggressive action to diversify its energy mix and economy, with oil and gas exports accounting for about 30 percent of the UAE’s total economic activity. The share of additional energy sources is rapidly expanding to meet growing energy demands. ([uae-embassy.org](https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification – The UAE is pairing traditional and alternative energy sources to sustainably produce the power needed to fuel its economy. The UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative is working to expand innovation across the energy sector. The UAE has taken aggressive action to diversify its energy mix and economy, with oil and gas exports accounting for about 30 percent of the UAE’s total economic activity. The share of additional energy sources is rapidly expanding to meet growing energy demands. ([uae-embassy.org](https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments in the UAE’s energy strategy, including the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, both updated in 2024. These updates are recent and align with the report’s content. However, the report’s publication date is not specified, making it challenging to assess its freshness accurately. The absence of a clear publication date is a notable concern. Additionally, the report’s reliance on a press release from the Arab Energy Organization typically warrants a high freshness score, as press releases are intended to disseminate the latest information.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes attributed to Jamal Al-Loughani, Secretary General of the Arab Energy Organization. However, a search for these specific quotes yields no online matches, suggesting they may be original or exclusive content. The lack of online matches increases the originality score but also raises questions about the verifiability of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Arab Energy Organization, a regional body focused on energy issues in Arab countries. While the organization is relevant to the topic, its credibility is not as widely established as that of global entities like the Financial Times or Reuters. The absence of a clear publication date and the reliance on a press release further complicate the assessment of the source’s reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding the UAE’s energy strategy, including the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, are consistent with publicly available information. The UAE’s commitment to balancing traditional energy sources with renewable initiatives is well-documented. However, the lack of a clear publication date and the absence of supporting details from other reputable outlets reduce the overall plausibility score.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents plausible information consistent with known UAE energy strategies and includes original quotes from Jamal Al-Loughani. However, the absence of a clear publication date and the reliance on a press release from the Arab Energy Organization, a source with limited global recognition, raise concerns about the report’s freshness and reliability. The lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets further diminishes confidence in the report’s credibility.
