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This article aims to highlight and evaluate initiatives of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to diversify its economy away from oil dependency. This is accomplished via a qualitative methodology by collecting data through in‐depth interviews with government officials, experts, and academics to amass different views and perspectives on this matter. The findings show that the government has a clear vision for diversification, which is embodied in laws and policies for effectively executing a post‐oil strategy. Driven by economic sustainability and domestic concerns, vertical diversification strategies constitute the majority of UAE's economic diversification strategies and include: investing in research and development, attracting foreign direct investment, developing the petrochemical industry, manufacturing, tourism, aviation, financial services, banking hubs, logistical hubs, digital economy, and the knowledge economy. The UAE's diversification strategy is associated with many challenges. The economic challenges are global economic crises, oil price volatility, and exchange rate regime. The geopolitical challenges include regional conflicts and tensions. There are also cultural and social challenges pertaining to demographic imbalance and low Emirati's participation in the private sector. Related Articles: Howie, Peter. 2018. "Policy Transfer and Diversification in Resource‐Dependent Economies: Lessons for Kazakhstan from Alberta." Politics & Policy 46(1): 110–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12239 Khodr, Hiba, and Isabella Ruble. 2013. "Energy Policies and Domestic Politics in the MENA Region in the Aftermath of the Arab Upheavals: The Cases of Lebanon, Libya, and KSA." Politics & Policy 41(5): 656–89. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12033 Mahler, Annegret. 2011. "Oil in Venezuela: Triggering Conflicts or Ensuring Stability? A Historical Comparative Analysis." Politics & Policy 39(4): 583–611. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2011.00305.x/abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempted to identify common trends for the "black" economic development of the major developed and developing countries as well as exceptions to these trends. It investigated these economies' energy and carbon dependences in the last 44 years. Drawing on the traditional concept of "energy intensity," this study developed the term of "black energy intensity" to account for the intensity of fossil fuels in the total energy mix as opposed to that of renewable energy sources. Using time series of fossil fuels and nuclear power consumption, population, GDP data of 14 major economies and a combination of statistical analytical methods, it studied the trends of these economies in fossil and non-renewable fuel consumption and dependence and the related CO2 emissions individually and in groups. Based on the analysis of the group trends and exceptions of the main developed and developing economies' carbon-based energy intensities and carbon intensities, the study discussed the policy implications of these findings for these economies' future sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic and social stability depend on a healthy, functioning and affordable system of agricultural production and food distribution. In recent years, however, international and domestic food prices have risen considerably, partly as a result of rising oil prices. A growing body of literature indicates that world oil supplies will become increasingly scarce and expensive in the coming years, due to the depletion of easily extractable reserves. This poses a significant threat to agricultural production in South Africa, which is overwhelmingly derived from oil-intensive commercial farming. To mitigate the risk of serious disruptions to food production and distribution, the agriculture sector may require government support in the form of temporary fuel subsidies and, possibly, prioritised fuel access in order to cope with oil price shocks and potential fuel scarcity. Furthermore, to boost resilience and improve sustainability for the longer term, the agriculture sector should embark on a programme aimed at gradually reducing the reliance on petroleum products by adopting practices such as conservation agriculture and agro-ecological farming methods. In addition, since the current food distribution system is heavily reliant on road transport, and thus exposed to fuel price and supply shocks, the mitigation strategy should aim at a partial relocalisation of agricultural production and consumption, for example, by developing urban agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the transport section, it is necessary to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions and oil dependence. Bio fuels and fuel cell vehicle (FCV), electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) are expected to reduce CO2 emissions and oil dependence. We focus on PHEV. PHEV can reduce total energy consumption because of its high efficiency and can run with both oil and electricity. Introduction of PHEV reduces oil consumption, but it also increases electricity demands. Therefore, we must evaluate PHEV's CO2 reduction potential, not only in the transport section but also in the power grid section. To take into account the distribution of the daily travel distance is also very important. All energy charged in the PHEV's battery cannot always be used. That influences the evaluation. We formulate the total model that combines passenger car model and power utility grid model, and we also consider the distribution of the daily travel distance. With this model, we show the battery cost per kWh at which PHEV begins to be introduced and oil dependence in the passenger car section is to be reduced to 80%. We also show PHEV's CO2 reduction potentials and effects on the power supply system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 171(2): 12–22, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20920 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy-technology innovation (ETI) is the set of processes leading to new or improved energy technologies that can augment energy resources; enhance the quality of energy services; and reduce the economic, environmental, or political costs associated with energy supply and use. Advances achieved through ETI have made large contributions to the improvement of the human condition over the past 100 years. Still more will be required of ETI during the decades ahead if civilization is to succeed in meeting what we believe are the three greatest energy challenges still before it: reducing dependence on oil, drastically upgrading the energy services provided to the world's poor, and providing the energy required to increase and sustain prosperity everywhere without wrecking the global climate with the emissions from fossil-fuel burning. This will require significant enhancements to ETI through deeper analysis of ETI processes, greater investments in ETI, improved innovation policies, and better coordination and partnerships across sectors and countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]