Researchers from the universities of Birmingham and Jordan led a four day knowledge exchange workshop to discuss the transition towards zero-carbon transport in Jordan.
Participants at the four day knowledge exchange workshop
From 24 June to 27 June researchers from the universities of Birmingham and Jordan led a four day knowledge exchange workshop to discuss the transition towards zero-carbon transport in Jordan.
Held at the University of Jordan in Amman, the workshop was funded under the Researcher Links scheme offered within the Newton-Khalidi Fund and the British Council. The event was coordinated and led by the Birmingham Centre for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research’s Dr Ahmad El-Kharouf, with Dr Hussam Khasawneh and Dr Martin Khzouz. Also representing the University of Birmingham were Dr Muhammad Saghir, Dr Yousif Al-sagheer, Dr Qian Fu and Dr Shivangi Sharma.
Dr Ahmad El-Kharouf commented: “This workshop has successfully created a strong network of researchers from UK and Jordan who are very passionate about clean energy. The diverse disciplines and expertise of the participating researchers enriched the discussions and generated many ideas for the transition to low carbon transport in Jordan.”
The delegation included 35 researchers of interdisciplinary background from the UK and Jordan with representation from academic, governmental and non-profit institutions.
During the workshop, the participants deliberated on the status of the energy and transport sectors in both the United Kingdom and Jordan. Delegates explored the trends to reduce carbon emissions alongside national and global policies. Finally the group discussed the obstacles faced in reducing the threats of climate change caused by human activity and debated how these challenges might be overcome.
The four day workshop served as an arena for the exchange of knowledge and a catalyst to develop long term collaborations between the two countries on the topic. By facilitating focused discussions the workshops coordinators were able to apply the expertise of the participants to obtain a number of technological solutions and resolutions to present to policy makers.
The identified recommendations will now form the basis of a white paper on the topic clean transport. The white paper will advise on how Jordan can build on its renewable resources to develop sustainable low carbon transport sector and will be submitted to the Jordanian government and disseminated to industrial and academic stakeholders.
At the close of the workshop, it was clear that business-as-usual will only worsen the climate change issue, and that the transition to zero carbon transport indeed requires a dramatic change in the way societies operate. The challenge calls for a long term, evidence based holistic approach, where we employ intelligently and accurately the technological and societal solutions required.
