Dr. Roula Maya’s participation in the Seventh Ajman International Environment Conference, and presenting a scientific paper entitled “Shaping the future of cities and communities with net-zero emissions: from theory to application and exploring international experiences,” which was organized by the Municipality and Planning Department of the Ajman Government. Emirate of Ajman, Sheikh Zayed Conference Center at Ajman University, March 4-5, 2024

Dr. Roula Maya from the Department of Sociology, and an international expert in city planning and sustainable urban development, participated in the Seventh Ajman International Environment Conference, March 5-6, 2024, under the slogan, “Climate Neutral City 2050,” and with the participation of 15 countries, they came together to find innovative solutions to ensure sustainability and achieve... Carbon neutrality, organized by the Municipality and Planning Department of the Ajman Government, from March 4-5, Sheikh Zayed Conference Hall at Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Roula Maya presented a scientific paper entitled “Shaping the future of cities and communities with net-zero emissions: from theory to application and exploring international experiences.” It presented the theoretical and practical framework for the concept of zero emissions and carbon neutrality by 2050 and the paths necessary to achieve this goal.

She explained that cities consume 78% of primary energy and are responsible for producing 75% of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition to the challenges resulting from the increase in the world’s population, which will reach 10.9 billion people, and the increase in the urbanization rate to 68% in 2050, which makes cities one of the strategic pillars of reducing carbon emissions, combating climate change, and limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

It also presented some international experiences of cities that began implementing carbon neutrality policies and developing plans and programs to achieve those goals by 2030, and then in 2050, such as the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and New York City in the United States. At the end of her scientific paper, Dr. Roula Maya emphasized that climate change is a global challenge and a shared responsibility, and hence the importance of concerted efforts at the national and international levels to achieve sustainable development and zero-emission cities by 2050.

His Excellency Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Municipality and Planning Department in the Emirate of Ajman, honored Dr. Roula Maya and the speakers in the conference sessions, thanking them for the effort made and presenting visions and ideas that contribute to supporting sustainability efforts and the transition towards zero-emission cities, which contributed to the success of the conference’s goals.