ABU DHABI - As part of its commitment to achieving net-zero goals, Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, recently signed the Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge initiated by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

Ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) being hosted in the UAE, this pledge bolsters the UAE’s climate leadership in the region as it prepares to harness innovation and cutting-edge technology through partnership between the public and private sectors, demonstrating how the world can take on and tackle climate change.

The pledge was signed during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week which is following a theme of “United on Climate Action toward COP28”, this year.

Johnson Controls, represented by Mohammad Khalid, the company’s vice president and general manager in the Middle East and Africa, signed the pledge during the 8th installment of the MOCCE-hosted National Dialogue for Climate Action (NDCA). The NDCA, a sector-specific assembly, was attended by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment.

In signing this pledge, Johnson Controls is building on its commitments to sustainability. Recently, the company was honoured at the 4th Emirates Energy Award 2022, at the World Green Economy Summit, in the category of “Energy Efficiency in the Private Sector”. Johnson Controls is helping deliver immense energy savings at Dubai Airports, a feat projected to bring down the annual carbon footprint by more than 5,000 tons.

Khalid said, “We thank the MOCCAE for giving us the opportunity to join the Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge which will support the UAE’s 2050 net-zero target. We strongly believe in the ministry’s efforts which align with Johnson Controls’ vision to strengthen cross-sector collaboration to accelerate climate actions and make measurable changes when it comes to protecting our environment.”

As a part of a collaborative effort between the UAE government and private organisations in the country to tackle climate change, Johnson Controls in the UAE will measure and report greenhouse gas emissions and also develop plans to further reduce emissions. This initiative aligns with Johnson Controls’ commitment to 55 percent Scope 1 and 2 and 16 percent Scope 3 GHG reduction by 2030, as approved by the Science Based Target initiative and Net Zero operationally by 2040. Globally, Johnson Controls has already achieved over 40 percent reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2017.

Moreover, this commitment demonstrates that Johnson Controls is developing and deploying the cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology that is needed to take on climate change.

Johnson Controls’ efforts will also include focusing its attention on identifying where to achieve the most significant carbon reduction across its value chain, which includes customers, partners and suppliers. The company will also assist other private entities in the UAE, strategise their decarbonization journey by developing a plan focusing on key steps including design, digitalize and deploy.

“For its global operations, Johnson Controls is committed to achieving net zero for scope 1 & scope 2 emissions by 2040. Not just internally, within the organization, but we are also supporting our customers and other stakeholders in the region to lower their emissions through Johnson Controls’ vast portfolio of energy-efficient and digital solutions. We are happy to be a part of this noble cause spearheaded by the ministry,” Rohan Chopra, director of sustainable infrastructure, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Johnson Controls, said.

MOCCAE has launched the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge to increase the engagement of the private sector in the country’s decarbonization drive in line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative.

Besides the MOCCAE-led initiative, Johnson Controls has also joined other global coalitions and initiatives including the Corporate Coalition for Innovation & Technology Toward Net Zero announced recently at COP27 and the Sustainable Markets Initiative where Johnson Controls leads the Sustainable Buildings Task Force to accelerate the adoption of net zero buildings.