Western Australian Minister for Environment and Climate Action Reece Whitby led a delegation to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai last week.

 With over 105,000 delegates in attendance, COP28 brings together leaders, experts and policy makers to contribute to the global dialogue on climate change and seek sustainable solutions.

 As an emerging leader in climate change and decarbonisation, Western Australia was well represented at CO28 with representatives from local businesses, including Perdaman Group, LatConnect 60, Lepidico, Shorewater Marine Pty Ltd, Xplorate, Thorion Energy, University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Navitas, Ruminate and Blu Shift Consulting.

Also present at COP28 was WA Trade and Investment Commissioner to the India-Gulf Region Nashid Chowdhury, Deputy Director General of the Department of Water and Environment Regulation Emily Briggs, and Aziz Saba, Director of the Invest and Trade WA office in Dubai.

Organised by Invest and Trade WA, the mission also built on relationships established during the Minister’s participation at COP27 last year, facilitating connections around climate action, decarbonisation and economic partnerships between Western Australia and the India-Gulf region.

 Western Australia is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, with Minister Whitby recently introducing new legislation to establish a framework for emissions reductions and climate resilience.   

 A highlight of the mission was Minister Whitby’s address on green shipping at the Denmark Pavilion alongside His Royal Highness, Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark and Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jorgensen.

While at COP28, attendees also heard from Minister Whitby and Ms Chowdhury at the Invest and Trade WA Investment Roundtable. Organised in collaboration with India and MENA Energy Storage Alliance, the roundtable provided a forum for Western Australia to discuss and accelerate initiatives, investments and partnerships that align with COP28 objectives. 

 Fifty-five investment-ready diversification projects linked to the online ‘dealbook’ platform, WA Investments, were also showcased at the conference. The aggregate value of the projects is valued at over $8 billion, with half linked to the clean economy.

 The roundtable was followed by the Western Australia Global Decarbonisaton Forum which was attended by over 140 stakeholders across Middle East, South Asia and Australia. The roundtable featured Minister Whitby as a keynote speaker with Perdaman Group chairman Vikas Rambal delivering a special address to showcase Perdaman Group’s decarbonisation journey. 

 The event also featured an expert panel discussion on potential collaborations and collective actions between Western Australia, South Asia and the Gulf region in pursuit of a net zero economy, moderated by Samir Saran, president of the Observer Research Foundation president.

 Western Australia’s robust long-term trade relationship with the UAE and the broader regions was made further evident with several partnerships entered into by WA representatives at COP28, including:

• 6 x Memorandums of Understanding signed by WA company LatConnect 60 at COP28, covering partnerships spanning across 5 countries with companies from UAE, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and Switzerland.
• A commercial agreement between WA company Quantum Filtration and Tiba Water on water management and water filtration in Egypt
• A collaboration between the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and India Energy Storage Alliance on a supply chain mapping on critical minerals and future batteries between Western Australia and India

 The accompanying business delegation have also engaged on robust investment and joint venture conversations with the Abu Dhabi Investment Offices, Kanoo Group, Sharjah Investment Authority and Masdar City. 

With an abundance of battery and critical mineral resources, investment-ready diversification projects, educational opportunities for sustainability and climate research, stable supply chains and renewable energy initiatives, Western Australia is in a prime position to lead the global energy transition. 

 To learn more about trade and investment collaborations with Western Australia, reach out to our team at investandtrade@jtsi.wa.gov.au

Published on: 13 December 2023