NEWS
IN ALIGNMENT WITH UAE GOVERNMENT VISION, EAD LEADS SEVERAL PROJECTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi, 15th of November 2021: As part of its commitment to the UAE Government’s sustainability vision, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is leading a range of projects that will help curb the impact of climate change. Following the announcement in October by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, regarding ‘UAE Net Zero 2050’, a strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, EAD took the lead in Abu Dhabi to help realise the initiative’s goals. To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, EAD affirms that reducing residual GHG emissions in sectors that pose challenges to decarbonisation using natural and artificial carbon sinks, as well as advancing Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification agenda through innovative lowcarbon solutions, is the way forward. Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said, “The concept of climate change is not new to EAD, and we are in the process of devising a Climate Change Mitigation Policy for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with all our significant partners. This policy targets headon the adverse effects and prospects of 16
DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT | DECEMBER 2021
climate change in Abu Dhabi. It will factor in socio-economic and cultural catalysts while oscillating between the environmental conservation needs of the Emirate. The policy will also be the premise upon which we will base our transformation of the UAE Net to Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative into local and tangible implementation plans.” She added, “We play multiple roles in the drive to combat climate change. This involves improving the data collection process through the use of technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and spatial techniques, and providing data and information services related to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide.”
covers climate change, air quality, water, waste, biodiversity and other elements. Since environmental and natural resource management is a multi-stakeholder issue, the strategy was not developed for EAD alone, but also included relevant entities and institutions from the private sector, educational institutions, development partners and other concerned organisations. The goal of the strategy is to integrate environmental issues into policies, action plans and investment plans at the institutional and Emirate levels, and we are enroute to making this strategy come to life in Abu Dhabi.”
“We also clarify mitigation measures related to minimising the impacts of the different sectors, including health, water and infrastructure on the environment, and the development of ways to reduce impacts on species, habitats and ecosystem services which need to be aligned with the objective of combating climate change.”
In alignment with the Abu Dhabi Government objectives, climate change mitigation is already one of EAD’s top strategic priorities and as part of its new five-year strategy 2021-2025, the Agency is working towards “securing the resilience of Abu Dhabi through mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and protection of our air and marine water.” Within the mandate of this priority, EAD has been developing and executing several projects to curb climate change in Abu Dhabi.
She elaborated, “On a strategic level, the Abu Dhabi Government has worked on the development and implementation of a cross-sectoral environmental plan that
Since 2010, with the support and participation of all sectors, EAD has been preparing an emissions inventory report based on the best international methodologies. The report
