United Arab Emirates (January 19, 2010) - The first day of the World Future Energy Summit, that started on Monday January 18th, and hosted by Masdar, witnessed unprecedented attendance by world leaders, policy makers and influencers in renewable energy as well as investors in sustainable energy, academics and opinion leaders in addition to media representing more than 130 countries.

The number of attendees in the first day of WFES which is continuing until Thursday January 21st reached 9,252 people.

Speaking at the Opening Plenary Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute, says "an upsurge in action at the grassroots level is needed," he continued "It is our children and grandchildren that will face the brunt of our inaction." 

He also pointed to the need to subdue the constraints that might hinder developing nations from receiving the financial support and access to new technologies that they need. During his speech he said, "business as usual not acceptable as risk of climate change escalates." 

The Summit activities at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) witnessed participation of representatives of more than 130 countries as organizers expect 20,000 persons to participate in the activities taking place throughout the summit days.

More than 600 exhibitors from 50 nations are showcasing their latest solutions and technologies in renewable energy and the environment across more than 40, 000 square meters of space. The Exhibition has seen 100% increase in the number of national pavilions compared to the previous year.

The summit activities kicked off with a plenary forum hosting ministers of energy and environment from North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. They discussed necessary procedures to counterbalance increasing demand for energy and socio economic requirements and leveraging energy infrastructure to drive economic growth while preserving the environment and achieving sustainable growth.

One of the more significant announcements made on the first day of the event came from Abu Dhabi state-owned Masdar indicating its first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project would be cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the United Arab Emirates by the end of 2012.

The UAE is one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gas per capita. Abu Dhabi has pumped billions into clean energy initiative Masdar as it looks to both cut emissions and prepare the world's third-largest crude exporter for a future less dependent on supply of oil.

The first CCS project would capture emissions from a new UAE steel plant, said Sam Nader, director of Masdar's carbon management unit told reporters.

Other sessions will discuss results of the Copenhagen UN Conference on Climate Change, investment aspects and latest technologies in generating power as well as the emerging CCS sector (Carbon Capture & Storage) as well as arising work opportunities in the sector.

The summit will also discuss other important issues such as sustainable architecture and design as participants will debate social, political and cultural aspects of the transformation to low carbon societies in addition to studying the lessons learned and inspired from mega projects that reflect sustainable strategies, future energy technologies and best practices.

More information on the summit is available here